Podcast appearances and mentions of philip ideson

Bradford were the winners of The Hard Truth Derby but there's no gloating on this podcast... Darragh & Phil discuss contrasting results in the last week for Posh & City - they also ask the questions... why can't professional footballers beat the first man at corners?!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Bradford beat Posh- The state of EFL Pitches- Will Darragh's Man City title predictions come true- Why can't corners beat the first man?- Weak minded modern players- and much more!

Procurement's biggest measurement problem isn't that "savings" is incomplete. It's that "savings" has become a substitute for truth. In the first Buy: The Way…To Purposeful Procurement episode of 2026, co-hosts Philip Ideson and Rich Ham unveil the first of the show's new procurement "Buy-laws." It's the one that almost every serious practitioner agrees with, but very few organizations are ready to operationalize: replace savings with defined value. That doesn't mean adding a few extra KPIs in addition to savings. It means removing the word entirely and replacing it with a primary metric that includes verified spend reduction and revenue generation, plus company-specific priorities like emissions reduction, process improvement, resilience, risk reduction, and anything else the business actually cares about.  To help map what this kind of "value" can and should include, Phil and Rich are joined by Omer Abdullah, co-founder of The Smart Cube and co-author of Risk and Your Supply Chain: Preparing for the Next Global Crisis. Omer has spent decades close to the function, advising teams, building intelligence services around procurement decisions, and now working at the intersection of startups, go-to-market strategy, and what he calls a "post-AI" future for procurement. The idea of "post-AI" matters more than it sounds. Omer isn't talking about a world where AI fades away. He's talking about the moment when AI becomes a hygiene factor – embedded, expected, and no longer a differentiator. The result is uncomfortable: once AI takes the transactional load, procurement doesn't automatically become "more strategic." Not unless leaders define what that actually means, what outcomes it should produce, and how to measure those outcomes without defaulting back to the simplest (and most misleading) number on the page. The conversation also goes straight at one of procurement's most corrosive incentives: short-termism. The function keeps making long-term sacrifices for short-term wins because the system asks it to. Rich calls it a "scourge," and Omer lays out what a healthier alternative could look like. He recommends a scorecard that includes in-year expectations, multi-year outcomes that reflect how value compounds over time, and a controlled level of discretionary evaluation to capture the contributions that matter but refuse to sit neatly inside a spreadsheet cell.  Underneath all of this is a truth that the episode doesn't dodge: none of it works without executive support. The CFO and CEO have to buy into procurement's expanded definition of value. Procurement can't wait to be understood; they have to be sold. Procurement is a business within a business, and the C-suite is its most important customer. If leaders don't see the function's potential, it's on procurement to advocate, educate, and prove (through better definitions and better scorekeeping) that the status quo isn't merely outdated. It's actively harmful. Links: Omer Abdullah on LinkedIn Rich Ham on LinkedIn Learn more at FineTuneUs.com  

"Procurement is what you make of it. It can be a bargain basement function at some firms, but it's also becoming more strategic. We have to take a more holistic, integrated view of things and try to understand the big business problems we can help solve and then offer a business solution, not just a procurement solution." – Amit Saronwala, VP, Global Indirect Supply Management, Medtronic Procurement leaders in healthcare are feeling the heat: innovation cycles are tightening, supplier bases are vast, and new pressures on cost and cash flow are here to stay. So how do you build more agile, high-performing procurement teams without adding complexity or burning out your people? In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Amit Saronwala, VP of Global Indirect Supply Management at Medtronic, and Jeremy Lappin, CEO of Candex. Amit draws from his clinical experience and deep commercial expertise to share how Medtronic is recasting procurement's role by focusing on smarter supplier segmentation, business-centric metrics, and technology that makes friction disappear. Jeremy adds perspective from supporting global procurement teams at scale, revealing where automation and analytics can create breathing room for strategic work. This conversation takes a candid look at how one of healthcare's biggest names is making indirect procurement a critical lever for business value and what it takes to bring suppliers and stakeholders on the journey. In this episode, Amit and Jeremy discuss how procurement can: Set a clear line for strategic vs. transactional suppliers… and stick to it Speak "business" (not just "procurement") to increase influence with stakeholders Automate low-risk, high-volume purchases to free up valuable talent Choose tools that require little or no change management for smoother adoption Redefine procurement's core skillset for the next five years Links: Amit Saronwala on LinkedIn Jeremy Lappin on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

Twas the night before The Hard Truth Derby... and despite contrasting form BOTH Darragh and Phil are making their excuses before the big game. Elsewhere, Darragh has some advice for Arne Slot and shares his thoughts on the EFL proposals to increase the amount of Play-Off spots.Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh hit Wigan for 6- Would Phil be happy if Bradford finished 6th?- Spurs sack Thomas Frank- Darragh's advice to Arne Slot- Would the Championship having 6 play-off spots be good?- and much more!

"Now with agentic AI, RFPs are becoming and will become even leaner, and they'll cut to the chase a whole lot faster. There'll be a lot less fluff." - Barri Horn, Director of Product Marketing for AI for SAP Ariba and SAP Fieldglass' strategic procurement portfolios AI is reshaping the RFP process, but smart procurement leaders know they have to think beyond speed or efficiency drivers and, instead, reimagine the value they deliver. As teams turn to AI to break free from past challenges, the question isn't if change is coming, but how to capture its advantages while managing risk, trust, and adoption. In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Barri Horn, Director of Product Marketing for AI for SAP Ariba and SAP Fieldglass' strategic procurement portfolios, to dig into what's truly changing in the world of RFPs, why agentic AI is different from yesterday's tools, and how procurement can use new technology without losing stakeholder trust.  Expect practical, leader-level guidance for running better RFPs and rolling out AI that sticks. Barri discusses workflows, pitfalls, and organizational mindsets that separate successful AI adoption from failed pilots: How to streamline repetitive RFP tasks with AI so teams can focus on insight Asking smarter, market-driven questions without overwhelming suppliers Aligning AI "autonomy" with procurement's risk comfort level Building trust and credibility through transparency and foundational training Resetting and rebooting change programs to support adoption Links: Barri Horn on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

The January transfer window is done and it's "hi ho silver" towards the end of the season but will a quiet window be beneficial for Posh and their youngsters... although Bradford are hoping a busy January will mean success in May!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Why Posh had a quiet transfer window!- Bradford ditch some of the promotion team!- Has football ditched strikers?- Did Derby County make the signing of the window?- and much more!

"Persuasion is about your intent. If your intent is solely to win at the other person's expense, that's manipulation. If you want the other party to also benefit from the conversation, then that's collaborative, and that's ethical persuasion." - Martin John Procurement leaders know that success often depends on more than just negotiating skills or cost models; it demands the ability to influence people at every level.  But what does it take to move from presenting facts to truly persuading suppliers, stakeholders, and executives to take action? This is a question that's more urgent than ever in today's complex business environment. In this episode of Art of Procurement, Philip Ideson speaks with Martin John, a seasoned procurement pro and licensed ethical persuasion trainer. Martin shares tools and science-backed frameworks that chief procurement officers and their teams can use right away. He pulls back the curtain on Cialdini's principles, real-world negotiation stories, and how to avoid crossing the line into manipulation. In this episode, Martin discusses how to: Recognize the thin line between ethical persuasion and manipulation Build trust and rapport faster using evidence, not guesswork Move beyond data to engage the emotions and subconscious drivers of decision-makers Translate behavioral science into everyday procurement Links: Martin John on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

A podcast after 2 defeats but Phil is feeling more positive than Darragh after Bradford's brave show against Cardiff. Posh's rise up the table is halted but Darragh is eager to see the response... but he's far less eager to see Oliver Glasner get his way in his saga at Crystal Palace!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh are bullied by Plymouth- Bradford take pride in defeat- Why you shouldn't write off a loan player- Thoughts on Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace- and much more!

"Direct materials is the most under-innovated, untouched by modern technology of any spend area." - Spencer Penn, Co-Founder and CEO, LightSource Direct spend makes up the lion's share of the procurement budget, but all too often, it's still managed in spreadsheets and disconnected tools. Today's volatile supply market and relentless cost pressures demand more.  What is holding companies back from real transformation in direct procurement, and where do the smartest teams focus their innovation efforts? In this AOP podcast episode, host Philip Ideson speaks with Spencer Penn, co-founder and CEO of LightSource. Drawing from his hands-on experience at Tesla and Waymo, Spencer explains why direct procurement's digital journey has lagged behind indirect, and what it takes to move from manual, reactive "firefighting" to scalable, collaborative value creation.  If you're wondering how to unite engineering, procurement, and finance to drive structural cost reduction, or how to leverage tech for more than basic automation, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, Spencer talks about how to: Make sense of why most direct procurement processes are still manual Learn how collaboration between procurement, engineering, and suppliers drives lasting savings See where legacy thinking and incentives stall change (and how to overcome it) Discover what tech can enable and when people are essential Find out why small sourcing decisions at scale become huge bottom-line wins Links: Spencer Penn on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

The busy Christmas period is done and dusted with some good results for Posh and Bradford... and lots to be encouraged about - but will 2026 be a big year or are we waiting until 2027?!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Darragh looks back at a busy Christmas- What can Posh do next season?! - Bradford begin the chase of Lincoln!- Darragh's thoughts on Chelsea & Man United sacking managers- and much more!

"Efficiency should fund the future, not erase the people needed to deliver it." – Philip Ideson, Founder and Managing Director of Art of Procurement 2026 is going to be another year of volatility, but it will also be a year of immense opportunity for procurement pragmatists, the ones who are willing to do the work to build the future rather than just waiting for it to arrive. In a tradition that dates back to 2018, Art of Procurement rings in the new year with Founder and Managing Director Philip Ideson's Annual Message. Each year's perspectives are shaped by hundreds of conversations with procurement leaders, providers, subject matter experts, and people both inside and outside the world of procurement. This year, Philip reflects on changes being felt across the professional community and also shares his vision for the next evolution of Art of Procurement.  In this episode, Philip elaborates on: Which path to take in an exciting, but also overwhelming, digital procurement landscape How procurement operating models need to adjust to take not just AI into account, but also the pure intent of the function The 'elephant in the room' - which is not AI, but the readiness and culture that have to be prepared to receive and leverage the new opportunities it creates Links: Art of Procurement Annual Letters Philip Ideson on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

It's Christmas Eve and there's plenty of reasons to get in the festive spirit for Darragh has Posh win 3 in a row, Phil is cautiously optimistic about Bradford and they also do a rundown of the latest goings on in the EFL!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh have a productive December on the pitch!- How Luke Williams has impressed Darragh- Bradford stall but are still in the top 3- What Darragh thought of the Mo Salah saga- and much more!

"The first time that you speak with a supplier shouldn't be in a time of crisis. Our best customers work with us regularly, and we're constantly hearing from them." - Rick Bond, Chief Revenue Officer, Safeware When a crisis hits, procurement must move at lightning speed… but without cutting corners.  How do public agencies build systems that are nimble, compliant, and ready for anything? The answer to that question lies in proactive preparation, robust cooperative agreements, and the partnerships that power an effective emergency response. In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Tammy Rimes, Executive Director of National Cooperative Procurement Partners, and Rick Bond, Safeware's Chief Revenue Officer. Together, they share what really happens behind the scenes when disaster strikes, and how contract strategies and supplier relationships can turn from routine to lifesaving overnight. They also examine hard lessons learned from the pandemic, the critical role of due diligence, and why warehousing strategies are making a comeback. From practical war stories to high-level frameworks, this episode is a playbook for anyone navigating risk and rapid response. In this episode, Tammy and Rick discuss how to: Create ready-to-launch emergency contracts before you need them Run fast but thorough due diligence, even with "easy" agreements Build supplier relationships that go beyond the transaction Balance just-in-time strategies with smart warehousing investments Hold both parties accountable for resilience, not just price Links: Executive Briefing: Cooperative Procurement as a Tool for Emergency Preparedness Tammy Rimes on LinkedIn Rick Bond on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

After 23 episodes of dissecting procurement's incentive flaws, behavioral blind spots, and structural contradictions, the "Buy: The Way…To Purposeful Procurement" podcast team closes season one with something different: reflection, humor, a little chaos, and a first look at what comes next. In this episode, Rich Ham seizes the mic for a surprise "hostile takeover," pulling Philip Ideson and Kelly Barner into a rapid-fire look back at the most memorable moments of the season. What follows is part game show, part roast, and part highlight reel. In short, the perfect way to close a project built on saying the quiet parts out loud. Rich counts down his "top seven" insights from guests like Martin Chilcott, Thomas Udesen, Kate Vitasek, and Omid Ghamami, and the topics they discussed, from decarbonization realities to incentive design failures, from short-termism to purpose-driven procurement.  The list captures what this season repeatedly revealed: procurement isn't held back by a lack of talent or ambition, but by systems and incentives that don't reflect the impact leaders know they can deliver. This episode isn't just a retrospective. It also marks the transition from discovery to design.  After months of interviews, research, and internal debate, the team announces what's next: The Buylaws – a set of guiding principles for a healthier, more purposeful procurement incentive system. Early 2026 will bring a new mini-series dedicated to unpacking each one of these recommendations. As we've learned, procurement's potential is enormous, but potential becomes purpose only when incentives, behavior, and business outcomes finally align. Links: Rich Ham on LinkedInLearn more at FineTuneUs.com

"If you don't go on the journey, you risk being left behind. The key is to try, learn, and apply AI in a way that creates real value." - Fang Chang, EVP and Chief Product Officer at SAP AI isn't just another feature on your tech checklist. It's changing the way procurement teams deliver impact… but only for those bold enough to rethink from the ground up.  In this podcast episode, host Philip Ideson speaks with Fang Chang, EVP and Chief Product Officer at SAP, who shares what it looks like to rebuild an established platform like Ariba on a true AI foundation. Fang's team didn't just layer new tech onto old workflows; they tore everything down and rebuilt with AI at the core.  If you've ever asked whether your team should wait for the "next" wave of AI innovation or start learning by doing, this conversation is a must-listen. Fang walks through technical choices, balancing agility with reliability, and what an AI-powered procurement experience now enables for the business. In this episode, Fang discusses: Why simply layering AI onto legacy tools leaves value on the table How to decide where AI creates business outcomes… and where it doesn't What real agility looks like in a fast-evolving AI landscape How contextual "insights to action" bring value at every step The new balance of human oversight with AI-driven workflows Links: Fang Chang on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

Football fans know that a week is a long time in the sport... so just imagine how football club owners feel?! Posh lose 3 in a row and their defence of the EFL Trophy ends at Swindon. Darragh MacAnthony is here when they win and is ready for another episode despite the defeats.Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- - - - - and much more!

After nearly a year of exploring procurement's incentive paradox from every angle, Philip Ideson, Rich Ham, and Kelly Barner reconvene to connect the dots between three of the series' most thought-provoking guests: Jason Brown, David Loseby, and Omid Ghamami. Each offered a distinct lens on the same fundamental question: What does performance really mean in procurement today? Jason Brown framed incentives as an operating system: a structure that shapes behavior and defines what purpose looks like in practice. David Loseby reminded us that real change starts with understanding people, not just systems. And Omid Ghamami challenged procurement to stop claiming victory at contract signature and start measuring success by real-world outcomes actually achieved. As the co-hosts unpack these different takes on procurement performance, they uncover a unifying truth: procurement's metrics may have been right for their time, but the time has changed. Savings-driven scorecards and transactional incentives no longer fit a function expected to deliver innovation, resilience, and strategic value. The discussion also looks ahead to what comes next as the co-hosts think about how AI reshapes the function, causing headcounts to shrink and expectations to rise. Can procurement redefine its purpose before automation defines it for them? The answer, they argue, lies in alignment: between incentives and impact, between humans and technology, and between what we buy and what we're genuinely trying to achieve. Links: Rich Ham on LinkedInLearn more at FineTuneUs.com

With Posh winning again and Bradford sat in 2nd, Darragh turns his attention to Liverpool and their problems on the pitch... is it time for a change and does Arne Slot need to think of a plan b?Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh beat top of the table Stockport!- Bradford draw at Bolton with 5k away fans!- Liverpool lose again... what needs to change?- Update on the proposal for a more sustainable League One!- and much more!

"Taking the time to get input, to get the feedback and listen to the needs might add a few weeks up front, but ultimately, you're going to have a better, stronger solution and support and alignment." - Jesse Jacoby, Founder and Managing Principal, Emergent, LLC Procurement and business leaders face a tangled web: legacy systems, evolving digital capabilities, and rising pressure to do more with less.  How do you design an operating model that truly enables transformation without adding more complexity? In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Jesse Jacoby, Founder and Managing Principal at Emergent LLC. Jesse's experience guiding Fortune 500 organizations through high-stakes change gives him a practical, people-focused outlook on what really makes business transformation work. In this episode, Philip and Jesse explore how operating models can either help or hinder procurement, why quick fixes rarely stick, and how to leverage change management and AI for meaningful, lasting results. Jesse's insights on avoiding common mistakes and building "muscle memory" for change are a must-hear for anyone stepping into (or leading) transformation. In this episode, Jesse discusses how to: See operating models as interconnected "super systems" rather than isolated processes   Identify and untangle legacy complexity before making changes   Make the case for change both rationally and emotionally   Use AI to augment – not replace – human decision-making   Build resilience with ongoing, bite-sized upskilling programs Links: Jesse Jacoby on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

After months of going back and forth at each other the time has FINALLY come for Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Peterborough fan podcast 'Up The Poshcast' to join up on The Hard Truth and have a debate about the last few years on and off the pitch... could any football supporter have done what Darragh has at Posh? - And are Ashley, Charlie and John just 'gob******' like Darragh claims?!Strap yourself in for an explosive episode!

"We want our customers to be able to put their own internal procurement rules into our Amazon Business marketplace, so they can feel secure and still get that great experience." - Todd Heimes, Vice President and General Manager, Amazon Business Worldwide  Right now, procurement leaders are balancing pressure to deliver savings, manage risk, and remove barriers for business users. As organizations get more complex, the need for connected digital procurement – and real-time, actionable insights – makes all the difference. In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Todd Heimes, Vice President and General Manager of Amazon Business Worldwide. With over two decades at Amazon, Todd shares how the team is tackling tail spend, embedding compliance, and rolling out new analytics and AI-driven tools designed for modern enterprise needs. They go beyond just digital catalogs: this is about building a procurement ecosystem that works for both CPOs and everyday users. This conversation is an inside look at how Amazon Business is helping procurement teams automate the busywork, drive transparency, and support smarter, decentralized decision-making.  In this episode, Todd discusses: How to build digital procurement that fits your tech stack, not works against it Reducing rogue spend while making buying easier for users Using guided buying to set rules and drive compliance invisibly Turning analytics and AI into real actions, not just reporting Links: Todd Heimes on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

Procurement's problem isn't speed. It's form.  They've gotten great at automating and accelerating weak processes while quietly rewarding the "good contract, bad deal" mentality that ultimately undercuts their own efforts. In this podcast episode of "Buy: The Way…To Purposeful Procurement," Omid Ghamami, president of the Procurement and Supply Chain Management Institute and former Intel purchasing operations leader, joins co-hosts Philip Ideson and Rich Ham to challenge procurement's most comfortable (bad) habits.  He argues that the function claims victory at signature, books "savings" that never actually hit the P&L, and then moves on to the next thing while suppliers are left to harvest margin in the years that follow. Omid also goes after the most likely root causes of all these bad habits: procurement lets business units fixate on what they want to buy instead of what they need to accomplish. That framing hardwires cost into scopes through custom specs, gold-plating, and activity-based requirements.  The cure is outcome design and total cost discipline up front, informed by external references, public contracts, internal history, and supplier knowledge. Pay now or pay later… and most teams pay later. Procurement needs to stop rewarding the 'heroes' who rush in to fix broken deals instead of the leaders who design processes that prevent fires in the first place. As Omid puts it, "We don't reward Smokey the Bear. We reward the firefighters."  If incentives continue to glorify this kind of firefighting, the flames will keep coming. But when procurement starts recognizing prevention as performance, they will finally become the quiet force that keeps value – and trust – intact.  

Posh beat top 6 Wimbledon 5-0 and Bradford lose their home record against Burton... it's just another chaotic weekend in League One! Darragh & Phil go through the leagues and dissect how things stand going into the international break.Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh hit 5 against Play-Off chasing Wimbledon- Is Phil worried about Bradford's form?- 'Bad' Liverpool lose at Man City- Where are clubs at with their January transfer window moves?- and much more!You can also watch EVERY EPISODE on our YouTube channel - search 'Hard Truth Football'

"If your only role is cost management and processes, that's scary to me. The value of procurement is so much more than that." – Etosha Thurman, Chief Marketing Officer, Finance and Spend Management at SAP AI is rapidly changing procurement's mandate and the expectations that business leaders now have.  Technology is no longer just digitizing processes; it's opening the door to new operating models and deeper business impact. To thrive, procurement teams must deliver far more than savings. They must bring innovation, resilience, and data-driven influence to the table. In this episode, Philip Ideson welcomes Etosha Thurman, Chief Marketing Officer, Finance and Spend Management at SAP. Etosha's career spans sourcing at P&G to leading finance and procurement solutions at SAP. She shares stories and hard-earned insights on how AI is reshaping procurement, what it means for team structure, and why soft skills matter more than ever. Whether you're exploring practical use cases for AI or looking to reposition procurement as a strategic partner, Etosha offers advice you won't hear elsewhere. She also dives into driving internal investment and how procurement leaders can tell a more powerful story about their work. In this episode, Etosha explores how to:   Identify which procurement skills are critical and which may be automated   Rethink your operating model to match AI-enabled workflows   Secure buy-in by linking procurement to business growth and resilience   Turn data and technology investments into lasting business value   Build a stronger brand and tell your procurement story for greater influence Links: Etosha Thurman on LinkedIn Learn more about SAP's Spend Management software Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

Posh appoint Luke Williams as their new manager and kick off with a win in the FA Cup, Bradford controversially fall in Round 1 and are Liverpool back?!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh hire Luke Williams- Darragh hits back at 'other' podcasts- A rogue whistle costs Bradford in the cup- Do lower league clubs take out player insurance?- and much more!You can also watch EVERY EPISODE on our YouTube channel - search 'Hard Truth Football'

"The value isn't in giving them the coffee beans and hoping they take that away and make a cup of coffee – what they need is a drink. So instead of giving them the data, do the extra steps and pull out the insights for them." - Satvinder Panesar, Data and Analytics Strategy Director, AstraZeneca Procurement leaders are surrounded by data, but turning numbers into true business impact is a new kind of challenge.  As AI and analytics tools promise even more information, the real differentiator is knowing how to interpret, validate, and act on those outputs… before your competitors do. Satvinder Panesar, Data and Analytics Strategy Director at AstraZeneca, joined Philip Ideson at ProcureTEX in London. Philip was there at the invitation of Beroe to speak with some of their customers about turning data into actionable insights. In this conversation, Sat breaks down the evolution of procurement analytics, explains why data literacy is a must-have skill, and points out how any leader or team can begin building those muscles, starting with the tools they already have. Expect a practical, honest conversation about the skills gap, the dangers of outsourcing data thinking, and how procurement teams can take charge in a world of increasingly complex analytics: Why "insights" matter more than raw data in procurement How to bridge gaps between data, category, and analytics teams  Practical first steps to improve procurement data literacy What AI can (and can't) do for procurement professionals Links: Satvinder Panesar on LinkedIn AOP Provider Directory: Beroe Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"The value you bring as a procurement function has transcended being a cost saver. They are now a discussion partner with other functions and bring value in the form of intelligence." - Adrian Vicol, Data Strategy Lead & Data Architect, Siemens Energy Procurement leaders are facing more complex questions about data than ever before. As organizations move toward AI and automation, the need for clean, reliable, and actionable data is skyrocketing – but most teams are still wrestling with legacy challenges and data silos.  Getting this right is no longer optional; it's becoming mission-critical. In this special episode, recorded on-site at ProcureTEX in London, host Philip Ideson speaks with Adrian Vicol, Data Strategy Lead at Siemens Energy. Philip was there at the invitation of Beroe to speak with some of their customers about turning data into actionable insights. Adrian shares a no-nonsense perspective on what it really takes to close the data-to-action gap for procurement. You'll hear firsthand how Siemens Energy is building a strong data foundation, implementing practical governance, and reshaping the way their procurement teams deliver value across the business. In this episode, Adrian discusses how to: Define a clear North Star for procurement data strategy and automation Structure strong data governance with business and technical roles Approach legacy data cleanup pragmatically to build trust in analytics Integrate internal and external data for real-time insights   Engage procurement professionals to share expertise and drive adoption Links: Adrian Vicol on LinkedIn AOP Provider Directory: Beroe Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

Procurement's toughest problems rarely come from spreadsheets or contracts. They come from people. In this episode of "Buy: The Way…To Purposeful Procurement," David Loseby – professor, former CPO, and self-described "pracademic" – joins Philip Ideson and Rich Ham to explore why procurement's incentive systems often fail not because they're wrong on paper, but because they ignore how people actually think and act. Unfortunately, he says, most systems are designed for tidy models, not messy human behavior. Drawing on behavioral science and front-line experience, David introduces the idea of "behavioral architecture," a practical approach to shaping decisions by understanding how different audiences think, decide, and act. Finance wants the spreadsheet. Marketing wants the story. The CEO wants 30 seconds and a decision. A single, one-size-fits-all KPI (which we know is usually "savings") can't carry that load, and when it tries, it often drives the wrong behaviors. Instead, David makes the case for incentives that create shared ownership of outcomes across functions. He walks through a concrete example of shifting an energy "re-tender" into an enterprise-wide consumption program that improved P&L results through local engagement, gamification, and rapid payback actions – all proof that when the metric matches the mission, the business moves. He then applies the same logic to sustainability, customer experience, and resilience, showing how to frame the same initiative in different "languages" across the business without diluting the goal. David also offers actionable guidance: build balanced scorecards that include the business's priorities (not only procurement's), tie a portion of bonuses to stakeholder metrics, and tailor communications so each audience sees their value in the work. It's a call to action for procurement that may be uncomfortable, but it's exactly what they need to hear: if you want purposeful outcomes, you have to design for human behavior, not inhuman systems and processes. Links: David Loseby on LinkedIn Rich Ham on LinkedIn Learn more at FineTuneUs.com

“Fraudulent conduct robs the government – at all levels, local, state, or federal – of the benefit of competition. Competition is free and open; it is the Magna Carta of the American economic system, and robbing the government of that benefit is inherently wrongful.”  Public sector procurement faces mounting challenges, not least of which is the threat of collusion and fraud that quietly erodes budgets and public trust. The Department of Justice's Procurement Collusion Strike Force is taking this seriously, with a coordinated and data-driven approach to cracking down on anticompetitive conduct at all levels. In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Daniel Glad, Director of the Procurement Collusion Strike Force at the DOJ, who walks listeners through the reality of prosecuting bid rigging and price fixing in public contracts.  Daniel shares compelling stories, actionable red flags, and new tools (like the groundbreaking whistleblower reward program) that empower honest players to speak up. Learn what triggers a federal investigation, which spend categories are especially vulnerable, and why the risks (and penalties) for collusion have never been higher. In this episode, Daniel discusses ways to: Identify which purchasing patterns often attract collusive behavior Detect early warning signs that suggest fraudulent bidding Leverage whistleblower programs to protect your organization and career Understand how technology and data analytics are changing enforcement Prepare for the scrutiny of the DOJ's proactive investigative methods Links: Daniel Glad on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

Darragh and Phil are joined by Reading owner Rob Couhig to discuss a weekend where both Darragh and Rob sacked their managers... but also share plans of how EFL League One see the future of English football.Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.your

Posh win at Burton but are they sacrificing being the entertainers for 3 points? Bradford are the new entertainers with a 2-2 draw v Barnsley and it's Liverpool who ruin Darragh's day with a defeat to Manchester United.Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Ange is out but was the Forest owner right?- Posh win... but what about the performance?- Bradford get an entertaining draw against Barnsley!- Darragh's thoughts on Liverpool's poor form!- and much more!You can also watch EVERY EPISODE on our YouTube channel - search 'Hard Truth Football'

“Too many procurement professionals have developed a push energy. If you take that same approach with internal stakeholders, it won't work. We need to develop pull energy — asking questions, listening, and creating a shared vision.” - Giuseppe Conti, Professor, Author of Negotiation + Influence = Success: Quick Lessons to Help You Win in Corporate Life Procurement leaders know how much the field has changed, but the biggest barriers often come from within. As procurement's role expands, it has become essential to influence internally, manage expectations, and go beyond data-driven persuasion. In this Art of Procurement podcast episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Giuseppe Conti, a seasoned procurement executive turned business school professor. Giuseppe reveals why internal negotiation is so much tougher than dealing with suppliers, and offers strategies to shift procurement teams from “push” to “pull” influence. If your team's technical skills are strong, but your impact could be greater, this is a must-listen. Giuseppe's practical tools – like a 20-minute, one-page prep template and real-world active listening techniques – will give any procurement leader an edge. In this episode, Giuseppe explains how to: Diagnose and close the gap between perceived and actual listening skills Move from “push energy” to “pull energy” for genuine, lasting influence Set realistic internal stakeholder expectations and avoid common missteps Balance data with emotional intelligence to drive decisions Links: Giuseppe Conti on LinkedIn Negotiation + Influence = Success: Quick Lessons to Help You Win in Corporate Life by Giuseppe Conti Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

Procurement doesn't just have a measurement problem. It has a motivation problem. Behind every misaligned target, every “savings” claim, and every missed opportunity is the same invisible culprit: incentives that quietly tell people to do the wrong things well. In this episode of Buy: The Way…To Purposeful Procurement, Jason Brown, accounting professor at Indiana University and longtime corporate incentives expert, joins co-hosts Philip Ideson and Rich Ham to expose how organizational reward systems shape behavior far more powerfully than strategy or mission statements ever could. He explains why even the most principled teams end up chasing metrics that distort procurement's purpose, and why rethinking incentive design may be the key to unlocking true business alignment. Drawing from decades of academic research and corporate consulting, Jason unpacks the subtle ways procurement incentives drift off course: how bonus structures reward volume over value, how finance and procurement end up speaking different dialects of “performance,” and how organizations confuse compliance with contribution. He also brings attention to the rare examples of companies that have broken these patterns by tying procurement's rewards directly to shared outcomes that improve EBITDA, resilience, and stakeholder trust. This conversation challenges a fundamental assumption: can procurement ever be purposeful if its people are rewarded for something other than real impact?  As Jason argues, until incentives reflect what actually matters to the business and society, procurement will remain stuck in a cycle of performative alignment where everyone looks busy but the enterprise stands still. According to Jason, the truth may be uncomfortable, but it's exactly what procurement needs to hear. Incentive design isn't a soft topic or a side project. It's the operating system of purposeful procurement, and it's long overdue for an upgrade. Links: Jason Brown on LinkedInRich Ham on LinkedInLearn more at FineTuneUs.com

Darragh has some had to have some honest conversations with manager Darren Ferguson after a defeat at Bolton Wanderers leaves Posh bottom... and his footballing weekend didn't get any better after Liverpool lost again!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Darragh's honest conversations with Darren Ferguson- A big few weeks after the international break- Liverpool have a problem but what can fix it?- Darragh's favourite team in the Championship at the moment - and much more!You can also watch EVERY EPISODE on our YouTube channel - search 'Hard Truth Football'

In this Phil-Ins episode of “Buy: The Way…To Purposeful Procurement,” Philip Ideson, Rich Ham, and Kelly Barner reflect on their conversations with Bayer CPO Thomas Udesen, franchise procurement leader Kristine Morton, and procurement entrepreneur Jason Busch. Despite differences in scope, scale, and sector, the through-line is unmistakable: common sense.  For example, Thomas showed how Bayer abandoned “pointless” savings metrics in favor of measures that connect directly to business outcomes, while Kristine reminded us that for franchisees, if it doesn't hit the P&L, it didn't happen. And Jason revealed how AI employees could finally make real-time validation and continuous monitoring of results possible at scale. Taken together, these stories underscore procurement's most pressing challenge: leaving behind the dysfunctional obsession with “claimed savings” and building incentive systems that reward real impact. Rich, Phil, and Kelly also step back to examine procurement's sense of alignment (or detachment?) from the wider business. Kelly shares vivid experiences from her own practitioner days, contrasting the urgency of grocery logistics with the abstraction of office supplies. Phil cautions against “procurement blinkers,” reminding us that silos plague every function, not just ours. And Rich argues that measuring against EBITDA – profits, not projections – may finally put procurement “on the pitch” with their teammates. This recap sets the stage for the next phase of the series: designing incentive structures that actually work. Because if procurement doesn't align with business value, AI vendors may sell that value straight to the C-suite. Links: Rich Ham on LinkedInLearn more at FineTuneUs.com

Stockport County's rise back up the leagues has been one of the EFL's success stories of the last decade... and one man who has to take A LOT of credit for it is owner Mark Stott. Mark joins Darragh and Phil to chat about the past, present and an exciting future for Stockport!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- What it's like to negotiate a transfer with Darragh- What was Mark's favourite moment from owning Stockport County- What does the future look like at Stockport?- and much more!You can also watch EVERY EPISODE on our YouTube channel - search 'Hard Truth Football'

“Play the long game, avoid myopic thinking and approaches to solve immediate problems as much as you can, and treat your suppliers as your customers or clients.”  – Darshan Deshmukh, President at ProcureAbility Procurement leaders are facing unparalleled uncertainty – trade wars, shifting regulations, and headlines that change overnight. Pressure is mounting to build more resilient, agile supply chains, but most organizations are battling change fatigue as well as a need to redefine value.  Procurement has to rewire their operating model for a future where disruption is the norm. In this Art of Procurement podcast episode, Philip Ideson and Kelly Barner are joined by Darshan Deshmukh, President at ProcureAbility. Darshan shares real-world stories about how teams are grappling with global risk and why some are seeing volatility as an engine for growth, while others are retrenching. The conversation addresses how CPOs can actively manage optionality in their supply chains, and how procurement leaders can spot – and address – risk fatigue in their teams. If you want to understand what it means to create a cost-effective and resilient, opportunity-ready supply chain, this episode gives you the roadmap. In this episode, Darshan discusses how to: Adapt your approach for regional differences in geopolitical risk Invest in supply chain optionality, even if it adds time and/or cost Transition from transactional work to collaborative, strategic relationship building Use data and human judgment to separate real risks from noise Links: Darshan Deshmukh on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube Overcoming Procurement's Fear of AI with ProcureAbility

Wait, what's that?! Another Posh/Bradford win double?Time to celebrate as Phil's Bradford go top of League 1, so we want to know... how far can they go?! Also, Posh get a important win at Plymouth which gives Darragh a chance to hit back at some of the critics!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Can Bradford get back-to-back promotions?- Is Darragh's claim that Posh have a top 6 squad looking better now after 2 wins?- Darragh hits back at the critics!- and much more!You can also watch EVERY EPISODE on our YouTube channel - search 'Hard Truth Football'

“We're in the business of change – selling change and then delivering it.” - Gordon Donovan, Vice President Research - Procurement & External Workforce, SAP  In an era of overlapping crises, procurement faces fast-evolving challenges… and opportunities.  Senior leaders are tasked with not only keeping the engine running but also building resilient, future-facing teams that thrive in complexity. The recently published SAP Economist Impact research report, “The Resilient Edge: Procurement in an Era of Polycrisis,” provides a data-driven lens on what the next three to five years may hold, especially as outsourcing, skills, and technology reshape operating models. To dig into this new research, Philip Ideson welcomes Gordon Donovan, Vice President Research - Procurement & External Workforce at SAP, back to the show. Gordon combs through insights on what is driving procurement decision-making, current confidence in category management, and the practical implications of surging contingent workforce and outsourcing activity. Whether you want to understand why risk management is lagging, how AI will drive operating model transformation, or where procurement should focus next, Gordon brings both the latest data and his own hard-won advice for CPOs. In this episode, Gordon discusses how this latest research from SAP can help procurement: Identify how leaders' priorities are aligning for the first time in four years Rethink the value proposition beyond cost savings and communicate it upstream Advance risk management beyond basic compliance, especially in category strategies Harness outsourcing and the contingent workforce as proactive transformation levers Prioritize the right skills, even those that rarely make the official list Links Gordon Donovan on LinkedIn Procurement's Path Through an Era of Polycrisis Visit the SAP Website Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

“We can all claim savings without necessarily achieving the result.”  This stark observation from Jason Busch sums up decades of dysfunction in how procurement measures their impact and why AI may finally force a (much-needed) reckoning with reality. In this episode of “Buy: The Way...To Purposeful Procurement,” Jason joins co-hosts Philip Ideson and Rich Ham to explore how artificial intelligence might finally solve procurement's validation problem… but only if organizations abandon their addiction to “claiming savings” and start measuring what actually matters: EBITDA. As a co-founder of FreeMarkets and a founder of Spend Matters, Jason has witnessed 25 years of procurement's evolution from the inside, and he's not pulling any punches. Instead, he offers a radical proposition: procurement should function as economic “detectives” gathering evidence of spend crimes, then “prosecutors” holding suppliers accountable based on that evidence. The technology finally exists to make this possible, but it will require procurement to abandon the comfortable fiction of projected savings in favor of the uncomfortable truth of EBITDA impact. The implications of this approach extend beyond individual organizations. Jason frames procurement's societal purpose as “public defenders against rampant cost escalation,” suggesting that when buyer-side flaws enable seller-side exploitation, the ultimate losers are consumers who absorb these costs through higher prices. According to Jason, the question isn't whether technology will transform procurement… It's whether procurement will transform themselves enough to leverage that technology purposefully and for the good of the business. Links: Jason Busch on LinkedIn Rich Ham on LinkedIn Learn more at FineTuneUs.com  

Hallelujah! We finally have a weekend where both Peterborough and Bradford win... can this be the start of the Posh resurgence, and are Bradford now serious promotion contenders?!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- Posh win their first game of the season!- Bradford win the derby against Huddersfield- What Darragh did with the last episode that he's never done before!- Darragh's thoughts on Sheffield United sacking their manager!- and much more!You can also watch EVERY EPISODE on our YouTube channel - search 'Hard Truth Football'

“Procurement is going to be on the front lines, creating competitive advantage for the corporation.” - Vel Dhinagaravel, CEO at Beroe AI isn't just a buzzword anymore… it's rapidly becoming procurement's sharpest tool for staying ahead.  Business leaders now demand more than “check-the-box” savings; they want real, data-driven competitiveness that puts their organizations at the front of the pack. The big question: how can AI and always-on intelligence transform procurement's role and impact? In this Art of Procurement podcast episode, Beroe CEO Vel Dhinagaravel joins host Philip Ideson for a candid conversation on the reality (and roadblocks) of using AI in procurement. Vel draws from deep experience and real-world case studies to reveal where intelligence platforms are making a difference, how measurement is shifting, and what mindsets are needed to win in today's faster, more transparent world. From rethinking metrics to unlocking competitive benchmarking and avoiding overhyped tech promises, this conversation gives procurement leaders practical advice they can use now. In this episode, Vel discusses: How leading CPOs are moving from point-in-time savings to continuous value Why benchmarking against competitors (not just last year's spend) is the new mandate Where and how to use AI for measurable results Ways to spot the hype vs. real limitations in intelligent agent tools How to prepare your team for the market's next leap in performance Links: Vel Dhinagaravel on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

The Transfer Deadline is done and dusted so it's allowed Darragh to reflect on an eventful window and disappointing start to the season... whereas for Phil's Bantams, it couldn't have gone any better!Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony and Bradford City fan Philip Ideson give us the 'Hard Truths' and take a weekly look inside the football industry.On this episode:- A busy deadline for Posh- What is going wrong on the pitch?- Which Posh player has said he's never coming back... despite being under contract- Darragh's reaction to Daniel Levy leaving Spurs- and much more!You can also watch EVERY EPISODE on our YouTube channel - search 'Hard Truth Football'

“A decision abyss is the chasm that forms between critical supply chain functions… and that's what keeps and prevents organizations from making fast, cross-functional, well-informed data-driven decisions.” – Keith Hartley, CEO and Board Member at LevaData, CEO of The Abyss Group In today's hyper-connected supply chains, data is everywhere, but turning it into fast, confident decisions remains elusive. The cost? Slow launches, eroding margins, and “spreadsheet heroics” that mask deeper issues. As the complexity compounds year after year, procurement leaders face a tough choice: keep coping, or tackle what Keith Hartley calls the “decision abyss.” In this Art of Procurement podcast episode, Keith, CEO of LevaData and author of the new book “Conquering the Decision Abyss”, joins host Philip Ideson to dig into this silent but urgent challenge.  They explore why siloed information and human habits – not just technology – are holding teams back, and what's truly required to turn fragmented data into bold, coordinated action. Keith also shares real-world stories, quick wins, and a candid take on why C-suites are finally wading into supply chain's black box. In this episode, Keith also discusses how to: Diagnose the symptoms and root causes of the “decision abyss” Move your team beyond spreadsheet culture to smarter decisions Embrace modern AI to contextualize and use even messy data Enable rapid testing for new processes that deliver outcomes   Links: Keith Hartley on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

When Kristine Morton's was first introduced to the flawed incentive structures plaguing much of corporate procurement, she said, “That all sounds stupid."  Her blunt reaction reveals something profound: it is possible to build a procurement career without ever encountering the dysfunctional systems that dominate so many large organizations. In this episode of "Buy: The Way...To Purposeful Procurement," Kristine Morton, Director of Strategic Sourcing at Unleashed Brands, joins Philip Ideson and Rich Ham to demonstrate what procurement looks like when stakeholders demand proof, not promises. Working across franchise systems and private equity-backed companies, Kristine serves over 1,000 individual franchise owners who scrutinize every P&L line item. In her world, "savings" means money that actually hits the bottom line, not projections based on contract signatures. Every initiative undergoes rigorous testing before rollout, and continuous measurement ensures stakeholders receive exactly what was promised. In this episode, she explains the stark contrast between procurement theory and practice. While large corporations debate abstract incentive structures, Kristine focuses on operational empathy, which means understanding what makes franchise owners' lives easier, cheaper, or better.  Her approach to category management is truly continuous. As Kristine puts it, “My vendor relationships don't end at contract signature. If I don't follow up and ensure our initiatives deliver what we promised, I won't learn when things don't work out.” Kristine's leadership journey demonstrates that purposeful procurement doesn't require managing billions in spend. There's profound purpose in simply making efforts real and ensuring stakeholders get what they were promised. With this perspective, adoption is validation; if programs don't deliver value, business owners simply won't participate.   Links: Kristine Morton Rich Ham on LinkedIn Learn more at FineTuneUs.com  

“ProcureTech100 is the voice of the user. It's the voice of the customer. We want the perspective of those who are using these solutions every day, who have done proof of concepts, and who have seen the ROI.” - Philip Ideson, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Art of Procurement Today's procurement leaders are surrounded by tech innovation and disruption, but separating real value from empty hype is more complex than ever. With hundreds of new providers, AI tools, and shifting priorities, staying competitive calls for more than just another list of solutions; it demands objective, peer-driven insights. This week, Art of Procurement co-founders Philip Ideson and Kelly Barner unpack the acquisition of the ProcureTech100 and Founders' Circle programs. They explain what sets the ProcureTech100 apart, why practitioner voices matter, and how this new approach will improve visibility, trust, and practical decision-making for procurement teams everywhere. Tune in for a candid conversation about rethinking technology intelligence, the importance of independence in awards and recommendations, and how community engagement is shaping the next chapter of procurement's digital story. In this episode, Philip and Kelly: Explain what makes the ProcureTech100 uniquely objective and peer-driven Share how practitioner insights inform more valuable tech recommendations Reveal new ways leaders and providers can participate or become judges Discuss the future direction for digitization advisory, as informed by community data Links: Trust & Transparency: Judging the 2025/26 ProcureTech100 Art of Procurement Acquires ProcureTech100, ProcureTech100 Yearbook, and Founders' Circle Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

“Savings is completely self-invented and pointless because it's separated from the real P&L." This assessment from Bayer Chief Procurement Officer Thomas Udesen captures the essence of what may be procurement's most radical transformation in decades. In this episode of “Buy: The Way...To Purposeful Procurement,” Thomas joins Philip Ideson and Rich Ham to discuss how one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies abandoned traditional procurement metrics entirely, replacing “savings” with six C's that actually drive business outcomes: cost, cash, carbon, community, compliance, and continuity.  Thomas's approach defies conventional wisdom at every turn.  At Bayer, every employee can spend up to €50,000 without pre-approval – a level of transactional autonomy that would terrify most procurement organizations. Yet the results speak for themselves: increased responsibility, entrepreneurial thinking, and more strategic spend management decisions driven by transparency rather than control. The conversation reveals how procurement's obsession with “savings” has become a self-inflicted wound. Stakeholders roll their eyes when procurement leads with savings slides because the metrics mean nothing to them. Instead, Bayer measures real P&L impact through price index benchmarking and spend ratios that directly correlate to competitive performance.  In this episode, Thomas demonstrates that purposeful procurement isn't just theoretical; it's already happening. His parting challenge: procurement can be “the heartbeat of the change that is coming.”    Links: Thomas Udesen on LinkedIn Rich Ham on LinkedIn Learn more at FineTuneUs.com

"I believe if you can define it, you can source it. And if you can source it, you can auction it." - Adam Collins, Head of Sales, Esker Procurement teams are navigating unprecedented global disruptions, from tariffs and geopolitical tensions to supply chain instabilities that refuse to settle.  What if these chaotic conditions actually present procurement's greatest opportunity to demonstrate strategic value? In this episode, Philip Ideson and Kelly Barner are joined by Adam Collins from Esker to explore how procurement can leverage fundamental strategic sourcing techniques to not just survive but thrive in turbulent market conditions. Adam's procurement technology experience is predominantly focused on source-to-contract capabilities that offer practical ways to turn market chaos into competitive advantage. In this episode, Adam discusses: Why transparency with suppliers during market engagement drives better outcomes than secrecy The critical importance of being proactive rather than reactive when markets are unstable  How to challenge traditional definitions of "addressable spend" and uncover hidden opportunities  Strategic approaches to payment timing that support working capital while serving as negotiating levers  Why keeping a calm head and making fact-based decisions separates successful procurement teams from the rest Links: Adam Collins on LinkedIn Watch: Sourcing Strategically in Chaotic Conditions Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

There is no template for transformation. You have to build transformation for the organization that you're in. Go and learn as much as you can about the organization and then pivot where you need to.”  - Tanya Roach, Director of Procurement, Federated Co-operatives Limited Building procurement from scratch is never easy… let alone within a 90-year-old organization, during a pandemic, and with business demands changing faster than ever. Resilient, adaptable team members are the key to overcoming challenges and creating lasting transformation. In this episode, Tanya Roach, Director of Procurement at Federated Co-operatives Limited, speaks to Philip Ideson at the 2025 Supply Chain Canada National Conference.  Tanya shares her transformation journey: from assembling a new team during COVID to designing processes with flexibility, and the lessons learned from steady, people-centered change. In this candid conversation, she details how picking the right talent, using technology as a true enabler, and upskilling for AI set the stage for procurement success in a complex cooperative model.  Whether you're leading a transformation or shaping day-to-day change, Tanya's story offers practical strategies: How to build and scale procurement teams amid uncertainty Why adaptability, curiosity, and resilience trump job titles in transformation How to introduce technology and AI in ways that add lasting value The essentials of aligning stakeholders in a distributed organization Links: Tanya Roach on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

Halfway through their journey toward purposeful procurement, the co-hosts confront a fundamental question: if procurement drives value in so many ways beyond cost savings, why do incentive structures ignore virtually everything else? In this episode of "Buy: The Way...To Purposeful Procurement," Philip Ideson, Rich Ham, and Kelly Barner discuss insights from their recent conversations with Martin Chilcott and Paul Polizzotto to explore a troubling pattern: procurement consistently creates value despite their flawed incentive structures, not because of them. The conversation maps procurement's hidden value drivers… from supplier-enabled innovation that harnesses R&D capabilities many times larger than any single organization, to supplier diversification efforts that identify alternatives but rarely get implemented, to risk mitigation strategies that could free companies from incumbent supplier traps. The hosts also examine why procurement tends to abandon innovation initiatives precisely when they're most needed, creating self-defeating cycles that damage supplier relationships. Kelly adds a practitioner's perspective into the mix, pointing out the frustration of extensive supplier qualification work that gets shelved due to entrenched decision structures, systematically wasting value creation that never appears on any scorecard. The episode also sets up the series' next phase: conversations with executives who've successfully broken the mold on traditional incentive structures, proving that purposeful procurement is achievable at any scale. Links: Rich Ham on LinkedIn Learn more at FineTuneUs.com