{"id":2222,"date":"2021-05-02T17:31:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-02T21:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.certitrek.com\/nlpa\/2006\/10\/26\/qualities-of-a-successful-buyer\/"},"modified":"2023-11-30T11:08:40","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T15:08:40","slug":"qualities-of-a-successful-buyer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.certitrek.com\/nlpa\/blog\/qualities-of-a-successful-buyer\/","title":{"rendered":"Qualities of a Successful Buyer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you have what it takes to be a successful buyer?<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve written a lot about the skills required to be a successful buyer in today\u2019s world. But today\u2019s blog post will focus instead on qualities \u2013 attributes that are more related to one\u2019s personality rather than their ability to learn a skill.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re dealing with dozens or hundreds of vendors, things will go wrong. To be a buyer, you have to have \u201cthick skin.\u201d As much as smart buying can help minimize these problems, things will still go wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if all of your suppliers have six sigma capabilities, that still means that they will produce 3.4 defects per million opportunities. One of those defects may be an order of yours!<\/span><\/p>\n

So you have to have a personality that can withstand unexpected problems. Don\u2019t take them personally and let your emotions take over. You can\u2019t be the type that has a coronary at the slightest anomaly.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is important is to focus on fixing the anomalies, starting with diligently pursuing resolutions. However, one can’t handle each resolution the same way. I\u2019ve seen a lot of buyers make mistakes in this area.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some suppliers are chronically bad and are most responsive when taken to task, military-style. But other suppliers are committed to quality and customer satisfaction and will take corrective action as an immediate priority. They don\u2019t need to be barked at. But unseasoned buyers sometimes go barking away. And that\u2019s an error in judgment.<\/span><\/p>\n

When a problem arises with a supplier, you have to ask yourself, \u201cCan I get the same results in the same timeframe by being collaborative as opposed to combative?\u201d If so, do not rip the supplier\u2019s head off! You hurt your reputation and may forever damage your company\u2019s relationship with that supplier.<\/span><\/p>\n

The bottom line is that today\u2019s buyers must be capable of dealing with problems professionally. If you\u2019re not, then another profession may be right for you!<\/span><\/p>\n

Become a member of one of the world\u2019s largest procurement associations today.<\/u><\/p>\n

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Recommended Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n