I spend a lot of my time talking to procurement professionals about their careers.
Some are just starting out and trying to work out whether procurement is the right profession for them. Others are studying for CIPS qualifications because they want to move into a more senior role, secure a promotion, or simply prove to themselves that they can do it. Then there are those who have been in procurement for twenty years and are still looking for ways to develop and stay relevant in a profession that never stands still.
What strikes me is that most people have a fairly good idea of where they want to get to, but very few can accurately describe where they are today. That might sound odd.
Most people know their job title. They know how many years of experience they have. They know what qualifications they hold and what salary they earn. Yet none of those things really tell the whole story.
Two people can have exactly the same job title and completely different levels of capability. Equally, I’ve met people with relatively little experience who are operating at a remarkably high level because they have invested heavily in their own development.
So when I was introduced to AchieverMeter™ I was intrigued.
The concept is surprisingly simple. Rather than focusing on personality types, preferences or self-perception, AchieverMeter™ provides a verified Achieve Index™ score that is designed to measure career readiness based on evidence. The score is built around five key areas: knowledge, skills, learning, development and validation.
One of the challenges I see time and time again is that talented people often struggle to recognise their own progress. They become so focused on the next qualification, the next promotion or the next career goal that they rarely stop and take stock of how far they have already come.
I’ve seen students pass difficult CIPS exams and immediately move on to worrying about the next one. I’ve seen professionals successfully lead major procurement projects while still feeling like they aren’t quite ready for a more senior position.
Sometimes what people need is not more ambition. They need more visibility.
That’s one of the reasons Business Academy Online has decided to become an affiliate partner of AchieverMeter™.
We are very selective about the organisations and products we recommend to our students. Our reputation has been built on helping procurement professionals develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed, and we only partner with organisations where we genuinely believe there is value for our community.
In this case, we believe AchieverMeter™ has the potential to provide something that many professionals are currently missing: a clearer understanding of their own career readiness and professional development journey.
Of course, qualifications remain incredibly important. I’m hardly going to argue otherwise given what we do for a living. But qualifications are only part of the picture. Career success is influenced by a much broader combination of knowledge, practical skills, continuous learning, professional development and evidence of achievement.
What I like about the Achieve Index™ concept is that it recognises that broader picture. Your score isn’t tied to a particular employer, job title or stage of your career. Whether you’re studying for your first qualification, progressing into management or considering your next leadership role, it provides a consistent way of measuring development over time.
The procurement profession is evolving rapidly. Employers are looking for more than technical competence. They want evidence of continuous development, adaptability and the ability to keep learning in a changing environment. Anything that helps professionals better understand and demonstrate those qualities is, in my view, worth exploring.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about AchieverMeter™ isn’t the score itself.
It’s the conversation that the score creates.
Instead of asking, “Am I ready for the next step?”, it encourages people to ask, “What evidence do I have that I’m ready, and where should I focus next?” For many professionals, that may be a far more valuable question.
You can try it free for 14 days, and during launch there’s 30% off. Start HERE!
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts. If you could see a verified measure of your career readiness today, would you want to know your score?