This is a discussion that comes up in procurement circles now and then. Where is the line between accepting a gift from a supplier? When it becomes bribe? How to make it clear to everyone, without insulting the supplier who only wanted to thank for the good business?
Unfortunately, there is no clear classification of procurement-related positions. Some folks have the title procurement assistant and are responsible for contracts valued millions of dollars, while others are VP’s of procurement for a grocery store. Plus, there is some strange designation in between, that will confuse someone not familiar with them.
In procurement, we use a lot of three-letter acronyms and this resulted in a jargon that is sometimes confusing. So, what are RFQ, LPO, LPR, SLA, SRM, preferred suppliers, reverse auctions, e-tenders …?