I have a new obsession.
Raccoons. Or as they’re fondly called in Canada, trash pandas.
I recently went to Canada for the first time and was super excited to potentially see raccoons. I was told by Canadian friends to hang around bins at night and I would see them, but alas no such luck. (just for the record I am not usually someone to hang around bins!)
I will have to go back, because everything I have seen about these little trash pandas I love. They’re resourceful, opportunistic, and absolutely committed to getting what they want.
Which got me thinking (yes, this is where I link raccoons to procurement).
Procurement is a bit like raccoons. Hear me out.
We’re constantly scavenging for value, finding creative ways to make resources go further, and working within the “bins” we’re given (budgets, suppliers, constraints). The clever ones don’t just grab the first shiny thing, they dig deeper, find the hidden opportunities and make the most of what’s available.
I think this can even be applied to CIPS exams, the most successful students are those who question the material, working with the information they are given and collecting more.
So maybe we could all do with a little more raccoon energy this academic year, just with a little less bin dwelling!