Buyers have to maintain split personalities! (Now that the secret is out, that explains a lot about your co-workers, doesn't it? Feel free to forward them this blog entry for proof.)
Seriously, Buyers really do have two ways that they must simultaneously make buying decisions. They must balance a fiduciary responsibility to the organization with the needs and wants of their end users and customers.
Buyers are required ethically, and usually legally, to act in the best interest of their organizations, spending only what is necessary to procure goods and services. Buyers also have a responsibility to end users to get them those items that will help them do their jobs most efficiently. Unfortunately, those two statements often produce conflicts.
Let's take an example of a Purchasing Department getting new company-paid cell phones for a small organization. Users may demand amenities on their phones beyond basic cell service such as Internet service, games, and customized ring tones. It may be hard to deny the users what they want, but it is equally hard for conscientious Purchasing officers to spend more money than they think is necessary.
How do you balance this dichotomy in your Sourcing organization?
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