When a faulty agent leads a negotiation, it’s unlikely the right minds will converge on a productive arrangement. Similarly, while the top management of two companies in a supplychain may speak glowingly of the strength and quality of their partnership, the buyer’s procurement agent may be motivated by monthly targets and penny-pinching while overlooking broader concerns. A fanatical focus on getting the best price may be due in part to how the agent is evaluated by her superior, but also may derive from the organization’s culture.