Today’s post is by Christine McConnell, Account Manager at SafeSourcing.

Merriam-Webster defines a buzzword as: an important-sounding usually technical word or phrase, often of little meaning, used chiefly to impress laymen. The Dictionary of American Slang tells us that the term may have been coined in the 1940s by students at the Harvard Business School to mean: a word used to describe the key to any course or situation. In the abbreviated vernacular of the day, buzz might simply have been a shortening of the word business[1].

Over time, buzzwords have become a construct all their own. They are distinctively different from jargon. Where jargon is simply a technical vocabulary associated with a particular field or profession, buzzwords are designed to impress, or to freshen up what is often stagnant information. We use a bit of jargon here at SafeSourcing: e-Procurement, Procure-to-Pay, RFx, RFQ, and RFP for example, to describe our process. Buzzwords, on the other hand, tend to have their own specific agenda. Industries and institutions continue to invent their own thought-provoking, and sometimes amusing, terms to this day.

On this cold and dreary afternoon, here are ten of the silliest:

•  blamestorming: when a high profile project fails and the major players put their heads together to find a scapegoat outside of their ranks
• clockroaches: employees who spend most of their day watching the clock instead of actually working
• inbox zero: Zen-like state of being, caused by the discovery that your email inbox is completely empty
• irritainment: entertainment and media spectacles that are annoying, yet still somehow compelling; for example The Bachelor or The People vs OJ Simpsonprairie dogging: the practice of popping one’s head up out of the cubicle to see what else is happening on the cube farm
• jacking: commandeering or hijacking content, from current events to the latest meme, to use for you own (usually marketing) purposes; for example newsjacking or memejacking
• plutoed: to be unceremoniously demoted without due cause or explanation
• seagull: coworker (typically a supervisor) who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves
• treeware: paper-based printed material, as contrasted with media that store or convey information electronically; typically transmitted via snail mail
• wantrapreneur: someone who dreams about starting their own business but just can’t seem to get motivated

Whether dreamt up in academia, coined by clever consultants, actualized on Wall Street, or conceived by our most cynical peers, buzzwords can be quite illustrative of the way we see ourselves in today’s workplace.

Interested in learning how SafeSourcing can help your company run more efficiently? Like to try a risk free trial? Please don’t hesitate to contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative. Our team is ready to assist you!

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[1] The Dictionary of American Slang, Fourth Edition by Barbara Ann Kipfer, PhD. and Robert L. Chapman, Ph.D. Copyright (C) 2007 by HarperCollins Publishers.

Today’s post is by Christine McConnell Account Manager at SafeSourcing

I have spent the bulk of my career in Client Services, Account Management, and Sales. As a result, many of my working hours are devoted to communicating directly with customers. Many of my non-working hours, on the other hand, are spent interfacing with my three dogs: Zeus, Mabel, and Blaze. These relationships have more in common than you might think.

• For starters, my dogs have clearly defined roles. Zeus (a one hundred and twenty pound adult male Bernese Mountain Dog) patrols the grounds. Blaze (a six-month old puppy-boy with a checkered pedigree) is our resident court jester. And Mabel (an eleven-year old Golden Retriever) is the put upon elder stateswoman. My customers also appreciate clearly defined roles that ensure that they are dealing with the most appropriate representative of our company at all times.
• My dogs have vastly different styles of communication. Mabel has a repertoire of snorts, groans and heavy sighs. Zeus prefers nose nudges and soulful stares. And Blaze, literally whines and sings like fan belt that is about to snap. My customers use different methods to communicate with me as well. Some call, while others send email. Some complain, while others cajole. All welcome as clear communication as possible and have an uncanny ability to sniff out immediately when something is “off” and I am not being genuine.
• My dogs are unendingly patient with me. They are ready and willing to spend as much time as is needed to master a task, whether I am training them to fetch a tennis ball or they are training me to fetch them Milkbones out of the treat cupboard. With their limited understanding of linear time, my dogs enter every new interaction with a clean slate. My customers also deserve my patience and ability to address every new situation without assumptions or expectations based on what might have occurred in the past.
• My dogs, and customers alike, hope to be treated with consistency and fairness. They expect that I’ll do what I say; whether that is honoring a refund policy or to taking them to the park after work. They hope to be treated fairly and equitably across the board and will complain to their peers if they feel that’s not the case. Just try to sneak one of my dogs a Fig Newton without the other two rushing into the kitchen to collect their fair share!
• Finally, my dogs are motivated by satisfaction and loyalty. When I am happy, they are happy and vice versa. My customers deserve the same from me. My dogs are 100% loyal from the tip of their noses to the end of their tails and I strive to deliver the same to my customers.

When done correctly, both dog ownership and customer service can be mutually gratifying two-way relationships. My career serving customers has been professionally and personally satisfying. I have gained much more than I have given. And of course, my dogs provide a constant stream of unconditional love, and I have the thumbs required to open the treat box and work the can opener!

For more information on how the team at SafeSourcing can help your company, or on our Risk Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

Today’s post is by Troy Lowe; Vice President of Development at SafeSourcing.

Installing a wireless router can be a very simple thing to do to allow internet access throughout your home or business. Depending on the location of your router, the signal may be too weak for your devices to connect reliably.  One solution to this problem would be to move the wireless router to a central location to improve the signal.  In some cases, moving the router is not an option.  If this is the case, there are several devices that can be used to improve the signal within the weak areas.  Below are some devices that can be used to extend and improve the Wi-Fi signal.

Wi-Fi Extender

A Wi-Fi extender is a device that can be plugged into a standard power outlet. It receives your current signal, amplifies it and then transmits the amplified signal.  This allows the existing signal to travel further to allow access to other rooms or floors.  There are also weatherproof extenders so that you can extend your current signal to your outdoor property as well.  More than one extender can be used to amplify your current Wi-Fi signal.  The extenders are easy to setu;, they just need to be connected to a computer and authenticated on your network.  Once on the network, disconnect from the computer and plug into an outlet where the signal strength is weak.

Powerline Ethernet Adapter

Powerline adapters allow you to use your current electrical circuits as Ethernet cables. Using this method is faster than the extender because the extenders can experience some speed loss due to the communication between it and the router.  Installing the adapters is quick and easy as well.  To install, plug the first adapter into a wall outlet by the router and connect the adapter to the router with an Ethernet cable. Next, plug the second adapter into a wall outlet next to the device to connect and then connect the device to the adapter using an Ethernet cable.  The device is now connected to your internet connection and ready to use.  Multiple adapters can be used by simply plugging them into additional outlets and attaching the other devices.

If you are having connectivity issues and would like some help finding the right solution, we can gather all the necessary information for you and help you decide which option meets your needs. If you would like more information on how SafeSourcing can help you, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative.

We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

Today’s post is written by Heather Powell, Director of the Customer Focus Team & Project Manager at SafeSourcing Inc

From the previous blog, you have seen several reasons of what can cause employee morale to drop, but now you want to learn how to increase the employee morale and not spend a fortune doing it.

Here are 11 ideas to recognize employees without spending a penny! – From the bambooHR’s Reward vs. Recognition: Do you know when to use which motivator slide show.

1. Send a personal note.
2. Say a sincere “thank you”
3. Recognize in a meeting and/or applaud
4. Send a shout-out on a social site
5. Mention their success in a speech or presentation
6. Give a long lunch or get-out-of-work free day
7. Have a higher manager say thanks
8. Swap tasks with them
9. Give a team lead role or title promotion
10. Offer flex hours or work-from-home options
11. Create a “Wall of Fame” or white board.

While all of these are great ideas, the biggest is saying Thank You. Everyone wants to feel appreciated, wanted, and welcome. Gold stars, high fives, pats on the back, atta-boy/girls go a long way in those feelings of appreciation.

The slideshow mentioned above gives the following statistics and quotes:

• “Employee recognition is the number one factor when motivating employees in the workplace.”
• “69% of employees would work hard if they were better recognized.”
• “82% of employees find it annoying when they are not recognized for the accomplishments they contribute to the team and the company.”
• “Did you know employees want some form of recognition ever work day? Yet only 12% of employees say they often receive appreciation for great work.”
• “You have to use recognition again and again to build people up. It is one of the many tools and practices to each manager to boost people up and elevate work performance.”- Barbara Ann Corcoran, Shark Tank

To quote Jayson Demers, founder and CEO of AudienceBloom,” To some business owners, “office morale” seems like a term invented by employees who simply want to have more fun at work. However, it’s a very important characteristic of any workplace and one that can be measured and improved. Low office morale can wreck total productivity, while high office morale can keep everyone not only productive but happy and fulfilled in their work.”

Happy employees do equal a happy and successful business.

SafeSourcing can assist you in exploring your procurement solutions for your business or on our “Risk Free” trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative.  We have an entire customer services team waiting to assist you today.

We look forward to your comments.

Today’s post is written by Heather Powell, Director of the Customer Focus Team & Project Manager at SafeSourcing Inc

Do you get the sense that once excited and happy employees are now lifeless sitting at their desk, or on robotic mode? The thrill of the job seems lost to them?

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This multi-part blog will discover causes to low morale and helpful tips on how to increase morale. This is not only a great beginning for businesses in procurement, but in any business or industry.

But what is morale? According to Dictionary.com; Morale is an emotional or mental condition with respect to cheerfulness, confidence, zeal, etc., especially in the face of opposition, hardship, etc., and Google.com explains morale as, “the confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a person or group at a particular time.”

There are multiple reasons for low morale and some of them could be overlapping one another, but there is good news! Identifying the underlying reason for the low morale is the first step in increasing morale.

1. Poor Communication
2. Management Decisions
3. Lack of Training
4. Limited Personal Growth
5. Limited Professional Growth
6. Lack of Respect
7. No Common Goals
8. Misaligned Goals
9. Economy
10. Layoffs
11. Impending Layoffs
12. Other Industries Suffering
13. Lack of Work/Life Balance
14. Little or No Accountability

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These are just a few of many reasons, but do not be discouraged in learning what brings morale down. Knowledge is power and knowing a few of the reasons for low morale in your employees helps discover what will increase morale.

Stay tuned for the next blog on how you can increase morale in your employees and increase productivity.

SafeSourcing can assist you in exploring your procurement solutions for your business or on our “Risk Free” trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative.  We have an entire customer services team waiting to assist you today.

We look forward to your comments.

Todays post is from our SafeSourcing Archive, with much respect to all of the Category Managers out there!

The job postings have been in the Financial Services and the Pet Food retail area. Now, someone might point out that pet food is a category by itself within a number of retail verticals. With that said, it is also a category within a category killer format.

The good news is that many companies are getting to the point that they understand the benefit of having categories managed strategically. This takes into account the mix of the category within the scope of its contribution to the entire company from a financial, strategic and tactical perspective. It also requires specific business acumen that combines the jobs of the historical buyer, subject matter expert, marketing professional and financial business analyst. The position originated in retail but continues to evolve into many businesses with certification and education programs to support the skill sets required.

According to Wikipedia, Category management is a retailing and purchasing concept in which the range of products purchased by a business organization or sold by a retailer is broken down into discrete groups of similar or related products; these groups are known as product categories (examples of grocery categories might be: tinned fish, washing detergent, toothpastes). It is a systematic, disciplined approach to managing a product category as a strategic business unit.

The question is, are your buyers acting as category managers, do they have the skill set to do so and if not, how efficient is your procurement department.

If you lack any of these skills on your team, contact a SafeSourcing customer services account manager to see how we can help elevate the performance of your procurement team.

We look forward to and appreciate your comments.

Todays post is from the SafeSourcing Archive.

The first thing that seems to come to mind  for Many companies when faced with financial struggles is cutting jobs in order to save money. For this author, this is not always the best decision for the company even though it is almost always the largest expense on the P&L.

When a company cuts jobs, it not only puts stress on the people whom are losing their jobs, but it also puts stress on the company and employees that remain. These employees have to work harder to accomplish the same amount of work. The workload does not change when cutting jobs, so now an employee has to take on the workload of former co-workers who were laid off in order to get the job done. This can put additional stress on these employees and result in them not accomplishing their best work.

When a company is faced with financial struggles, a company like SafeSourcing could come in and potentially save some of these jobs.  I have personally seen SafeSourcing  save  companies  hundreds, thousands, and even millions of dollars by  assisting them in the  purchase of  materials, supplies and services they need and use every day  in order to run their business. For example, copy paper, printer ink, POS paper, etc. SafeSourcing can help you source any product, good, service, you name it.

If you were to contact SafeSourcing in order to help you save money, you may not have to cut those jobs and could even potentially add jobs to the company. I’ve seen this first hand.

Contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative for more money-saving details.

We look forward to and appreciate your comments.

Todays post is from?the SafeSourcing Archive.

The first thing that seems to come to mind? for Many companies when faced with financial struggles is cutting jobs in order to save money. For this author, this is not always the best decision for the company even though it is almost always the largest expense on the P&L.

When a company cuts jobs, it not only puts stress on the people whom are losing their jobs, but it also puts stress on the company and employees that remain. These employees have to work harder to accomplish the same amount of work. The workload does not change when cutting jobs, so now an employee has to take on the workload of former co-workers who were laid off in order to get the job done. This can put additional stress on these employees and result in them not accomplishing their best work.

When a company is faced with financial struggles, a company like SafeSourcing could come in and potentially save some of these jobs.? I have personally seen SafeSourcing? save? companies? hundreds, thousands, and even millions of dollars by? assisting them in the? purchase of? materials, supplies and services they need and use every day? in order to run their business. For example, copy paper, printer ink, POS paper, etc. SafeSourcing can help you source any product, good, service, you name it.

If you were to contact SafeSourcing in order to help you save money, you may not have to cut those jobs and could even potentially add jobs to the company. I?ve seen this first hand.

Contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative for more money-saving details.

We look forward to and appreciate your comments.