In this episode, we’re joined by Keith Wright - Founder & CEO of K. Wright Consultancy and author of “The Power of Professional Procurement.”

With 25+ years experience as a Procurement practitioner, Keith shares his knowledge about Procurement’s new challenges, new role, and new value creation - as well as the best and worst practices that he’s seen in his consulting career. He also talks to Sam about why he made the transition from practitioner to consultant and the lessons that he’s shared about “Professional Procurement” in his new book.

Visit Keith’s website to download his supplier scorecard and get a copy of “The Power of Professional Procurement”:
https://www.kwrightconsultancy.co.uk/

Or reach out to Keith on his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-wright-4aa823a8/

(00:38) - Introducing Keith

(01:49) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Keith?

(04:25) – How did Keith end up working in Procurement? Did he choose it or did it choose him?

(05:49) – Where does Keith think that Procurement can help the most?

(07:38) – What made Keith switch from being a Procurement practitioner to an independent consultant?

(11:40) – What tip would Keith give to anyone looking to make the move into consulting?

(13:04) – Does Keith see a common denominator for businesses that are getting Procurement right or wrong today?

(17:30) – What are the biggest challenges for Procurement teams today?

(21:36) – What Procurement tactics does Keith see that should be a thing of the past?
(24:04) – What inspired Keith to write his book “The Power of Professional Procurement”?

(27:07) – What are some of the key themes that Keith shared in his book “The Power of Professional Procurement”?

(29:20) – What was some of the qualitative and quantitative data that Keith captured for writing his book?

(32:22) – What does “Professional Procurement” look like to Keith?

(34:19) – What are some of Keith’s top Procurement hacks?

(38:14) – What advice would Keith give to himself at the beginning of his career?

(39:44) – Keith answers our Kodiak Moment quick fire round of questions

In this episode, Sam is joined by Pascal Evertz, a Procurement Innovator, Founder of GoBeyondProcurement, and Owner & Managing Director of Buyers United. With over 25 years of experience in the industry and a doctorate in Business Administration, Pascal has consulted numerous global businesses with training and development in bespoke AI solutions.

Pascal shares his knowledge with Sam in an enlightening discussion about AI solutions, Procurement’s digital transformation, the shift from cost savings to value creation, stronger supplier relationships, change management, and more!

(00:40) - Introducing Pascal

(01:23) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Pascal?

(02:14) - What made Pascal work in Procurement?

(03:00) - What does Pascal do at GoBeyondProcurement?

(04:26) - How does one avoid the buzz about AI as a Procurement practitioner?

(05:35) - Why does Pascal think that some businesses might be hesitant to use AI in Procurement?

(06:16) - Is Procurement ready for the next generation of technology? And if so, how do they get there?

(08:00) - Why are Procurement teams not happy with their tools?

(09:33) - Why does Pascal think that so many Procurement teams have trouble with change management?

(10:12) - How can Procurement teams make the shift from cost savings to innovation and value?

(13:08) - How does a team best leverage their suppliers’ competencies?

(16:28) - Are there Procurement tactics today that Pascal thinks will soon be a thing of the past?

(17:37) - What are some traditional Procurement tactics that Pascal thinks are here to stay?

(18:38) - Why are Procurement teams still using inefficient methods?

(19:38) - Why does Procurement feel that they need to be in control? And how can Procurement get involved early to not come into the process too late?

(24:26) - Pascal answers Sam’s quick fire round of questions

In this episode, we’re joined by Adwoa Owusu-Banahene, Procurement Leader at London Legacy Development Corporation and a seasoned leader in public procurement and the construction & development space with over 15 years of experience.
She and Sam share a great discussion on how Adwoa felt called to procurement, the responsibilities of public procurement to their communities, how new regulations are reshaping supplier relationships, the importance of diversity in procurement teams and the supply chain, and much more!

(00:39) - Introducing Adwoa

(01:20) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Adwoa?

(04:34) - What made Adwoa choose to work in Sourcing & Procurement?

(07:37) - Why did Adwoa decide to become a specialist in the Procurement space?

(09:05) - How is construction & development Procurement different from other industries? And how does public and private Procurement differ?

(12:22) - Does Adwoa think public Procurement is hindered from innovation or is that shifting?

(15:00) - How can Procurement practitioners do more with less?

(17:05) - How do regulations in public Procurement affect supplier relationships?

(20:40) - What value does Adwoa provide for London in her role at LLDC?

(23:12) - Does Adwoa think that Procurement has an obligation to make an impact in communities?

(29:11) - How can Procurement improve its diversity, equity, and inclusion and how does this affect supplier diversity?

(34:08) - What are some of the common misconceptions about Procurement in the construction and development space?

(36:39) - Adwoa answers our quick fire round of questions