Typical negotiation mistakes of Procurement people
Typical negotiation mistakes of Procurement people.
Negotiation mistakes can cost a company millions of dollars. The more prepared you are the less mistakes you will make. Always be ready in negotiations. Do your homework.
There are several common mistakes that procurement professionals may make when negotiating with suppliers:
- Not doing enough research: Failing to adequately research the market, the supplier, and the goods or services being negotiated can lead to poor decision-making and a lack of leverage in the negotiation process.
- Failing to define clear objectives: Not having clear objectives and priorities can make it difficult to focus on the key issues and reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
- Not being flexible: Being inflexible or unwilling to compromise can make it difficult to reach an agreement and may result in the supplier walking away from the negotiation.
- Losing sight of the long-term relationship: Focusing too much on short-term gains or trying to extract every last concession from the supplier can damage the long-term relationship and may not be in the best interests of the business.
- Failing to prepare for contingencies: Not having a Plan B or backup options can leave the procurement professional vulnerable if the negotiations break down or if the supplier is unable to meet the business’s needs.
Overall, it is important for procurement professionals to do their homework, clearly define their objectives, be open to compromise, consider the long-term relationship, and be prepared for contingencies in order to negotiate effectively with suppliers.
Negotiation Quotes
- “Never cut what you can untie.” ~ย Joseph Joubert
- โThe best move you can make in negotiation is to think of an incentive the other person hasnโt even thought of โ and then meet it.โ ~ย Eli Broad
- โIf you are planning on doing business with someone again, donโt be too tough in the negotiations. If youโre going to skin a cat, donโt keep it as a house cat.โ ~ย Marvin Levin
- โI want women to get paid more. I want to teach them to negotiate so they get paid more.โ ~ย Sheryl Sandberg
- โAnger can be an effective negotiating tool, but only as a calculated act, never as a reaction.โ ~ย Mark McCormack
- โKnow what you want to achieve prior to starting to negotiate. Itโs the golden rule but the one most people fail to heed. Without a plan, you allow the opposing party to define your goals instead of the other way around.โ ~ย Ivanka Trump
- “The most critical thing in a negotiation is to get inside your opponent’s head and figure out what he really wants.” ~Jacob Lew
- “There are people who are in debt that make $500,000 a year. ย There are people who have all their bills paid with no debt who make $50,000 a year. ย It’s easy to negotiate an “increase in your salary” just change your spending habits.” ~ย Dave Waters
- โNegotiation is not a policy. Itโs a technique. Itโs something you use when itโs to your advantage, and something that you donโt use when itโs not to your advantage.โ ย ~ย John Bolton
- โA true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.โ ~ย Douglas MacArthur
Negotiation Training.
- ALL Procurement Blogs with details.
- Conducting Effective Negotiations. Hour presentation.
- Five Easy Negotiating Tactics that will help you Win every time.
- Getting to Yes – Negotiation Skillsย (17 minute video).
- Mastering Indirect Spend: 5 Keys to Success.
- Meaningful Involvement in Services Purchasing with Lisa Ellram.
- Negotiation Skills: 3 Simple Tips.
- Negotiation Skills Top 10 Tips. 11 minute video.
- Negotiating with Sole Suppliers.
- Procurement Training, Purchasing Training, Supply Chain Management Training.
- Purchasing and Procurement Defined.
- Science Of Persuasion (11 minute video).
- Supplier Negotiations & TCO Strategies.
- Supply Chain Cost Saving Strategies, CAPS Research.
- Supply Chain Training Resources.
- The Purchasing Processย (10 minute video).
- What are common issues that arise in procurement?ย Facebook discussion.
What Is Strategic Sourcing? (Hint: Itโs Not Just โGetting a Cheaper Supplierโ)
Guide to Strategic Sourcing.
Ways Elon Musk Might Gut the Federal Government.
Why Audit Government Spending?

