A successful acquisition policy is now a critical factor for companies, management should commit to real experts who know the company thoroughly. What to buy, how, who and, especially, when, are decisions that will affect a final in a proper productivity in customer satisfaction in the quiet of the employees, the quality of products and ultimately, profitability.
Current circumstances call for the fixing of our economy as a priority the proper management of purchases, and that for operational reasons and mainly financial.
When the Japanese coined the term Just in Time, “just in time” in the seventies of last century, they naturally did not think that this methodology might be more valid than ever today. This procedure which describes and teaches business managers is how to buy the right amounts and necessary to produce the goods and services they sell, but not a single element to be possible, only accurate.
The intention was also to get ahead of production customers comply with their requirements on delivery time, the right amount and best quality. Just in time had the dual role of supplier involvement and commitment to customers.
Liquidity problems require better buy
Just in Time methodology today is a good starting point for thinking about how to design a purchasing policy in delicate economic times like we have.
The liquidity of companies right now is not buoyant and the need for funding is vital. But getting a bank line of credit is difficult, and which discount notes (at 4% and more) including solvents and recognized firms is tricky, let alone those with less strength.
Typically, the company’s debts are settled by bank transfer, but few know of the date of payment because it is in the air. The reality says there are 60 days to pay and charge to 90 days. How then adjust their financial flows to companies not collapse? Buying better.
Setting a good buying strategy
The objective of good purchasing policy is to get the goods and services a business needs for the proper functioning of the production according to these criteria:
* Buy our supplies and materials in the amount and date set
* Always get the best possible price
* Our raw material must maintain the quality contracted
Having taken these three premises, the next step is to put them into practice with a script, which for the majority of enterprises will entail:
* Perform a forecast of requirements in each time period the company established
* Search various suppliers
* Properly negotiate prices with these suppliers
* Eliminate unnecessary purchases
* Streamline the stocks to the minimum possible without slowing down production
* Provide the necessary human resources to this structure to work
Following these basic criteria, we will be in the right direction.
Towards a culture of saving in business
In our country there is no real culture of savings, which would positively to a reduction in overhead costs without affecting quality. Streamline processes, allocate resources just to logistics and storage, plan purchasing in a rational and reorganize the financial flow, involving a whole is a necessary task that must take the greatest business managers, involving the rest of the organizational chain.
All that does not add value to the final product must be eliminated completely. The secret lies in good planning, a critical factor which lies in an intelligent procurement management.
