Purchasing and Negotiation Training

Editor’s note:this is the eighth of eight chapter previews of the new workbook and manual, Green Purchasing and Sustainability, that will be available to order in July 2011.  To see all chapter previews, click here. 

Robert Menard, Certified Purchasing Professional, Certified Professional Purchasing Consultant

We can expect that much of the commercial business world, as opposed to public, academic, and non-profit organizations, at least in the close-in years, will resist participating in the green revolution. They may not be comfortable with the motivations of the sustainability movement or may not be confident in their ability to manage the risks involved in green initiatives and in deed, lack the credentials, knowledge, and skills necessary to deal with the challenge. 

Still others will remain dubious as they (justifiably) do not see the technologies in place that proves the case for sustainability.  For instance, those on the cusp may prefer to wait until a customer demands a reduction in GHG emissions such as we mentioned with the Wal-Mart model for suppliers.  Some may not adopt sustainability until competitors demonstrate commitment or a law establishing a standard procedure mandates their commitment.  Nevertheless, the tide is approaching and the time is here. 

back cover, Green Purchasing and Sustainability

Amidst this conflagration, we may take refuge in some good news.  That is, for green purchasing pros, all of these arguments are extraneous and superfluous to our profession. Politics and personal beliefs do not drive the process.  We do not have to make the choices that lawyers must sometimes do in setting aside their values to represent clients.  For us, the choice of green purchasing is merely a matter of cost savings, our core competency.  These cost savings will yield huge sustainability gains as a direct result of our expertise.