Cost Reduction or Value Generation
The first thoughts of a procurement
professional are always driven by cost reduction. Our entire process driver and
value basis are reductions. Make a detailed proposal to the bosses, to the
board, the question comes up - what is the cost reduction. Over a period of
time, it is important for all of us to shift change - we need to assure
ourselves, we need to ensure to everyone, that we slowly build ourselves to
showcase that we are true pillars of cost parameters – how we do it, how do we
package it and how do we convince is left to us. In parallel, we need to
understand what drives our end users, which drives our organisation. This step is the primary stage of the
procurement journey
Accepting or Denying Problems
Next comes to accept the situation, to
acknowledge and be aware of the problem that exists, the want, the need of the
people who are your focus (any stakeholder or any end-user) based and for whom
you exist in the first place in your role! Everything else, everyone else just
does not matter. Be it a transactional activity case to case OR you are setting
up the strategical long term - be it buying a hand tool or be it equipment
or you are being asked to get a team of engineers or procure an insurance or
any other procurement for that matter. Your personal motivation here can be
either internal or external like a supplier or a trucking company or your
indentor or any other agency or person.
Once you are aware of their focus or problem areas (perhaps some may
want to call it as the demand, the want, the desire, the need, etc.), start
gathering information and knowledge that’s required for you to perform to meet
that demand or solve the problem. As you begin a fresh week tomorrow or on
Monday, start connecting back to check if you are aware of what your end-user or
organisation wants. And what are you personally doing about it?
Attitude
over Aptitude
Procurement Professional must have the
right attitude – to be both motivated and adaptable – to fit into any space, to
any group, open to learning and open to sharing. Aptitude can be trained but
not attitude. All the aptitude trained out is a waste without the attitude.
Procurement is always going to be about facing tough challenges, tough people,
tough times, and here it's our determination, tenacity, our resilience and our
attitude will come to the fore. Having the right and great skills but lacking
the mental or physical mindset to be humble is not going to help procurement
professionals overcome the challenges and achieve success.
Ego
of a Professional
I have an ego. You do, too. We all have
one. Ego is, simply put, the way we view ourselves—especially our own
importance, ability, and worth. Ego is the source of our self-esteem and, at
times, can provide a much-needed boost of confidence. Other times, the ego can
be the source of friction, conflict, and unnecessary drama. Managing the ego
can be a real challenge—especially in a professional context. In fact, I feel
like I’ve spent the majority of my career trying to keep it in check. My ego
has perhaps become less prominent over time, but it’s still there, causing me
to prioritize my own needs in situations where it’s not warranted. Flares of
ego are a constant reminder that I have more work to do, both as a professional
and as a human.
Hariharan Laxminarayan is a procurement
Professional with 25 years’ experience. He is an active member of the Chartered
Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), being a Chartered FCIPS, CIPS
Global Congress Member and Chair at CIPS UAE - Northern Emirates. And a person
I am happy to have as a friend and mentor for the past several years.
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