245 | Wired Wisdom: Unraveling the Mysteries of Procurement Fraud with Stephanie Forbes Part 2

Art of Consulting Podcast

Join us in a riveting discussion with Stephanie Forbes, a value chain virtuoso with more than two decades of experience overseeing multi-billion dollar projects. Serving as the interim vice chair of Supply Chain Canada, Alberta Institute, she is frequently sought out for her wealth of knowledge in the supply chain realm. In this episode, Stephanie delves into the complexities of procurement fraud, elucidating its various forms and imparting crucial strategies for preventing such deceptive practices within organizations.

00:13 - Introduction: Kat introduces Stephanie Forbes, an esteemed value chain expert renowned for her contributions to the field and her tenure in steering significant projects throughout Canada and the United States.

00:56 - Stephanie's Professional Background: The spotlight is on Stephanie's instrumental role in advancing the Supply Chain Excellence Forum and her collaboration with prominent entities like Shell and Chevron, reflecting her dedication to solving complex issues and building best-in-class governance models.

01:40 - Navigating the Topic of Fraud: Today's enlightening conversation ventures into the pressing issue of fraud within the supply chain ecosystem, with Stephanie emphasizing the criticality of understanding the different facets that contribute to vendor-related fraud and illicit cash flow activities.

02:22 - What is Procurement Fraud?: Stephanie lays down a clear definition of procurement fraud, highlighting the element of criminal deception in the procurement process, which aims for personal or organizational financial gain.

03:29 - Exploring Various Fraud Types: We dive deep into the murky waters of procurement fraud, discussing specifics like employee-contractor collusion and bribery, and how such practices circumvent fair processes and inflate organizational costs.

06:53 - The Mechanisms of Bid Rigging: Stephanie offers a breakdown of bid rigging, conflicts of interest, and the preventative measures that organizations can implement to safeguard against such deceptive activities.

08:22 - The Perils of Product Substitution: The conversation shifts to the significant risks associated with product substitution, particularly in sensitive sectors like oil and gas, underscoring the potential dangers and the importance of rigorous quality assurance.

09:55 - The Role of Quality Control and ERP Systems: The episode highlights the vital role of quality control measures and how ERP systems play an integral part in preserving compliance data and preventing procurement fraud.

13:05 - The Advantages of a Vertically Integrated Supply Chain: Stephanie speaks to the benefits of vertical integration in a supply chain, detailing how it can enhance predictability and control, while lowering overall risk.

16:23 - Tales of Fraudulent Activities: We hear chilling real-world accounts of fraud, including a case study of an employee's manipulation of ERP data leading to a significant financial loss for their company.

26:12 - Pinpointing Vulnerabilities and Remedies: The episode concludes with discussions on identifying weak spots in corporate processes susceptible to fraud and the measures that can be taken to train employees on recognizing and preventing these issues.

About Our Guest Today: Stephanie Forbes is a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in business, risk management, and supply chain, primarily within the energy and construction sectors. Her leadership has driven successful transformations in teams, projects, and programs. She is committed to advancing the supply chain profession by creating value for stakeholders through speaking engagements, mentoring, and leveraging her extensive network. Stephanie’s achievements include implementing best-in-class programs such as full life cycle governance and supplier life cycle management. Eager for new opportunities, she is motivated to make significant contributions to the energy and construction industries, as well as the field of supply chain management.

Episode Highlights:

00:13 - Introduction to Stephanie Forbes: Stephanie is introduced as a highly experienced value chain expert and interim vice chair of Supply Chain Canada, Alberta Institute.

00:56 - Stephanie's Influence on the Supply Chain Industry: Her work with major North American organizations and contributions to the Supply Chain Excellence Forum are highlighted.

01:40 - Fraud in the Supply Chain: The conversation turns to how fraud can impact organizations and the need for awareness of various fraud types in the procurement process.

02:22 - Defining Procurement Fraud: Stephanie provides a definition of procurement fraud, emphasizing deception in acquiring goods or services.

03:29 - Types of Procurement Fraud: The discussion delves into different types of procurement fraud, including employee-contractor collusion, and its consequences.

06:53 - Preventing Bid Rigging and Conflicts of Interest: Stephanie discusses how organizations can mitigate the risk of bid rigging and conflicts of interest within procurement processes.

08:22 - The Dangers of Product Substitution: The risks associated with product substitution in critical industries are examined.

09:55 - Quality Control and ERP Systems: The importance of quality control and the role of ERP systems in upholding data compliance is explored.

13:05 - The Value of Vertical Integration: Stephanie speaks on how vertical integration can enhance predictability and reduce risks within supply chains.

16:23 - Real Cases of Fraud: A story is shared about an employee manipulating ERP system data to commit a multi-million-dollar fraud.

26:12 - Preventative Measures and Training: Strategies for fraud prevention, the importance of process reviews, and employee education are discussed.

Where to Find Our Guest Online: LinkedIn - Stephanie Forbes: http://linkedin.com/in/calgaryforbes