TEACHERS COLLEGE | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
As mentioned , Tony has overseen a dramatic transition from manual to e-procurement since arriving at TC almost a decade ago and the process has certainly not been without its challenges .
“ People think that , when you start making changes , you are interfering with their day-to-day business ,” he says . “ That ’ s often because they don ’ t understand the system as it ’ s a brand new thing for them .
“ The first task for me when I came to TC was to bring everyone round the table as a team so that , when you start the process , everyone is on board .
“ Throughout my career of 20 years in procurement , I ’ ve learned the only way you can be successful is by making people feel part of your project .”
Summarising his approach to transformation , Tony refers to a famous quote coined by the French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint Exupéry : “ If you want to build a ship , don ’ t drum up people to collect wood and don ’ t assign them tasks and work , but rather
84 January 2025