Podcasts about Procurement

"Sometimes you just need to recognize that getting from the baseline, whatever your baseline, to the next step… that's really significant." - Jyothi Hartley, Director of Digital Enablement, AOP Art of Procurement is proud to launch a brand-new podcast series: the ProcureTech Insider. The procurement technology market is evolving faster than ever, promising exponential transformation. But what actually works in the real world? ProcureTech Insider exists to take procurement leaders and decision makers beyond the hype. In this new series, we will bring you real-world intelligence from practitioners implementing technology, solution providers building next-generation capabilities, and experts and leaders evaluating what delivers impact in practice. In this first episode, Art of Procurement Founder and Managing Director Philip Ideson welcomes Jyothi Harley, AOP's Director of Digital Enablement, to discuss the vision behind the show and to explore what digital transformation can look like inside visionary procurement teams. With more than 25 years of experience across practitioner, transformation, and advisory roles, Jyothi shares why there is no one-size-fits-all blueprint for procurement technology success. Instead of chasing "big bang" transformation, she explains why incremental progress grounded in culture, timing, and organizational readiness often delivers the most sustainable impact. If you're navigating AI buzz, (re)evaluating your tech stack, or feeling pressure to transform faster than your team may be able to absorb, this conversation – and all of those that will follow it – will help you identify your best next step. In this episode, you'll learn: Why there's no universal playbook for digital procurement transformation How to assess your true starting point before investing in new technology Why incremental progress can be more powerful than sweeping change The role culture, adoption, and timing play in successful implementation How AOP's digital enablement practice bridges strategy and execution This episode also marks Art of Procurement's expanded coverage of the rapidly changing procuretech landscape through regular podcast episodes and the ProcureTech100. Links: Download the 2025-26 ProcureTech100 Yearbook Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

General Blaine Holt analyzes China's J-35, noting it uses stolen F-35 designs but suffers from engine unreliability and systemic corruption within Chinese military procurement systems. 10.1793

This week on Off the Shelf, Ken Dodds, executive vice president and general counsel for Coalition for Common Sense in Government Procurement, joins host Roger Waldron to discuss some of the most important small business rules impacting procurement. In the wake of the Department of War's memo on pass-throughs and reviewing set-asides over $20 million, Dodds shares his insights on framework and limitations on subcontracting under small business set-asides contracts and the government's corresponding focus when reviewing subcontracts under set-asides and want constitutes a potential pass-through situation. He provides the nuances inherit in these rules that play an understated role in management of small business programs. Finally Dodds gives his thoughts on a host of current procurement topics, including GSA's Reseller RFI, commercial practices and the RFO. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Off the Shelf, Bill Gormley, president of the Gormley Group, and Alan Thomas, founder of Alpha Tango Strategies, recap the 2025 year in federal procurement and look ahead to 2026. Gormley and Thomas cover a host of topics, including the impact of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the RFO, consolidation efforts at GSA, the cancellation of CIO-SP4, and the GSA Reseller Request for Information (RFI). They also share their thoughts and analysis on the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) with the formal rulemaking looming in 2026. Finally Gormley and Thomas discuss the establishment of the Office of Centralized Acquisition Services (OCAS) in GSA's Federal Acquisition Service. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Digital transformation in procurement has been "imminent" for over a decade, however, Legacy Thinking Is the Real Bottleneck! Boards talk about automation. CFOs talk about control. Procurement leaders talk about value creation. And yet, across industries, source-to-pay (S2P) remains one of the most stubbornly legacy bound functions in the enterprise. The irony? Procurement should be one of the easiest functions to modernize. It is structured, process driven, data rich, and measurable. But in practice, S2P transformation efforts stall, underdeliver, or quietly die after expensive, lengthy and limited implementation cycles. Why? The bottleneck isn't technology. It's legacy gravity. The Hidden Cost of "Good Enough" Procurement Many organizations still operate on a patchwork of: ERP systems and bolt-ons built for another era Email based approvals Manual vendor onboarding Disconnected sourcing tools Excel driven reporting and even pen and paper These systems "work"… in the same way that a fax machine technically still works. The problem is that legacy procurement systems were designed for control and record keeping, not agility, collaboration, or strategic insight. They reflect a time when procurement was administrative. Today, it's expected to be strategic. That shift breaks the old model. Where Source-to-Pay Innovation Gets Stuck 1. ERP-Centric Thinking For years, procurement innovation meant adding modules to an ERP. But ERPs are transactional systems of record, not innovation platforms. They are excellent at posting journal entries. They are poor at enabling dynamic sourcing, supplier collaboration, or real time spend intelligence. Trying to build modern procurement on top of ERP architecture is like building a streaming service on top of a DVD player. 1. Change Fatigue and Organisational Inertia Procurement teams are often overworked and understaffed. Digital transformation becomes "another project" layered on top of operational pressure. Without clear ROI and intuitive user experience, adoption fails. Stakeholders revert to email. Maverick spend returns. The transformation narrative and urgency fades. 1. Fragmented Tool Stacks Organisations frequently assemble S2P capabilities from multiple vendors: One for sourcing One for contract management One for P2P Another for analytics Integration becomes the project. Data reconciliation becomes a full-time job. Innovation slows under its own complexity. 1. Supplier Experience Is an Afterthought Most legacy procurement systems optimize for internal compliance, not supplier usability. Clunky onboarding. Repetitive data entry. Limited transparency. In an era where supplier relationships are strategic assets, this friction is more than inconvenient — it's counterproductive. 1. Procurement Still Seen as Cost Control Perhaps the deepest legacy issue is philosophical. Many executive teams still view procurement primarily as a cost-cutting function. But modern S2P innovation unlocks: Risk visibility ESG traceability Working capital optimization Data driven negotiation leverage Cross functional alignment Actionable game changing business intelligence insights When procurement is framed as a back-office function, investment remains incremental. When it's framed as a strategic value driver, transformation becomes inevitable. What Modern Source-to-Pay Should Actually Look Like True S2P innovation isn't about digitising paperwork. It's about re-architecting the procurement experience. That includes: Consumer grade UX that drives adoption Unified workflows from sourcing through payment Real-time spend visibility Embedded analytics Supplier-first design Automation of approvals and compliance Configurability without heavy IT dependency In short, S2P should feel like modern SaaS, not a compliance portal from 2009, with the UX of teletext from the 1990's. The New Model: Agile, Unified, Intuitive Forward-thinking organizations are abandoning monolithic, ERP bound procurement stacks in favor of flexi...

Procurement Talk welcomes special guests David Morgan and Joshua Byrne to discuss why "Whistleblowing" is so important and the linkages between procurement,  contract management and fraud.  We also discuss the market leading "Whistleblowing" service available through Veremark.

The biggest procurement myth? That better negotiations automatically create better results.Host Mike Jansen speaks with Mario Meyer, CPO and Head of Global Quality for the Division Plants at Ammann Group, about why classic negotiation tactics often hit a hard ceiling, and where Procurement leaders should focus instead.Mario challenges the idea that value is won at the negotiation table. Drawing on real examples from Ammann's project-driven environment, he explains how deeper collaboration with suppliers and internal stakeholders unlocks value that price pressure alone never delivers.This way of thinking becomes especially critical in project procurement, where complexity is the norm rather than the exception. With up to half of Ammann's asphalt and concrete mixing plants customised, Mario shares how his team manages cost, risk and timelines without relying on serial-production logic or simplistic savings metrics.You'll learn:1. Why negotiation-driven saving approaches quickly hit their structural limits2. How collaboration creates value that price pressure never can3. What project procurement fundamentally changes about cost control4. Why total cost and execution matter more than unit price5. How Procurement can stay in control when every project is different___________Get in touch with Mario Meyer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-meyer-304121150/___________About the host Mike Jansen:Mike Jansen is Partner at H&Z Management Consulting with over a decade of experience enhancing the value that procurement delivers to organisations. Driven by a passion for tackling challenges, Mike thrives on competition—whether with others or himself. Outside of work, Mike enjoys quality time with his wife and children.Get in touch with Mike Jansen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansen-mike/

"The procurement and supply chain professions are ever more relevant to the prosperity of nations and to businesses as we go into the future." - Ben Farrell, Global Chief Executive Officer, The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Striking a balance between tradition and disruption is at the top of the agenda for today's procurement leaders. Whether it's shifting global dynamics, technology, or the push for greater influence, the function's boundaries (and its reputation) are up for grabs. Ben Farrell brings a perspective forged in the British Army, major retail, and boardrooms worldwide. Now, as Global CEO of The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), he is focused on driving procurement's global profile and advancing the profession for a new generation.  In this episode, Ben shares hard-won leadership lessons and makes his case for a more visible, empowered procurement function. This is a candid conversation about risk, advocacy, and the urgent need to rebrand procurement for the value-driven world. In this episode, Ben covers: Reframing leadership from constraint to empowerment Navigating risk while still pursuing big opportunities Raising the profile of procurement inside and outside of an organization Embracing new technology as a catalyst, not a threat Why CIPS – and procurement itself – may need a new name Links: Ben Farrell on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, we dive deep into the innovative world of AMPS Agribusiness. Join us as we sit down with Tony Lockrey, a seasoned agronomist and leader who has dedicated decades to the fields of Northern New South Wales. Tony takes us "under the hood" of AMPS's unique, grower-led model that fast-tracks agricultural research from institutions directly into the paddock.We explore how AMPS has built a seamless ecosystem connecting research, agronomy, and commercial supply. Tony shares the fascinating story of Lancer wheat, a variety that became a regional powerhouse thanks to intensive, localised trials. Beyond the science, we discuss the evolving role of an agronomist, the importance of nurturing the next generation through a "job-first" education model, and the unparalleled value of a business owned and driven by the growers themselves.Chapter Markings[0:00] Introduction: AMPS Agribusiness and the Grower-Led Model.[1:15] Tony Lockrey's Evolution: From Technical Specialist to People Leader.[3:45] The Power of Relationships: When Customers Become Family and Shareholders.[5:10] Research in the Ute: Bringing the Lab to the Paddock.[7:20] Managing the Next Generation: Moving Out of the Way for Growth.[9:05] The Lancer Story: How Localised Research Accelerates Variety Adoption.[12:30] The "How-To" Grow Guide: Turning Data into Decisions in One Season.[14:15] The Origins of AMPS: A Response to Declining Institutional Research.[17:00] Commercial Synergy: Linking Supply, Procurement, and Paddock Outcomes.[19:40] Scientific Rigour: 30,000 Plots a Year and Statistical Significance.[22:15] Paddock Geography: Understanding Elevation, Frost, and Time of Sow.[25:30] Developing the "Agronomy Eye": Training the Future of Ag.[28:10] The Changing Face of Education: Work-First, Degree-Second.[31:00] Building a Safe and Cohesive Team Culture.[34:15] The Resilience of Australian Growers: Innovation Born of Necessity.[37:00] Pride in Cohesion: Six Branches, One Mission.[39:30] Upcoming Events: Winter Crop Reviews and Research Membership.

We get lots of questions from our listener on Procurement Says No...now you can listen to them all again in our series of mini bite-sized podcast chunks. Like dog food.  In episode 19 it's actually Ask Verity (White) & Graeme (Hunter) again - experts on the brilliant Procurement Act which brings bureaucracy and inefficiency to all things public procurement in the UK. Recorded waaaaay back in September 2024 - see if you can tell which bits of the Act have now been significantly improved following feedback from users (clue - none).Is there any data to show whether public procurement rues enhance or stifle competition?What are the rules on publishing notices and conract awards?Why don't we just scrap all this nonsense?What are the best and worst bits of the new Act?All of the procurement questions, all of the time.www.procurementsaysno.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/procurement-says-no--5886102/support.

Your board has an AI strategy. It's probably rubbish. Nathan Bell has spent 25 years delivering transformation programmes inside the world's biggest telcos. Now a Partner at Kearney, he's the person companies call when the proof-of-concept graveyard keeps growing and the CFO starts asking uncomfortable questions. In this episode: why most AI programmes are expensive theatre, how to actually get ROI, and why your change management track record matters more than your technology choices. We also get into agentic AI gone wrong — a recruiting agent that only wanted to hire golfers, a CEO town hall that triggered a queue at HR, and an AI agent that doxxed a developer and got its creator hired by Sam Altman. Make of that what you will. Plus rapid-fire telco takes and a deeply scientific Australia vs Netherlands lifestyle quiz that ended in a draw. Time Stamps: 00:00 — AI Strategy Hype vs Reality: Why Most Exec Talk Is Rubbish 00:37 — Is This AI Wave Different from Dot-Com, Cloud, and 5G? 02:19 — From Boardroom Buzz to Production: The Proof-of-Concept Trap 03:44 — How to Actually Get ROI: Start Small, Make Big Bets, Fund Like a VC 06:47 — Low-Hanging Fruit: Internal Knowledge, Customer Service, and Procurement 09:16 — Metrics That Matter: MVP Milestones Over 2-Year "Goals"  11:21 — Making the VC Model Real: Phased Rollout and Cultural Change 13:26 — Market Whiplash: When AI Adoption Threatens Your Revenue Model 14:51 — AI as a Business Capability, Not a Shopping List of Tools 16:10 — Agentic AI and the Human Factor: Bias, Process Drift, and Set-and-Forget Myths 21:10 — The People Side of Agents: Fear, Trust, and How Leaders Miscommunicate 24:41 — Why AI Transformations Fail: Change Management and HR as the Quarterback 26:44 — When Agents Go Rogue: The Python Library Incident and What It Signals 28:28 — Who's Responsible for AI Agents? Why Human-in-the-Loop Still Matters 29:19 — When AI Monitors AI: The Two-Agent Marketing Campaign Story 31:03 — Legacy, Culture and Operating Model: Why Big Firms Struggle to Adopt AI 33:49 — Ethics, Bias and Copyright: The Legal Minefield of Generative AI 35:40 — Who's Winning with AI and Why: Consumer Goods, Banks and Telcos 38:01 — Regulation Reality Check: EU AI Act, Vendor Audits and the Air Canada Case 39:37 — Where Telcos Should Start with AI: Customer Service, Vendors and Billing 41:41 — Transformation Lessons from Telcos: People, Forgive the Past, Progress Over Perfection 44:39 — AI Hype vs Jobs Reality: Using AI to Augment People, Not Just Cut Headcount 46:51 — What Still Motivates Transformation Leaders + Rapid-Fire Telco Takes  51:49 — Finale: Australia vs Netherlands Quickfire (and a Perfect Tie)

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Is Europe's defense investment wave real, or is it simply venture capital wrapped in a Ukrainian flag?The debate featured Nicholas Nelson, General Partner at Archangel Ventures, and Sebastian von Ribbentrop, Founding Partner at Join Capital.At stake is more than narrative. It is about capability, returns, sovereignty — and the structural future of European capital markets.Until recently, defense investing in Europe was controversial. Many institutional LPs avoided the sector. ESG mandates were interpreted narrowly. Defense was often softened under the label “dual-use.” Russia's invasion of Ukraine changed the landscape. Defense budgets rose. Political rhetoric shifted. Venture capital began flowing into the sector at unprecedented levels.But the central question remains:Is this a structural capital reallocation — or a short-term momentum trade?The debate crystallizes around one fault line: defense-first vs dual-use.Nicholas argues Europe's hesitation to embrace defense-first investing is both strategically and financially misguided. Defense-only startups, he contends, have historically outperformed. Dual-use often dilutes focus by forcing two distinct go-to-market motions. Real capability requires designing directly for the warfighter — not adapting commercial products later. In his view, dual-use in Europe often functions as a reputational hedge rather than a strategy.Sebastian counters that dual-use is not compromise — it is risk management. Advanced technologies can serve both industrial and defense customers without duplicating entire teams. Diversified revenue reduces concentration risk. Non-dilutive defense contracts can substitute late-stage equity rounds in a region where growth capital remains thin. And Europe's comparative advantage may lie less in building vertically integrated primes — and more in dominating high-precision subsystems.As the conversation escalates, it moves beyond product strategy into a deeper structural issue: scale capital. Even where early-stage defense investment has improved, later-stage funding remains limited. Several leading European defense startups have relied heavily on US or Middle Eastern growth capital.Which raises uncomfortable questions:Can Europe build independent defense champions without foreign growth capital?Will its strongest companies inevitably “pick a flag” as they scale?Is fragmentation across 30+ procurement regimes Europe's structural disadvantage?Without coordination at scale, even strong early-stage ecosystems struggle to produce global champions.What's covered:00:30 Framing the question — structural shift or narrative trade?02:00 From taboo to trend — ESG optics and the Ukraine inflection point04:15 Defense-first vs dual-use — the core strategic divide07:30 The defense-first case — focus, procurement alignment, and capability building11:00 The dual-use counterargument — diversification and risk management14:30 Subsystems vs primes — where Europe's advantage may lie18:00 The growth capital gap — reliance on US and Middle Eastern funding21:00 “Picking a flag” — sovereignty vs scale23:30 Procurement fragmentation — 30+ regimes and scaling friction26:00 Final takeaway — Europe's defense future depends on capital conviction and coordination

How could a company worth about $3 Million wipe out more than $17 Billion in transportation market value in a single day? On February 12th, a press release from Algorhythm Holdings, a company that started its life as a karaoke machine manufacturer, announced that its AI-enabled freight platform SemiCab could reduce empty truck miles by more than 70 percent. By midday, major logistics firms were down as much as 20 percent. C.H. Robinson, Landstar, J.B. Hunt, railroads, and airlines all felt the shockwave. If SemiCab's technology works as described, it could reduce waste, lower emissions, and save shippers billions. At the same time, it could compress margins, erode pricing power, and expose just how much excess capacity the freight market really has. In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner covers: The sequence of events: how a small-cap AI announcement triggered a historic sell-off The claims behind SemiCab, and how Algorhythm evolved from karaoke to freight tech Why reducing empty or "deadhead" miles (which sounds like unqualified good news) could actually hurt incumbent logistics firms Links: Kelly Barner on LinkedIn Art of Supply LinkedIn newsletter  Art of Supply on AOP Subscribe to This Week in Procurement  

Barb DiGiulio joins Jerry at the party table on today’s Party for Two, to talk about the top stories of the day. Then Jerry talks about the procurement challenges with Canada’s defence strategy with Jeremy Wang, President and COO of Ribbit. It’s Thursday, which means Tom Korski is here for this week’s Blacklocks Report. Plus Jerry talks about how Ottawa is not making a real effort to cut the federal bureaucracy.

Der Einkauf steht vor einem massiven Umbruch – und KI-Agenten spielen dabei eine zentrale Rolle. In dieser Interviewfolge spreche ich mit Fabian Heinrich, Mitgründer der eProcurement-Plattform Mercanis, über die Zukunft des Einkaufs. Wir sprechen unter anderem darüber, warum viele Einkaufsabteilungen noch immer mit Excel, E-Mail und Wiedervorlagen arbeiten weshalb klassische ERP-Systeme den Einkauf nur begrenzt abbilden können was Mercanis als moderne eProcurement-Plattform anders macht wie KI-Agenten heute schon operative Einkaufsaufgaben übernehmen warum Einkäufer sich vom Operativen lösen und zu Managern von KI-Agenten werden für welche Unternehmensgrößen und Einkaufsvolumina sich Mercanis wirklich lohnt Anhand konkreter Praxisbeispiele – vom Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) über indirekten Einkauf bis hin zu Dienstleistungen – zeigt Fabian, wie automatisierte Bedarfsspezifikation, Lieferanten-Matching und Wettbewerb in Ausschreibungen zu messbarer Zeitersparnis und Cost Avoidance führen. Wir sprechen außerdem über: den „iPhone-Moment“ im Einkauf modulare Einführung statt monolithischer Software schnelle Implementierung (von wenigen Wochen bis zu komplexen Setups) und die Frage, wie sich der Beruf des Einkäufers in den nächsten fünf Jahren verändern wird

Register for the LIVE GovClose Workshop! Houston TX 25 March 2025https://www.govclose.com/workshopGovClose Certification Overview: https://www.govclose.comMost companies think government funding works like a normal bank account. It does not.The federal government uses strict funding rules tied to appropriation law, fiscal year timing, and what is commonly called the “Colors of Money.” These rules determine whether a contract can legally be awarded, not just whether an agency says it has funding available.In this video, I break down the three-part framework that controls every federal dollar: purpose, time, and amount. You will learn how funding categories like Operations and Maintenance (O&M), Research Development Test and Evaluation (RDT&E), Procurement, and Military Construction (MilCon) impact contract timing, pipeline forecasting, and win probability.I also explain fallout funds and why a large percentage of federal contract obligations happen in Q4. Understanding how funding expires, when agencies identify excess funds, and how experienced contractors position early can change how you build and forecast your federal pipeline.This lesson is based on real acquisition experience and federal spending data patterns. Fall Out FundsThis video is for government contractors, federal sales teams, consultants, and companies entering the federal market who want to understand how government funding actually drives contract awards.Chapters00:00 Why Government Money Is Different From Commercial Money00:45 The Three Rules That Control Federal Spending: Purpose Time Amount02:45 Colors of Money Explained: O&M RDT&E Procurement MilCon03:45 Why Funding Type Determines If You Can Win The Contract04:30 Federal Fiscal Year Timing And Funding Obligation Windows05:45 How Funding Timelines Change Contract Award Timing07:00 Questions Smart Contractors Ask About Government Funding09:30 Why Roughly 40 Percent Of Federal Obligations Happen In Q410:00 Fallout Funds And End Of Year Federal Spending Patterns11:30 How Contractors Position Early For Fallout Funds Opportunities

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  

Every procurement organization wants to add more strategic value to the enterprise—but not every organization needs a full-scale transformation to do so. Listen in as Jake Taylor, Managing Director for ProcureAbility, discusses how leaders can take a choose-your-own-adventure approach to strategic procurement, starting with an unbiased assessment of what's actually broken. From stakeholder misalignment and fragmented processes to outdated systems and unclear success metrics, progress starts with big-picture clarity. Jake explores how to assess whether your organization is ready for a bold transformation—or whether targeted tuning will deliver faster, more sustainable impact while building the business case and executive momentum for a broader future scope. His discussion with Dawn Tiura, CEO & President of SIG will include insights on: Diagnosing the Real Problem: How to move beyond generic improvement goals and clearly identify root causes—across stakeholders, processes, data, capabilities, and technology. Transform vs. Tune Decisions: When a holistic procurement transformation makes sense—and when focused, high-impact tuning is the smarter path. What Makes Transformation Possible: Why a clear business case and executive mandate are non-negotiable for large-scale change, and what to do when they don't exist.

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop-Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes returning guest Matt Jandrisavitz, Partner at RC Kelly Law Associates and counsel to the National School Transportation Association. Matt shares his professional background and reflects on the 2026 NSTA Midwinter Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, including highlights from his legal session, “Covering Your Bases: Safeguarding Special Needs Transportation for Contractors,” and offers practical insight into the legal and risk-management considerations facing school bus operators. The conversation also turns to federal advocacy as NSTA prepares for its annual Bus-In, where Curt and Matt discuss engaging lawmakers on Capitol Hill and the strategic importance of the Under the Hood Exemption for long-term industry stability. He also previews the upcoming MST Committee flash webinar, “Getting Paid: Handling Invoicing & Procurement with School Districts,” explaining why payment processes and procurement compliance are especially relevant today. The duo close the episode with a lighter discussion about joining the NSTA Run Club and where listeners can learn more about RC Kelly Law Associates. Become a podcast subscriber and don't miss an episode of NSTA: The Bus Stop - NSTA Vendor Partners should reach out to us to take advantage of our comprehensive advertising package that reaches your target audience - student transportation professionals!Support the show

In this episode, Donna and Tom sit down with Elena Polansky, Founder of Somerset Solutions Advisory Partners and former Chief Procurement Officer and Vice President of Global Sourcing & Procurement at BioMarin Pharmaceutical, to explore the evolution of procurement from a support function to a strategic value-engine. Elena shares insights from her 25-year career, including over 20 years at Pfizer where she delivered more than $1 billion in cumulative savings. She discusses navigating hidden costs in global sourcing, from geopolitical volatility to regulatory complexities, and the unique procurement challenges within life sciences. Elena also emphasizes the power of curiosity, asking smart questions, and staying open to feedback as essential traits for success in today's dynamic supply chain landscape. Takeaways: Procurement's transformation into a strategic business driver Managing hidden costs and risks in global pharmaceutical sourcing The role of innovation and technology in modern procurement The importance of curiosity and continuous learning Stay connected with CSCR on LinkedIn (Center for Supply Chain Research) and Instagram (@pennstatesupplychain), and be sure to follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you are tuning into Unpacked: Insights hosted by the Penn State Smeal Center for Supply Chain Research™. Thank you for joining us!  Visit our website: https://www.smeal.psu.edu/cscr  Guest Bio: Elena Polansky is a results-driven executive and strategic advisor with more than two decades of experience transforming procurement, operations, and organizational culture across global enterprises. As the Founder of Somerset Solutions Advisory Partners, she focuses on unlocking value through procurement transformation, supplier ecosystem optimization, and strategic advisory support. Her work centers on helping organizations evolve with clarity, confidence, and measurable impact. Before launching Somerset Solutions, Elena served as Chief Procurement Officer and Vice President of Global Sourcing & Procurement at BioMarin Pharmaceutical, where she established a centralized global sourcing function. Under her leadership, the team harmonized tools and processes, strengthened sourcing capabilities, and exceeded savings targets. Elena spent 20 years at Pfizer, advancing through multiple senior leadership roles in Global Sourcing and Global Supply. She delivered more than $1 billion in cumulative savings across direct and indirect categories and led the Internal Medicines External Supply organization, overseeing a global network of 50+ contract manufacturers producing 1,500+ SKUs. Her leadership ensured supply continuity, quality, and agility across diverse and highly regulated supply ecosystems. Elena began her career in consulting, leading strategy development, technology implementations, and change management initiatives for clients in the manufacturing and distribution sectors. At Andersen, she executed ERP implementations and software selection engagements; at Proxicom, she shaped digital strategy for a global bank and led the design of an internal knowledge management platform that improved collaboration and firm-wide efficiency. Elena is a proud Penn State alumna, holding a BS in Business Logistics and International Business from the Smeal College of Business. She resides in New Jersey with her husband—also a Penn State graduate—their two children, and their two dogs.

For two decades, organisations have invested heavily in ERP and procurement platforms to digitise source-to-pay. Yet many procurement leaders still find themselves managing critical processes in Excel, chasing approvals over email, and relying on experience rather than real-time intelligence to negotiate with suppliers. The uncomfortable truth? Most enterprise systems were built for control and record-keeping, not optimisation. Unfortunately, we now live in a world increasingly defined by margin pressure, supply chain volatility, and investor scrutiny. So archaic, clunky, limited technology is no longer good enough, especially in Europe with strong economic headwinds, that will last for several years and rapid growth of AI disruption. CFOs Want Efficiency. Procurement Is Under-Resourced. Today's forward thinking CFO's are laser focused on cost discipline, working capital, OpEx/CapEx optimisation, and resilience. Global advisory firms consistently reinforce this and amplify the need for urgent digital transformation and efficient implementation of AI technology across all functions, especially procurement. McKinsey & Company highlights that digital procurement leaders can unlock 5–10% cost savings while improving speed and compliance. PwC points to AI-driven automation reducing manual effort and improving decision quality across finance and procurement. Deloitte emphasises that procurement must move from transactional processing, to insight-led value creation to meet modern CFO expectations. The ambition is there. The problem is structural. Procurement teams are often: Lean relative to spend under management Burdened with manual processes Operating across fragmented systems Dependent on legacy ERP architecture Even when CFO's fully support cost efficiency initiatives, procurement leaders struggle to execute because they lack manpower, clean data, optimal process and intelligent tooling. The ERP Illusion: Control Without Intelligence Multinational ERP platforms — such as SAP S/4HANA, Oracle ERP Cloud, or Microsoft Dynamics 365 — are incredibly powerful financial engines. But they are not purpose-built data driven intelligence platforms, especially for areas such as procurement. They: Capture transactions. Enforce controls. Process invoices. Store supplier records. What they do not do well is: Continuously benchmark pricing. Detect commercial leakage, proactively. Provide dynamic, AI-driven negotiation insights. Surface supplier optimisation opportunities automatically. Remove friction from Supplier relationships. Worse, these systems are extremely expensive and complex. Companies often pay for vast feature sets they never fully deploy, let alone understand. Customisation is costly. Implementation cycles are long and upgrades can be highly disruptive. As a result, procurement teams have no choice but to revert to: Excel models. Offline bid comparisons. Manual supplier evaluations. Email-driven approvals. Even pen and paper in parts of the workflow. The industry becomes digitally "enabled", but not digitally optimised. Even Major Procurement Suites Have Limitations Many of the major procurement platforms such as Coupa, SAP Ariba, and Jaggaer have advanced the market significantly. Yet challenges remain: Rigid workflows. Heavy configuration. Limited/Non existent contextual AI. Fragmented modules across sourcing, contracts, and P2P. High total cost of ownership. They digitise process, but often stop short of delivering continuous, embedded intelligence. Procurement becomes systemised, but not truly strategic. AI Changes the Equation Artificial intelligence shifts procurement from reactive administration to proactive optimisation. Instead of merely recording what has happened, AI answers: Where are we overpaying? Which suppliers present commercial risk? Which contracts contain value leakage? Where can we renegotiate based on real-time market data? Which spend categories are fragmented and unleveraged? AI can: Benchmark pricing at ...

If you're working in a growth sector, that comes with its own challenges, but what if you're working in procurement in a growth sector? Does it mean you work differently? Does it mean that AI will have a greater effect on you? To answer all this and more, we have a guest making a rare second appearance on the Procurement Show! This time he's Director of Procurement for At North. Although he is still Andreas Takacs.Brought to you by Positive Purchasing, Procurement Training Experts Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Video Podcast Production Nationwide

Another video which we said we'd never do.   Except this is audio only.They're on TikTok and YouTube in full glorious video.Will your supplier ever walk away?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/procurement-says-no--5886102/support.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Greg Mehfoud, Head of Procurement at Twenty/20 Management, to unpack what really happens when you cross the line between operations and the vendor side in senior living.Greg shares what surprised him most about SaaS sales, what operators often misunderstand about vendors (and vice versa), and how procurement isn't about being sold — it's about stewardship. The conversation dives into purchasing power, relationship-driven growth, and why clarity around priorities is the missing piece in most vendor-operator conversations.If you've ever felt tension between “the dark side” and operations, this episode brings nuance, humility, and practical insight to the table.Guest Bio:Greg Mehfoud is the Head of Procurement at Twenty/20 Management, where he leads strategic purchasing and vendor partnerships across the organization's senior living communities. With experience on both the operations and SaaS vendor sides of the industry, Greg brings a rare dual perspective to procurement, sales relationships, and long-term growth strategy. He is passionate about stewardship, operational excellence, and building vendor partnerships that truly enhance resident and team member experiences.Timestamps01:35 – Pants shopping, friendship, and career pivots03:25 – Why Greg left operations for SaaS sales05:46 – The biggest surprise about being on the vendor side08:00 – Missing the impact of day-to-day operations10:41 – How vendor “wins” add up at the community level12:05 – What procurement really means (hint: it's not about being sold)14:13 – Purchasing power, stewardship, and due diligence16:00 – Calling out fluff: integrations, transparency, and hard questions18:00 – Building trust between vendors and operators20:11 – What each side misunderstands about the other23:39 – Stop stringing vendors along (and vendors, respect operator time)25:50 – Advice for anyone considering crossing sides

"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  

How does the government actually buy the things that keep Australia running, from everyday supplies to major infrastructure?In this episode of Work with Purpose, host Kate Driver speaks with Richard Windeyer, former Head of the APS Procurement and Contract Management Profession, and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Finance, along with Andrew Marsden and Kim Hunter, partners at O'Connor Marsden, to unpack something that quietly shapes almost every part of Australian life: government procurement.From paper clips to submarines, every ambulance, bridge, hospital, IT system, and research project has to be bought, managed, and justified. Together, our guests explore how more than $100 billion of taxpayer money each year is turned into public value, why integrity and transparency matter as much as price, and how both public servants and suppliers can navigate this space with confidence – especially in light of the recent changes to the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.Key Tips1. Start early: the most important procurement decisions happen at the beginning, when defining the problem, engaging the market, and designing the right approach.2. Talk to the market and do it well: early, transparent engagement helps agencies understand what is possible and leads to better outcomes while maintaining strong probity.3. Integrity and transparency make decisions defensible: managing conflicts of interest, documenting decisions clearly, and ensuring fairness are essential to maintaining public trust.4. Procurement is everyone's business: if you design, approve, or manage work involving suppliers, you play a role in how public money delivers public value.Show Notes2025 Commonwealth Procurement Rules | Department of FinanceAustralian Government Contract Management Guide | Department of FinanceProcurement | Department of FinanceCommonwealth Procurement and Contract Management Training Suite | Australian Public Service Academy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Didero functions as an agentic AI layer that sits on top of a company's existing ERP, acting as a coordinator that reads incoming communications and automatically executes the necessary updates and tasks. Also, General Catalyst is in talks to lead Modal Labs' next round for the four-year-old startup, according to our sources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Shipping in 2026 is going to get darker." - Michelle Wiese Bockmann, Senior Maritime Intelligence Analyst, Windward  Right now, somewhere between 900 and 2,000 aging oil tankers are operating in the shadows. They are carrying sanctioned crude from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. This so-called "shadow fleet" often sails under false flags, spoofs its locations, turns off monitoring systems, transfers their cargo at sea, and sometimes operates without insurance. These dangerous vessels are increasingly being boarded, seized, escorted into port, and tied up in court, but enforcement at sea is messy, expensive, and legally complex.  One company… GMS… thinks they have an answer. They believe they can scrap about 100 of these seized, sanctioned ships annually - if (and it is a big IF) they are given permission by the U.S. Treasury to acquire them. In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner explores three interconnected questions: What is actually being done to get shadow fleet tankers off the water? What happens to the ships — and the oil, and the crew — after they are seized? And what are the second- and third-order effects for global shipping markets, risk, and supply chains? Links: Kelly Barner on LinkedIn Art of Supply LinkedIn newsletter  Art of Supply on AOP Subscribe to This Week in Procurement  

In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris dives into the latest headlines and industry shifts defining the logistics landscape in early 2026. The episode features two deep-dive conversations with experts representing different facets of the supply chain—from the driver's seat to the executive suite. Frontline Perspectives with Avante Jackson: Known as CDL Shorty, Jackson shares his journey as a heart transplant recipient turned instructor. He discusses the critical need for driver mentorship, the realities of the current pay and respect gap, and his advocacy for improved safety standards like underride guards. Strategic Insights with Nathan Adams: The VP of Transportation and Procurement at Uber Freight breaks down how recent winter storms (Fern and Gianna) have disrupted freight flows. Adams provides data-driven insights into tender rejection rates, the tightening of the 2026 market, and how smart shippers are preparing for the upcoming spring surge. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stoke Space has announced an extension of its previous Series D financing, bringing the total amount raised in the round to $860 million. Starcloud has revealed plans to launch Amazon Web Services' AWS Outposts to space. Eutelsat has signed for €1bn Export Credit Agency financing for the procurement of satellites for its OneWeb constellation, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guests today are Stacey Connaughton and Jon Ferency from Purdue University.  You can find out more about Purdue University's Space Policy, Science, and Technology Symposium on their website. Selected Reading Stoke Space Technologies Extends Previously Announced Series D Financing to $860 Million Starcloud to launch AWS Outposts hardware in space, aims to deploy fleet of 88,000 satellites Eutelsat Signs Almost €1bn in Export Credit Agency Financing for the Procurement of LEO Satellites for its OneWeb Constellation China moves toward manned lunar landing with Long March-10 rocket test - CGTN Alpha FLTA007 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science- UNESCO Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris dives into the latest headlines and industry shifts defining the logistics landscape in early 2026. The episode features two deep-dive conversations with experts representing different facets of the supply chain—from the driver's seat to the executive suite. Frontline Perspectives with Avante Jackson: Known as CDL Shorty, Jackson shares his journey as a heart transplant recipient turned instructor. He discusses the critical need for driver mentorship, the realities of the current pay and respect gap, and his advocacy for improved safety standards like underride guards. Strategic Insights with Nathan Adams: The VP of Transportation and Procurement at Uber Freight breaks down how recent winter storms (Fern and Gianna) have disrupted freight flows. Adams provides data-driven insights into tender rejection rates, the tightening of the 2026 market, and how smart shippers are preparing for the upcoming spring surge. Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#supplychain #procurement #logistics #ai #technology #startup Join us in this episode of the Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast with Stan Garber, co-founder and president of LevelPath. Discover Stan's exciting journey from high school entrepreneurship to revolutionizing procurement with AI-driven solutions. Learn about Stan's inspiring stories of multiple successful ventures, challenges, and the innovations behind LevelPath. Whether you're in procurement, supply chain management, or just an innovation enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of procurement. Don't miss it! Levelpath homepage: https://www.levelpath.com/ Follow Stan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stangarber/   00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast 00:35 Meet Stan Garber: Co-Founder and President of Levelpath 01:05 Stan's Entrepreneurial Journey Begins 04:36 The Birth of Online Ordering with Onis 05:21 Challenges and Innovations in Online Ordering 10:14 Transition to Procurement: The Scout RFP Story 14:45 Founding Level Path: A New Era in Procurement 19:24 AI in Procurement: The Future with Level Path 21:18 AI in Sourcing and Contract Management 22:49 The Importance of Clean Data 25:07 Trust and Adoption of AI 29:32 AI's Role in Procurement Efficiency 33:56 Future Plans for Level Path 36:27 Market Trends and Predictions 38:10 The Intersection of Art and Procurement 40:32 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode David discusses why procurement thresholds and delegation of authority are foundational to good governance and smart spending. Procurement thresholds are like the "speed limits" for spending – designed to balance efficiency and control, while Delegation of Authority is like the "driver's licence" – defining who is allowed behind the wheel at what speed.

"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  

Sellers fear procurement because it often brings price pressure and delays. In this episode, Brandon explains what procurement teams actually optimize for, why sellers lose leverage when they disengage, and how uncertainty turns price into the only negotiation lever.You'll learn how to pre-wire procurement early, reframe value without sounding defensive, protect margin through smart trade-offs, and keep deals moving while contracts are reviewed. If procurement keeps slowing or shrinking your deals, this episode gives you a clear, confident playbook to handle it right.

This was one of those panels that quietly preached what I love most: front-load intelligence and shorten the journey of a project.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee advanced several tech-related bills Wednesday, including legislation to strengthen the Technology Modernization Fund, reform federal IT procurement and pare down educational requirements for agency cybersecurity roles. The TMF, which was created by law in 2017 to fund tech modernization projects across agencies, has been the subject of much hand-wringing in govtech circles after Congress let the funding vehicle expire late last year. The Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act (H.R. 2985), however, would get the TMF back on track, reauthorizing the TMF and its governing board through 2032. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who chairs House Oversight's Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Subcommittee, said it was her “privilege” to work with former Rep. Gerry Connolly on the bill before he died of cancer last May, calling the late Virginia Democrat one of TMF's “strongest supporters” and a “good-faith partner” on the bill. Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, ranking member of the cybersecurity subcommittee and co-sponsor of the TMF bill, said extending the TMF “is critical to ensuring federal agencies, many of which still rely on outdated IT systems, can modernize their infrastructure and defend against growing cyber threats.” In addition to reauthorizing the TMF, the bill would require agencies to “fully reimburse the fund” at levels that ensure it remains operational through 2032, per the bill text. The legislation also requires agencies to pay back administrative fees and create inventories of their legacy IT. The bill also included an amendment from Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., Connolly's longtime chief of staff, that would require the Government Accountability Office to issue biannual reports on how TMF funds have been used to address legacy IT projects the watchdog deems high-priority. Improving government IT systems is also top of mind in the Federal Improvement in Technology (FIT) Procurement Act (H.R. 4123), which advanced out the committee by a 42-0 margin. The legislation would streamline the federal procurement process for small businesses and push federal contracting officers to examine larger acquisitions “where the potential for waste, fraud and abuse is high,” said House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer. The Kentucky Republican noted that the bill would increase the micro-purchase threshold from $10,000 to $25,000 and raise the simplified-acquisition threshold from $250,000 to $500,000. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

"Capacity reduction is clearly under way. Regulatory enforcement of qualifications and safety standards was arguably the most welcome development in 2025 for our industry." - Adam Miller, CEO of Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings The trucking industry has been flooded with headlines about enforcement: English language proficiency checks, non-domiciled CDL restrictions, immigration raids, and court stays. On the surface, this might look like a political story or an emotional response to a few high-profile fatal crashes, but it is not primarily about either paperwork or politics. It's about freight market capacity. Who is allowed to operate? Where are they willing to operate? Can they operate profitably while following the rules? And how quickly can excess freight capacity be removed without destabilizing the whole system? In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner covers: Why CDL enforcement has become a de facto freight capacity lever What the data says about drivers and smaller freight companies leaving the market How localized disruption is starting to show up before national trends And what we should be watching instead of (or at least in addition to) the headlines Links: Kelly Barner on LinkedIn Art of Supply LinkedIn newsletter  Art of Supply on AOP Subscribe to This Week in Procurement

Most advertising doesn't fail because it's wrong. It fails because it's dull and dull is expensive.In this episode of That's What I Call Marketing, Conor Byrne sits down with Adam Morgan and Karen Nelson-Field to unpack the real cost of dull creative and dull media using hard evidence from IPA effectiveness data, System1 testing, and large-scale attention measurement.The conversation moves beyond taste or opinion and into economics: why rational, low-emotion advertising can still “work” but only by wasting millions; why some media environments structurally suppress attention; and why optimisation, procurement pressure, and performance thinking have quietly normalised mediocrity.If you work in brand, media, B2B, finance-led marketing, or any category that tells itself it has to be boring, this episode is a wake-up call.What you'll learnWhy 50% of ads struggle to beat a cow chewing grass on attention and emotionHow dull creative drives up required spend by millions to achieve the same outcomesWhy CPM is often a cost per meaningless thousandHow attention volume predicts ROI, memory, and effectivenessWhy great creative fails when media doesn't give it a stageHow risk, responsibility, and “sensible” decisions slowly drain impact from workWhere AI may actually help creativity rather than flatten itThis episode draws directly on the “Cost of Dull” research programme and explains what it means for marketers trying to balance effectiveness, efficiency, and real-world constraints. 02:27 – What do we actually mean by “dull” advertising?03:55 – The cow-chewing-grass test and why half of ads lose06:00 – Attention vs emotion: two ways to measure dullness08:00 – The Cannes “Ennui” experiment and burning money as a signal11:10 – What “dull media” really means (and why it's misunderstood)13:55 – When great creative is wasted by low-attention environments16:20 – Is dull creative ever the better option?17:24 – Trust, facts, and why rational messaging costs more19:00 – Campaigns vs single ads: where attention is really lost20:00 – Why mix matters more than hero-only thinking21:00 – Global differences: creative vs media effects23:00 – Why B2B marketing is structurally duller and the cost of that26:00 – The “dull eclipse”: performance mindset, optimisation, benchmarks28:20 – Procurement, pricing pressure, and creative erosion31:00 – CPM, wastage, and the illusion of efficiency34:20 – AI, challenger brands, and testing creativity at speed37:55 – Risk vs responsibility: how sensible decisions kill ideas41:00 – What marketers can actually do differently43:45 – Final reflections and where the research goes nextAbout the guestsAdam Morgan is co-founder of Eatbigfish and a leading voice on challenger brands, effectiveness, and commercial creativity.Karen Nelson-Field is Professor of Media Science and one of the world's foremost researchers on attention, media value, and advertising effectiveness.If you're trying to explain to a CFO, procurement team, or board why “safe” work keeps underperforming, this episode gives you the language and the evidence to do it properly.Content Mentioned in the Episode: Risk & Responsibility https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuJx2IJjaFwCost of Dull Media Report https://21467338.fs1.hubspotusercontent-ap1.net/hubfs/21467338/COMPANY%20MATERIALS/Cost%20of%20Dull%20Final.pdfCost of Dull Eat Big Fish https://www.eatbigfish.com/thinking/challengers-and-cost-of-dull Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"There is a limit on how much you can save, but there is no limit on how much you can make." - Sergio Martin Procurement is evolving fast. The true differentiator now is how the function can become a partner for growth and resilience. That means reimagining "customer experience" at every touchpoint, not just inside the business, but with suppliers as well. In this episode, procurement advisor and former procurement and supply chain executive Sergio Martin explains what it takes to deliver that value. Sergio shares practical stories from his experience at companies like Burberry and Dyson, explores what it means to move beyond "cost control," and reveals why empathy, expertise, and credibility are non-negotiable. In this episode, Sergio discusses: Defining the idea of a "customer" for stakeholders and suppliers Shifting procurement's mindset from savings to growth Building credibility through continuous expertise Becoming the customer of choice for innovation and resilience Links: Sergio Martin on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

Check out host Bidemi Ologunde's new show: The Work Ethic Podcast, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.In this episode, host Bidemi Ologunde sits down with procurement and logistics leader Kseniia Litovskaia to unpack what it really takes to deliver under pressure—and what it means to bet on yourself. With over a decade of experience spanning project purchasing, supplier negotiations, and cross-border operations, Kseniia has led procurement for major, deadline-driven projects and built supply chains from the ground up. But one of her boldest moves happened off the org chart: leaving Russia and moving to the United States, choosing to essentially restart her career and rebuild credibility in a new market despite having already earned hard-won expertise.Why walk away from a stable path to begin again? What does "starting over" look like when your résumé is strong—but your network, norms, and recognition reset overnight? And how do you turn procurement from a back-office function into a strategic driver of speed, cost control, and resilience? Kseniia shares the mindset shifts, practical lessons, and leadership principles that helped her navigate change, create measurable impact, and keep moving forward.Email: bidemiologunde@gmail.comSupport the show

Imagine a single railroad company that could move freight seamlessly from the ports of Los Angeles to the ports of New York without handoffs, interchange delays, or needing to switch carriers mid-journey. That's the promise behind the proposed merger between the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads. If the deal is approved, it will create the first single-line transcontinental railroad in U.S. history, spanning more than 50,000 miles across 43 states and nearly 100 ports. Supporters say this could make rail a more serious competitor to long-haul trucking, lowering costs and improving supply chain efficiency. Critics say it risks concentrating too much power in too few hands in an industry where four railroads already control more than 90% of U.S. freight. Earlier this month, regulators hit the reset button. The Surface Transportation Board (STB) rejected the merger application - not on its merits, but because the paperwork was incomplete. In this episode of Art of Supply, Kelly Barner covers: What Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are proposing, and why it would be historically significant The arguments for the merger, including efficiency, cost, and competition with trucking The arguments against it, from labor, shippers, competitors, and policy advocates Where the Surface Transportation Board fits in, and what the January 2026 rejection means from an approval and timeline standpoint Links: Kelly Barner on LinkedIn Art of Supply LinkedIn newsletter  Art of Supply on AOP Subscribe to This Week in Procurement  

Interview with Keith Boyle, Director & CEO of New Found GoldOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/new-found-gold-tsxvnfg-2025s-strategic-transformation-to-2026-production-8915Recording date: 23rd January 2026New Found Gold Corporation has commenced the execution phase of its flagship Queensway gold project in Newfoundland by awarding the engineering, procurement and construction management contract to WSP Canada. The appointment culminates a competitive selection process involving seven firms and positions the company to achieve first production in late 2027 through an integrated development strategy coordinating engineering, environmental permitting, and project financing.The development plan centres on expanding the acquired Pine Cove mill to 1,400 tonnes per day capacity by converting the facility from flotation to a gravity-CIL circuit and adding a parallel processing train using equipment relocated from the Nugget Pond facility. This approach leverages existing permitted infrastructure obtained through the Maritime Resources acquisition rather than constructing greenfield facilities, reducing both capital requirements and development timeline risk. Pine Cove currently processes 700 tonnes per day from the Hammerdown mine, which is ramping to steady-state production in the first half of 2026 and will generate cash flow during Queensway development.CEO Keith Boyle's selection of an EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management) contract structure over traditional EPC reflects management's experience in project delivery and prioritisation of execution certainty over aggressive cost minimisation. The EPCM approach allows collaborative execution with WSP while maintaining owner involvement and flexibility for design optimisation as engineering advances. WSP was selected from five proposals based on relevant mill expansion experience and commenced preliminary work before year-end, establishing early integration with New Found Gold's permitting and financing timelines.The company has structured its path to production around three parallel workstreams coordinated by COO Robert Assabgui. Vice President of Sustainability Jared Saunders is advancing the environmental assessment application through Stantech, targeting submission in Q1 2026. Stantech secured Firefly Metals' environmental approval in 45 days during 2025, providing a relevant precedent for timeline expectations. The environmental assessment process operates independently of WSP's engineering advancement, allowing simultaneous progress without creating schedule dependencies.Meanwhile, Cutfield Freeman is structuring project financing for Queensway development, with management reporting strong interest from potential financing partners. The financing workstream must align with engineering schedules to ensure capital availability for long-lead equipment purchases and construction mobilisation following permit approvals. These represent the next critical milestones following environmental assessment approval.The investment case combines multiple elements: de-risked development through acquired infrastructure, experienced management executing proven development models, near-term catalysts providing sequential de-risking opportunities, Newfoundland's permitting certainty, and management's reported financing confidence. The Hammerdown production ramp provides near-term cash flow while Queensway advances through development, creating a portfolio structure with both production and development components.Investors should monitor environmental assessment approval, financing commitment announcement, and long-lead equipment procurement as key milestones over the next 12-18 months. Each milestone achievement should reduce perceived execution risk and potentially re-rate valuation toward production-stage multiples. The late 2027 production target provides a defined investment horizon for evaluating execution progress, while the current gold price environment above $4,500 per ounce provides economic headroom supporting proper engineering investment without compromising project returns.New Found Gold's disciplined approach to service provider selection and integrated execution framework positions the company to differentiate itself among junior developers through demonstrated execution capability rather than aggressive timelines with minimal professional support.View New Found Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/new-found-goldSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

"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  

In this episode of Startup Project, host Nataraj speaks with Ilya Levtov, Founder and CEO of CraftCo, an AI-powered platform designed to help organizations better understand and organize supplier information.The conversation focuses on how enterprises and public-sector organizations manage large supplier networks, bring together data from multiple systems, and use AI-driven tools to improve visibility and operational efficiency. Ilya shares insights from building an enterprise software company, working with complex customers, and applying data and automation to support better decision-making across procurement and supply chain teams.This episode is intended for listeners interested in enterprise technology, AI platforms, procurement software, and the practical challenges of building and scaling data-driven companies.Topics discussedAI-powered supplier intelligenceSupply chain data organization and visibilityProcurement software and enterprise workflowsBuilding scalable enterprise platformsLessons from founding and growing a technology company

The supply chain landscape continues to shift at record speed, and on today's episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Kim Reuter unpack the leadership decisions, technology investments, and strategic partnerships shaping what's next for global supply chains. From the evolving relationship between Amazon and UPS to the growing influence of AI in procurement, this episode cuts through the noise to focus on what's practical, scalable, and impactful. Welcome to The Buzz powered by EPG!Scott and Kim dive into the biggest stories influencing supply chain strategy today, with help from special guest Scott McFee, CEO of SpendHQ.Together, they discuss:How Amazon's expanding logistics footprint is reshaping UPS's operations and long-term strategyWhy leadership turnover is creating disruption across supply chains, according to new Gartner researchWhat Oracle's latest findings reveal about AI's real impact on procurement productivityHow SpendHQ's investment in Sligo AI is unlocking smarter, data-driven purchasing decisionsLessons from Cowart Seafood's digital transformation — and what legacy businesses can learn from itHow Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership principles still apply to today's supply chain leadersThis episode offers timely insights for executives navigating change, technology adoption, and organizational resilience — with practical takeaways to help teams lead with clarity, purpose, and confidence in an increasingly complex world.Additional Links & Resources:EPG: https://epg.com/ With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-18JAN2026American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN): https://www.alanaid.org/operations/ Gartner Survey Shows Leadership Turnover Is Harming Supply Chain Performance: https://gtnr.it/49KCQ9IAI May Boost Procurement's Bottom Line: https://bit.ly/AI-in-procurement-26SpendHQ CEO Scott MacFee on Bracing for USPS hikes: https://bit.ly/4r6EBoVEPG Develops AI-Driven Logistics Solutions Powered by NVIDIA Metropolis: https://bit.ly/EPG-News-2026SpendHQ Makes Strategic Investment in Sligo AI to Launch First Agentic Enterprise Procurement Platform: https://bwnews.pr/3ZlBqh4

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Abu Riaz, CEO and Founder of AMS Renewables, to discuss what it takes to scale a solar and storage EPC in today's rapidly evolving clean energy market. Abu shares how AMS Renewables grew out of a traditional construction background into a fast-scaling EPC platform, executing projects across commercial, community solar, and utility-scale segments. The conversation highlights why construction discipline, capital planning, and execution are critical differentiators in solar and storage development. Key topics include: How AMS Renewables evolved from C&I rooftop projects to large-scale community solar Why solar is fundamentally a construction-driven business The front-loaded capital and procurement challenges EPCs face at NTP Scaling without outside investors and maintaining operational flexibility Navigating industry disruption, EPC bankruptcies, and talent shifts The growing opportunity in solar + storage and standalone storage projects Managing risk, due diligence, and vendor compliance in a changing regulatory environment Leadership lessons from building a resilient EPC through market cycles This episode is a must-listen for developers, EPCs, and clean energy entrepreneurs looking to build durable, execution-focused businesses in the solar and storage industry.   About the Solar Maverick Podcast The Solar Maverick Podcast is a leading clean energy podcast hosted by Benoy Thanjan, Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy. The show features in-depth conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers shaping the future of solar, storage, and the global energy transition.   Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla's Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm's renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.   Abu Riaz, Founder & CEO of AMS Renewable Energy Abu Riaz is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AMS Renewable Energy, a solar and energy storage EPC (“Engineering, Procurement, and Construction”) firm based in New York focused on delivering large-scale distributed solar and storage solutions across the United States. Under his leadership, AMS has grown into a nationally respected solar EPC with deep expertise in project execution, from pre-construction planning through engineering, procurement, and construction management.  Abu holds a degree in Mathematics and Finance from Columbia University and continually expands his industry knowledge through ongoing education in energy and finance, grounding his business strategy in both technical rigor and financial insight.  Throughout his tenure, he has guided AMS Renewable Energy in completing numerous solar projects and scaling its capabilities, including strategic initiatives to expand the company's portfolio and service footprint. AMS is known for its commitment to quality, integrity, and delivering high-performance renewable energy assets for developers, independent power producers, and community solar stakeholders.  Under Abu's leadership, AMS has also pursued industry growth through strategic moves such as its acquisition of Collective Solar, enhancing AMS's construction capacity and positioning the firm to meet rising demand for distributed solar solutions across the Northeast and beyond.    Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com  LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/       Abu Riaz     Website: https://www.amsepc.com/     Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/abu-riaz-5a442663/   Please provide 5 star reviews      If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.    Reneu Energy Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets. Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.

In this episode of the Produce Industry Podcast, Patrick Kelly sits down with Jeff Cady, Vice President of Procurement for Tops, to discuss retail sourcing, supplier relationships, and today's produce market challenges. Jeff shares insights on procurement strategy, leadership, and what it takes to succeed as a retail partner in an evolving industry.