Podcasts about Procurement

In this episode of Technology Reseller News, Publisher Doug Green speaks with Rob Bye, President & Founder of Zenture Partners, about why the traditional telecom procurement and management model is breaking down—and how AI-driven lifecycle management can restore clarity and control for large enterprises. Zenture Partners is a strategic consultancy and AI-powered lifecycle management provider focused on giving enterprises full visibility into, and control over, their global telecom ecosystem, from contracts and circuits to invoices and risk. Bye explains that most large enterprises now live in a state of telecom chaos: hundreds of vendors, hundreds of invoices, and little understanding of contract terms, renewal dates, dependencies, or actual business impact. The old world of a single global MPLS provider has given way to an “internet everywhere” model, with 16,000+ ISPs worldwide, SD-WAN, and cloud-first architectures. At the same time, IT priorities have shifted—cloud infrastructure, security, AI-infused SaaS and CX platforms now consume leadership attention and budget, while telecom is largely ignored “as long as nothing is on fire.” When things break, teams react, extinguish the fire, and then move straight back to higher-visibility projects. Traditional telecom brokers and “no value” agents, Bye argues, have often added complexity rather than removed it. Unlike familiar IT resellers and VARs, telecom agents rarely bring a unified, data-driven platform to the enterprise. Zenture's model is different: it acts as an extension of both IT sourcing and network teams, combining consulting plus a global AI-enabled platform. Enterprises still contract directly with service providers, while the carriers fund Zenture through residual commissions. For customers, the Zenture platform is delivered at no cost, with no contract, ingesting data from TEM systems, carrier portals, invoices, and spreadsheets into a single pane of glass and highlighting where attention is truly needed. AI is at the center of this transformation. Zenture uses AI to continuously evaluate inventory, identify high-risk sites (such as shared last-mile paths or POP exposure), benchmark pricing, and generate recommendations on whether to renew, replace, or upgrade services as contracts approach term. Agentic AI is also used to integrate with carrier marketplaces and portals, automating quoting, ordering, status checks, inventory updates, and billing validation across hundreds of providers. Instead of humans manually combing through dense, ever-changing telecom invoices, AI flags changes, ties new charges to past orders, and confirms that disconnects and adds have been billed correctly, allowing IT and sourcing teams to focus on decisions, not data entry. Looking ahead, Bye sees AI-driven procurement reshaping RFIs, RFPs, benchmarking, and contract review. Enterprise “house” agents will query external platforms like Zenture's marketplace, shrink long vendor lists to a short set of best fits, and then assist stakeholders with risk analysis and legal review. But this doesn't eliminate the human partner; it elevates them. As Bye puts it, “AI isn't going to replace anyone—it's like the moving walkway at an airport. It just helps you get where you're going faster.” Zenture's client success managers increasingly act as digital workforce managers, overseeing and training AI agents while still providing strategic guidance on vendor consolidation and cost optimization. Ultimately, Zenture Partners aims to help enterprises move from a reactive, invoice-driven view of telecom to a strategic, outcome-focused model—consolidating vendors, simplifying billing, optimizing costs, and freeing IT teams to concentrate on cloud, security, and customer-facing innovation. To learn more about Zenture Partners and its AI-powered lifecycle management platform, listeners are invited to visit https://www.zenturepartners.com/. Software Mind Telco Days 2025: On-demand online conference Engaging Customers, Harnessing Data

"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

In this podcast episode, Lauren Sabat, a senior manager of procurement at REI and winner of the Future of Sourcing Rising Star award, shares her journey into the procurement field, her experiences balancing work and family, and the importance of authenticity and emotional intelligence in her career. She discusses her passion for process improvement and the supportive work environment at REI, highlighting the significance of community and diversity in the workplace.

Audits aren't just about catching mistakes—they're about building better systems, identifying inefficiencies, ensuring compliance, and uncovering risks.  A good auditor will help you improve and grow your business so the next time an auditor comes knocking embrace the experience and improve your business.

Another video which we said we'd never do.   Except this is audio only.They're on TikTok in full glorious video.How will I know if my supplier is lying to me - ha, no elaboration and plenty repetition.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/procurement-says-no--5886102/support.

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.  Except in headphone cans, not actual cans.  Sort of.In episode 15 we continue a theme all about consultants and you ask - what's the wort part of being a consultant; how to tender a consulting engagement (with thanks to Liam Neilson); and how to measure the value add of a change management programme.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.

Craig Unger describes his 2014 visit to Iran's "Den of Spies" embassy museum, where he interviewed Moshen Rafi Duce, Iran's arms procurement head, who seemingly made an accidental admission about meeting "the Republicans." Former Iranian president Abolhassan Banisadr confirmed the October Surprise was a double coup d'état, destabilizing both the US and moderate Iranian elements. The timing of the hostage release confirms a prior deal: they were freed only three minutes after Ronald Reagan took the oath of office on January 20, 1981. This event, Unger concludes, fits a pattern of Republican reliance on adversarial nations to intervene in US elections. Guest: Craig Unger. Retry

John 10:28-30I. The Provider of Life Speaks of SecurityII. The Procurement of Life Speaks of SecurityIII. The People Who Are Given Life Speaks of SecurityIV. The Presentation of This Life Speaks of Security V. The Promise Concerning This Life Speaks of SecurityVI. The Protector of This Life Speaks of Security

Our guest on this week's episode is Alex Saric, CMO at Ivalua. We have definitely seen a lot of uncertainty this year due to changing economic policies and the supply chain shifts that have resulted. It has placed a lot of companies on the sidelines trying to figure out what to do next with their technology investments. How do they get from just being in survival mode to thriving? Our guest today joins Ben Ames with some insights.  Working with small businesses can help strengthen supply chains and boost local economies; that's according to a report from supplier intelligence platform Supplier.io, released earlier this week. The company analyzed data from more than 500 large enterprises for its 2025 Small Business Impact Report—to learn more about those companies' small sourcing initiatives. We share some highlights from that report.A report from the supply chain software company Kinaxis reveals that there is a gap between AI ambition and AI implementation. The report found that at many organizations, business leaders tend to underestimate the new risks and complexities that AI may introduce. But on the other hand, their staffers are very well aware of those complexities, because they're focused on the practical realities, such as the effort, change management, and technical challenges. The executives want a fast ROI from AI, but staffers see the hurdles.Supply Chain Xchange  also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane.  It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions  Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:IvaluaSmall business spending fortifies supply chainsAI reality cap - C-Suite executives expect quick ROI but staff see hurdlesVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comThis podcast episode is sponsored by:  Storage SolutionsOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY

The HortWeek Podcast has joined ArbWeek to bring HortWeek readers a series of interviews with leading arborists. The first of these is Jeremy Barrell.A influential figure in the tree care landscape (and HortWeek columnist) Jeremy Barrell is one of the leading authorities on tree care.A passionate campaigner on street trees in the wake of a number of controversial local authority fellings, in this week's podcast HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby hears Jeremy's uncompromising views on tree safety, tree planting, tree production and local authority procurement.Barrell says: "The standard of training on some of the people that are planting [trees] - it's not surprising the trees don't survive...if you don't have a specification that is up to scratch, then of course contractors are going circles around you and you deserve to have a load of failures". "I deal with more tree failure cases that result in harm than any other expert in Britain...the harsh reality is there are many large duty holders...that don't do anything like the standard of tree checking that should be done". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover how public procurement is being redefined to drive innovation, sustainability and integrity in construction. This episode features insights from the City of Stockholm and Skanska Sweden on transforming traditional bidding into strategic partnerships for a better built future. Guests in this episode: Karl Jonasson Collberg, Public Procurement Officer, City of Stockholm Development Administration Magnus Persson, CEO of Skanska Sweden Host: John Ambrose

On June 18, 2023, the OceanGate TITAN, a submersible on its way to the Titanic wreck site, imploded, killing all five passengers, including OceanGate CEO, Stockton Rush.  There were a number of factors leading to this tragic event, including a horrible disregard of basic safety measures, a deliberate effort to work outside of regulatory and inspection protocols, and a toxic company culture.  While many of these issues were internal, OceanGate did not make the TITAN or its predecessors in-house. This means that they had suppliers, and those companies had a front row seat to what was unfolding. In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner covers the OceanGate operation from a supply chain point of view: OceanGate's evolutionary journey – first to buy and retrofit their submersibles and then to build them The different suppliers that played a role in manufacturing the TITAN, and signs that the company was looking for alternatives The challenge presented by innovation that seems to defy convention. When is an idea truly groundbreaking, and when is it just reckless? Links: Marine Board's Report Into the Implosion of the Submersible TITAN in the North Atlantic Ocean Near the Wreck Site of the RMS TITANIC Resulting in the Loss of Five Lives on June 18, 2023 Kelly Barner on LinkedIn Art of Supply LinkedIn newsletter  Art of Supply on AOP Subscribe to This Week in Procurement

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.  

On Episode 55 of the TID Water & Power Podcast we're joined by TID Materials Management Department Manager, Jason Perez, to discuss materials management. Driving around our community it's impossible to miss TID equipment—from poles to transformers, vehicles, canals, irrigation gates, and everything in between. At TID, the Materials Management Department is tasked with procuring all of these items. But it's much more than that. As publicly-owned utility, TID has strict purchasing guidelines it has to meet and the Materials Management Department ensures that the District stays in compliance.On this episode we discuss the District's purchasing requirements, how we work with vendors and suppliers, and how we manage an inventory of thousands of pieces of equipment. Let's get social! Facebook: @TurlockIDInstagram: @TurlockIDTwitter: @TurlockIDLinkedIn: /company/turlockid Find out more about TID at https://www.TID.org/podcast.

The range of skills and talent procurement professionals need in order to be successful is dizzying, but that also means that they end up being prime candidates for other roles. As procurement professionals deliberately build and add to those skills, they both increase their individual career trajectories and also increase the impact and output of the function. In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Pamela Gerber. Pamela is a senior procurement executive with a long track record of working in sourcing and procurement roles across industries. That experience has given her many opportunities to form a perspective on the importance of investing in procurement talent. Pamela shares extensively with her own personal experience in procurement to offer insight into and recommendations about: Why it is so hard to establish a talent foundation in procurement How procurement can build the influence and seniority that will open doors to bigger opportunities The importance of being willing to seize unexpected opportunities as they present themselves Whether she sees a trend of people ‘falling out' of procurement and if she considers that a good thing or a bad thing Links: Pamela Gerber on LinkedIn

This Episode is Sponsored by: Performance Foodservice How important is it as a food distributor to build a brand for foodservice – especially since consumers may never see or recognize it? Mike Seidel, vice president of procurement at Performance Foodservice Corporate, shares how the company views the development of its existing foodservice brands, including Roma and Contigo, and how they helped in the creation of its most recent Mediterranean concept Zebec.  More about Mike Seidel: Michael Seidel is the corporate Vice President of Procurement for Performance Foodservice, one of the largest broadline foodservice distributors in the country. “Mike” brings to his role 28 years of sales, procurement, and leadership experience within the foodservice industry. In 2025, Mike is celebrating his fourteenth year with Performance Foodservice.   Over the course of 14 years from 1997, Mike held multiple sales and procurement roles at a Sysco operating company including Marketing Associate and Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing.   Mike served as a member of the Executive Board of Directors for the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and was recently reappointed to the Board of Directors for NFI, to a term ending in late 2027. Mike currently serves as a board member of Circana Supply Track. Mike is an elected Manager of NFI's Better Seafood Board and is on the planning committee for the Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC). Mike, annually, co-hosts or participates in GSMC panelist discussions. Mike is a delegated member of the Procurement Council for the Independent Procurement Alliance Program (IPAP).   During his career, Mike has testified before the U.S. International Trade Commission, on three occasions, regarding certain ripe olives and shrimp. Mike is an active speaker/presenter for various foodservice industry events.  He is married, lives in the Richmond, Virginia area, and has four children and one grandchild.   More About Performance Foodservice: Performance Foodservice is one of the nation's largest foodservice distributors, delivering quality ingredients, reliable service, and on-time consistency. With 125,000+ products and 67 distribution centers, we serve over 100,000 customers coast to coast. From restaurants and hotels to schools and healthcare, operators trust us for both food and non-food essentials that keep kitchens running. Backed by a best-in-class fleet and passionate associates, Performance Foodservice is more than a distributor—we're your partner in growth and success.  Learn more: http://performancefoodservice.com/   More About Zebec: Zebec is Performance Foodservice's exclusive brand of specialty Mediterranean foods and ingredients, inspired by the 16th-century sailing ships that once carried flavors and traditions across the sea. Just like those fast, agile vessels, Zebec delivers authentic spices, bold flavors, and versatile ingredients that make it easy for operators to bring the Mediterranean to their menus. From falafel to grilled chicken skewers, every item is crafted with quality and convenience in mind—helping passionate restaurateurs, whether inspired by global traditions or family roots, add an exciting Mediterranean twist to their offerings. With Zebec, a bold upgrade to the menu is always within reach.  Learn more: https://www.performancefoodservice.com/Products-and-Services/Our-Family-of-Brands/Zebec

"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

Key topics covered in the podcast: What are market participants expecting for iron ore demand in the fourth quarter and early 2026, particularly from China and other major steel-producing regions? How are steelmakers adjusting procurement strategies in response to diverging trends between iron ore and coking coal? What is the role of the 61pc Fe index, and how does it compare to the established 62pc benchmark?

This live recording of Sales Today: Procurement Special goes back to fundamentals as Fred Copestake breaks down the anatomy of a great sales conversation so procurement professionals can spot the good ones, steer the wobbly ones, and borrow the best bits for their own internal selling.   With 25+ years in the field, three books (including Ethical Selling), and over 10,000 salespeople trained across 38 countries, Fred shares a practical, step-by-step structure you can use immediately - whether you're evaluating a supplier's approach or building support for your own initiatives. In this episode, you'll discover:  • Why objectives matter: set a primary and secondary outcome before the meeting, then signal preparedness with a short agenda. • "Ask before tell": why prescription without diagnosis is malpractice and how great sellers make it about you before talking about themselves. • Reading the room: tailoring style to personalities (analytical, amiable, driver, expressive) and how tools like DISC profiling can help you prepare. • AIDA done right: Attention → Interest → Desire → Action as a clean flow that mirrors how people think. • Strong openings: craft an attention-grabber (value proposition) that hooks into your world—industry issues, goals, and likely friction points. • High-gain questioning: use open, probing, and TED prompts ("Tell me… Explain… Describe…"), thoughtful hypotheticals, strategic summaries, and silence.  • Consultative depth: map current state vs desired state, then explore impact and consequences to build a compelling case for change. • From ask to tell: when to pivot from questions to a tailored response - not a boilerplate pitch - linked to the problems uncovered. • Progress checks: small "trial closes" to confirm fit and keep momentum without pressure.  • The Perfect Close (James Muir): "Does it make sense for us to… [next step]?"- an elegant, ethical way to agree the action or surface the right alternative.  • Internal use: how procurement can repurpose the same structure to win support for projects and decisions inside the business.   Expect straight-talking guidance, usable language patterns, and a simple framework you can run tomorrow- whether you're buying, selling, or building alignment across stakeholders.   Join the Alchemie Network for FREE to connect with other forward-thinking professionals and get access to more events like this.   Connect with Fred on Linkedin https://linktr.ee/fredcopestake

I. The Provider of Life Speaks of SecurityII. The Procurement of Life Speaks of SecurityIII. The People Who Are Given Life Speaks of Security

Emily Murphy, CEO and founder of Government Procurement Strategies (GPS), joins Off the Shelf for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of the federal procurement market. As a former GSA Administrator, Murphy shares her keen insights regarding the Trump administration's re-engineering and re-structuring of federal procurement. She highlights the administration's overarching policy and operational goals including, but not limited to, increasing efficiency, reducing operational costs, and increasing access to the commercial market and commercial solutions.Topics include the consolidation of procurement operations at GSA, how GSA is responding to its expanded role and the progress and potential impact of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). For example, Murphy addresses the significant changes to FAR Part 8 of the FAR. Finally, Murphy shares her thoughts on key management principles for government leaders. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Q4 2025 snapshot of market conditions Is market softness present? Preparing for 2026 with budget considerations Not a client on McKeany-Flavell's IQ Intelligence Platform? Visit mckeany-flavell.com to learn more! Commodity dashboards Dynamic data & interactive charts Analytics & calculators Price forecasts Downloadable data, charts, and tables Host: Nicole Thomas, Vice President – Information Services Guest Expert: Michael Workman, Growth Director at ResinSmart by RTi Global Guest Expert: Kevin Mekaru, Senior Business Unit Lead, Commodity Plastic Resin, RTi Global www.resinsmart.ai

Artificial intelligence — especially agentic AI —  is making traditional category management smarter.

Nesta entrevista recebemos Tiago Toricelli, Marketing e Brand da Seara Alimentos, para um bate-papo que une duas realidades intensas: a escalada de altas montanhas e os ambientes corporativos.Falamos sobre como os desafios físicos e mentais do montanhismo se conectam com o dia a dia das empresas, trazendo lições práticas de planejamento, execução e superação.Durante a conversa, Tiago compartilhou:A importância do planejamento detalhado para enfrentar riscos e imprevistos;O papel da resiliência mental diante de situações extremas;Como trabalhar em equipe com confiança e alinhamento de objetivos;A correlação entre disciplina na execução da escalada e a entrega de resultados no mundo corporativo;O impacto de transformar desafios em aprendizados estratégicos para gerar valor.O paralelo é inspirador: assim como nas montanhas, no ambiente corporativo o sucesso não vem do improviso, mas da soma de preparo, estratégia e coragem.Um episódio imperdível para quem busca inspiração para elevar o desempenho pessoal e organizacional a novos patamares.

“Is your project really compliant?”That's the billion-dollar question developers across the U.S. are asking as Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) rules tighten their grip on clean energy tax credits. If you are(were) banking on the ITC, PTC, or 45X, you can't afford to miss this Tactical Tuesday deep-dive.The rules are shifting. Supply chains are murky. And guidance is still evolving. Host Nico Johnson pulls together an expert panel to decode how FEOC is reshaping the way projects are sourced, engineered, financed, and papered across the U.S. solar and storage market.You'll hear from:Christian Roselund (Clean Energy Associates) — decoding ownership, material assistance, and effective controlRaj Pawar (EVS) — revealing how inverter-level definitions trigger real engineering redesignsAaron Gomolak (Ampt) — showing how string-level optimization keeps projects on schedule and compliantMona Dajani (Baker Botts) — outlining how to structure deals and mitigate legal risk while guidance evolvesExpect to learn:

 On this episode of the "Gen AI Breakthrough" podcast, Chris Sawchuk and Nic Walden discuss the concept of digital world-class performance and its implications for organizations in today's volatile environment. They explore how procurement teams can leverage AI and data-driven insights to develop agile supply chains that thrive amid uncertainty and complexity. By examining historical trends, they highlight how prepared organizations can capitalize on challenges to achieve significant savings and performance improvements. 

Can the new Investment Agency fix Canada's procurement problems or will politics slow that down too? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"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  

We all have heard phrases like "right size your procurement function" and a "fit for purpose procurement solution".  In this episode David explains that Procurement can be a balancing act and he does this by breaking down 11 challenges whilst also providing key metrics to measure your success.

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney talks to Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Charles Galbreath, Kyle “Puma” Pumroy, Todd “Sledge” Harmer, and Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski about the top defense issues this month in Washington, D.C. and beyond. ​​​​​​ Our team digs into where the defense bills stand in Congress as well as the national security impact of the government shutdown. We also discuss the latest Ukraine news, plus several spacepower developments—everything from Chinese gains on orbit to the role orbital aggressors play in modern spacepower. Plus, we explore organizational happenings, like the decision to role the ICC function into A5/7, not pursue Space Force Futures, and downgrading USAFE to a 3-star billet. We wrap up by highlighting the new small UAS test efforts at Grand Forks AFB and jump into the renewed debate on whether too much is being spent on Air Force R&D vs procurement and readiness. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Kyle "Puma" Pumroy, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous

Every product a company ships depends on thousands of tiny decisions happening deep inside the supply chain. But most organizations are still making those decisions using stale spreadsheets, fragmented systems, and guesswork. In this episode, we explore how AI-driven procurement intelligence is changing the game – moving teams from reactive firefighting to proactive supply chain planning. Our guest today is Shardul Shah, cofounder of Veritos.AI. He breaks down the hidden risks inside modern supply networks, why so many companies still lack real-time component and supplier visibility, and how better data can prevent shortages, backorders, and costly redesigns before they happen. We discuss:Why most organizations still rely on Excel for procurement decisionsThe real reason supply chain disruptions keep catching teams off guardHow AI and real-time data can alert teams to risks ahead of timeThe growing need for operational visibility across engineering, finance, and sourcingHow procurement becomes a strategic advantage, not just a cost center If you're responsible for building products, managing vendors, scaling hardware, or supporting manufacturing operations, this conversation will change how you think about supply chain intelligence and the future of procurement. Watch Next: https://youtu.be/OI0zRk7Mau4?si=7k0htLXyYJIWolpY Key Moments:0:00 Who Shardul Is & Why This Matters2:10 The Problem That Sparked Veritos.AI6:06 Why Procurement Visibility Is Broken15:55 How Veritos.AI Works (High-Level Overview)19:40 Why Supply Chain Is So Hard to Manage22:30 Identifying Alternative Parts & Replacements26:43 Real Example: The Power of Component Visibility29:00 The Role of AI in Modern Procurement35:15 The Current State of Procurement (And Its Challenges)38:50 The Biggest Skill Gap in Procurement: Understanding Cost46:00 The Disconnect Between Engineering & Procurement50:40 The Future: AI-Powered Procurement Command Centers -- This episode of IT Visionaries is brought to you by Meter - the company building better networks. Businesses today are frustrated with outdated providers, rigid pricing, and fragmented tools. Meter changes that with a single integrated solution that covers everything wired, wireless, and even cellular networking. They design the hardware, write the firmware, build the software, and manage it all so your team doesn't have to.That means you get fast, secure, and scalable connectivity without the complexity of juggling multiple providers. Thanks to meter for sponsoring. Go to meter.com/itv to book a demo.---IT Visionaries is made by the team at Mission.org. Learn more about our media studio and network of podcasts at mission.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Big Bid Theory, host Bill Culhane welcomes procurement leader Selena Leon, CPPB, as she shares her inspiring career journey and fresh insights into the world of public procurement. Selena brings seven years of experience in the field and currently serves as a Purchasing Manager in state procurement. Her professional path spans county and state levels and reflects a strong commitment to advancing the profession. We dig into key topics including:Selena's transition from county procurement to state procurement and what that means for career developmentWhat she learned and experienced at the recent NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement Forum and the Arizona State Capitol Chapter of NIGP conference and vendor expoHer clear stance on reducing gatekeeping in the profession and ensuring an environment of service, support, and professional growthThe successes and challenges of procurement work in the public sector, and why ongoing professional development and recognition matter more than everWhether you're already working in government procurement, considering entering the profession, or advising vendors or agency leaders, this episode offers valuable lessons and thought‑provoking perspectives.Rick Jennings closes out with his “Crazy Bids You Can Win” segment to add a light but meaningful wrap‑up.

"Capitalism, then, is by nature a form or method of economic change and not only never is but never can be stationary." - Austrian Economist Joseph Schumpeter (1950) The 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics was recently awarded to Joel Mokyr, an economic historian at Northwestern University, Philippe Aghion, who is affiliated with universities in France and the U.K., and Peter Howitt, a professor of economics at Brown University. Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt worked together for decades to develop and publish a model that makes it possible to better understand business growth - but not just any growth. The growth fueled by Creative Destruction. Creative Destruction was first described by Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter in 1942 in response to ideas from Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto. In fact, Marx thought, and Schumpeter agreed, that it would lead to the end of capitalism… they just didn't agree on why. In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly Barner covers: What Creative Destruction is, and why it is no ordinary form of growth How the idea is connected to the potential end of capitalism Why it is so fascinating that this idea is being highlighted at this moment in time, with the rise of AI right before us. Links: Kelly Barner on LinkedIn Art of Supply LinkedIn newsletter Art of Supply on AOP Subscribe to This Week in Procurement

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

Iran Defies West on Nuclear Program Despite Loss of Key Scientists. Jonathan Schanzer discusses Iran's defiant nuclear program, noting the procurement of air defense systems from Russia and China is debatable. A major setback has been the loss of nuclear scientists due to targeted assassinations. Iran is heavily supporting the Houthis (now a full proxy), sending ballistic missile components and IRGC officials to help assemble them in Yemen. Snapback sanctions' impact on Iran's partnerships with Russia and China remains uncertain. 1543

Connect to John Gilroy on LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gilroy/ Want to listen to other episodes? www.Federaltechpodcast.com Elastic has been around since 2012 and has been gradually gaining traction in the commercial world. In fact, Elastic has recently signed agreements with Nvidia and Google to improve integration with its distributed search analysis. All this assists with AI search and observability. Today, we sat down with Chris Thompson from Elastic to highlight how commercial success can be applied to the federal world. Looking back at his decades of work with federal agencies, he sees one of the problems in acquisition. In a world of rapid change, it is challenging to acquire technology that can keep pace with the fast pace of change. During the interview, Thompson discusses a recent strategic agreement developed by Elastic working with the GSA and other companies. This streamlines the process of providing technology to federal professionals. This agreement accomplished several tasks at once: >>It leverages the GSA's collective buying power. Rather than negotiating separate prices for dozens of agencies, it has substantial discounts with all the major cloud providers. >>>  It reduces duplication. We know several federal agencies are facing similar tech challenges. Rather than duplicating requirements gathering and testing before making a purchase, the GSA approach eliminates this duplicative process. >>With numerous AI tools flooding the market, this agreement enables the accelerated use of these tools.  >> When you have standardized contracts, enhanced security is typically the result. No contract is perfect, and people who have developed this agreement know it is a living document that can flex and adapt to technical situations as they arise. GSA officials have stated this is an evolving approach, giving it the ability to adapt to innovative technology, new companies, and a rapidly changing cyber threat.    

“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

Is the agency world oversupplied—or just under differentiated? In this episode, Gabriella Mirabelli speaks with Robin Bonn, CEO of Co:definery and author of Market of One, about why most agencies struggle to stand out—and how they can fix it. They discuss the myths of procurement power, why “our people” isn't a strategy, and how smart specialization can transform your business. Whether you're leading an agency, consulting firm, or any service-based business, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on pricing, positioning, and building a truly unique market presence.

When it comes to moving freight long distances, you can go from ship to drayage to rail to over-the-road trucking… or you can go intermodal. Intermodal freight transportation combines the advantages of sea, air, and land transport to facilitate a preplanned end-to-end journey. Understanding the relative cost, security, and emissions benefits of intermodal transportation is key for companies looking for the most efficient way to move their goods. In this episode of Art of Supply, Kelly Barner is joined by Anne Reinke, the CEO and President of the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). Anne has experience lobbying for the rail industry and working at the Department of Transportation, as well as with an organization representing 3PLs. In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Kelly and Anne discuss: How the relative roles of private companies and government agencies vary by mode of transportation Which factors are most influential in driving demand for intermodal transportation How tariffs are changing shipper behavior, altering the usual seasonal patterns for transportation peaks and lows   Links: Anne Reinke on LinkedIn Intermodal Association of North America Kelly Barner on LinkedIn Art of Supply LinkedIn newsletter  Art of Supply on AOP Subscribe to This Week in Procurement  

Modernization sits at the heart of Florida's procurement transformation. Jessie Marks, Florida's Chief Procurement Officer, shares her fascinating 18-year journey from part-time administrative assistant to CPO, revealing how the relationship-building and clear writing skills from journalism perfectly translated to crafting thoughtful procurements and saving taxpayer dollars. Marks details how her team leverages AI technology, cloud-based solutions, and automated reporting systems to increase efficiency while maintaining transparency. The cloud-based platform they've implemented provides real-time updates on active solicitations and contracts, eliminating the guesswork and bottlenecks that once plagued their process. Rather than making decisions in a vacuum, Florida's approach emphasizes data-driven strategies and stakeholder buy-in.Ready to transform your own procurement approach? Subscribe to NASPO's Pulse for more insights from public procurement leaders across the nation, and discover how relationship-building, technology, and professional development can elevate your procurement outcomes.Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO!naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook

The myth says procurement is the holdup. We put that belief under a bright light with Oklahoma's Chief Procurement Officer, Amanda Otis, and trace exactly how a team moves from jungle to clarity—no playbook, tight resources, and high expectations. Amanda shares how a legal mind mapped undocumented processes, separated statutory “musts” from inherited habits, and rebuilt the office around category management so expertise links directly to spend and supplier markets.We get into the nuts and bolts: using PeopleSoft for e-procurement and sourcing without piling on complexity, leaning on AI to distill 500-page documents into crisp briefs (with human review), and adopting OneNote to tame the flood of work that email and spreadsheets couldn't handle. Trust becomes the center of gravity. Amanda explains why fast acknowledgments, reliable follow-through, and monthly “Central Purchasing Listens” sessions turned an “ivory tower” into a responsive service partner. Skeptics on the team weren't ignored; they were invited into experiments with a simple promise—try it, measure it, change it if it fails within six months.Join us for a straight-talking playbook on modern public procurement: category management, transparent metrics, trust-building, and structured innovation that actually ships. If this episode sparks ideas for your team, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review with your favorite takeaway so more practitioners can find it.Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO!naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook

Procurement is no longer just about cutting costs. It's about creating value, building partnerships and helping finance teams make smarter, faster decisions. On this episode of The CFO Show, Aaqil Kassamali, Procurement Director at Vena Solutions, joins Melissa Howatson to discuss how procurement has evolved into a strategic function that drives innovation and alignment across the business. Aaqil shares lessons from building procurement teams from the ground up, using technology to gain visibility and insight, and balancing short-term savings with long-term value. He also explains why trust, business acumen and collaboration are now the true measures of success in modern procurement. Discussed in This Episode: Shifting procurement from tactical to strategic The impact of visibility and data on smarter decision-making Building trust and partnership across business functions Balancing short-term wins with long-term value creation Exploring the future of procurement in an AI-driven worldFor CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

What happens when a state with the world's fourth-largest economy revolutionizes how it buys everything from office supplies to life-saving fire retardant? Angela Shell, California's Chief Procurement Officer, takes us behind the scenes of procurement modernization in the Golden State.Through data transparency initiatives, California has transformed how government agencies make purchasing decisions. Their enterprise procurement system captures every state purchase—revealing everything from multi-million dollar contracts to that time someone accidentally ordered "a million packages of ketchup." This wealth of information drives smarter buying decisions and allows unprecedented public visibility into government spending through dashboards anyone can access.Whether you're a government buyer, supplier, or simply curious about how your tax dollars are spent, this conversation offers fascinating insights into procurement's evolution and its critical role in public service. Subscribe to NASPO's Pulse for more conversations at the forefront of government innovation.Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO!naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook

What happens when public procurement codes fail to keep pace with modern needs? Delbert Singleton and Stacy Adams from South Carolina's Division of Procurement Services reveal how their state successfully modernized its procurement rules through thoughtful, strategic updates.With candid insights from their combined years of experience, our guests share how they've navigated four major code revisions since 1994. Listen as Delbert and Stacy describe their comprehensive process of consulting stakeholders, researching other states' practices, and carefully weighing competing needs while maintaining procurement integrity.Whether you're a procurement leader looking to update outdated processes or simply interested in how government purchasing evolves to meet changing needs, this episode provides an invaluable roadmap for thoughtful, effective procurement reform. Listen now to part one of our two-part episode with South Carolina to learn how your organization can balance innovation with accountability in public procurement.Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO!naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook

“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

2025-10-17 | Silicon Wafers 031 | DAILY UPDATES | Today: Why Russia's War Machine Is Cracking, and it fails to fundamentally reform. Is the Russian military failing? What systemic, strategic, technical, and economic fractures are eating it from within? And what does that mean for Ukraine and Russia's imperial dreams? Here are the angles we'll explore: 1. Strategic misalignment & flawed doctrine2. Structural weaknesses in the military‑industrial complex3. Logistics, supply chains, and chokepoints4. Technology, drones, and innovation shortfalls5. Economic strain, manpower, and corruption6. Recent battlefield case study + outlook----------Partner on this video: KYIV OF MINE Watch the trailer now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJUcE1rxY0'Kyiv of Mine' is a documentary series about Ukraine's beautiful capital, Kyiv. The film production began in 2018, and much has changed since then. It is now 2025, and this story is far from over.https://www.youtube.com/@UCz6UbVKfqutH-N7WXnC5Ykg https://www.kyivofmine.com/#theprojectKyiv of Mine is fast paced, beautifully filmed, humorous, fun, insightful, heartbreaking, moving, hopeful. The very antithesis in fact of a doom-laden and worthy wartime documentary. This is a work that is extraordinarily uplifting. My friend Operator Starsky says the film is “Made with so much love. The film series will make you laugh and cry.” ----------SOURCES: Russia's War Machine Runs Out of Resources — Reddit discussion, citing military spending dataComparing the Size and Capabilities of the Russian and Ukrainian Militaries — Council on Foreign RelationsRussia's Struggle to Modernize Its Military Industry — Chatham House Russia Analytical Report, Oct. 6–14, 2025 — RussiaMatters Disassembling the Russian War Machine: Logistics, Procurement, Constraints — KSE Institute Russia Has the Resources for a Long War in Ukraine — Carnegie Endowment Economic impact of the Russo‑Ukrainian war — Wikipedia & referencesRussian arms industry overview — WikipediaBattle of Avdiivka (2023–2024) — Wikipedia & open sources Forecasting Russian Equipment Losses Using Time Series and Deep Learning Models (ArXiv)“Russia's coal miners buckle under sanctions…” — Financial Times (2025) “Russian high military recruitment bonuses…” — Business Insider (2025)“New report says Russia is better able to withstand heavy battlefield losses…” — AP News“Ukraine war briefing: Crimea oil depot burns…” — The Guardian“The key to success is in the sky” — The Guardian on Russia's air assault“Power restored to 800,000 in Kyiv…” — AP News“Russian tycoon body count … mysterious deaths” — NY Post“Russia is unleashing a new surge of exploding drone attacks on Ukraine's rail network” — Business Insider“The ‘Deathonomics' Powering Russia's War Machine” — Wall Street JournalThe Economic Costs of the Russia‑Ukraine War: A Synthetic Control Study of (Lost) Entrepreneurship — Audretsch et al. (arXiv)----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

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

Scott Murakami, PHIG Workforce Director and Principal Investigator with the State of Hawaii, shares how his department is utilizing Public Health Infrastructure Grant funds to support the state's public health workforce; jurisdictions looking to stay current on PHIG deadlines, project updates, resources and more can subscribe to the PHIG National Partners Connections newsletter; Melissa Touma, Director of the Public Health Infrastructure Program at ASTHO, discusses why procurement timelines are so critical and how PHIG recipients are using the grant to accelerate them; and Melissa Magstadt, ASTHO member and Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Health, was recently honored with the State Official Award by the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations.  ASTHO Web Page: Public Health Infrastructure Grant ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe: PHIG Connections Newsletter ASTHO Blog: PHIG Recipients Accelerating Procurement Processes South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations: SDAHO recognizes 9 individuals with Distinguished Service Awards during 2025 Annual Convention  

Preview: General Blaine Holt discusses the Pentagon's push to double missile production for potential conflict, noting that US weapon stocks were depleted following aid to Ukraine. He emphasizes the critical need for procurement reform and securing domestic supply chains for materials like steel and aluminum. Holt also addresses the military's shift back to a "warrior ethos" away from "woke" culture, suggesting this change is already leading to honorable resignations and retirements among senior officers. 1958