Rebuild Procurement Podcast

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the evolving landscape of coding, SaaS, and the future of corporate structures. Discover why Tom's been spending his free time coding and Alan's hot take on the impending "death of SaaS" might just change how you view procurement. Ever wondered if you could code your way out of paying for that overpriced software?...

Join Tom Finn today on Rebuild Procurement as he takes a look at the game-changing study exposing how AI like ChatGPT is rewiring our brains—and what it means for procurement’s future. Discover why outsourcing your thinking to AI could turn your critical skills into a "use it or lose it" scenario, leaving your brain lazier than a Monday morning. Learn how generative AI’s "cognitive...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the mysterious world of the airplane black box — spoiler alert: it’s neither black nor a box! Discover the incredible materials and high-tech engineering that make these orange survival champions tough enough to withstand fiery crashes and ocean depths. Learn how a combination of titanium, thermal blankets, and advanced memory chips c...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the fascinating journey of the soccer ball, from pig bladders to high-tech, sensor-embedded precision spheres. Discover how material science and global sourcing shape every kick on the field—because even soccer balls have a supply chain that’s a real goal! Learn why Pakistan stitches over 70% of the world’s premium balls by hand and h...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the fascinating evolution and complex sourcing behind the humble golf ball. Discover how a small ball made from layers of oil-based materials can make or break your drive—and your wallet! Learn why marketing and endorsements might cost more than the raw materials, and how Massachusetts became the unexpected hub for golf ball manufactu...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the fascinating evolution of tennis rackets, from humble wooden frames to high-tech composites. Discover how material science and clever sourcing have transformed the game, making rackets lighter, stronger, and more precise than ever. Learn why your tennis racket strings might have more in common with your favorite hot dog casing than...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the surprising story behind the American flag and how its iconic stars and stripes are sourced today. Discover why modern flags are more about polymers and plastics than old-fashioned fabric, making “Old Glory” more like “Oil Glory" with modern day materials. Learn the secrets behind the brass grommets, lifetime sewing threads, a...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the surprising petrochemical origins of the gum you chew every day and how that sticky treat is sourced from global oil giants. Discover how the beloved sweet treat is sourced from oil, making you wonder if you're really chewing on a barrel of crude! Learn about the fascinating history of Wrigley and how they transformed the gum...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at how AI is becoming the ultimate cybernetic teammate, boosting team performance and making work feel less like a grind and more like a coffee break. Discover surprising insights from a Wharton professor’s experiment showing why your next best coworker might just be a smart algorithm. Dive into the latest twists in US-China tariff negot...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the surprising supply chain challenges behind your favorite creamy avocado and why Chipotle might soon be saying “86” to guacamole. Discover how geopolitics and tariffs are shaking up the global fighter jet industry and what that means for the world’s most expensive airplane parts. Learn why a $5 component can ground an $80 million F-...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement, with special guest Mike Brough from Starbucks, as they take a look at the captivating journey of how your favorite cup of coffee is sourced, from farm to cup. On this very first edition of "How It's Sourced, discover the critical role of procurement in the supply chain and the unseen efforts that guarantee quality and sustainability as Mike share...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at Chinese tariff impacts on the procurement landscape. What is the essential art of driving procurement results beyond mere savings? Discover why aligning stakeholder expectations and communicating impact is the secret to procurement success. Explore the power of strategic category management paired with specialized execution teams to m...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the critical role of category management in driving procurement success. Discover how understanding stakeholder dynamics can elevate your procurement strategies and enhance organizational alignment. Explore the powerful Kraljic Matrix framework and its implications for effective spend management. Learn why balancing centralized and de...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they discuss the recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, exploring their implications for procurement teams within various sectors of the economy, particularly manufacturing and professional services. They delve into the concept of anchoring in negotiations, the need for reshoring manufacturing back to the U.S., and the potential impacts on the fi...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at stakeholder experience, now considered the number one most important thing to focus on in procurement. They’ll dive into the importance of intake, implementation, and service levels, including real-world examples of procurement organizations. Discover how procurement can build strong relationships by operating as a customer service fu...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the thrilling world of corporate espionage in the procurement space. Discover the shocking allegations surrounding Deal and Rippling that have sent ripples through the industry. Uncover the transformative strategies that procurement teams must adopt to stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape. Explore the importance of stakeholder exp...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the intriguing dynamics between merchandising and procurement at Costco. Discover how Costco's strategic shift from American Express to Visa reshaped their customer experience and financial model. Explore the critical role of procurement professionals in negotiating favorable terms that impact the bottom line. Learn about the uni...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they build semi-sophisticated AI powered contract review app using a stack that features Replit, Google Notebook LM, and OpenAI. Learn how even non-coders can harness AI tools to create effective applications that reduce costs while evaluating how ChatGPT, Gemini, Deepseek, Grok, Claude, and others compare. Watch a real-world procurement SaaS developed u...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the current wave of layoffs sweeping through government and various industries. Discover the crucial role of networking while navigating career transitions during uncertain times, and how investing 10% of your week back into growing your professional network. Hear insights on crafting compelling resumes that stand out in a competitive...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the latest innovations transforming the procurement landscape. After Alan show's off his new face (grown in Idaho), he discusses his firsthand experience with the groundbreaking Ray-Ban Meta AI powered glasses and their potential impact on productivity. Uncover a few secrets behind building a robust information diet that fuels pr...

Join Tom, and only Tom this week on Rebuild Procurement as he takes a look at the impactful legacy of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Discover the scandals that led to its creation and why it remains relevant today. Explore how corporate governance has evolved since the early 2000s and the lessons learned from past mistakes. Delve into the role of whistleblowers in shaping corporate accountability and tra...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the evolving landscape of trade wars and tariffs. Discover the historical context behind the current U.S.-China trade tensions and why they matter. Explore how previous tariff acts, like Smoot-Hawley, shaped global trade dynamics and influenced economic downturns. Learn about the intricate relationship between the U.S., Canada, and Me...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the game-changing AI model DeepSeek that’s shaking up the tech world. Dive into how a Chinese quant genius is rewriting the rules of generative AI with an open-source approach. Explore the potential fallout for tech giants like Nvidia and OpenAI as competition heats up. Uncover the surprising implications of running powerful AI models...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the whirlwind of executive orders from President Trump and their surprising impact on trade, energy, and the federal workforce. Explore the debate around remote work mandates and how executives plan to reshape office life in 2025. Discover how Netflix’s latest price hikes could offer clues for procurement professionals navigating pric...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the insurance policy apocalypse in California and all of the variables, risk, and calculations that go into different policies for business and for personal lines from a procurement perspective. Deep wisdom from Tom's progeny on building a stronger mind and body by practicing to use both sides of the body. Different takes from Al...