Are some holiday gifts from suppliers appropriate? If so, what types of gifts are appropriate? Why might some be inappropriate or even offensive?
I've tackled some of these issues in this latest vlog. I'd love to hear what you have to say, so I encourage you to comment.
To Your Career,
Charles Dominick, SPSM
President and Chief Procurement Officer
Next Level Purchasing, Inc.
Struggling To Have A Rewarding Purchasing Career?
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http://www.nextlevelpurchasing.com/
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2 comments:
Charles,
I couldn't agree with you more regarding your points on the "perceived bias" resulting from accepting vendor gifts. I can tell you that, personally, vendor gifts have no influence on me and, actually, may have a negative influence on me (I don't like vendors that feel they can manipulate me too easily). However, as you point out, whether or not vendor gifts bias a purchasing professional isn't the entire analysis. If my customers hear about my accepting vendor gifts, my credibility as a purchasing professional has gone down the drain in my customers' eyes. At that point, my effectiveness as a purchasing professional is tremendously diminished and my value-add is questionable. When it comes to gifts from vendors, a zero-tolerance policy may not be the best, but at least it doesn't leave any judgment gap.
On the other hand, I strongly advocate (reasonable) lunches with vendors for relationship management purposes. Who was it that said, "There's no such thing as a 'free' lunch"?
Stephen R. Guth, Esq.
www.vendormanagementoffice.com
Thank you, Stephen. I'm delighted that we share the same views!
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