Dear Sean,

I have a firm with seven employees. One of them has done the purchasing for more than six years now—but as we have grown, so have the responsibilities of this person’s role. Their work now encompasses all operations and human resources, which leaves no time to continue ordering each and every lamp or sofa. I don’t know if hiring another person to solely do purchasing is the right move for us, and ultimately it would take time that we don’t have to train someone on this job right now. So here’s my question: Can we outsource our purchasing? Who does that? And do they do it well?

Procurement Puzzle

Dear Procurement Puzzle,

I know it is a radical statement, but I believe that the only people who should be employed by your firm are those who are bastions of your culture. Everyone

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