Changing perceptions
MIDDLE EAST BROADCASTING GROUP ( MBC )
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MBC ’ s procurement division is driving real value for the flourishing Middle Eastern broadcaster
A s the first broadcaster
to provide a satellitebased free-to-air 24-hour television network across the Arab world , The Middle East Broadcasting Center ( MBC ) holds a unique place in the region ’ s “ Media & Entertainment ” industry . Established in 1991 , MBC now offers 16 channels , broadcasting a varied line-up of programs and series , including flagship shows such as : ‘ Arab Idol ’, ‘ Arabs Got Talent ’, ‘ theVoice ’, ‘ theVoice Kids ’, and ‘ Project Runway ME ’… among many others .
MBC is a premium contentcentric , audience-focused company whose success has been underpinned by a procurement team that is setting new standards in the MENA region - thus proving itself to be of real added-value to the business , over the last decade . When Lorraine Black joined MBC in 2007 – as the company ’ s new Head of Procurement , she helped build a team numbering just four which was very transactional in its nature .
Changing perceptions
“ There were no specific processes , it was a basic operation ,” says Black , who led and managed the process of CIPS Organisational Certification , which resulted in MBC being the first company in Dubai , UAE to achieve CIPS certification of excellence of its purchasing policies and procedures in 2008 ( a number of MBC ’ s team are working on achieving their CIPs certifications currently ).
An analysis of the department was undertaken to understand the skills of the existing staff and pinpoint gaps that needed to be filled to create an effective and valuable procurement function for the business . An enterprise resource system ( ERP ) was
AUGUST 2018