Love Procurement: The Podcast

Category management is as fundamental part of procurement as strategic sourcing, supplier management, and negotiation. At the same time, there is a chasm between optimism about the potential of category management and examples of where it has been carried out successfully.  In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Sabrina Hueren. Sabrina is a manager and strategy...

Procurement transformation is always a complex, high-stakes effort, but when the organization going through the change is in the public sector, every effort has to be made to minimize disruption - especially when the public may be affected. When the state of Ohio decided to transform their procurement organization, they started by laying a foundation that combined vision, communication plans, and...

Language has the power to unite a community. Not only does it create a feeling of belonging, using the same terminology as others makes the speaker's meaning clear, despite challenging circumstances. On the other hand, language can also alienate, frustrate, and just plain annoy people who are not familiar with the acronyms and terminology used by others.   In this episode of the #LoveProcurement p...

No digital solution can deliver an ROI without a successful implementation, and yet procurement often finds themselves taking a key role in critical implementations without necessarily having the skills or experience to do so.   On the other hand, few efforts provide procurement with a greater opportunity to build relationships across the organization, improve efficiency and workflows, and strengt...

For almost two decades, The Hackett Group has been asking procurement leaders about their priorities for the current year, how they plan to invest in skills and technology, and what new and trending topics have seized their attention. Since procurement is a constantly evolving professional discipline, some areas of the study show only minor adjustments year to year while others - like AI - enter t...

Despite the interest and attention being heaped upon digital platforms, leadership teams still have to emphasize the importance of developing their team's soft skills. Whether that means improved two-way communication abilities or a willingness to trust one's instinct when it matters most, strengths and abilities have to go far beyond technical areas. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcas...

Aspiring professionals have to deliver more than table-stakes results if they want to climb the corporate ladder. In fact, they have to do more than climb: they need to time travel.  Most hard working individuals can create value for today, in their current role, given the present circumstances. The real prize goes to those who manage to create a source of value that extends into the future, gener...

Many procurement professionals cringe and cover their ears at the mere mention of "selling." The fatigue associated with being 'sold to' for their own solutions and the solutions associated with sourcing projects across the business is real. But legacy perceptions of selling are no more representative than legacy perceptions of procurement.  In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly B...

When a decision is made about what procurement platform will be put in place, the team's effort is not done. In fact, it is only the beginning. A well-managed implementation process ensures that the company achieves the objectives and benefits associated with the solution, and it takes into consideration input from a wide variety of users. Implementation is an active time for procurement and all o...

Being 'in procurement' can mean a number of things, but typically it is assumed to mean that someone is a procurement practitioner. When a practitioner makes the decision to stay in procurement but take on another role - say working at a service or solution provider - their colleagues may be distrustful. Some will even believe they have gone over to 'the dark side.'    In this episode of the #Love...

Data is one of the most valuable resources any company can have, but having it versus being able to trust it and put it to work are two different things. Some data is brought in from the outside with a clear purpose, and other data is created as a byproduct of business processes and transactions. Being able to pull it together as part of a cohesive strategy can be a source of competitive advantage...

Today's emerging technology is based on artificial intelligence and machine learning, but it wasn't so very long ago that the Internet, followed by cloud computing and SaaS, revolutionized enterprise systems.  At the start of each new age, disruptive thinkers have to imagine - and then build - platforms that are able to apply the new capabilities to specific use cases. Fortunately, procurement and...

  While some market research reports capture a snapshot in time, others play a long game, watching priorities shift over a decade or more. Those annual reports can often capture more nuanced trends, providing actionable insight that executives can use to position themselves, their teams, and their companies as leaders in an incredibly competitive marketplace. In this episode of the #LoveProcuremen...

In late 2022, OpenAI's ChatGPT set the world's imagination on fire. The possibilities of generative AI seemed endless, but at some point the work of applying this new technology had to begin. Companies of all sizes and across industries started experimenting with all kinds of generative AI use cases. Which of them will stand the test of time - and how will procurement be affected?   In this episod...

While the work to reduce emissions is not simple, it is absolutely critical for organizations worldwide. Fortunately for them, procurement's core skills - multi-tasking, resilience, and an emphasis on taking action - are precisely what is needed to lay the foundation for a more sustainable future.   In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Thomas Udesen, Chief Pro...

International Women's Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about experiences and challenges, bringing everyone together for the sake of driving needed change. But it is also an opportunity to recognize, to celebrate, and reflect on the progress that has been made, in some cases, one connection at a time. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Laura Smith, Vi...

In 1685, two armies led an armed rebellion against King James II of England. Their goal was no less than to remove him from power. In the final battle, 3,600 Government soldiers faced off against 4,000 soldiers led by the Duke of Monmouth. Despite being outnumbered, the Government army took the day. What was it that allowed King James II and the Government soldiers to triumph? Their strategic proc...

A few years ago, Ivalua was trying to invest in the procurement community. They realized that whenever procurement professionals talk about their work, they genuinely enjoy what they do and they take pride in their work.  The team started asking procurement professionals they met one simple question: Why do YOU love procurement? The rest is history.  In this inaugural episode of the #LoveProcureme...