The Procurement Game Changers

Guess what? Our Procurement Game Changers podcast has unveiled a fascinating secret—none of our guests willingly chose to enter this field. For each of them, it was either a stroke of luck or an unexpected twist of fate that led them here. In today's episode, our esteemed guest, Thejo Kote, shed light on the underlying reason: "In business school, they teach you how to make money, not how to spend it efficiently. You only realize the importance of managing expenses once you're running a business."   This episode is a treasure trove of insights, with two thought leaders in the realms of spend management innovation and consulting sourcing engaging in profound discussions and sharing their perspectives.   And, by the way, did we mention that this is a special episode of our Procurement Game Changers series, where we introduce the most promising solutions leaders to you? We're thrilled to introduce you to Thejo Kote in this episode.   Join us for this captivating conversation between your beloved host, Helene, and the eminent entrepreneur and spend management innovator, Thejo Kote. Together, they navigate the world of spend management solutions, unveiling their ability to streamline operations, provide real-time data, and revolutionize decision-making in procurement.

The digital procurement trend is gradually replacing traditional practices, and it's not just a trend; it's a reality. What essential skills and tools do procurement leaders need in this digital age? They need to be familiar with the end-to-end "procure-to-pay" process. This involves understanding the company's external needs, market dynamics, finding suppliers, creating contracts, receiving deliveries, making payments, and managing suppliers, their performance, and associated risks. To manage these steps effectively, they require a variety of tools in their toolkit. These tools encompass different aspects such as category management, market analysis, price quote requests, tender management, order systems, catalogue maintenance, contract administration, stock level monitoring, and risk management. With numerous new digital tools available, it's crucial to comprehend their potential benefits for your organization. Our host, Ozan, will guide us through best practices, challenges that may arise when using these tools, and much more. Are you ready to elevate your game in procurement? Tune in.

Burnout, like a global epidemic, casts its dark shadow over both genders. However, its grip on women is particularly tight, leaving them more vulnerable to its detrimental effects. It's as if women find it challenging to hit the "off" switch, constantly grappling with concerns about the impact on their career progression. Startlingly, only 45% of women rate their ability to disconnect from work as good or extremely good, while a disheartening 34% deem it poor or extremely poor.   Don't you think, it's time to equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools to create a healthier, more balanced professional landscape for women in procurement. Well, in an enlightening discussion, our guest of this episode, the Shameless Mind Boss, Monica Rose unveils the secrets behind women's experiences in procurement and uncovers strategies to prevent and combat burnout.   What are the unique stressors that women face in the procurement field compared to their male counterparts? How do these challenges contribute to the immense burnout experienced by women in this industry? In this captivating episode, join Monica as she delves deep into these questions, about the battle against burnout.

There is no denying the fact that Generative AI is about to disrupt the professional services landscape like never before. It's like a storm of innovation brewing on the horizon, ready to revolutionize procurement as we know it. And guess what? We can't afford to be left in the dust! We need to be the pioneers, the ones who ride this wave of change and come out on top. That's where our extraordinary guest, Offer Hacmon, steps in. He's not only a negotiation maestro but also an expert in partnerships, negotiations, and strategic advice. With his deep understanding of technology and cloud procurement, Offer brings a fresh perspective to the table. He's here to help us navigate the uncharted territory of Generative AI in procurement and show us the ways how to grab this whirlwind of technology by the horns and make it work for us. Don't miss it.

We were blown away by the amazing response to our women's day special podcast! And you know what? We're not done celebrating all the incredible women out there just yet. So, we've decided to keep the momentum going by continuing the series. And, Today's episode is going to be a real treat! We've got Carmella Long, a procurement veteran who's going to give us the inside scoop on her journey through the procurement world. And let me tell you, she's got some serious street cred. With over 30 years of experience in procurement and supply chain, Carmella's worked in some of the toughest industries out there, from oil and gas to petrochemicals and even environmental. She's seen it all, folks. But what really sets Carmella apart is her unique perspective. Having worked in a technical sales role for five years, she's seen the procurement world from the other side of the table. And let me tell you; it's an eye-opener. Carmella realized that as a supplier, her interests aligned with those of the procurement team - both want to help the company achieve better performance. It's like procurement is just a mirror image of sales. Now, let's talk about the challenges. Carmella started her career in an overly male-dominated arena, which wasn't easy. But with the help of some fantastic female colleagues (not even from procurement!), she was able to thrive in her role. let's say she's come a long way since then. So, if you want to hear about Carmella's journey and how she navigated the challenging path to get where she is today, you do not want to miss this episode! Tune in now!    

In this Women's Day special podcast series, Alpha Female in Procurement - the Lone Road to Leadership, host Helene introduces Alejandra Garcia, Senior Vice President of Global Procurement at DSM. Alejandra has 25 years of experience in procurement and shares her valuable insights on procurement challenges and strategies for success. In this episode, Alejandra talks about the biggest challenge she has faced in her career, which is to prove the value of procurement outside of just standard KPIs and metrics. She also discusses the importance of building networks and relationships, understanding the end customer's needs, and stepping out of the box to bring a solution to procurement. Tune in to this episode to learn from the best in the field.

Get ready to celebrate International Women's Day 2023 with our fantastic interview series, "Alpha Females in Procurement - the Lone Road to Leadership." We've been lucky to chat with three phenomenal women: Susan Spence, Vera Rozanova, and Donna Donato. And let me tell you, their stories are truly inspiring! Our host Helene Laffitte has been doing an incredible job guiding the conversations with thoughtful and witty questions. But wait, there's more! Today's episode has a little twist. Our fantastic CEO at CQ and a consulting sourcing expert, Helene Laffitte, is taking the reins today and becoming the storyteller herself! This episode will surely be an eye-opener, shedding light on women's challenges in male-dominated fields. And for all young professionals, get ready to take some notes and find inspiration on how to pave your road to success. And don't worry, gentlemen, you're welcome to tune in too! You will gain valuable insight into the experiences of these impressive women, but you'll also learn how to become a better ally and advocate for gender equality in the workplace. So join us on this journey, and let's celebrate the achievements of women in procurement together! So, what are you waiting for? Grab your headphones and prepare for a powerful, engaging narrative that will leave you feeling empowered and motivated!

The world of procurement and supply chain management is changing rapidly. The past three years have shown us just how vital it is to have a solid supply chain strategy, no matter your industry. It's like building a castle - you want to make sure your foundation is strong enough to withstand any attack that comes your way. At the same time, building a sustainable supply chain is essential for our future because it ensures the responsible use of resources, reduces waste and pollution, and helps mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. Additionally, a sustainable supply chain can lead to greater resilience and long-term profitability for businesses while also meeting the growing demand from consumers for more environmentally and socially responsible products and services. Of course, building a sustainable supply chain is easier said than done. Rome wasn’t built in one day. And that's precisely what this PGC podcast episode is all about! This episode features Kartik Iyer, a supply chain expert who shares his insights and experience on how to build a resilient supply chain. We explore why sustainability is critical and how to define it. We examine vital elements companies must implement to achieve a sustainable supply chain. And we tackle the tricky question of pursuing suppliers in countries like India to participate in sustainability. Do you often get those nagging pangs that, as procurement and supply chain leaders, you have a crucial role in the global sustainability effort? Then, please take a deep breath and tune in to our podcast for invaluable insights.

As we celebrate Women's Day this year, we're proud to feature a group of influential women in procurement. And today, we're thrilled to have Donna Donato join us for our third episode of the "Alpha Females in Procurement: The Lone Road to Leadership" podcast series.   A seasoned leader in the procurement world, Donna has over 25 years of global experience under her belt. She's currently rocking the role of CEO for Chain IQ Americas, a leading independent procurement services company.   During our podcast, Donna shared her insights on building a career in procurement. She had a message for younger women seeking a career in procurement: true growth and learning happen when you step outside your comfort zone. Donna advised women professionals to focus on action and learning, rather than striving for perfection. This mindset builds confidence and competency over time.   Your favorite host, Helene, guides the conversation, delving into Donna's fascinating journey with thoughtful and witty questions. You won't want to miss it! Tune in to hear Helene and Donna's captivating discussion on leadership, collaboration, and networking among women in procurement.

Join us to Celebrate International Women's Day with our latest episode featuring a remarkable guest, Vera Rozanova – the Global Director at Open Forum Enterprise Ltd, an expert in procurement and supply chain management, a beloved coach and mentor, and a champion of climate change! Did we mention she is also an MCIPS? In this episode, we dive into the procurement world with Vera and explore how women can thrive in this fast-paced and exciting industry. She shares her insights on how collaboration and relationship building are the keys to success in procurement and how women's unique qualities, such as emotional intelligence and communication skills, are an excellent fit for this field. Tune in and learn from her expertise. You'll hear about her journey and how she's making a difference in the industry.

As we have finally arrived at the inaugural episode of our Women's Day Special series,"Alpha Women in Procurement - A Lone Road to Leadership." we're thrilled to have the fabulous Susan Spence as our guest. If you're ready to get inspired and maybe even pick up a few career strategies, be sure to join us for this exciting conversation.

Soumava Laha discusses supply chain resilience on Procurement Game Changers Podcast. Learn how to invest strategically for competitive advantage and disruption protection. Tune in.

A best-in-class procurement can be a key differentiator for a company’s success. And one of the ways to determine whether it is best-in-class is by looking at its ability to save money for the organization. According to Ricardo Gaxiola, a procurement veteran with 25 years of experience, the mark of an outstanding procurement is its ability to be recognized as a valuable brand that external suppliers prefer to work with. "Procurement needs to be a facilitator of a data-driven decision-making process in an organization,” he maintains. Ricardo adds that heightened collaboration between procurement and internal stakeholders can be the key to such procurement excellence. Tune in to learn about his perspective on several other aspects, including how to use technology and how to deal with internal resistance while setting up a procurement organization. Tune in.

When the finance, marketing, IT, or HR departments get huge attention and patronage from the top management, procurement is seldom invited to share the limelight. But best-in-class procurement can contribute to an organization's success in multiple ways, and companies must not fail to use that potential. They should start by building up an efficient procurement team. Notwithstanding its potential, few business leaders are interested in discovering what procurement does. This nonchalance is reflected in the recruitment process, with companies often ending up hiring the wrong people for their procurement groups. In this episode of our PGC podcast, our guest, Aslan Akyol, explains what companies can do to hire the right profiles for procurement. Tune in.

It is an open secret that procurement is widely underestimated and seldom given the opportunity to prove its potential. No wonder you rarely will find a procurement expert who started his career in this field. Most people join procurement later in their careers from other fields. This has its advantage; procurement becomes a melting pot of different skills and mindsets. Fred Leeds, an accomplished procurement expert, reiterates just that when he describes procurement as “a kind of a conglomeration in a cornucopia of different skill sets and mindsets.” Not only that, but procurement also has immense untapped potential to create value for organizations. Professionals who have worked in this field can vouch for that, but it’s not easy to convince stakeholders. In this episode, Fred discusses a few ways in which procurement can prove its mettle as a trusted partner of organizations. Fred, who came into this field from an R&D background, currently works for Pernod Ricard, a global premium spirit brand. According to him, earning stakeholders’ trust has to happen organically.  “It's a long way. It's not something that you do overnight,” he pointed out. Tune in for more insights.

Attracting top talents in the procurement space has always been a challenge. And in this post-covid world, where things like work-life balance or the flexibility to work from home have become more important to candidates than a hefty paycheck or a steep rise in the corporate ladder, filling up positions in the procurement space has become even more critical than ever. Against this backdrop, HR departments are embracing new tools to address recruitment needs for procurement professionals. But HR's efforts need to be complemented by a change in the leadership mindset to foster an environment of empathy and connection in the workplace. So, how to attract top talents to the procurement space amid all these? What can be better than hearing it from an Indirect procurement leader who has known this space for 17 years and is a keen observer of the recruitment trends in this sector? Join Nina Bomberg, Global Indirect procurement Director at Dormakaba as she shares her perspective on how HR and procurement can team up to attract the right talent. 

Supply relationship management (SRM) and its contributions to a company's long-term growth is perhaps the most discussed topic in the sourcing and procurement circles today. We do not exaggerate when we say that without a proper SRM plan in place, you may even face business continuity risk. In this episode of our #PGC podcast, join Kevin Giblin, the head of strategic sourcing at Fitch Group, for an enriching conversation on today's Supplier Relationship Management landscape, its promises, and challenges.

Cooperation is empowering and the concept of cooperative procurement is premised on cooperation.  By leveraging cooperative purchasing (where it makes sense) you can enjoy the benefits of economies of scale and greater efficiency in obtaining goods and services. The idea behind such a program is to combine the requirements of several entities to obtain conditions on pricing, volumes, terms, and conditions that you would not obtain otherwise. In this episode of the PGC podcast, procurement veteran Bob Perkins explains how it is helping enhance public agencies' bargaining power and buying efficiencies. Private and public sectors alike can avail of this purchasing method to their advantage but there are certain situations where your gain can be maximum. Catch up with these two procurement experts to get a deep understanding of the benefits of this approach, under what circumstances you should leverage it, and what challenges you may have to encounter on the way.

Digital Transformation in Procurement can create unexpected and intangible value. Tune in to this episode and explore the path to that value creation with the procurement thought leader, Tomas Wiemer.  

Today's procurement decisions are going to make a difference tomorrow. Sustainability has become the central theme of the procurement decision-making game. In this episode of our PGC podcast, we are excited to have Thomas Udesen. The CPO at Pharma giant Bayer, and the co-founder of the Sustainable Procurement Pledge, a not-for-profit community. Join the thought leader to know about what is happening in the sustainable procurement space.