7. Mistakes to avoid

The most common errors are as follows:

• Implementing tools (especially IT tools) without a strategy.

• Put solutions (LCC sourcing, BPO, standardization and volumes...) before analysis.

• Focusing solely on cost reduction, without taking into account the increasingly important criteria of innovation, risk and CSR...

• Thinking that a buyer must above all be good at negotiation: this last stage of category management is important, but cannot be effective without the previous stages or solid procurement.