Kevin McCallister: The Perfect Procurement Pro!
Business | December 20, 2022 | By
How strategy lessons can be taken from the 8 year old genius’s escape plan!
‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la lala lala. And along with it comes all the merry, the friendship, family, carols and of course, Christmas Movies. And it can be said that without a doubt, Hallmark films own that niche. Hallmark movies are a popular choice for many people during the holiday season, and peaks particularly around Christmas time. The general vibe of the movies often are based on festive, holiday themes and storylines that make them particularly well-suited for the season. They can, and do, provide a sense of warmth and cheer during a time of year when many people are feeling the stress of holiday preparations and the hustle and bustle of the season. And with time, they have been a great source that kindle and bring a sense of nostalgia for those that grew up watching them. Apart from that, many people enjoy watching Hallmark movies as a way to relax and unwind after a busy day, or as a way to get into the holiday spirit.
It’s the perfect film!
Now there has been much debate about what can be considered the best holiday film. Jake Peralta has even argued that Die Hard is a Christmas-themed film too. But popular demand and consensus have since for a while now, pointed to the direction of Home Alone. It is, probably now, the most popular holiday film that has become a cult classic in many countries around the world. The film is genre-bending- in the fact that it incorporates multiple aspects of storytelling like comedy, suspense, emotion, and even action to narrate the story of a boy genius’s survival. The fact that it is set during the holiday season, adds to its festive charm and makes it a perfect way to feel the atmosphere.
The movie follows the story of a young boy named Kevin who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on a Christmas vacation, and he has to defend his home against a pair of burglars. Despite being left alone, Kevin finds joy and purpose in taking care of his home and protecting it from burglars. And the plot is mainly driven by many memorable holiday-themed scenes, such as Kevin decorating his house for Christmas, and the burglars being thwarted by holiday decorations and Christmas music.
The film courses through a slew of emotions and high moments to a heartwarming climax. This could be a big reason “Home Alone” is considered a perfect Christmas film. It has a heartwarming message about the importance of family and the value of spending time with loved ones. This message is particularly relevant during the holiday season when many people focus on spending time with their families and celebrating together. Moreover, “Home Alone” not only drives this theme but does the job of making it happen too. The film is a classic family comedy that is suitable for people of all ages. It has a clever and humorous plot, and it features a talented cast of actors, including Macaulay Culkin as Kevin. All of these elements combine to make “Home Alone” a film that is enjoyable, entertaining, and perfect for the holiday season.
But is the film relevant to procurement?
Yes. And more than what we expect. The plot, oops, plan thickens.
Procurement Genius
The plan that Kevin McCallister develops in the movie “Home Alone” to defend his home from burglars can be seen as analogous to the process of procurement in business. Procurement involves: identifying the needs of the organization, developing a plan to meet those needs, identifying and evaluating potential suppliers, negotiating and finalizing contracts, and managing the delivery and payment of the goods or services. Kevin does all of this. He has been trained by a procurement professional. This plan is very relevant to procurement and has some good takeaways:
Resource management
Kevin is able to effectively defend his home by using the resources he has available to him. He uses household objects as traps and distractions, showing the importance of being resourceful and maximizing the use of available resources. In procurement, effective resource management involves identifying the resources needed to complete a project or achieve a goal, and then acquiring these resources in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.
Risk management
Kevin is able to defend his home by anticipating and preparing for potential risks and challenges. He sets up traps and distractions in order to deter burglars, showing the importance of identifying and managing risks in order to achieve your goals. In procurement, risk management involves identifying and evaluating potential risks and implementing strategies to mitigate or eliminate those risks.
Planning and execution
Kevin is able to successfully defend his home because he has a clear plan of action and executes it effectively. He sets up traps and distractions in advance and monitors their effectiveness, showing the importance of careful planning and execution in achieving one’s goals. In procurement, effective planning and execution are key to ensuring the successful acquisition of goods and services.
The saying that “inspiration can come from anywhere” holds true here. And what better time than the holiday season to reflect, relish, and enjoy a good old film that can inspire. Kevin’s plan to defend his home and the procurement process is very similar. The processes involve defining clear objectives and developing a plan to achieve them. And encapsulates other factors such as identifying and evaluating potential suppliers, negotiating contracts, and managing the delivery and payment of goods or services. Additionally, both Kevin’s plan and the procurement process involve the need to stay organized and monitor progress in order to ensure that the desired outcomes are achieved. These principles are relevant to procurement and can help to ensure the successful acquisition of goods and services. And if Kevin could have achieved this with what he could find, imagine if he had great procurement software to support him. Sounds like an idea right?
Keep that in mind when you are looking to strategize your procurement plan for the new year and gift. Your procurement teams could do with great procurement software, and we happen to have one on our hands. Click here to to know more about Zumen.
