IBISWorld recently published my article, Detecting Fake News and Baloney During Procurement Research, where I provide background information and a checklist that procurement (and business) professionals can use to efficiently evaluate news stories. Before using the checklist, here are six tips to remember when researching:
- Being in a state of mindfulness and educating yourself about the reality of fake news is the most valuable step you can take
- More often than not, researching the research will be necessary
- When viewing a potential supplier’s website and its content, always remember that the number one purpose of a company’s website is to sell
- Trust yourself and trust your instincts. If you sense something is not right, it probably isn’t. If you are at all uncertain about a data point, or news claim, don’t use it. It’s not worth the risk
- Never use one source only if making critical decisions. Find several independent sources that say the same or similar things
- For optimal critical thinking and clear judgment, never research when you are highly emotional, overzealous, angry or anxious
