Procurement professionals need to become social media gurus

Lisa Malone, General Manager of Procurious (the world’s first online business network for procurement and supply chain professionals), has put forth that procurement professionals need to become social media gurus.  She writes:

“If you’re hoping social media is really just an issue for the Chief Marketing Officer (or perhaps even just your teenage daughter and son), this next statement is going to hurt: Every leader - regardless of industry or profession - needs to be social media savvy, and the expectations for CPOs to be masterful (not just literate) are ever greater.”

Why?  Because:

“Within five years social media literacy will be single greatest factor distinguishing top performing procurement leaders from the rest.” 

Malone is quick to point out that other skills such as superior financial skills, sourcing, and change or people management abilities are important and shouldn’t be diminished.  Rather, “social media will add a new dimension to these existing critical competencies.”

Malone offers this sage advice:

 “Change management, financial literacy, sourcing, vendor and people management will always be core to procurement. Social media, however, allows you to approach these tasks with far greater reach, influence and a superior market intelligence.”