This is the time of year when bloggers from every walk of life take to the blogosphere to share their predictions for the coming 12 months.

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Well, try as I might, I wasn’t able to escape the temptation of being cliche and making some predictions for the year in purchasing and supply management. My buddy, Michael Lamoureux, over at the Sourcing Innovation Blog gave me just enough prodding to contribute.

I’ll keep it short, but here goes…

1. “China, India, and ____.” When people in the field talk about low-cost country sourcing, they usually mention China and India. Well, I predict that, by this time next year, the twosome will be an inseparable threesome. What country completes that trinity is fascinating fodder for speculation. Will it be emerging hotspots like the Phillipines or Vietnam or a place not even on the radar screen? My guess…Mexico.

2. “You’re Fired.” The hot-off-the-press 2007 Purchasing & Supply Management Career & Skills Report indicates that cost pressures are growing in the lives of purchasing leaders. I think that these presssures will catch up in a newsworthy way with at least one major purchasing exec and s/he will find him or herself with a pink slip in hand by the end of the year.

3. “Extra, Extra, Read All About It.” A major supply disruption – caused by a Force Majeure event – will make major headlines and managing supply risk will become something that every purchasing professional talks vigorously about for a few weeks until a new reality show, sporting event, or political happening steals the conversational thunder.