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Written by Marijn Overvest | Reviewed by Sjoerd Goedhart | Fact Checked by Ruud Emonds | Our editorial policy
Best Procurement Books 2024 – 13 Must-reads To Negotiate Better
Key takeaways
- Procurement professionals gain a competitive edge by exploring books on negotiation tactics, effective supply management, and strategic sourcing methodologies.
- To enhance their knowledge, procurement specialists should read the best procurement books available.
- ‘Never Split the Difference’ by an ex-FBI hostage negotiator and ‘Getting to Yes’ on principle-based negotiation are books that offer practical applications directly relevant to procurement professionals.
As they all say, a day well spent for a procurement specialist is a day spent with procurement books. Well, we don’t know who actually said that, but we here at Procurement Tactics do love reading a good book!
For this article, we are going to learn about the best procurement books. We’ll tackle each one by one and learn why it’s considered the best.
Once you’re done reading this article, you should know what the best procurement books are and have an idea on what to buy for reference!
1. Procurement, Principles, and Management (11th Edition)
Author: Peter Bailey, David Farmer, Barry Crocker, David Jesson, and David Jones
Why We Recommend this Book:
The book is neatly divided into 3 parts. It has an introduction to Procurement, and then it explores issues that one may encounter during the process. Finally, the book also discusses the many types of applications one can use for procurement.
It’s very easy to read into and with each chapter described beautifully and carefully, it’s no wonder why this book is still very popular today. It’s been published and re-published for over 50 years already, so it’s no wonder why it’s a recurring favorite among professional negotiators and procurement managers.
The only thing that we didn’t like about it is the price. It’s expensive, but hey, it’s worth the investment!
2. How to Win Friends and Influence People
Author: Dale Carnegie
Why We Recommend this Book:
It’s a well-known classic for both the complete beginner and the seasoned negotiator. Dale Carnegie’s book is simple and understandable. It gives you a basic understanding of how to interact with people and how to influence their decisions. Which are two of the best things that you need to know as a negotiator. No wonder it’s considered one of the best procurement books this 2024
3. Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It
Author: Chris Voss, Tahl Raz
Why We Recommend this Book:
If you are going to negotiate as if your life depended on it, then who else is suited to write a book about negotiation than an ex-FBI negotiator?
In this book, Chris Voss talked about his experiences in negotiating the release of hostages from the hands of deadly criminals. I think you managed to uncover his secrets of getting criminals to agree with his demands, then you’ll most likely have no problems negotiating with common people.
4. The Procurement and Supply Manager’s Desk Reference, 2nd Edition
Author: Fred Sollish, John Semanik
Why We Recommend this Book:
When we started reading this book, Chapter 1 already blew us off. The book is perfectly balanced in getting the interest of the reader and, at the same time, giving you invaluable knowledge about procurement and negotiations. It is still considered one of the best negotiation books, so if you want a copy, it’s most likely available in most online bookstores.
5. Spend Analysis: The Window into Strategic Sourcing 1st Edition
Author: Kirit Pandit, H.Marmanis
Why We Recommend this Book:
If you want a book that talks about the complicated subject of Spend Analysis, then this is the right book to buy. Most procurement managers understand that to make an effective procurement process that is in line with a company’s metrics, then you must have an idea of how to do spend analysis.
If this is one skill that you need, then we highly recommend this book. It is easily understandable for the complete beginner; make sure to read each chapter easily before you progress to the next one.
6. Law of Purchasing and Supply – Third Edition
Author: Margaret Griffiths, Ivor Griffiths
Why We Recommend this Book:
A classic legal guide on the law of purchasing and supply, this book is a must-have for the intrepid procurement manager or if you’re simply an avid collector of sourcing books. While the book contains general terms of purchasing, supply, and how the law determines these two values, a procurement manager knows that sometimes, going back to the basics is also important.
7. The Goal: A ProQcess of Ongoing Improvement
Author: Eliyahu Goldratt, Jeff Cox
Why We Recommend this Book:
While it’s far off from being a practical book, the thing that we like about this book is that it tells the story of a manager who takes over a production plant that is notorious for late deliveries.
When he takes over, his way of managing the plant becomes some sort of a fable among procurement managers, but the ideas presented can give the reader ideas on how to approach negotiations and procurement processes.
8. Getting Past No – Negotiating in Difficult Situations
Author: William Ury
Why We Recommend this Book:
An old classic, this book comes highly recommended for all upcoming and seasoned procurement managers and negotiators. The book provides tactical advice when it comes to difficult negotiations. We all hate getting a NO reply during a negotiation, which is why the author came up with this book to overcome that problem.
The book also teaches how to communicate effectively, how to be more persuasive, and how to control your emotions when the going gets tough during your negotiation. Certainly one of the best negotiation books.
9. Essentials of Negotiation – 6th Edition
Author: Roy Lewicki, Bruce Barry, and David Saunders
Why We Recommend this Book:
For those who are looking for the best negotiation books to improve their craft and skill level, then this is the right book for you. Essentials of Negotiation break down each skill that is needed for someone to become a superb negotiator. The book also provides good illustrations of concepts that are very important for a subject as complicated as negotiation.
10. Getting to Yes – Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
Author: Roger Fisher, William Ury
Why We Recommend this Book:
Another one of the many good sourcing books available, this classic by Roger Fisher and William Ury focuses on helping readers understand the difference between position-based negotiation and principle-based negotiation.
Once you are keen on negotiating for your interest, then you are using position-based negotiation. But once you shift your priority to principle-based negotiation, then both parties can come together to discuss the issue. Thus improving your chances of getting the results that you want.
This is indeed a powerful book for anyone who wants to improve their skills in procurement and negotiation.
11. Influence – The Psychology of Persuasion
Author: Robert P. Cialdini, Ph.D.
Why We Recommend this Book:
During the procurement process, you are always trying to persuade your supplier to give you the materials that you need at the price that you want. Therefore, it is only fair for a procurement manager to be an expert in influencing someone.
This book gives a birds-eye detail of how to improve your power over others and how to influence not just potential customers, but even your peers or supervisors. The author identifies 6 key influences, which are reciprocation, commitment, consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity.
If you want to know more about it, then you better purchase the book and have a good read. We tried it, and it was indeed worth the time and price.
12. Emotional Intelligence – Why It Can Matter More than IQ
Author: Daniel Coleman
Why We Recommend this Book:
Negotiation is not just about the power of persuasion and using data to influence the flow of the negotiation table. Sometimes, it’s also about your emotions and how strong you can influence yourself to be calm and to give the other party a reason to be excited about.
This book is all about empathy, which is considered a very powerful emotion that is linked to successful negotiations. It gives the reader information on how to develop empathy and how to use it effectively during negotiations. Apart from developing empathy, the author also explains the scientific interrelation between the cortex and limbic system of the human brain.
Overall, it is a very interesting read that puts itself as one of the best supply chain books 2024.
13. The Procurement Value Proposition – The Rise of Supply Management
Author: Gerard Chick, Robert Handfield
Why We Recommend this Book:
Finally, we have this very good book from famous authors Gerard Chick and Robert Handfield. If you ever want a good book that is all about procurement and its many processes, then this is the book that you should own. It covers the evolution of IT procurement function and how procurement is adding value to you and your company.
The book also covers the ACE model, which is a very important topic in the book. ACE stands for Aspirations, Capabilities, and Execution. A very good source of knowledge about strategic sourcing and procurement, this is a must-have for people who want to expand their knowledge on procurement and building strategic procurement processes.
The Best Procurement Books of 2024 – The Search Ends
And that’s the end of our list of recommended procurement books for 2024. Whether you read a physical book or on a computer, reading can really help you learn more. Especially for tricky topics like negotiation and procurement.
But guess what? There are even more books online! You can find thousands of books to read and learn about negotiation and procurement. So keep your eyes open for those.
We really hope the books we suggested can make you better at your profession. Remember, knowing a lot of things is power. And one great way to learn is by reading books.
Procurement Expert’s Insights and Recommended Books
For this article, we asked an experienced procurement expert to share her insights and recommended books that can help you in procurement.
Hilce Vallenilla
Procurement Manager, Sanofi
LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/hilce-vallenilla
1. Can you give us examples of procurement books that you deem interesting or that will help other procurement professionals excel in their work?
- The Art of War (Sun Tzu)
- Greatest Salesman on Earth (Og Mandino)
2. What book inspired you to become who you are today?
- Beyond Reason (Roger Fisher, Daniel Shapiro)
- Wuthering Heights (Emily Brontë)
3. What tips can you give procurement professionals when buying procurement books?
- When you’re considering buying procurement books, it’s important to conduct thorough research beforehand. You can start by looking for summaries or synopses of the book, which are often available on the publisher’s or author’s website. These summaries provide a quick overview of the book’s key themes and concepts, which helps you determine if the book is relevant to your needs. Moreover, read comments and reviews from previous readers, especially if you’re using platforms like Amazon. It’s crucial to pay attention to both positive and critical reviews to get a balanced perspective on the book’s strengths and potential limitations.
Also, don’t hesitate to ask your colleagues and tap into your professional network for recommendations. A strong endorsement from someone who has already read the book can be a valuable indicator of its worth. Personal recommendations often provide insights into how the book has practical applications and can positively impact your understanding of procurement practices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the significance of procurement books cannot be overstated. These resources serve as invaluable guides, offering comprehensive insights into the intricate world of procurement.
Whether delving into strategic procurement management, negotiating tactics, or supply chain optimization, procurement books provide indispensable knowledge for professionals, empowering them to navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and contribute to the success of their organizations.
As ongoing advancements reshape the procurement landscape, the wisdom derived from these books remains a vital tool for continuous learning and professional growth in this ever changing field.
Frequentlyasked questions
What are procurement books?
These are books that talk about procurement as a whole. Most cover different procurement topics and are highly coveted by procurement managers.
What are the best procurement books?
The best procurement books are always those that talk about best procurement practices and tactics on how to make procurement easier.
Why are procurement books important?
Procurement books are crucial resources for professionals because they serve as indispensable guides in empowering individuals and organizations to make informed decisions.
About the author
My name is Marijn Overvest, I’m the founder of Procurement Tactics. I have a deep passion for procurement, and I’ve upskilled over 200 procurement teams from all over the world. When I’m not working, I love running and cycling.
