Love Procurement: The Podcast

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...