Looking to ‘buy’ a buyer can get quite frustrating. Buyers seem to be a bottleneck function. Good buyers are rare and expensive to find. When you find them, it is difficult to fit them in the company culture. Average buyers, who can be found easier, tend to believe they are the best. This conviction makes it more challenging to coach them towards word-class purchasing…
When I heard of the “youngstar program”, it immediately sounded good, but could SupplyPlus realize their sales talk/promise? I took my chance and leap of faith towards the outcome.
At this moment, one and a half year later, I know that it was worth it. We have strengthened our team with a first ex-youngstar and a second one is on its way. By doing so, my department has become stronger and is starting to take the lead in sourcing tracks. We are scoring higher on credibility and reliability.
The factors that define the success of this program are first of all the players, the youngstars themselves. Their selection is clearly based on a high standard in the right skillset for future buyers as well as motivation and eagerness to learn. Furthermore, the way the coaching is done turns this program really into something unique. SupplyPlus attributes different coaches to the youngstars in order to guarantee the highest learning curve possible for each individual. Another remarkable point is that these youngstars, and their coaches, tend to blend into the company very fast. Even though they are trained in market best practices and methodologies, these ‘new’ ways of working integrate very smoothly into the way of working of our purchasing team and even beyond…
To ensure this, the coaches check all deviant ways of working with the internal management on a regular base.
An indirect advantage of this program, which is hard to measure, but very present, is how it helped me to implement my vision faster and help the purchasing department to grow towards world class-procurement.
Looking back on this, I am convinced SupplyPlus will grow as their programs are all custom made on the specific needs of their customers. This youngstar program is certainly value for money with a very positive ROI, not only for EDF Luminus but also for the youngstars. I know I can count on them on having integrated the basic skills of sourcing, being motivated and moreover loyal to EDF Luminus…