The Procurement Game Changers

Transforming the Procurement Landscape With Spend Management Innovations

Guess what? Our Procurement Game Changers podcast has unveiled a fascinating secret—none of our guests willingly chose to enter this field. For each of them, it was either a stroke of luck or an unexpected twist of fate that led them here. In today's episode, our esteemed guest, Thejo Kote, shed light on the underlying reason: "In business school, they teach you how to make money, not how to spend it efficiently. You only realize the importance of managing expenses once you're running a business."
 
This episode is a treasure trove of insights, with two thought leaders in the realms of spend management innovation and consulting sourcing engaging in profound discussions and sharing their perspectives.
 
And, by the way, did we mention that this is a special episode of our Procurement Game Changers series, where we introduce the most promising solutions leaders to you? We're thrilled to introduce you to Thejo Kote in this episode.
 
Join us for this captivating conversation between your beloved host, Helene, and the eminent entrepreneur and spend management innovator, Thejo Kote. Together, they navigate the world of spend management solutions, unveiling their ability to streamline operations, provide real-time data, and revolutionize decision-making in procurement.

The Procurement Leader’s toolbox: Mastering Essential Skills and Tools

The digital procurement trend is gradually replacing traditional practices, and it's not just a trend; it's a reality. What essential skills and tools do procurement leaders need in this digital age? They need to be familiar with the end-to-end "procure-to-pay" process.
This involves understanding the company's external needs, market dynamics, finding suppliers, creating contracts, receiving deliveries, making payments, and managing suppliers, their performance, and associated risks. To manage these steps effectively, they require a variety of tools in their toolkit. These tools encompass different aspects such as category management, market analysis, price quote requests, tender management, order systems, catalogue maintenance, contract administration, stock level monitoring, and risk management.
With numerous new digital tools available, it's crucial to comprehend their potential benefits for your organization. Our host, Ozan, will guide us through best practices, challenges that may arise when using these tools, and much more. Are you ready to elevate your game in procurement? Tune in.

Stress & Burnout in Women in Procurement

Burnout, like a global epidemic, casts its dark shadow over both genders. However, its grip on women is particularly tight, leaving them more vulnerable to its detrimental effects. It's as if women find it challenging to hit the "off" switch, constantly grappling with concerns about the impact on their career progression. Startlingly, only 45% of women rate their ability to disconnect from work as good or extremely good, while a disheartening 34% deem it poor or extremely poor.
 
Don't you think, it's time to equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools to create a healthier, more balanced professional landscape for women in procurement. Well, in an enlightening discussion, our guest of this episode, the Shameless Mind Boss, Monica Rose unveils the secrets behind women's experiences in procurement and uncovers strategies to prevent and combat burnout.
 
What are the unique stressors that women face in the procurement field compared to their male counterparts? How do these challenges contribute to the immense burnout experienced by women in this industry? In this captivating episode, join Monica as she delves deep into these questions, about the battle against burnout.

Generative AI in Procurement

There is no denying the fact that Generative AI is about to disrupt the professional services landscape like never before. It's like a storm of innovation brewing on the horizon, ready to revolutionize procurement as we know it. And guess what? We can't afford to be left in the dust! We need to be the pioneers, the ones who ride this wave of change and come out on top. That's where our extraordinary guest, Offer Hacmon, steps in. He's not only a negotiation maestro but also an expert in partnerships, negotiations, and strategic advice. With his deep understanding of technology and cloud procurement, Offer brings a fresh perspective to the table. He's here to help us navigate the uncharted territory of Generative AI in procurement and show us the ways how to grab this whirlwind of technology by the horns and make it work for us. Don't miss it.

Alpha Women in Procurement - A Lone Road to Leadership -- Episode6

We were blown away by the amazing response to our women's day special podcast! And you know what? We're not done celebrating all the incredible women out there just yet. So, we've decided to keep the momentum going by continuing the series. And, Today's episode is going to be a real treat! We've got Carmella Long, a procurement veteran who's going to give us the inside scoop on her journey through the procurement world. And let me tell you, she's got some serious street cred.
With over 30 years of experience in procurement and supply chain, Carmella's worked in some of the toughest industries out there, from oil and gas to petrochemicals and even environmental. She's seen it all, folks.
But what really sets Carmella apart is her unique perspective. Having worked in a technical sales role for five years, she's seen the procurement world from the other side of the table. And let me tell you; it's an eye-opener. Carmella realized that as a supplier, her interests aligned with those of the procurement team - both want to help the company achieve better performance. It's like procurement is just a mirror image of sales.
Now, let's talk about the challenges. Carmella started her career in an overly male-dominated arena, which wasn't easy. But with the help of some fantastic female colleagues (not even from procurement!), she was able to thrive in her role. let's say she's come a long way since then.
So, if you want to hear about Carmella's journey and how she navigated the challenging path to get where she is today, you do not want to miss this episode! Tune in now!
 
 

Alpha Women in Procurement - A Lone Road to Leadership -- Episode 5

In this Women's Day special podcast series, Alpha Female in Procurement - the Lone Road to Leadership, host Helene introduces Alejandra Garcia, Senior Vice President of Global Procurement at DSM. Alejandra has 25 years of experience in procurement and shares her valuable insights on procurement challenges and strategies for success. In this episode, Alejandra talks about the biggest challenge she has faced in her career, which is to prove the value of procurement outside of just standard KPIs and metrics. She also discusses the importance of building networks and relationships, understanding the end customer's needs, and stepping out of the box to bring a solution to procurement. Tune in to this episode to learn from the best in the field.

Alpha Women in Procurement - Celebrating International Women’s Day - Episode 4

Get ready to celebrate International Women's Day 2023 with our fantastic interview series, "Alpha Females in Procurement - the Lone Road to Leadership." We've been lucky to chat with three phenomenal women: Susan Spence, Vera Rozanova, and Donna Donato. And let me tell you, their stories are truly inspiring!
Our host Helene Laffitte has been doing an incredible job guiding the conversations with thoughtful and witty questions.
But wait, there's more! Today's episode has a little twist. Our fantastic CEO at CQ and a consulting sourcing expert, Helene Laffitte, is taking the reins today and becoming the storyteller herself! This episode will surely be an eye-opener, shedding light on women's challenges in male-dominated fields. And for all young professionals, get ready to take some notes and find inspiration on how to pave your road to success.
And don't worry, gentlemen, you're welcome to tune in too! You will gain valuable insight into the experiences of these impressive women, but you'll also learn how to become a better ally and advocate for gender equality in the workplace. So join us on this journey, and let's celebrate the achievements of women in procurement together!
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your headphones and prepare for a powerful, engaging narrative that will leave you feeling empowered and motivated!

How to build a sustainable Supply Chain?

The world of procurement and supply chain management is changing rapidly. The past three years have shown us just how vital it is to have a solid supply chain strategy, no matter your industry. It's like building a castle - you want to make sure your foundation is strong enough to withstand any attack that comes your way.
At the same time, building a sustainable supply chain is essential for our future because it ensures the responsible use of resources, reduces waste and pollution, and helps mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. Additionally, a sustainable supply chain can lead to greater resilience and long-term profitability for businesses while also meeting the growing demand from consumers for more environmentally and socially responsible products and services.
Of course, building a sustainable supply chain is easier said than done. Rome wasn’t built in one day. And that's precisely what this PGC podcast episode is all about! This episode features Kartik Iyer, a supply chain expert who shares his insights and experience on how to build a resilient supply chain.
We explore why sustainability is critical and how to define it. We examine vital elements companies must implement to achieve a sustainable supply chain. And we tackle the tricky question of pursuing suppliers in countries like India to participate in sustainability.
Do you often get those nagging pangs that, as procurement and supply chain leaders, you have a crucial role in the global sustainability effort? Then, please take a deep breath and tune in to our podcast for invaluable insights.

Alpha Women in Procurement - A Lone Road to Leadership -- Episode3

As we celebrate Women's Day this year, we're proud to feature a group of influential women in procurement. And today, we're thrilled to have Donna Donato join us for our third episode of the "Alpha Females in Procurement: The Lone Road to Leadership" podcast series.
 
A seasoned leader in the procurement world, Donna has over 25 years of global experience under her belt. She's currently rocking the role of CEO for Chain IQ Americas, a leading independent procurement services company.
 
During our podcast, Donna shared her insights on building a career in procurement. She had a message for younger women seeking a career in procurement: true growth and learning happen when you step outside your comfort zone. Donna advised women professionals to focus on action and learning, rather than striving for perfection. This mindset builds confidence and competency over time.
 
Your favorite host, Helene, guides the conversation, delving into Donna's fascinating journey with thoughtful and witty questions. You won't want to miss it! Tune in to hear Helene and Donna's captivating discussion on leadership, collaboration, and networking among women in procurement.

Alpha Women in Procurement - A Lone Road to Leadership -- Episode 2

Join us to Celebrate International Women's Day with our latest episode featuring a remarkable guest, Vera Rozanova – the Global Director at Open Forum Enterprise Ltd, an expert in procurement and supply chain management, a beloved coach and mentor, and a champion of climate change! Did we mention she is also an MCIPS?
In this episode, we dive into the procurement world with Vera and explore how women can thrive in this fast-paced and exciting industry. She shares her insights on how collaboration and relationship building are the keys to success in procurement and how women's unique qualities, such as emotional intelligence and communication skills, are an excellent fit for this field.
Tune in and learn from her expertise. You'll hear about her journey and how she's making a difference in the industry.