61: Functional Extinction from AI – Can Procurement Survive?

If AI is on course to replace many functions in organisations, Jonathan and Paul ask the vital question of whether procurement can survive.  The perfect man to tackle this subject is a man who sits on many boards, founded OneSupplyPlanet and describes himself as a man who challenges companies and their people to be better versions of themselves: Guy Strafford. Brought to you by Positive Purchasing Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Business Podcast Producers

In this episode Jonathan and Paul are being asked to change their mindsets. Not easy. But the man who is bravely trying his best is Jeff Bever, VP Sourcing and Procurement for Russel Stover. His big idea is to think of procurement and supply chain as part of one big, connected ecosystem, rather than a function. Let’s see if we can all unlock new, big benefits! Brought to you by Positive Purchasing Produced by Fresh Air Studios, ADR and Podcast Studios in the South West

Cast your minds back a couple of years and you’ll no doubt remember the podcast with Chris Holmes on the circular economy. We’ve been gathering up all the feedback and we can now answer all your questions and more as we speak with Joe Murphy, Executive Lead for Business Network with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. This was set up by Dame Ellen to accelerate transition to the circular economy. So, let’s find out what Chris and his team is doing and who they’re working with in order to drive its implementation. Brought to you by Positive Purchasing. Produced by Fresh Air Studios, ADR and Video Studios for Devon & Cornwall.

It’s time to do a bit of talent spotting on the Procurement Show. Or to be more precise: talent management spotting. Is it time to have a rethink about procurement talent? And in particular, planning for the future talent we need? If so, how do we get there? Well, to answer all these questions and more, we have the talent. Not Jonathan or Paul, we mean Manager at Kearney, Priya Kumari. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are personal to Priya and do not represent the views of Kearney. Brought to you by Positive Purchasing Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Podcast and ADR Studios for the South West

We keep hearing about how AI is going to change everything on Planet Earth, but will it change negotiation?  And if so, how will it change negotiation?  Jonathan and Paul speak to the best person possible, Camilla Borsani from the School of Management Polytechnic de Milano, where she is doing a PhD on the subject.  Listen carefully; we might ask questions after! Brought to you by Positive Purchasing. Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Branded Podcast Production.

Sustainability in procurement is a regular topic on the Procurement Show, so it seems like the perfect time to get a guest on who is leading one of the world’s biggest companies in sustainability, namely, CPO of Bayer, Thomas Udesen.  Let’s find out what are Bayer’s priorities, how they work to create autonomy and who has stolen part of Jonathan’s script for this episode’s Fun Fact. Brought to you by Positive Purchasing. Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Podcast Production for Business.

Whether you’re Gen Z, Gen X or Jennifer Aniston, you’ll find something of interest in this discussion.  Because this one is all about the future!  Gen Z is the future of procurement, so it makes sense to have a special guest who is a self-proclaimed Procure Tech Trailblazer, has launched a series of online panel discussions, and yes, she is Gen Z, she’s Lada Samarska. Brought to you by Positive Purchasing Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Studios for Podcasting, and ADR

Please note; this episode includes references to child sex offenders.  In this unique and fascinating interview, Jonathan and Paul explore negotiating around establishing the truth, as well as finding ways to compel others to do something or give up something.  So, it makes sense to get one of the ultimate experts in on interrogation and interviewing – a former detective from the UK police, who we can only refer to by his first name, Dave. Brought to you by Positive Purchasing. A branded podcast production by Fresh Air Studios.

A podcast about Trump's Tariffs... It’s hard to escape the news of US President Donald Trump and the various tariffs he’s either been introducing, suggesting he’s going to introduce or that he introduces, then moves the date around. So, what does this mean for businesses inside and outside the United States? How are those in procurement supposed to react? And where will it all lead? And what are tariffs anyway? Jonathan and Paul discuss tariffs, the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, the relationships between the US, UK, Canada, Europe, Russia and China and take a close look at President Trump’s negotiation tactics. Essential listening before everything changes again…! Brought to you by Positive Purchasing. Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Branded Podcast Production for Business.

In this edition Jonathan and Paul venture outside the world of procurement and focus on how organizations need to approach driving sustainability for what is made.  They also look at how people in the roles of design, development and manufacturing might need to rethink how they engage with procurement.  In the driving seat for this journey is Product Sustainability Director of TetraPak, Kristina Andric.  She actually left procurement to take on this role.  Jonathan is still recovering from this shocking revelation. Brought to you by Positive Purchasing Produced by Fresh Air Studios, Podcast Production Services