Are you playing by the rules, changing the rules or changing the game?

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How many of you have embarked on renovations over the past 9 months because you had a little bit of extra time on your hands?

Well, we just completed a bathroom renovation, and because this was not our first rodeo, I can genuinely say the experience was easy! With knowledge of what we wanted as well as an understanding of the relative importance of relationship, performance, and estimated costs, we requested a quote from a supplier we had previously used, and the decision ultimately was a no-brainer.

So, what stops us from doing something similar in our work life when we need to select a supplier? Perhaps we are unclear of our requirements, or is it that we do not understand the market or maybe we are (or perceive ourselves to be) stopped by the rules.

It is this latter point that I am extremely passionate about, particularly when looking through the public sector lens. If the rules prevent us from achieving an otherwise simpler value for money outcome, then the rules deserve to be challenged, for that matter, they must be, if we are to fulfil our stewardship duties over taxpayer dollars. It is for this reason, I personally believe that "Principles" trump "Rules" any day!

Why? Because Principles encourage freedom of thought, allow for innovation, and provide senior management, and more importantly, those who look to them for guidance, with the flexibility to do what is right without being wedded to prescriptive rules. In fact, they propel us "to do the right things right!"

Within the local government and not for profit sectors, where we are being called on to do more with our money out of necessity, there are many opportunities to not only change the rules, but also change the game! The question is, are you game?

Interested in learning more about how you can change the procurement game?

Please call directly or visit our website www.onepeople.com.au and complete our online form so that we can discuss what a successful engagement looks like for you and how One People can assist you in reaching your full potential.

Mary is a strategic, collaborative leader and trusted advisor with over 25 years of experience canvassing private, public, and not for profit sectors, working in senior supply chain leadership roles in local, national, and global organisations. As a practitioner and consultant, she is known for her strategic strength which enables her to quickly identify customer pain points and the root causes of the problem to deliver bespoke, cost effective solutions without reinventing the wheel.