Language as a Uniquely Human Superpower

The word ‘procurement’ originates from the Latin verb ‘procurare,’ meaning ‘to take care of’ or ‘to manage’. This Latin word is a combination of ‘pro,’ meaning ‘on behalf of,’ and ‘curare,’ which means ‘to care for’. The term evolved through Old French (‘procurer’) and ultimately entered the English language in c1300. 

Shakespeare (1564-1616) is credited for introducing around 1700 new words that are still used today. His works have contributed to the standardisation of English spelling and grammar. Procurement people are also credited for introducing around 1700 new words for what we do that are still used today.

While we all agree that procurement is an important business function, our specialised language and with multiple definitions for the same thing can make it appear confusing to those outside our profession, hindering communication and collaboration. 

By referring to the definition of ‘procurement’, our job is to ‘care for’ and ‘manage’. This makes sense. We care for our stakeholders, for example, by listening to their business challenges and supporting their success. We manage cost, risk and key supplier contracts & relationships, for example, on behalf of our stakeholders.     

We are typically more responsible than we are accountable for things, unless what we are ‘procuring’ is a product and/or service for ourselves not the business. Being realistic about this will help to give our stakeholders clarity about what we do. This reduces the language barrier.

Procurement versus Purchasing

‘Jargon buster’ and ‘de-mystifying procurement’ frequently feature on company websites. In one respect that’s a good thing, in another it’s an acceptance of the issue.

The CIPS site describes ‘procurement’ as a long-term approach and ‘purchasing’ as short-term, reactive and transactional. If that were the case then why do most procurement teams i’ve worked with are, more often than not, reacting to transactional short-term demand? Contradiction. It’s not easy is it. We confuse ourselves, so it’s no wonder that the business is confused too.

The language of the ‘business’

In Douglas Adams' classic novel, 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,' he presents a magical creature called the Babel fish. The Babel Fish is small, yellow, and simultaneously translates from one spoken language to another. When inserted into the ear, its nutrition processes convert sound waves into brain waves, neatly crossing the language divide between any species you should happen to meet whilst travelling in space.

I’ve observed and personally experienced occasions where internal stakeholders would have appreciated a Babel fish to help them understand what we are talking about. I once said to the CFO at a water company ‘we’re looking to introduce category management’. ‘What is that?’ he said, looking perplexed. ‘It’s all about market intelligence’ I said in response. ‘Then, let’s call it that’, he replied.    

Do other support functions, such as Finance, share the same language challenge?

From what I have observed, I do not think so. I may be wrong. All I know is that this problem creates ambiguity and confusion, resulting in lost value and missed opportunities.

Right or wrong, when I start a new procurement transformation contract, I agree a standard lexicon with the procurement team and with their key stakeholders. I listen to the language used by key stakeholders and what is written in procurement documentation and conversation. It’s not the answer to the problem, rather more papering over the procurement language cracks, though it does help better business partnering, collaboration and business buy-in.

A universal procurement grammar set

Noam Chomsky, American professor and linguist (1928-present day) suggested that we’re all born with a ‘Universal Grammar’, a built-in blueprint that primes us to learn language, no matter which one we grow up hearing. Maybe in time, we will introduce a universal procurement grammar set, a habitual blueprint which can be learnt when we join the profession. We can use this grammar set to further develop a lexicon for any organisation to adopt and with ease. One which reflects language and cultural nuances between market sectors and organisations, as well as the specific activities the procurement function undertakes.

In the end, language is a kind of human superpower, an invisible engine that powers not just the words we say, but the very way we think and connect. Consistency and commonality are key.

Have a read about how we can support your business partnering and transformation challenges at www.procurementpotential.com

Tom Lewers

tom@procurementpotential.com