Procurement Lessons from Jimmy: Purpose, Simplicity and Attitude
This post is about procurement lessons, inspired by Jimmy and what lessons procurement can learn from Jimmy.
It is inspired by the free life lessons I pick up when, notwithstanding the weather, I go for my morning walk and so often encounter Jimmy.
It is all about purpose, attitude and simplicity – and, what it means for procurement leaders and teams.
Who the heck is Jimmy?
Jimmy lives in a retirement village.
Whoever chose the location of the retirement village, picked a prime spot – close to the hospitals AND right opposite the cemetery!
Jimmy was 87 already when I met him many years ago.
Jimmy wakes up at three in the morning, drink his coffee in bed in the dark and thinks it is heaven to enjoy his coffee and have the world all to himself in those quiet hours.
As Jimmy says:
“I am rich”.
Then he gets up, starts cleaning and sweeping all around the retirement village. Jimmy picks up the dog poo, even sweeps the parking spots on the road. One day I even found Jimmy sweeping the foot paths across the road.
Then he has his “lunch” and has his afternoon nap at 9h30. Goes to town in the afternoon.
As you can see by now, I just love speaking to Jimmy.
Why?
Because Jimmy inspires me. I learn from Jimmy.
He also acts as my guilty conscience when it is so much easier to stay in my warm bed. If Jimmy can get up and going at the crack of dawn, how can I stay in bed???
When one looks at Jimmy, one can think that the odds are stacked up against Jimmy. Living across the cemetery when you are quite old, can be depressing. You know that the next step is just across the road.
But, Jimmy was never depressed. He finds his own purpose and has an amazing positive attitude.
He goes the extra mile – without any one asking him to do so.
In reality not only does he keep up the gardens out of his own accord, but he makes it safe for so many others. The older we get, the easier it becomes to slip, fall and break stuff. Clean paths, slippery dog poo removed, makes the world a safer place for older people.
Jimmy cares.
Jimmy’s smile, sense of humour and kind words must bring hope for the others living opposite the cemetery.
Jimmy and Procurement – an unlikely match?
Maybe it is.
It certainly is not only procurement that can learn procurement lessons from Jimmy.
All of us can learn from Jimmy.
Then why would I even ask: what procurement lessons can we learn from Jimmy?
Jimmy inspired this post as someone asked me what the meaning of the word “procurement” or “procure” was.
What is the meaning of “procure”?
How handy is it that I have spent about ten years of my life, learning Latin. It certainly helps with working out the meaning of words in the English language.
Procure comes from the Latin word procurare that means to “manage, take care of;”
Or to break it down even further from pro– “in behalf of” (see pro-) + curare “care for”.
Is Procurement seen to be caring?
It’s only been since I have stepped onto the other side of the fence that I realised how differently procurement is viewed.
Right or wrong, procurement is often viewed negatively. Procurement is often seen not to be caring. This is not only the view of suppliers but internal customers.
However when we get back to the basics, procurement has the meaning of “care” or to “care for“.
I think it is our duty as procurement professionals to bring back the concept of care in what we do and how we do it.
Procurement can take on board the simple life lessons from Jimmy and turn those into procurement lessons.
So, what Procurement lessons can we learn from Jimmy?
A Sense of Purpose makes people (and therefore companies) go the extra mile
Jimmy is not getting paid nor has anyone asked him to sweep paths and pick up poo. He could accept the contract that he is dealt and wait to be moved across the road to the greener pastures of the cemetery. Jimmy does – he finds his own sense of purpose in doing what he does. He goes many extra miles.
Many of the supplier companies that I work with and have worked with in the past, will go the extra mile as long as they have a sense of purpose and belonging. But if they are not heard or recognised, you will get what you ask for – and pay for it.
Procurement Lesson #1: A sense of purpose in business is often as simple as making sure suppliers get paid on time and are being treated with respect and not arrogance.
Setting up complicated processes and tick boxes is similar to trying to sweep water uphill: it gets you nowhere.
Adding additional complexity does not achieve a better outcome. Complicated processes and tick boxes do no lead to a better outcome, in fact it often creates more opportunities for distraction.
A perfect example is the issue in local government procurement – notwithstanding the processes and tick boxes, many local councils still struggle to keep corruption and bribery out of the system. They are trying to sweep water uphill.
In the world of procurement, not enough of us take the time to make sure that we are clear on the outcome and our suppliers understand the outcome too.
It is counterproductive. It gets you nowhere.
Procurement lesson #2: Simplicity keeps procurement in perspective and achieves outcomes.
Attitude makes a difference.
There is movement and hope in procurement. It is refreshing to see and encounter many more likeminded people with can-do and positive attitudes.
Procurement is not on a pedestal or something special- providing a service one cannot be on a pedestal.
As procurement professionals we all have the choice of attitude. If we want to make a difference, we will. When we go back to the basics and remember that procurement stems from pro– “in behalf of” (see pro-) + curare “care for”, we will have the right attitude.
It will be like sweeping water downhill – it flows.
Procurement lesson #3: Attitude does make a difference – lead by example.
In conclusion, leaving you with Jimmy’s wise words:
“It is my purpose to sweep water downhill, because I learned that trying to sweep water uphill, I fight a losing battle.”
Such simple wisdom, but very true.
Let’s all consider why and how we are trying to sweep water uphill. it complicated not only the life of so many others, but is a waste of time!
My gratitude to Jimmy for the opportunity to learn and be reminded about a few more life lessons.
