Pet Peeve #1 – Doing everything in your power to go around us.

Yes, I agree we are annoying. But it’s not in your best interest to game the system.

Why? Sure you may get away with it for a while, but not forever. There are naughty lists that go to the CFO/Executives and do you really want your name on them?

Yes, we track and monitor those who split a $1M project into four 250k PO’s to skirt signature authority. (I’m watching you!)

Pet Peeve #2 – Calling everything you don’t know a consultant.

Do you know the difference between a management consultant, consultant, temporary staff support, or other types of FTE support? No? Then please ask me!

I am more than happy to explain the difference. But for the love of sweet JESUS, not everything is a consultant.

So please, please, please QUIT classifying or coding everything this way! It creates such a mess on the back end when analyzing data when you code everything the same way!

Procurements’ Pet Peeves

Pet Peeve #3 – Assuming we all sit around and wait for your call.

Yes, we are a support function. No, we cannot just drop everything when you have issues to expedite a screw-up.

Especially when it goes around the policy.  Quite honestly, it’s one of the most annoying things about our jobs.

I’m always happy to help, just don’t expect me to drop whatever it is I’m doing.

Pet Peeve #4 – Asking us to do your work.

Please don’t treat me like your personal …… I AM here to help, but I’m most definitely not here to do ALL your work for you.

Asking me to do all your administrative work, figuring out simple questions you can do yourself, is not in my job description.

Especially if you have decided to exclude me from the rest of the RFP process. It’s just plain rude.

All you have to do is remember this: Do we like to help? YES. Should you take advantage of this? NO.

Pet Peeve #5 – Telling me someone else went around the policy.

Guess what – we’re not in 5th grade. And I’m not your teacher, ya tattletale.

I couldn’t care less if another category manager let someone get away with murder. It’s not in my personal best interest to do the same.

So please don’t complain about how other functions are getting away with it. It just makes you look like a potato.

Rounding out the Top 10

#6 – Going to my boss to try and go around the policy (or me). (Spoiler alert – it always ends up coming back to me!)

#7 – Side-talk with suppliers during the RFP.  The best way to lose leverage and show you aren’t committed to the process, as much as you are to the supplier relationship.

#8 – Getting the supplier to do all of your accruals/invoicing. You’re actually paying them to do this (whether you know it or not). And don’t even get me started on the compliance aspect.

#9 – Bringing in old suppliers from past companies just because of the relationship. Yes, they may have worked well for you there, but you are at a different company, aren’t you?

#10 – Having more loyalty to a supplier, than the company that signs your paycheck. Nothing screams “willing to commit fraud” more than when I see a business partner continually side with a supplier vs. internal stakeholders, bosses, or executives.