As I was reading my co-authors here on the Know More Media site today, I was thinking that the site is really a treasure trove of business information. I thought it would be fun and interesting to give the Purchasing perspective on some of their posts. This is the first of many observations which will earn a new category in my blog.
Here's the Purchasing take on: Everything Expands from Productivity Goal.
Claire is definitely onto something here. Buyers know this theory fits their lives in so many ways! Certainly, tasks fall into this category. it is a must to put deadlines to RFP submissions. Can you imagine just telling the vendors to get to them when they have time to fit them in? The same theory works internally too; we need to give ourselves deadlines to get them done or the work will expand so much that we'll never be finished.
What about budgets? They are they ultimate example of the contraction/expansion theory! Whatever amount a department is given, they will spend. Is your own household or entertainment budget any different?
Matthew,
Thanks for your comment! Someone told me once that Back in the Day (choose your favorite simpler time), his father used to bring home his pay in cash and he and his wife would parcel it out into jars. One jar for the rent, one for food, one for other necessities and one for extra stuff like entertainment. They knew exactly how much they had and they could literally see their budget there on the shelf.
The filled the jars in order, so if there wasn't money for the entertainment jar, well, they just played cards or something. The money had to be there or they couldn't spend it. What a concept!
Posted by: Claire | March 30, 2006 6:13 PM | Permalink to Comment