HR and PSLs/Whinge for the day

[MPwannadecentincome]

PSLs are not just about recruitment, they are for the purchase of anything.

Thus, there will be a PSL for computer equipment, stationery, tea, coffee, plumbers, heating engineers etc etc etc.

They are there 'cos it gives the purchasing depts some percieved 'power' over the organisation in the name of streamlining the purchasing process, verifying quality suppliers and negotiating favourable prices etc.

It would be a great idea if it worked, but its really another big company 'lost the plot' idea, particularly evident when, as part of a small company it was bought out, the normal supplier for stationery was booted out as it was not a preferred supplier end the secretary had to pay 20% - 50% more for buying the same stuff as before.

Some people say there are backhanders involved with getting onto a PSL...

Oh and its great fun when you have to buy something that no-one on the PSL can supply!

[Mich the Tester]

there are backhanders involved with getting onto a PSL...

You don't say...

[Bagpuss]

If you bear with me for a moment, I believe that human beings, as creatures of habit, have our own internal PSL's.

Eg, the places we shop at, where we eat, the brands we wear, the music we buy, even the type of friends we associate with.

A PSL, in personal terms, is part of our identity and idiom.

It's not surprising therefore to see that PSL's have migrated in to the business arena, because they are a human invention that we bring with us from our personal life.

PSL's are a barrier, granted, but consider this :

If you are happy with the service you receive from someone on your PSL, why would you go to the effort of wasting time in choosing another ?

It's one thing to shop around for the best deal, but to be honest, there are so many companies offering the same thing, that it becomes counter-productive assessing each and every new potential offer.

There are probably 15 different DIY stores within 30 minutes drive of where I live. I want a trowel for the garden. Do I travel to each and every store to see the whole range of trowels, before going back to the first one ? Of course not. I go to the store that I have been to before many times, because I know what to expect and a trowel is a trowel at the end of the day.

So it is with many PSL's.

More peas Norma?

[DodgyAgent]

If you bear with me for a moment, I believe that human beings, as creatures of habit, have our own internal PSL's.

Eg, the places we shop at, where we eat, the brands we wear, the music we buy, even the type of friends we associate with.

A PSL, in personal terms, is part of our identity and idiom.

It's not surprising therefore to see that PSL's have migrated in to the business arena, because they are a human invention that we bring with us from our personal life.

PSL's are a barrier, granted, but consider this :

If you are happy with the service you receive from someone on your PSL, why would you go to the effort of wasting time in choosing another ?

It's one thing to shop around for the best deal, but to be honest, there are so many companies offering the same thing, that it becomes counter-productive assessing each and every new potential offer.

There are probably 15 different DIY stores within 30 minutes drive of where I live. I want a trowel for the garden. Do I travel to each and every store to see the whole range of trowels, before going back to the first one ? Of course not. I go to the store that I have been to before many times, because I know what to expect and a trowel is a trowel at the end of the day.

So it is with many PSL's.

Its a good analogy, but it is called "set in your ways" and whilst we can all exercise our choice about how we think and how we behave the same does not apply to businesses. If there is something out there that will improve your competitiveness and that will give you an edge over the competition then one has to look at it.

Whilst I may be perfectly happy with my trowel, the fact that someone else unknown to me is having his gardening done free of charge by a topless Lithuanian blonde in return for a few favours, is of little material consequence.

At least part of a recruitment process should include an element of interest in the market place that continually evaluates what is happening in labour markets not just inside the UK

[Sysman]

If you are happy with the service you receive from someone on your PSL, why would you go to the effort of wasting time in choosing another ?

An example here. One client was using an electrical installation company who they had a good relationship with. Purchasing demanded that another company be given a chance, but that company didn't even know what Cat-5 was. Let alone that the first company had a very expensive network sniffer at their disposal and knew how to use it...

There are probably 15 different DIY stores within 30 minutes drive of where I live. I want a trowel for the garden. Do I travel to each and every store to see the whole range of trowels, before going back to the first one ? Of course not. I go to the store that I have been to before many times, because I know what to expect and a trowel is a trowel at the end of the day.

You also probably know where in the store the trowels are, maybe how they deal with warranty claims and whether there's a decent cuppa to be had nearby.

[DodgyAgent]

An example here. One client was using an electrical installation company who they had a good relationship with. Purchasing demanded that another company be given a chance, but that company didn't even know what Cat-5
was. Let alone that the first company had a very expensive network sniffer at their disposal and knew how to use it...



You also probably know where in the store the trowels are, maybe how they deal with warranty claims and whether there's a decent cuppa to be had nearby.

And the store manager clearly knows his market which is why he keeps you.

[Bagpuss]

Or you go to Wilkos because they are cheapest

[Board Game Geek]

More peas Norma?

One of my favourite lines from Spitting Image, thanks for the nostalgic trip Baggie.

One of the drawbacks to getting on the PSL is that I am sure some companies will exploit their position to creep up their prices, knowing they are safe and protected.

So the PSL is a blessing as well as a curse.

To be honest, it's a wonder that businesses do business with each other at all, since everyone is trying to rip everyone else off.

It's all a bit seedy really.