There is an interesting article by Ariba here:
http://www.ariba.com/supplywatch/article.cfm?articleid=64&category_id=9
Whilst this is a well written and useful article which lays out a very logical argument in favour of eauctions, I can’t help feeling that it misses a crucial point.
If ‘eauction’ is a dirty word then it is very difficult to change it no matter what the logic. Once this principle is embedded in the minds of stakeholders and suppliers then they generally don’t have the time or inclination to change it. I think we have reached that point and need to find another way round it.
But what to do? I guess we have a few options:
1. Do nothing accept the situation and try to convert people slowly but surely through argument and experience
2. Change the name of an eauction, I think ‘auction’ has a negative connotation and if it was rebranded then we might be able to start over fresh. How about e-negotiation? Everyone expects a negotiation and doing it electronically would surely be a good idea?
3. Change the experience and the name. Is this an opportunity to change the experience as well. People will surely see through a rebrand? It appears to me that most eauction platforms are very similar and rely heavily on the experience of the ‘event’ however this may be great for the buyer but the supplier rarely sees it that way. Can we redesign the whole experience to be more supplier friendly. Keep the openness and competitiveness but make it feel less like an auction.
I sense that there is a real opportunity here for the next wave of innovation in electronic sourcing software.
