Procurement Zen - Valuable Insights in Negotiation and Procurement

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Procurement Zen is the podcast for anyone interested in negotiation and procurement. I share valuable tools, negotiation approaches, book reviews and interviews with seasoned negotiation pros. You will discover new findings and discuss ideas and new approaches to the world of negotiation. Kick your…

Phil Kowalski


    • Jan 24, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 12m AVG DURATION
    • 121 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Procurement Zen - Valuable Insights in Negotiation and Procurement

    121 - The Purchasing Chessboard - a strategy introduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2022 8:33


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/youtube to free up your time and take our digitization course - completely for FREE In this week we focus on a procurmenent classic - the Purchasing Chessboard. Developed and finetuned by the consultants at AT Kearney, this book gives a good approach to deal with suppliers in different situations. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    120 - Interview with author Jeffrey A Krames - Pt. 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2022 14:26


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/youtube to free up your time and take our digitization course - completely for FREE This is the 5th and final part of the interview with author and leadership expert Jeffrey A Krames. In this episode we cover how the pandemic has changed our lives and what it means for us as leaders. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    jeffrey a krames
    119 - Interview with author Jeffrey A Krames - Pt. 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2022 13:40


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/youtube to free up your time and take our digitization course - completely for FREE In part #4 of the interview that Jeffrey and I had, we discuss how to deal with conflict and the qualities of US president Joe Biden. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    joe biden jeffrey a krames
    118 - Interview with author Jeffrey A Krames - Pt. 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2022 15:06


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/youtube to free up your time and take our digitization course - completely for FREE Part 3 of the conversation with Jeffrey covers the teachings of the legendary Peter Drucker, that Jeffrey hat the pleasure to work with. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    peter drucker free part jeffrey a krames
    117 - Interview with author Jeffrey A Krames - Pt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2022 16:47


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/youtube to free up your time and take our digitization course - completely for FREE In part 2 Jeffrey and I discuss failure as a key ingredient to success. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    jeffrey a krames
    116 - Interview with author Jeffrey A Krames - Pt. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 11:13


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/youtube to free up your time and take our digitization course - completely for FREE This is part 1 of my conversation with publisher, author and leadership coach Jeffrey A Krames. In this initial episode we talk about Jeffrey's background and his evolution of leadership. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    jeffrey a krames
    115 - Interview with Diana Jones - Leadership Coach and Author - Pt. 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2021 13:41


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. In this 5th and final part of my conversation with Diana Jones, we discuss being influential and building trust. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    114 - Interview with Diana Jones - Leadership Coach and Author - Pt. 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2021 12:21


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. In this 4th part of my conversation with Diana Jones, we talk about a leaders "pit crew", how you can make other people talk about your skills and talents and about policies and relationships. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    113 - Interview with Diana Jones - Leadership Coach and Author - Pt. 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2021 12:56


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. This is part 3 of my interview with Diana Jones, internationally acclaimed leadership coach and author. In this part we discuss about audiences, how people bond and presentations. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    112 - Interview with Diana Jones - Leadership Coach and Author - Pt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2021 14:07


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. In this part 2 of my interview with leadership coach and author Diana Jones I discuss how conversation happen, how people bond and how presentations can help. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    111 - Interview with Diana Jones - Leadership Coach and Author - Pt. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2021 13:02


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. This is another great interview series. This time I have the joy to talk to Diana Jones, internationally respected leadership coach and author. In the first episode we discuss what leadership is and why you should not think in org boxes. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    110 - Interview with Dan Broderick of Blackboiler.com - Pt. 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2021 13:58


    This is part of a multiepisode interview with Dan Broderick, CEO and Co-Founder of www.BlackBoiler.com  In this fifth and final part of the interview Dan shares some insights into the technology behind Blackboiler and how machines and humans can work together. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    109 - Interview with Dan Broderick of Blackboiler.com - Pt. 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2021 11:15


    This is part of a multiepisode interview with Dan Broderick, CEO and Co-Founder of www.BlackBoiler.com  Part 4 of the discussion covers how technology and tools can help us as their users to fulfill our processes. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    108 - Interview with Dan Broderick of Blackboiler.com - Pt. 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2021 7:32


    This is part of a multiepisode interview with Dan Broderick, CEO and Co-Founder of www.BlackBoiler.com  In this part 3 of our interview, Dan and I talk about digital mindset and what people usually work with contracts Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    107 - Interview with Dan Broderick of Blackboiler.com - Pt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2021 12:05


    This is part of a multiepisode interview with Dan Broderick, CEO and Co-Founder of www.BlackBoiler.com  In part 2 of the series, we discuss the scientific approach of Blackboiler and how it enables its users to work where they currently are. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    106 - Interview with Dan Broderick of Blackboiler.com - Pt. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 10:23


    This is part of a multiepisode interview with Dan Broderick, CEO and Co-Founder of www.BlackBoiler.com  In this part of the series we discuss how Dan came into contract negotiations, what he learned from it and how he and Blackboiler want to improve it. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    105 - Google Power Search for Negotiators

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2021 19:05


    This is a multimedia episode. If you want to see the video go to https://youtu.be/u2e9F6dkX18  In this episode I show you some neat techniques that you can use to gain more insights using Google. This works for vendor, market and a lot of other researcher you do during a negotiation. If we reach 50 comments under the video, I will do a free online course about the topic with much more depth.

    104 - What procurement has learned from the crisis: Digitization

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2021 16:53


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. This week we will cover what procurement has learned from the COVID crisis. Today we talk about 10 digitization trends that have changed a procurement pro's life massively during the pandemic. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    103 - What procurement has learned from the crisis: Increased Agility

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2021 9:16


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. This week we will cover what procurement has learned from the COVID crisis. Today's learning is about how an increased agility in our own teams will benefit us. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    102 - What procurement has learned from the crisis: Risks

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 8:19


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. This week we will cover what procurement has learned from the COVID crisis. Today's learning is about monitoring, managing and mitigating risks. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    101 - What procurement has learned from the crisis: Spend Visibility

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2021 8:21


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. This week we will cover what procurement has learned from the COVID crisis. Today's learning is about a more holistic view to spend management. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    100 - Thank you!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2021 12:20


    Episode 100! What an amazing journey. In this episode I say thank you to some interesting people I had the honor to talk to. If you want to reach out to me, you can always email me at phil@procurementzen.com

    099 - Jubilee Week - review of the best episodes pt. 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2021 14:03


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. This week is special because we are approaching episode number 100!!! So therefore I will review together with you the most interesting episodes. In this episode I talk about something everyone in procurement knows - early involvement Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    098 - Jubilee Week - review of the best episodes pt. 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 7:14


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. This week is special because we are approaching episode number 100!!! So therefore I will review together with you the most interesting episodes. In this episode I will talk once again of how we covered Framing & Anchoring and what categories we developed. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    097 - Jubilee Week - review of the best episodes pt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2021 10:18


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. This week is special because we are approaching episode number 100!!! So therefore I will review together with you the most interesting episodes. Today I cover the best negotiaiton books. You can also read more at https://www.procurementzen.com/negotiation/best-books  Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    096 - Jubilee Week - review of the best episodes pt. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2021 7:25


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. This week is special because we are approaching episode number 100!!! So therefore I will review together with you the most interesting episodes. Today we start with the 111 best negotiation techniques you can find over at https://www.procurementzen.com/negotiation/techniques/  Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    095 - How to Fight Higher Authority

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2021 6:51


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. This final episode concludes our week long focus topic of higher authority. In this part we discuss how you can fight off higher authority if you have the asusmption that someone uses it against you. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    094 - How to make your policy a higher authority

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2021 6:37


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. In this episode we cover how to turn something everyone hates - a policy - into something you love as a negotiator. Listen carefully! Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    093 - How Higher Authority Buys You Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2021 6:33


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. Episode number three of the "higher authority week" talks about how to use this approach to buy you more time. Short and long term. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    092 - Higher Authority - Why it should always be a group

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2021 6:01


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. This second episode on higher authority covers why it does make sense to be vague and how to approach it (hint: make the higher authority a group). Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    091 - Higher Authority - What it is and how it works

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2021 5:03


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. Ín today's episode we kick off our week long topic of using higher authority in negotiations.  Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    090 - Negotiation Dollars are Bottom Line Dollars

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2021 5:22


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. Today is a little bit a continuation of yesterday's rant. I show you why basically everyone in your company should stand in line and thank you every day. :) Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    089 - Always Negotiate Dollars and not Percentages

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2021 5:10


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. In this episode I rant a little bit why the negotiation of percentages is outright stupid and why real world money - Dollars, Euros, Pesos - are much better.  Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    088 - The King & Queen in Negotiations

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2021 6:18


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. Today we talk about an important negotiation approach that most people either can't stand or overlook. If Anchoring is King in negotiations, this trick is queen. Plus it's easy and hard to do at the same time. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    087 - Extreme Reluctance

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2021 6:58


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get free access to the alpha version of my procurement digitization course. In today's episode we play hardball - extreme hardball by using extreme reluctance. This concept is a very aggressive move and this episode shows, when to use it, how to prepare it and what to take care of. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    086 - The 3F Formula in Negotiaitons

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 6:22


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com to get more great content to positively influence your negotiation results. This Monday we are going - once more - back to the great book from Roger Dawson "Secrects of Power Negotiating". This time we cover the 3F Formula, what it is, why it works plus some examples. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    085 - Center of Excellence - and why you need one

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2021 6:22


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/CoE read the original article over at Future of Sourcing. In this weeks final episode we have a look at an often times overseen team in procurement - the Center of Excellence. This group can be a massive growth driver in any procurement organization. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    084 - Contract Negotiations: Agree on Process FIRST!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2021 5:54


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital get access to our FREE online course about hands on digitization in procurement using KNIME. On this Thursday we discuss why sometimes - especially with those nasty suppliers - it might make sense to discuss process questions before diving deep into the clauses of a contract. Hint: It all has to do with having some solid foundations. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    083 - Total Cost of Ownership and why it is important

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2021 5:27


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get our free online course on how to hands on digitize procurement using KNIME. Total Cost of Ownership or TCO. Have you heard this term before? It is very important to every negotiation and in this episode I share, why I think it might make sense that you sometimes make concessions for the "greater good". Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    082 - Why a good team is crucial for every negotiation

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2021 8:03


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/001 to download the negotiation playbook for free. In this episode we discuss why good teamwork benefits the negotiation results and how to ensure it.  Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    081 - Why Notetaking is Essential for Negotiators

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2021 6:51


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/001 to download the negotiation playbook for free. Todays episode covers why you should take notes and which system you should use for what notes? Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    080 - How to get engaged with your stakeholder - my secret weapon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 7:32


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/videos to get notified once the free online course Storytelling Videos for Procurement comes out. In this episode I am going to share my secret weapon with you that has helped me to get and stay in the head of my demand owners, being remembered in a positive way. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    079 - Should we call our stakeholders customers?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2021 10:28


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get access to our free online course Digitization for Procurement Pros. Today we discuss a controversial question. Should we call our stakholders and especially our demand owners "customers"? I think YES and in this episode I share reasons why. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    078 - Digitization in Procurement: Why KNIME is my tool of choice

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2021 9:56


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/digital to get FREE access to my high quality online course "KNIME for Procurement Pros". In this episode I share with you my love for the KNIME Data Analytics platform and why I think it can benefit you, too. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    077 - Why procurement is a great career choice for starters

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 8:54


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com/books for my personal choice of the best negotiation books. This week kicks off with why I personally believe that starting your career in procurement is a great idea. We cover 5 reasons that make it my top choice. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    076 - Interview with Roberta Matuson - Part 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2021 10:49


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com for the latest episode. This week we have another great interview guest: Roberta Matuson, author of the book "Can we talk". This is the fifth and final episode of the interview. In it we discuss curiosity and how beneficial it is to ask questions. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    075 - Interview with Roberta Matuson - Part 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2021 11:42


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com for the latest episode. This week we have another great interview guest: Roberta Matuson, author of the book "Can we talk". This Thursday's discussion is part no 4 of the interview, where Roberta and I talk about people that always want to be right, inflexibility and the challenge of doing things virtual. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    074 - Interview with Roberta Matuson - Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2021 11:40


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com for the latest episode. This week we have another great interview guest: Roberta Matuson, author of the book "Can we talk". Part 3 of this interview has Roberta and me talking about how you can improve your "difficult conversation skills" and how practicing helps you to get through it. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    073 - Interview with Roberta Matuson - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2021 12:15


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com for the latest episode. This week we have another great interview guest: Roberta Matuson, author of the book "Can we talk". In the second episode we cover things like conversations with peers and signs that a tough conversation is coming your way. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    072 - Interview with Roberta Matuson - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2021 10:52


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com for the latest episode. This week we have another great interview guest: Roberta Matuson, author of the book "Can we talk". In this first episode we talk about having open conversations and how this improves workplace atmosphere. Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

    071 - Why Visuals are More Important Than Hearing

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2021 6:48


    Visit our website https://www.procurementzen.com for the latest episode. Today we finish off this interesting week with reasons why it is more important to show and present visuals rather than talking alone. I also repeat my small little trick that was worth thousands in this episode.  Our new format, rough, uncut, open and honest - the ProcurementZen experience.

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