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Welcome to "Let's Talk Procurement" - the procurement podcast where Lukes 1 and 10 navigate the wild world of purchasing with a side of humour and a dash of dad jokes. 🛍️ Join Luke 1, the procurement prodigy, and Luke 10, the tender-hearted jokester, as they untangle the knotty world of supply chains and contracts, one laugh at a time. From negotiating deals to chasing down the best bulk discounts, these Lukes have it all covered – and yes, they'll probably throw in a few puns along the way. Take a break from the text books & join us on the journey to procurement enlightenment served with a smile and a sprinkle of procurement magic! 🌟✨
Feel free to get in touch with us on our socials or 2lukes1cip@gmail.com.
https://linktr.ee/letstalkprocurement
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are like coffee preferences – diverse and subject to change. The hosts may spill the beans on their thoughts, but they don't claim to be everyone's cup of tea. Listener discretion is advised. Remember, it's all in good fun and the only thing brewed here is a blend of entertainment and conversation with a hint of education. Sip responsibly! ☕🎙️
68 Episodes
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Send a text A listener asks a simple question that every procurement professional should take personally: what can we do right now to stay future-proof over the next five years? Our first instinct is to joke about AI hype and quitting to “find yourself”, but the real answer sits underneath the banter: the best way to future-proof your procurement career is to build durable skills that survive new tools, new job titles, and the next wave of “must-have” tech. Then we do something oddly practic...
Send us Fan Mail We turn a silly pun challenge into a serious guide to passing the Advanced Practitioner project and building change that lasts. It ends with a live CIPS results reveal at the airport and a cheer as the plane boards. Will Luke 10 get his final pass of the journey? Will we ever hear from him again?? • how to frame an assignment title that wins approval • primary research using stakeholder interviews • programme vs project and why it matters • structuring a 10,000-word business...
Send us Fan Mail We answer a listener’s question on breaking into procurement, then unpack how frameworks speed buying while staying compliant. Along the way we share real CCS evaluation insight, social value pitfalls, and where a DPS can beat a framework. • translating a law degree into procurement advantage • core procurement cycle from need to contract management • interview tactics using everyday buying examples • stakeholder triage and relationship cadence • what framework agreements ar...
Send us Fan Mail We share a quick check‑in from a cold January, outline what’s coming in 2026, and talk through Luke’s sabbatical plans with a mix of jokes and practical next steps. From a CIPS tutor session to vintage exam papers, we set a path for useful, human, and curious episodes. • 2026 preview with banked episodes and production update • CIPS tutor insights and assignment module results on the way • Will Luke qualify or fall short question teased • 1993 exam papers and how the profess...
Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how much personal data passes through your contracts, emails, and supplier handshakes? We sat down with Sara, a compliance lead who lives at the intersection of data protection, information security, and business continuity, to translate privacy law into buyer-friendly moves you can deploy today. No jargon. No scare tactics. Just clear guidance on where risk hides and how procurement can control it. We break down what “personal data” really means, why work email ...
Send us Fan Mail Ever failed an exam and felt like it defined you? We’ve been there, and today we unpack a practical, no-fluff plan to turn repeated CIPS Level 4 setbacks into momentum. Starting from Kareem’s email, we map the exact steps to recover confidence and results: how to structure essay answers under pressure, how to read examiner reports for recurring patterns, and how to practise in a way that actually sticks on test day. We dig into timing discipline for constructive responses, i...
Send us Fan Mail Ever wish stakeholders called procurement first, not last? We dig into a live MCIPS Corporate Award project aimed at fixing exactly that, using three levers—procurement efficiency, process automation and behavioural insights—to make early engagement the easiest path for the business. Along the way, we tackle the hot take that the Corporate Award is the “easy route,” share what CIPS accreditation actually says, and explain why assignments still demand rigour, evidence and real...
Send us Fan Mail A chance encounter at a wedding with a sportswear buyer kicks off a fast, funny, and deeply practical tour of the football kit business. We break down the hidden economics behind those £70 shirts using Porter’s Five Forces, showing where brand power wins, where it leaks, and how clubs and manufacturers really negotiate. We start with the state of play: intense rivalry among Adidas, Nike, and Puma; contracts that churn every few years to refresh revenue; and why fans pay prem...
Send us Fan Mail Tariffs can feel like a policy headline—until they hit your PO, your budget, and your delivery dates. We unpack what a tariff really is, why governments reach for it, and how those choices cascade through price, lead time, and supplier behaviour. From sudden trade-war spikes to quietly expanding duty lists, we map the real routes by which costs climb and explain why “someone else will absorb it” is more wish than plan. We walk through a practical playbook built for busy proc...
Send us Fan Mail We draw a clear line: season three starts now with a sharper format, stronger guests, and a promise to keep the humour while raising the bar. We share what’s coming—CIPS tutors, practical topics like data protection and team design, and a steadier hand on structure. • Let's Talk Procurement season three is here! • what listeners can expect from the two Lukes • upcoming guests and episode insights • invitation for listeners to get involved Listen now on any good podcasting p...
Send us Fan Mail A single ship lodged sideways for six days. Global trade paralyzed. Billions of dollars in goods delayed. The Ever Given incident in the Suez Canal wasn't just a maritime mishap—it was a wake-up call for procurement professionals everywhere. When the massive container vessel blocked this critical waterway in March 2021, it created ripple effects that reached every corner of global commerce. Overnight, companies faced empty shelves, production delays, and frantic calls from c...
Send us Fan Mail What does Generation Z want from a career in procurement? And are industry bodies like CIPS missing the mark completely when trying to attract young talent? In this thought-provoking episode, we dissect a recent CIPS article attempting to appeal to Gen Z procurement professionals—and why comparing the profession to "planning parties with cake and magic shows" might not be the most effective recruitment strategy. While procurement rarely features in school career fairs or uni...
Send us Fan Mail Have you ever submitted an assignment and immediately thought "I've definitely failed that one"? In this candid episode, Luke 10 takes us through his experience with the dreaded Category Management and Contract Management combined assignment for his CIPS qualification. The procurement certification journey is rarely smooth sailing, and this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities of professional development. Luke 10 shares his struggles connecting two seemingly relat...
Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like procurement professionals are speaking an entirely different language? You're not alone. In this episode, we tackle the cryptic world of procurement acronyms – those seemingly innocent letter combinations that can make or break your understanding of contracts, negotiations, and supplier relationships. From the foundational NDAs, to the nuanced differences between RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, and RFTs, we demystify the procurement sourcing process step by step. We explore...
Send us Fan Mail What does your dream procurement job look like? That's the question at the heart of this revealing episode where we open up about our ideal roles in the procurement world. The episode takes an unexpected personal turn with the announcement of big personal news from Luke1! For one host, the perfect procurement position combines passion with profession. His vision represents the ultimate blend of personal interest and professional expertise, where procurement becomes more than...
Send us Fan Mail The hosts discuss global strategic supply chain management while revealing Luke 10s third assignment results live. Lowlights • Haircuts and barber experiences sets a light tone for the episode • Celebration of reaching 6,000 podcast downloads with shout-outs to new listener locations worldwide • Detailed discussion about the challenges of globalization in procurement, including resource access benefits and ethical considerations • Live reveal of third module assignment resu...
Send us Fan Mail We dive deep into what procurement professionals actually do day-to-day, breaking down misconceptions and revealing the strategic value behind the function. Sharing personal experiences, we explore how procurement is about far more than simply blocking progress or finding the cheapest price. • Procurement isn't about delaying projects out of spite but conducting essential due diligence to protect companies financially and reputationally • Supplier selection often involves wo...
Send us Fan Mail Our hosts discuss practical strategies for progressing in a procurement career, covering everything from education pathways to handling imposter syndrome and building influential stakeholder relationships. • Multiple pathways into procurement including degrees, apprenticeships, qualifications, or transferring from adjacent roles • Exposure to senior stakeholders is a key benefit of procurement roles, requiring preparation and solution-oriented approaches • CIPS qualification...
Send us Fan Mail We discuss the challenges and unexpected triumphs of tackling the CIPS Commercial Management in Procurement module, revealing Luke 10's results to you listeners and Luke live on this recording. • Deep dive into the content of the Commercial Management module focusing on organisational strategy • Exploring the connections between corporate strategy and supply chain management • Challenges of linking theoretical strategy frameworks to practical procurement applications • Expla...
Send us Fan Mail Confused about Statements of Work (SOWs)? You're not alone! We cut through the jargon to reveal what truly matters in this essential procurement document. We start by addressing a common misconception that procurement professionals simply "press buy" - when in reality, we're crafting sophisticated frameworks for accountability and project success. The humble Statement of Work stands at the center of this process, yet it's often misunderstood by stakeholders and suppliers ali...
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