When you think you're good at your job it's time to go learn something new

This article was originally posted on Sievo's blog.

Last January I quietly reached 10 years working in marketing. I've been really lucky. I've had the opportunity to continue learning across a number of different roles and jobs, like search engine marketing at Google, social media marketing at Twitter. I also learned a handful of intangible skills creating my own startups. Having done my time across the "full-stack" of marketing roles I knew it was time for something new. I switched over to a new role in procurement, a field I had only very briefly glanced over in university textbooks. While I still use my marketing skills, I'm now knee-deep in unfamiliar territory, learning every day about completely new business processes. Today I spend a lot of time learning about procurement, and that is my key advice to you.

If you find yourself too comfortable in your current role, it's time to go learn something new.

“Procurement people are really, really self-conscious.” That was my first impression as I joined Sievo as a marketer 12 months ago.

I’ve done a lot of reading over my first year working in procurement analytics. I’m a long way from being an expert, but I’ve found many good articles and thought leaders to follow.

Here are my top articles about procurement from 2017 (in no particular order.)

Value Making or Cost reduction? Choose both! by Robert Freeman. In this article Robert discusses the Lavergne Procurement Matrix developed by Rémy de Lavergne. Key point: There are many personas working in procurement, you need to be a good people person open to collaboration.

What worries Procurement Professionals? by Beroe. I mentioned procurement people are self-conscious, right? Key point: Procurement is an ideal profession for people who worry.

Marketing procurement by Tom Fishburne. There are two sides to this story, but Tom Fishburne accurately reflects the sceptical view marketing has of procurement. Key point: Procurement needs to rebrand from ‘cost-cutters’ to business partners to win over the hearts of marketers.

Six Distinctions to Aspire to Greatest Procurement Practices by Accenture. The first sentence says it all, “Great procurement is not just about savings. It’s about being a partner.” Key point: Great procurement brings powerful insights and analytics to inform decisions.

The Massive Problem at the Heart of SRM by Bertrand Maltaverne. In a short and straight-to-the-point article Bertrand warns against supplier (relationship) management as a zero-sum game. Key point: Procurement should be a facilitator and connector providing value to all.

First global standard for sustainable procurement hits the market by Madeleine Cuff. ISO standards may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this article reflects the opportunity ahead in sustainable procurement practices. Key point: Better measurement and standards can improve sustainability in procurement.

Selling Kids on a Career in Procurement is Impossible – Here’s a Better Option by Pierre Mitchell. I had no idea it was hard to convince kids to work in procurement, but I’m now convinced Pierre should be the one to sell the idea. Key point: “Sell the wow, not the how” – which is true for both kids and grown-ups, by the way!

How AI Will Help Procurement Advance Analytics Beyond Basic Spend Analysis by Nick Heinzmann. This article describes the overall opportunity of AI-driven advanced spend analysis with a couple concrete user-focused examples. Key point: Don’t focus on ‘spent’ analysis, but on insight-driven procurement analytics.

Procurement Pudding (It’s a trifle complicated) by Tania Seary. The four quadrant chart is the staple of most procurement professionals, so it’s refreshing to have the sector compared to a yummy English pudding instead. Key point: Procurement is the sponge at the bottom of the trifle keeping various stakeholders, suppliers and risk in balance.

Driving superior value through digital procurement by Pierre de la Boulaye, Pieter Riedstra and Peter Spiller. This intense article may require a small caffeine intake to process and offers a lot of interesting concepts including my favourite ‘supplier x-rays’ or snapshots of procurement-related data about a key supplier. Key point: Focus on procurement tools that identify and create value.

Bonus:

Procurement Mojo by Sigi Osagie. Some write articles, Sigi writes books. In Procurement Mojo, Sigi shares both practical advice and the self-confidence the procurement sector so needs. Key point: An effective procurement leader is a ‘business leader’ not a ‘purchasing geek.’