Index of posts offering different perspectives to a challenge

I asked you for your most challenging procurement issues on LinkedIn, and you shared them enthusiastically. I'd said I'd apply the unconventional tools I use in coaching, facilitation and training to these challenges, and share the outcome in my posts on my blog. I also wrote some guiding principles that would help you to get the most from reading the posts.

Here's the emerging index of the post I've written so far (follow the hypertext links highlighted).

I like to see it as an index of potential insights offering different perspectives to the challenges you're facing.

The score out of 10 provides my assessment of the level of unconventionalness used when applying the tool.

1. An introduction to viewing challenges from a different perspective - insights shared can be applied to any challenge you're facing. 5/10
2. Talent 3/10
3. Getting Procurement teams to expand their thinking 2/10
4. How to release the bad cop image - but it's a 7/10 therefore please approach with an open mind
5. Why do stakeholders think they can do it better and ignore our advice 2/10 (this post would be a good place to start)
6. Procurement's challenge of  how to have a flourishing garden 3/10
7. Looking at a category metaphorically 10/10 (be warned)
8. Are procurement setback by arrogance? 2/10 
9. Finding the right key to open the door to effective communication 1/10
10. Standing in your stakeholders or suppliers shoes 4/10   
11. No one is 100% brick wall 3/10 & 8/10
12. Why all maps are wrong 2/10  

Remember we're using an unconventional tool because the conventional way of solving a problem means the solution is still eluding us, and an alternate perspective may just be the thing we need to jolt us back on track.

How your mind does that will differ every time you use one of these tools. Just stay open to the possibility of finding something you've not thought about before, that might just be the insight you need.

Other blogs I've shared in the past using an unconventional tool or two, and applied to various challenges discussed in procurement coaching or training sessions are listed below:

• No seat at the table - using sayings/metaphor to uncover different perspectives - 7/10 on level of unconventionalness of the tool
• Why Procurement isn't seen as strategic by the board - 1/10 using Kraljic to give a different perspective - a post written for one of the consultancies I'm an associate for.  
• Is it really a problem - is using 'problem' the problem - using language 2/10
• Are you looking for solutions or answers - because for one person looking for the answers and definitely not the solutions meant she found them! - using language - 3/10
• Dealing with closed bridges with others - using sayings/metaphor - 7/10 
• Doing something different every day - 1/10 such a fabulous tool to get us out of our comfort zones and being more open to saying yes rather than no to new ideas.
• Thinking about how to have even more of the problem - 2/10 
• If misunderstandings have arisen with stakeholders or suppliers are you having a chocolate moment? 1/10 - no actual chocolates involved I'm afraid.
• Do you just need to get into a different environment to get a different perspective - what about a walking meeting? 2/10

More general blogs addressing every day issues that also use these unconventional tools include:

• What's being measured is driving the wrong behaviour
• They're just not listening to us
• They don't understand us 
• We don't understand them
• We aiming for perfection
• We're stuck
• We feel like we're up a creek without a paddle
• It's as if they're talking a different language
• Yep we've given up, and have started to believe "that's just the way business is"
• Some of us are feeling lost
• We keep getting the same outcome despite trying different approaches 
• A few of us have a sense of deja vu, that we're simply going around in circles
• We've been accused of being on auto pilot (and so simple to resolve - see link for more)
• What we're doing isn't working
• We can't see the wood for the trees
• Some of us are getting more and more demotivated, or are even considering leaving the team
• But hey - no pain no gain

I'm not expecting anyone to read them all - just dip in and out (by following the hypertext links for the topic you're interested in).

I'd suggest that on days when a solution is eluding you you might want to come back, be open to the unexpected and unconventional, and pick a post that feels like it might just have the same energy to your issue, and apply the insights to your current situation.

Do get in touch if you'd be interested in coaching, facilitation or training, whether using these unconventional tools applied to challenges you're facing, or more conventional soft/people skills training. I do also provide category management and supplier management training and coaching too, directly or as an associate via other procurement consultancies (I'm always open to being an associate, partner or collaborator with others.) alison@alisonsmith.eu +44 (0)7770 538159

Alison Smith
The Purchasing Coach
Unlocking procurement potential often using unconventional tools

Creativity is one of the postcards included in the Purchasing Coach Soft Skills Toolkit that brings together a series of postcards written to Procurement from your soft skills - it's entitled Dear Procurement, with love from your soft skills. More here.