text: Zdeňka Matulová
When we decide to change, we usually hope that it will be a step forward. But nothing changes on its own. Until we redirect our view of ourselves and accept new ideas, the world around us remains the same. Only when we open ourselves up to new contexts do we begin to understand reality differently—more subtly, more deeply, more humanely.
My professional journey: an ironclad past
I worked in purchasing for more than two decades. In “ironclad” industries. Heavy materials, cold logic, rigid structures. It was as if I were copying the career of my father, who worked in the so-called Material and Technical Base—today’s modern purchasing department. Being unyielding, persistent, and pragmatic was not foreign to me. My family used to say that I had a heart of steel. It was a professional mask, but over time it became part of my identity.
In 2024, I decided to make a major life change. It was a moment when I realized how fragile life can be. I felt that I needed something to calm my mind and soften my inner attitude. It was as if I had been given a blank page—space for a new chapter.
And so I began writing this new chapter in January 2025. At FINIDR.
A new beginning: FINIDR
After a difficult family situation, I started to reflect. I wanted to find gentleness, peace, a touch of the past. I remembered the nights when, as a child, I would read books under the lamp, secretly and eagerly. The soft paper, the smell of books, their soul… All of this began to call me back.
After twenty years, I opened the books from my childhood. I showed them to my granddaughter, read them to my mother, shared the stories with others. And I knew it was time. Time to end the “iron” era and start living a different story.
It was as if the universe had come together. An opportunity arose at FINIDR—in the world of books that I loved so much. Even though I was apprehensive, unfamiliar with the processes, and unsure of how to navigate this new world, I took the plunge. And today? I feel like I’m part of something bigger than just a company. I feel like I’ve been here with you for years.
Purchasing is not just “talking to suppliers”
Many people still imagine the work of a purchaser as merely “negotiating prices” or communicating with suppliers. However, the reality goes much further. Advanced and successful companies are well aware that purchasing is a strategic discipline that directly affects competitiveness, output quality, and the satisfaction of internal and external customers.
It uses negotiation tools, generates savings, and satisfies the needs of the entire organization—and there is no universal guide to follow. Every negotiation is unique, and a successful buyer must choose a strategy tailored not only to the product but also to the supplier’s personality.
What skills must a purchaser have?
A purchaserr is a combination of an expert, negotiator, economist, technician, and psychologist. To conduct effective negotiations, they need:
- perfect knowledge of their company and its position on the market
- detailed information about the product or service they are negotiating
- an overview of suppliers—their market position, background, and corporate culture
- an understanding of the other party’s personality and the ability to adapt their communication style
All this is complemented by diplomatic behavior, the ability to argue and respond to objections. That is why a successful buyer is constantly learning, developing, and adapting.
New challenges
As a new member of the purchasing department, I see an opportunity for change. Our goal is not revolution, but meaningful steps that will gradually lead to greater efficiency:
- mapping and unifying purchasing processes for their possible automation
- developing cooperation with suppliers based on transparent rules
- effective inventory management, systematic resolution of complaints
- regular analytical meetings with suppliers on the results of cooperation
Purchasing thus becomes not only a service function, but also a strategic partner of the company.
In conclusion
I know that this journey will not be a matter of days or weeks. It will take time, patience, and cooperation. But I believe that with the support of management and the purchasing team behind us, we will achieve this goal together.
