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What are the next big things in Procurement? We are discussing this question with Dawn Tiura – CEO & President of Sourcing Industry Group (SIG).  I really believe that Dawn is one of the best person to ask this question. Dawn is deeply involved in the new developments, Procurement departments of the best companies… She is a really passionate leader of the network for sourcing executives!   We also talk about SIG and it’s role in education, certification and networking of us, Procurement and Sourcing professionals. Also Dawn gives some very practical tools and advice for Procurement professionals to be recognized in the department and BEYOND it!   The key thought of this interview for me is this one: “Translate your Procurement messages in their language! Then you will gain respect and recognition!..” Enjoy your listening!   Find Dawn Tiura in LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawntiura/  More useful tools, data and content for Sourcing professionals – are here: https://www.sig.org/ P.S. Participating in the SIG Innovation Accelerator  http://siginnova.com/ Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we talk with a very special guest – Aleksandr Sidorec.  Main question I had to Aleksandr was connected to Value Chain 4.0. But we have got a much broader conversation! Aleksandr is an active member of CIPS Switzerland Committee and passionate supply chain professional exploring the following topics: converting traditional supply networks into integrated ecosystems that activate new streams of value creation through collaborative partnerships, intelligent use of resources and engagement of a highly skilled human capital in the real time environment of the big data, integrating Value Chain 4.0, Lean, Agile and many more concepts into Procurement and Supply Chain organizations.   The key thought of this interview with Aleksandr Sidorec is this one: “The Future is promising, but not promised. We own this future. So we all should do the small steps to develop our profession to its next level!..” Enjoy your listening!   Find Aleksandr Sidorec in LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/alxsidr/ P.S. More useful information about Procurement are here: https://futureprocurement.net/ Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we are talking about Demand Driven Supply Chains. Our guest is an expert in this field – Simon Eagle. Simon is a Partner at CAMELOT Management Consultants. Here are the key questions of our discussion: What do we mean when we say “Demand Driven Supply Chains“? What are the benefits and risks using this concept? Some good examples or some good projects of such transformations in the companies. What is your practical advice for our listeners to do here and now connected to demand driven supply chains? Resources mentioned today: Find Simon Eagle in LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simoneagle/ CAMELOT Management Consultants web-page https://www.camelot-mc.com/ae/your-journey-to-the-demand-driven-world/   A short film and a detailed article from Simon Eagle is here: https://www.subscribepage.com/DemandDriven   Learn more about Demand Driven Supply Chains in this page.   Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we are talking to Silvia Hodges Silverstein  – Executive Director at Buying Legal Council. Buying Legal Council is the international trade organization for legal Procurement. We are discussing the questions around sourcing legal services and managing legal services supplier relationship: What is included in sourcing legal services? What are the hidden risks connected to sourcing legal services and managing legal services supplier relationship. How to run RFQ or legal services and how to compare the offers? What are the main Cost drivers for Legal services? Some great examples and projects in legal service Procurement. Some practical advice connected to sourcing legal services! Resources mentioned today: 2018 Legal Procurement Survey Findings www.buyinglegal.com/survey Legal Spend Management Primer www.buyinglegal.com/LSM   Hope you’ll enjoy this episode!!   P.S. Invest in your Procurement success! Take my great course with 73% discount and develop the strategic approach to Cost management in your organization! So instead of standard price of $650 you will pay only $149 (offer is time-restricted) Strategic cost management online course https://futureprocurement.net/special-offer-course-strategic-cost-management/   Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today I decided to share with you some hints and advise on COST SHARING AGREEMENTS with your suppliers. This is a truly proactive tool, which you should use with your best suppliers. The material I want to share with you today is taken from my online course called STRATEGIC COST MANAGEMENT. And by the way, you can get this great course with 73% discount using this LINK. So instead of standard price of $650 you will pay only $149 (offer is time-restricted). https://futureprocurement.net/special-offer-course-strategic-cost-management/ Strategic cost management course was prepared based on my own experience and the best practices I have used by myself. This course contains some theoretical knowledge and practical tools. Here I collected the best experience from the world class companies and high-performing organizations. Why should you take Strategic Cost Management course? In this course YOU will answer the questions: How should you work with cost management? How can you develop the systems for working with the prices, price development? How to react on increasing price pressure? How can you turn your suppliers into the partners, who would help you to reach the price development goals? And most important – how can you develop the strategic approach to Cost management in your organization AND how to sustain it over the long period of time? The course contains 4 hours of valuable video content and a lot of Power Point slides. So today’s topic – COST SHARING AGREEMENT – is the lesson #12 in Strategic cost management course – https://futureprocurement.net/special-offer-course-strategic-cost-management/ And I really hope you will find this information useful.

Today we talk with Aaron McGrath, who is working at Comprara as Engagement Manager and Client Services. Here Aaron explains what is Skills Gap Analysis: how to use different assessments, what kinds of reports you will get as a result, practical advice if you consider using these tools! And by the way, in this this link you will also have the screen recording of our conversation. So you can see also the interface of different tools and samples of Procurement Assessment reports. Hope you will enjoy our interview with Aaron!     SKILLS GAP ANALYSIS and Procurement Assessment tools can be found here: www.subscribepage.com/skills_gap_analysis   P.P.S. Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/  

Today we are talking to Stephany Lapierre – the founder and CEO of Tealbook (www.tealbook.com). We are discussing the questions around using the technology for Procurement. How does technology help to build better relationship between suppliers and buyers? What is the key for building stronger Procurement by leveraging technology? How to bring innovation to Procurement? Future Procurement: how do you see it? What are the big changes that we should prepare for? Biggest take away from this talk is: Purpose of using technology is to scale your effort!   Hope you’ll enjoy this episode!!   BONUS MATERIALS Download the special REPORT from Tealbook: LEADING THE NEW TRANSFORMATION WITH DATA & TECHNOLOGY https://info.tealbook.com/leading-the-new-transformation   Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we are talking to Agnieszka Piatkowska  – Headhunter specialized in Procurement & Supply Chain and Career Coach. We are discussing the questions around hiring for Procurement. What are the good examples of interview questions and answers for Procurement Professionals? How does your typical interview look like? Hope you’ll enjoy this episode!!   BONUS MATERIALS: download the Frequently Asked Interview Questions for Procurement and Supply Chain Specialists https://www.subscribepage.com/procurement_interview_questions   Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Let me share with you my two main lessons that helped me to grow my Procurement Salary. First years in Procurement I started in Procurement in the year 2000, before that I had few other jobs until I found myself here in Procurement and Supply Chain management And already in the year 2006 I was a sourcing responsible for the big chunk of the company business. The size of the business I was responsible for was 800 Mln Euro (more than a billion US dollars)! So in the age of 30 years old I was handling the business of 800 Mln business. And that was really cool feeling! And my salary was growing proportionally to the size of the business i was responsible for! What was the key for my rapid success in the organization and in the entire company? The answer is simple – I found the right place for the Procurement in the company structure. And I talked to the right people about that. Also I could prove my ability to bring added value to the company. This was the deciding factor which works as a trigger for the management or any top executive. When you will really master this one thing and you would be able to demonstrate that clearly and consistently – your career will really boost and your pay out (your earnings) will grow much faster. As you see in this graph – I found the key after 4 years of my work in my first company. And immediately my area of responsibility increased. As a result, my salary grew almost proportionally to that . So I started to earn more than 5’000 Euro per month. In the age of 30 I was very proud of myself. And after that I took the next step – in 2009 I became the manager of Procurement department in the other company, in the UK. Later I could scale up my area of responsibility. And I grew my earnings big times once again…   You can believe me that you can do the same growth of your career and the same growth of your Procurement salary too! If I could do that big jump in the age before 30 years old – you can do it too! Because I did it without procurement education, not being the smartest guy in my Procurement department, without online courses, mentors, without any webinars or career bootcamps… So of course YOU CAN DO IT TOO! Two Lessons So the things I will propose you to concentrate on are really tried by me. They really worked in my career, and I guarantee you – they still work today. So this main success factor for my career growth (and salary increases) was UNDERSTANDING the role of Procurement in the entire company. And the impact which Procurement can make on the company Lesson 1: Increase your business responsibility Grow your business responsibility and you will have the right to ask for the salary increase. Because you will be more valuable for the company! If you are saving 5% on 10’000$ contract – you are doing a good job! But if you would save 5% on 10’000’000$ – then your impact would be much higher! And you would contribute much more to the profit of the entire company! This idea might seem to be too obvious – but it really works! So use this logic when you plan your career! Lesson 2: Generate Profit for your company! The second lesson from my career is not that obvious. But it is even more powerful!   Do you want to know HOW can you generate the extra profit for the company you are working for? Of course – decreasing COSTS.   So this is my main take away for you on HOW to grow Procurement salary and to boost your career:  Generate Profit for your company    and   increase your business responsibility   More details are in my Podcast episode:)   P.S. Want to know more about career in Procurement? Or you struggle with Procurement questions/dilemmas but don’t know who can help you?   Ask me! Book the Coaching/Consultancy session with me for ANY PRICE! All the details are here  https://futureprocurement.net/coaching/   P.P.S. Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we are talking to Agnieszka Piatkowska  – Headhunter specialized in Procurement & Supply Chain and Career Coach. The questions today are around hiring for Procurement What are the current need in Procurement professionals? What are the soft and hard skills that employers are looking for in Procurement and Supply Chain professionals? What are the good examples of interview questions and answers for Procurement Professionals? How does your typical interview look like?   Enjoy this episode!! BONUS MATERIALS: download the Frequently Asked Interview Questions for Procurement and Supply Chain Specialists https://www.subscribepage.com/procurement_interview_questions   Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Soft skills or hard skills? What is more important for successful work in Procurement? Both are important! Today we are discussing Soft Skills and personality of Procurement professional. I was happy to talk to Mylene Zanardi – Supply Project Manager at Plastic Omnium Auto Exterior. Mylene has told us about her research on the Soft Skills in Procurement. This would be interesting for you if: Your suppliers don’t want to collaborate and don’t want to deliver price development You struggle to deliver your Procurement KPIs You struggle to collaborate with your internal customers and stakeholders in the company You deliver results, but you don’t understand what value are you delivering to a company…   We all definitely need to work on you Soft Skills! And this interview will give you some good ideas about the Soft skills needed for Procurement, Purchasing or Supply Chain professionals !   Enjoy this episode!! BONUS MATERIALS: download the Research from Mylene Zanardi here    P.S. Register to FUTURE PROCUREMENT CAREER BOOTCAMP here https://futureprocurement.net/4steps-register/   Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we talk with Dr. Dean Kashiwagi – International Consultant & Expert in procurement, Risk Management, and project management [25+ years]. And Dr. Kashiwagi is best known for Best Value Approach to Procurement developed by him. This is a great aproach which deploys the experience of your suppliers and other experts to success of your Procurement projects! In our interview we discuss: What is “Best Value” concept and what is its main priciples? What is the difference of “Best Value” and traditional Procurement principles? What are the good examples where “Best Value” principle gave savings and risk reductions? Are there any areas where this principle is not working? How to simplify your work and your life with Best Value Approach? BONUS MATERIAL for YOU: Get the materials about Best Value Approach in Procurement described by Dr. Kashiwagi here: https://www.subscribepage.com/best_value_2018  #hereandnow! Take the approach of SIMPLICITY: Whenever you feel that you are lacking expertise – find the experts, let them prove that they really are the experts, and delegate the task to them. From beginning to the end. Step back, relax and simplify your life:)   P.S. Connect with Dr. Dean Kashiwagi in LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/deankashiwagi/ or at the web-page www.ksm-inc.com Check more materials and download the presentation to this podcast here   Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we talk with Tania Seary – founder of Procurious… And a great Procurement Networker! A true procurement entrepreneur, Tania has been wholly committed to raising the profile of the Procurement profession and connecting its leaders. Procurious is the world’s first online community dedicated to procurement and supply chain professionals, which now has 60,000+ followers and members in 140 countries. Providing news, networking, eLearning and powering procurement world-firsts, including Big Ideas Summit and Career Boot Camp, Procurious is the global knowledge hub for a new generation of professionals.   The red thread in our interview is networking and communication in Procurement: Why did Tania decide to create a community of Procurement professionals? What was her motivation? What is the value of Procurious network for Procurement professionals? How should the companies care about engaging their Procurement professionals to be a part of different communities? What is the role of networking and communication in building a strong Procurement organization? What motivates people to develop further in Procurement? #hereandnow! Make a list of 5 people who you want to contact. And make a plan how you can reach them in the soonest time!   P.S. Connect with Tania in LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/taniaseary/ And definitely check Procurious network and register yourself there: www.procurious.com    Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we are talking about Corruption and Unethical Behavior in Procurement. How to avoid bribing? How to treat corruption? How to develop and implement Code of Conduct for Procurement organization? How to introduce the Zero tolerance approach? What is acceptable and what is not?… Useful tips and practical advice given by Margaret Gilbert from New Zealand. Enjoy this episode!! P.S. BONUS MATERIAL FOR YOU. DOWNLOAD the 8-pages Best Practice pdf file from Margaret Gilbert in relation to goals and action plans. www.subscribepage.com/actionplan Click HERE to download! I am sure you will find it useful!   P.P.S. Find Margaret Gilbert and connect with her in LinkedIn More info about Contract Matters books: www.contractmatters.com   Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we talk with Philip Ideson – founder of Art Of Procurement  and co-founder of Palambridge. Philip helps Procurement leaders to elevate the impact of their groups. And he is super passionate about Procurement (as many of us, right?)   Philip is discussing many interesting topic And in this week we cover these topics: – leaving a corporate job and starting your own Procurement consulting business – the biggest challenges you see today for Procurement professionals? – Procurement profession: is it at the risk of extinction? – what should we do to become the Procurement professionals of tomorrow? Or what I call Future Procurement professionals?.. – role of technology in our Future – critical skills we need to develop for becoming the Future Procurement leaders – role of Procurement community? How can the professionals benefit from the one another being together? #hereandnow! Check this video on DATA VIZUALIZATION HERE And start vizualizing data at work   P.S. Connect with Philip in LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/philipideson/ And definately check his Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts Art Of Procurement www.ArtOfProcurement.com There you’ll find a lot of great interviews with Procurement thought leaders and some useful materials for your professional development!      Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we are talking about Goals Setting and Action Planning. Best Practice and many useful tips given by Margaret Gilbert from New Zealand. Enjoy this episode!! P.S. BONUS MATERIAL FOR YOU. DOWNLOAD the 8-pages Best Practice pdf file from Margaret Gilbert in relation to goals and action plans. www.subscribepage.com/actionplan Click HERE to download! I am sure you will find it useful!   P.P.S. Find Margaret Gilbert and connect with her in LinkedIn More info about Contract Matters books: www.contractmatters.com   Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Finally in our podcast we have a guest from Public Procurement. I was so excited to interview Levon Hovsepyan – Global Lead Procurement Services at IDLO (International Development Law Organization). And in this week we cover these topics: Importance of Law and Regulations in Public Procurement Differences of Public and Corporate Procurement Challenges of Public Procurement How can “cheapest” products or services harm Role of local culture in Public Procurement Some examples of UN missions in developing countries Role of eSourcing in Public Procurement Skills needed for successfull Public Procurement   #hereandnow! Send us your question HERE about Public Procurement to Levon Hovsepyan  If we collect enough of interesting questions from you in the comments – we will make an extra episode answering them!   Enjoy this episode!! P.S. Please submit your question to Levon Hovsepyan and get the BONUS materials here    Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we are talking about Sourcing Strategy. Best Practice and many useful tips given by Margaret Gilbert from New Zealand. Enjoy this episode!! P.S. Check out article by Margaret Gilbert on my blog “What does Transformational Procurement look like?” I am sure you will find it useful!   P.P.S. Find Margaret Gilbert and connect with her in LinkedIn More info about Contract Matters books: www.contractmatters.com   Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we are talking about Procurement impact to entire company! And our guest Katie Jarvis-Grove describes the Procurement’s role beyond the savings! Really great insights from a great professional! Join our Procurement Webinars! In this podcast we invite you to join our upcoming Procurement webinars and get a massive value from Katie Jarvis-Grove   P.S. Find Katie Jarvis-Grove and connect with her in LinkedIn (or email kjg@aspireprocurement.co.uk)   P.P.S. Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/

Today we are talking about Negotiations in Procurement. Best Practice and practical advice given by Margaret Gilbert from New Zealand. Here are some main ideas and take aways from the episode: “Preparation is the key!” “Remember that Negotiations are done by people but the contracts are made between legal entities!” “There is a variance between my budget and your pricing… So how could we manage that?..” “Negotiations over two days can sometimes be better for you than negotiations for very limited 3 hours… So don’t be in a hurry!” “Sometimes saying “No” to the contract is the best outcome of the contract! So don’t be afraid to opt out from the negotiation” “Negotiation is a skill! So practice it” “Contract is a defining document! So if you agree on something – put it in the Contract!” “There might be a silent person in the corner of the room who is a decision maker. So make sure that you know who takes decision!”   Enjoy this episode!! P.S. Check out article on my blog 3 LISTS I PREPARE BEFORE NEGOTIATION I am sure you will find it useful!   P.P.S. Find Margaret Gilbert and connect with her in LinkedIn More info about Contract Matters books: www.contractmatters.com P.P.P.S. Share our Podcast with your colleagues and send us your questions Robert Freeman on LinkedIn info@futureprocurement.net www.facebook.com/FutureProcurement/ twitter.com/FutrProcurement Listen to the other podcast episodes here https://futureprocurement.net/category/podcast/