How to Avoid Procurement Burnout

At the end of a long, gruelling year we wouldn’t blame you for feeling a little burnt out! But this blog will help you make sure that it doesn’t turn into something more…

Have you just finished a gruelling nine-month negotiation with a consultant, only to realise that there are two more just like it with contracts expiring in 30 days?

How about finishing up a long, stretched-out RFP, only to notice the first version of the contract has all the important business terms crossed out in red (and these were the business terms you thought you had already agreed upon).

What about having to answer yet another call from a supplier or business partner who wants to complain about the other?!

Life in procurement is no easy feat. There are many moving parts, from processes to personnel, to ensure business runs efficiently and effectively. And some days you feel like you have to be a jack-of-all-the-finance-trades to support your internal customers. 

Therefore, it’s no big surprise you may wake up one day and realise, you’d rather stay in bed. Or catch a plane to a remote island and never return. Or donate a kidney just to get time off from work.

If this sounds like you, it may be that you’ve got a bad case of procurement burnout. 

Burnout as defined by psychologists is “a state of emotional, mental and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress.” 

And when you think about procurement, the amount of repetition in some of the processes we support is astounding.

That’s why procurement burnout is real.  And potentially why you see so many folks take positions in the businesses (that they once supported) just to get a break. But you don’t have to take such drastic measures to give yourself a break.  There are lots of things you can do to ensure you avoid the cycle of procurement burnout.

Have some fun with contracting terms 

I don’t know about you, but reviewing, redlining, and negotiating contracts is at the bottom of the list of what I consider to be a “good time.” So, why not have a little fun with them?

Why not have the arbitration clause specify use of Judge Judy for any small court claims?  Or add the zombie apocalypse specifically in your force majeure clause? The possibilities are endless to give yourself a giggle. Just make sure it’s not on a high-visibility supplier or project!

Have suppliers duke it out to win business

You must ensure one side of the negotiation starts discussions by yelling, “Let’s get ready to rumble!!” to ensure proper etiquette is followed. Wrestling and cage matches are also other fun options.

Wear a funny hat to your next meeting or negotiation

Maybe one of those hats that let you drink from two different cans.  Just make sure you have the backstory of moonlighting in a jazz band, or your tactic to not take breaks and be more combat-ready. Not only will this bring a chuckle to the meeting (bringing down any built-up tension), it also will get the other side to let down their guard just a little bit to help build trust. 

Just don’t go overboard on the idea (and know your audience for appropriateness). Things like that, people just don’t forget.

What’s my point in all of this very ridiculous advice? Have a little bit of fun when you can. There is a place and time where these things would NOT be well received, or audiences where it is completely inappropriate. That said, you should be able to mix things up just enough, so that they aren’t as repetitive and stressful. And having a laugh, is another great way to destress from the procurement burnout.

Now, if you’re looking for some other solid advice, check out this article on Procurious – Stop Freaking Out, Checking Out and Burning out or 5 Ways To Avoid Burnout At Work  (Forbes).