The Sourcing Hero
The Sourcing Hero, hosted by Una and presented with Art of Procurement, shares inspiring stories from procurement and supply chain professionals. Each episode explores how industry leaders overcame difficult odds and achieved success in their field. Guests provide expert insight and real-world tales of business heroism, all focused on creating exceptional value within procurement.
Episodes
Ep 248: When Technology Changes, Curiosity Wins feat. Alec Cranston
Given the speed of change driven by AI, professionals in all functions have two choices: learn to love change or struggle, because the change is coming anyway.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Alec Cranston to the show. Alec is an IT specialist whose work spans networking, hardware, and support, including a stretch running his own repair and build shop, and
Ep 247: Procurement Governance That Protects Uptime feat. Vernetta Tyler
Few words empty a meeting faster than “governance.” Mention it to non-procurement colleagues and their attention tends to wander.
At the same time, governance determines how decisions get made across procurement, maintenance, and operations. In MRO-dependent environments, weak governance shows up quickly as duplicate orders, wrong or missing parts, strained supplier relationships, and unplanned do
Ep 246: The Hidden Cost of Coordination in Procurement feat. Mike Fedorov
Procurement’s ‘hidden’ operational costs often sit in the coordination required to get work done across the business. Beyond the hours spent chasing stakeholders, locating contracts, reconstructing negotiation history, and digging through systems, teams can lose value through delayed savings, unsustainable supplier agreements, and the opportunity cost of focusing on transactions instead of more st
Ep 245: Strategic Stakeholder Expectation Setting feat. Richard Campbell
While category expertise and strategies help procurement deliver specific business outcomes, sometimes it is the cross-category fundamentals that make the biggest difference of all.
Case in point: stakeholder expectation setting.
How fast will a project move and why? What might need to be changed to deliver the results the business is looking for? How should stakeholders think about savings and c
Ep 244: When Time Is the Most Valuable Resource feat. José Alfredo Rodríguez
Procurement and spend management play a critical role in humanitarian response because the speed and quality of sourcing decisions directly affect how quickly aid reaches people in crisis.
Rather than simply purchasing goods, these procurement teams create the capacity to respond before disasters strike by establishing long-term supplier agreements, standardizing essential supplies, and ensuring
Ep 243: Building a Better Business Case for Supplier Diversity feat. Lamont Robinson
Supplier diversity programs have been part of procurement’s purview for decades, and they have changed a lot during that time. The categories of supplier ownership have expanded and become better defined, success metrics have narrowed, and initiatives like ESG have altered how companies relate to the program as a whole.
Today, the most notable change to supplier diversity is… the silence.
In this
Ep 242: User Beware: AI Contract Terms to Watch feat. Wendy Storino
The mind-blowing potential of AI, either in LLM form or embedded in a SaaS solution, is so impressive that it would be easy to overlook the risks. Some of these risks come in the form of data security, but others linger in signed contracts that contain very real (but seemingly harmless) terms that change in importance as the technology evolves.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Ke
Ep 241: Creating a Prime Packaging Customer Experience feat. Bhavuk Chawla
There are some categories of spend that we all interact with differently because of the way they affect us as consumers. Packaging is a prime example of this. The level of strategy and effort invested in every choice make these buying decisions and supplier partnerships fascinating to study.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Bhavuk Chawla. Bhavuk has a Master
Ep 240: Creating an Aligned Supply Network With Aligned Incentives feat. Justin Dillon
If a company doesn’t know exactly what they are buying and about who they are buying it from, there is a good chance that their supply chain is riskier than they realize. The same lack of transparency creating that risk, also creates the conditions that allow forced labor and modern slavery to exist.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Justin Dillon. Justin is
Ep 239: The Consultative GPO Experience feat. Marissa Muzik
“We always want to go about it from a consolidated approach so long as the business, the organization, whoever we're working with, is open to that. That is normally my biggest piece of advice, because it really does make the procurement process as a whole for the organization much easier. It's going to make the savings grow a lot faster.”
Group purchasing organizations (GPOs) are known for their
Ep 238: Procurement Leadership in 2035 feat. David Loseby
As procurement looks toward 2035, leaders will have to face deeper transformation requirements than simply adding AI tools. They will have to rethink their operating models, talent, data, and decision-making. Uncomfortable though it might be, this will be essential if the function is to move from transactional purchasing to strategic value creation.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Ho
Ep 237: Better Pricing Through Partnership feat. Michael Rodenberg
“If we can help you either validate that you're already saving enough money or help you find another way to do it, then we're happy to do that.”
Group purchasing organizations (GPOs) help companies save money by pooling buying power to secure better pricing and terms than the individual businesses could achieve alone, but that doesn’t mean savings is the only form of benefit.
GPOs also simplify su
Ep 236: Making the Magic Happen With a Little Help from AI feat. Nithin Mummaneni
Procurement is always looking for ways to increase their efficiency, freeing up more time to invest in strategy and relationship building. Although AI holds a lot of promise on that front, not all teams are sure quite where to apply it.
Interestingly, supplier negotiation preparation - one of procurement’s core competencies - may provide just the use case they are looking for.
In this episode of
Ep 235: The ‘Small but Mighty’ Model that Makes Una Work feat. Clay Kopp
Although most procurement professionals are familiar with group purchasing organizations (GPOs), they may not have experience working with one. That can leave them wondering about adding complexity, and - most of all - what the ‘catch’ is.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Clay Kopp. Clay is an Account Executive at Una, and this conversation is part of an on
Ep 234: Standing at the Crossroads of AI and SaaS feat. Chad Gaydos
While many organizations are adopting AI tools, fewer fully trust their outputs, particularly when financial accountability is at stake. Procurement professionals that have spent their careers learning the importance of transparency, governance, and focused use cases for digital investment, understandably find themselves feeling a bit skeptical about the ‘shiny’ promises made by AI-enabled solutio
Ep 233: Look for the value, not the transaction feat. Bronwyn Reid
Large companies want to work with small and medium-sized suppliers to benefit from their scrappy, innovative spirit. Small companies want to work with large enterprises so they can develop the processes and systems required to grow… that and for the sake of revenue stability.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Bronwyn Reid. Bronwyn is the Founder of Small Comp
Ep 232: ‘Holding the Rope’ on Supplier Risk and Sustainability feat. Dru Krupinsky
Supplier due diligence is one of the most important and impactful activities that procurement leads. Managing risk and ensuring visibility into supplier commitments on sustainability-related business objectives requires constant involvement and careful oversight. These programs depend upon senior-level commitment, but they must also be flexible enough to work across complex, decentralized organiza
Ep 231: Respecting the Challenge of Transformation feat. Ketul Patel
Supply chain transformation isn’t easy. Statistics suggest that 70 percent of all transformations fail and 88 percent stop short of achieving their original objectives.
Compare that to another kind of challenge - like climbing to Everest Base Camp, where 60-70 percent of all people who start the journey make it to the top. Could this possibly mean that climbing Mount Everest is easier than transfo
Ep 230: Turning Human Relationships into Business Outcomes feat. Matthieu Garnier
Procurement may just be one of the most social functions in the company. Not only does the team have to interact successfully with the executive team, budget holders, other stakeholders, and suppliers, but they must do so without having authority over any of them. Their relational skills - including communication, negotiation, and influencing - are constantly being put to the test.
In this episo
Ep 229: Procurement as a Talent Launching Pad feat. Pamela Gerber
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
Ep 228: Procurement Skills That Save Money feat. Philip Ideson
There was a time when the only objective procurement had to satisfy was saving the company money, and the only way to do that was to negotiate tough with suppliers. Today, however, the business’s expectations are much greater - a shift that is raising the bar for procurement professionals in all industries and across categories of spend.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Bar
Ep 227: The Power and Sophistication of Payments feat. Brian Goudie
While the options available to consumers may make payments seem simple, the underlying complexity is enough to make small to mid-sized business owners’ heads spin. Selecting the right payments provider can set a small business up for success - by allowing them to do what they do best.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Brian Goudie. Brian is the Executive Chai
Ep 226: Understanding and Celebrating Inclusive Teams feat. Andrés Tapia
How we think about inclusivity in today’s workforce has a lot to do with how we view diversity. The strongest, most resilient teams take the best characteristics, experiences, and approaches that each individual member has to offer, shine a light on those qualities, and then weave them together into an unbreakable fabric.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes And
Ep 225: Building a Dynamic Board of Directors feat. James Drury III
A Board of Directors plays a critical role in the success of the company they advise. Ensuring that the right members are on that Board, and that each Board has the right mix of personalities, experiences, and functional knowledge is a significant and ongoing challenge - but one that is worth the effort to get right.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes James D
Ep 224: A Middle Eastern Perspective on Global Supply Chains feat. Samah Mahdi Abdulla
Supply chains must be a product of the geography they support, leading to specific requirements around transport modes, temperature control, and even warehousing capacity. This also means that supply chain experts must be as well versed in the infrastructure and logistics of their local area as they are that of their suppliers.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcom
Ep 223: Success at the Intersection of Leadership, Culture, and Technology feat. Dr. Shanda Gore
Most professionals have had the opportunity to work for both wonderful and less-than-wonderful leaders at one time or another. But while we are likely to notice the difference, being able to explain what makes one individual more successful than another may be challenging.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Dr. Shanda Gore. Dr. Gore is the Founder and CEO of M
Ep 222: Communication as Persuasion in Procurement & Beyond feat. Liz Milan
Communication is a complex craft. It involves speaking clearly and with a consistent message, actively listening to see how the message is received, and - the ultimate test - if we are communicating to persuade, watching to see if that message has the desired motivating effect.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Liz Milan. Liz is a former procurement executive
Ep 220: Hitchhiker’s Guide to Procurement & Sales feat. Mike Lander
Procurement thinks sales is always trying to sell them something that isn’t what they want, is over priced, or won’t live up to the hype. Sales thinks procurement is deliberately trying to throw a wrench in a long proposal process, only cares about price, and has no feelings at all.
What if they are both wrong?
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Mike Lander. M
Ep 221: Building Supply Chain Resilience in an Uncertain World feat. Sunder Balakrishnan
"It ain't about how hard you get hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." - Rocky Balboa
Supply chain professionals know how to take a hit. In most cases, they are strong enough to get back up time and time again. How quickly they are back on their feet each time is an indication of resilience, an essential quality that can be improved through reflection, examination, and
Ep 219: Why and What… but the HOW? feat. Tara Milburn
It is common for business strategy discussions to start with a definition of ‘Why?’ This makes it easier for leadership teams to formalize and articulate the reasons behind a set of decisions, and to share that vision with the rest of the company. As hard as it is to define a shared ‘Why?’ pairing that with an effective ‘How?’ may be even harder.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host
Ep 218: Taking the Lead in Technical Procurement feat. Chuck Shehadi
The discussion about how much technical category knowledge procurement should have is ongoing - and the right answer depends a lot on the company in question. When close collaboration is needed between procurement, R&D, and suppliers, technical expertise is a must, but so are humility and curiosity.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Chuck Shehadi. Chuck
Ep 216: Looking at Procurement Through the Lens of Finance feat. Mark Gilham
For most procurement professionals, the only contact they have with finance is when their savings projections are being audited or approved for internal communication. Those are hardly the circumstances under which collaborative relationships form - but that doesn’t have to be the extent of their contact.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Mark Gilham. Mark is
Ep 215: Pranks, Purpose, and Procurement Leadership feat. Dr. Cindie Burkett
Procurement is the kind of job where success is largely fueled by the strength of your relationships. Having trust and respect between procurement and the business, as well as between procurement and suppliers, can often make or break an effort. But it all starts with the team dynamic that exists within procurement.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Dr. Cindi
Ep 214: Making a Deal from Both Sides of the Table feat. John Latham
Procurement has come a long way over the last few decades, but the fact that they always want to achieve more shouldn’t lead them to discount or overlook how good they have it today. Whether that means the quality of supplier relationships, the speed of spend analytics, or the regard they enjoy from stakeholders, there is a lot to be grateful for.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host
Ep 213: Trying Regenerative Sportswear on for Size - feat. Kris Lance
Activewear company Under Armour unveiled a line of regenerative sportswear at Milan Fashion Week in 2025. This is their first collaboration with recent acquisition Unless Collective, a producer of zero-plastic, plant-based fashion.
The effort to remove non-degradable textiles from landfills is admirable, but will it work?
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes ba
Ep 212: Learning to Appreciate the Value of Time feat. Vytas Sliesoraitis
What would it feel like if all of the tasks, meetings, obligations, and pressures of work were suddenly… gone? Would it be a relief or would the stress associated with making the decision to step away from work be so strong that it ruined your newfound freedom?
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Vytas Sliesoraitis. Vytas is a career procurement professional wi
Ep 211: Is your ‘happy place’ hiring? feat. Gale Daikoku
A career is a heck of a thing to manage - especially when it is your own. You change with each phase of growth and new experience, and your job prospects change as well. The better you know yourself and what makes you happy - yes, HAPPY - at work, the more successful you will be in your next endeavor.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Gale Daikoku. In additio
Ep 210: Totally Understanding TCO feat. Louis Bastone
While procurement often thinks about purchase price as equal to cost, some purchases come with a longer term cost to own and maintain. Being able to understand the concept of total cost of ownership (TCO) and factor that into sourcing and award decisions will ultimately determine whether procurement’s negotiated savings reach the bottom line or evaporate into costs for waste, downtime, and mainten
Ep 209: Emotions Aren’t Baggage feat. Ryan Christensen
Could how you think - about yourself - change the way you experience the world around you?
We all have past experiences that we carry with us, often for life. Those experiences and how we process them not only become a part of who we are, they influence how we process later events and circumstances.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Ryan Christensen. Ryan is
Ep 208: All Cracked Up - Understanding Today’s Egg Prices feat. Kris Lance
Hard boiled. Over medium. Scrambled. Poached. Deviled. There are lots of ways to enjoy eggs, one of the most popular and least expensive sources of healthy protein available, but lately there has been only one way to describe them: expensive.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes back Kris Lance, Vice President and Senior Director at Una, for a monthly conversati
Ep. 207: Balancing Big Bold Bets with Small Pragmatic Moves feat. Priya Kumari
We all know that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but it is easy to forget how intimidating those first few feet can be. Whether procurement is focused on strengthening their core skills or pushing for larger scale impact, it is essential for everyone to be aligned in their thinking, to leverage their strengths, and to know where the journey is expected to end.
In this epis
Ep 206: Driving Successful SRM at Scale feat. Celia SGAR
Most procurement professionals will acknowledge that supplier relationship management (SRM) is a core part of value creation and risk management, but how many organizations are effectively carrying SRM out at scale to the benefit of their company and their suppliers?
Not as many as would like to be successful at supplier relationship management.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host K
Ep 205: Procurement’s Unique Form of Influence feat. Richard Beaumont
Imagine a group of people is having lunch on the deck of a ship, and that ship is sailing into a storm. Along comes a waiter with a tray of drinks, and that waiter is riding… a monocycle. Even as the seas start to rise and the wind blows, the tray can’t be allowed to fall.
That waiter… is procurement.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Richard Beaumont. Richar
Ep 204: Hot Times in the Arctic Circle feat. Kris Lance
One minute you’re going about your business, and the next minute all of the news headlines are focused on the Arctic Circle. What may initially seem like overblown geopolitical drama and hyperbole quickly comes into sharp focus with just a bit of reading: especially where ocean trade routes are concerned.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes back Kris Lance, Vic
Ep 203: Alleviating Common Sourcing & Supply Chain Pain Points feat. Eric Westerduin
Regardless of the industry you work in, deciding which third parties to work with requires strategic trade-offs, such as choosing between cost, quality, and lead time. Procurement and sourcing professionals play a critical role helping decision makers discuss and rank those variables and then use them to select and contract with suppliers.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly B
Ep 202: Becoming a Procurement Polyglot feat. Bennett Glace
Polyglot - noun. A person who knows and is able to use several languages.
The spoken or written word can divide people as easily as it can unify them - even when they are speaking the same language. Terminology, shorthand, and acronyms may be convenient or efficient, but when they get in the way or fail to communicate the desired meaning, they aren’t doing us any favors.
In this episode of The Sou
Ep 201: Setting the Stage for Sustainable Change feat. Ron Crabtree
Depending on your point of view, the idea of transformation is either alluring or terrifying - or maybe a little bit of both? And while procurement teams rarely have the formal skillset to lead transformation projects, they are often tasked with just that. Fortunately, with a bit of planning and some well asked questions, it is possible to keep your transformation on track.
In this episode of The
Ep 200: Fostering the Conditions That Lead to Success
The vast majority of podcasts fizzle out before they reach 10 episodes, so making it past that point is a real achievement. 100 episodes is seen as a tipping point, both for the host and the audience. But 200? That puts a show above the crowd.
In this very special 200th episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner is joined by Anthony Clervi, Principal Owner at Una, and Kris Lance, Vice
Ep 199: A Broader Perspective on Social Procurement feat. Jaime H. Paiva
Companies - and their procurement teams - are always looking for opportunities to differentiate. These opportunities take many forms, but few appeal to leadership, shareholders, customers, and the supplier community as universally as social procurement. Of course, that broad appeal brings systemic challenges with it that procurement will have to be prepared to overcome.
In this episode of The Sour
Ep 198: Testing the Elasticity of Procurement feat. Peter Sharoff
Procurement is a function whose time has arrived. The question is whether they are ready to make the changes necessary to seize the opportunity and meet business-wide expectations for process and experience at the same time.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Peter Sharoff. Peter has executive-level experience in a number of functional areas, including transfo
Ep 197: Sourcing Initiatives That Take Into Account the Strategy of the Business feat. Karen Betancourt
Working for a large ‘household name’ company has both advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side are the established processes, time-tested pathways that keep everything rolling. At the same time, these same processes can be a bit restrictive. Fortunately for procurement, striking a balance of structure and creativity can create the perfect environment for innovation at scale.
In this episode
Ep 196: The Best of Kris Lance in 2024
As listeners know well, the goal of The Sourcing Hero podcast is to capture the epic stories of people who are rising up and beating the odds to create exceptional value within procurement directly from those heroes themselves.
Kris Lance is definitely one of those people. Kris is the Vice President and General Manager at Una, and for the last few years, he has occupied a monthly spot on The Sourc
Ep 195: Basking in the Golden Hour feat. Kris Lance
As we approach the end of the year - not to mention the holiday season - many of us will be taking time to stop and reflect. Was the year gone by what we expected? What hopes, wishes, and aspirations will we step into the new year holding high?
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes back Kris Lance, Vice President and General Manager at Una, for a monthly conversa
Ep 194: Top Sourcing Hero Episodes of 2024
The goal of The Sourcing Hero Podcast is to capture the epic stories of people who are rising up and beating the odds to create exceptional value within procurement - directly from those heroes themselves.
Over the last 12 months, we’ve heard from some of the most innovative minds in procurement and beyond to explore topics that range from cutting-edge optimization strategies to deeply personal jo
Ep 193: Driving Social Impact on a Massive Scale feat. Michael Amos
Lots of organizations want to ‘do good’ through environmental programs, social programs, or both. But scaling those programs and making them truly successful on a commercial level requires a different level of strategic planning - especially when the impact and the opportunity are global.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Michael Amos. Michael is the Managing
Ep 192: The Surging Power of the Podcast Format feat. Kris Lance
Canadian media studies philosopher Marshall McLuhan rose to prominence in the 1960s when he declared, “The Medium is the message.” For McLuhan, it was the medium itself that shaped and controlled "the scale and form of human association and action." We saw this dynamic in full force this year, with podcasts rising to the top of the media landscape during the 2024 presidential election cycle.
In th
Ep 191: Building a Procurement Culture for Continuous Improvement feat. Jonathan Gardner
Continuous improvement is as desirable as any other strategic business objective, but making it happen, or - better still - starting an ongoing cycle of continuous improvement is the ultimate goal. If procurement wants to be part of that positive cycle, they have to collaborate with, listen to, and communicate effectively with the business.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly
Ep 190: Why the Business Needs a Friend in Procurement feat. Joseph Scull
“I’m having an issue with one of my suppliers.”
That is how many conversations begin between procurement and the business. While a problem has been recognized, and the business knows it needs to be resolved, they can’t risk their day-to-day relationship with that supplier.
Enter their friends in procurement.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Joseph Scull. Jo
Ep 189: The Calm? After the Storms feat. Kris Lance
On September 26th, Hurricane Helene hit Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Hurricane Milton hit Florida less than two weeks later. The stories coming from these states are shocking, devastating, and inspiring - all at the same time.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes back Kris Lance, Vice President and Senior Director at
Ep 188: Solving Supply Chain Challenges with Increased Visibility feat. Aviv Castro
Every time the world is hit by a supply chain disruption, strategies are changed, new technologies are invented, implemented, and invested in, and everyone vows to be too agile and resilient for it to happen again.
And yet it does - there is always another surprise, another disruption around the corner.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Aviv Castro. Aviv is t
Ep 187: Building Relationships to Broaden Procurement’s Impact feat. Barry Kull
Sometimes procurement says “savings” and people’s eyes light up with the possibilities associated with a budget poised to go further. Other times, their eyes glaze over and their attention drifts… elsewhere. Like anywhere else.
The trick for procurement teams who want to build strong internal relationships is knowing the difference - and communicating accordingly.
In this episode of The Sourcing
Ep 186: A Faith Journey That Leads Through the Workplace feat. Jennifer Sterbling
Procurement is a difficult field to work in. Days are busy, unpredictable, and often stressful. Each person’s ability to perform despite the challenges determines not only their evaluation or procurement’s evaluation, but the financial success of the entire company. Doesn’t it make sense to look for guidance and support from a higher power?
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly
Ep 185: A Specific Vision for Fostering Minority-owned Business Growth feat. James Lowry
Supplier diversity programs have gotten a lot of attention in recent years, but the values and vision that underpin them is hardly new. Some dedicated advocates have been working since the 1960s to create opportunities and develop capabilities at the same time. Our guest in this episode is one of those advocates.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes James Lowry.
Ep 184: Speculating About a 2024 October Surprise feat. Kris Lance
According to Merriam-Webster, an October Surprise is “a significant revelation or event in the month prior to an election that has the potential to shift public opinion about an election candidate and that is often orchestrated to influence the election's outcome.”
What will it be in 2024? Anyone’s guess could be right.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes back
Ep 183: Reflections of a Procurement Optimist feat. Hugo Sanchez
Procurement is notorious for attracting professionals from all backgrounds and dispositions, so how could there possibly be one right way to ‘do procurement?’ There couldn't be. Each individual has an opportunity to put their own spin on everything from negotiation to strategy development and relationship building.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Hugo Sanch
Ep 182: Procurement matchmaker, make me a match! feat. Natalia Pickett
Procurement is laser focused on spend, suppliers, risk, sustainability, regulations and more… is it possible that we need to add LOVE to the list of things we are trying to contribute to the organization?
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Natalia Pickett. Natalia is Head of Procurement at Keolis Amey, a global transportation company focused on public transpor
Ep 181: Every Day in Procurement is a New Adventure feat. Keri Peña
We are all subject to stereotypes about what procurement professionals are like, what suppliers are like, and what procurement-supplier relationships are like. But those kinds of models are made to be broken, often to the benefit of everyone involved.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Keri Peña. Keri didn’t start her career in procurement - she started in IT
Ep 180: Metacognition - Thinking About Thinking feat. Kris Lance
We’re all constantly being bombarded with breaking news about the most sensitive topics - and almost nothing seems to be off-limits anymore, even in the workplace. Add to that sensational, over-the-top media coverage and it can be hard to think straight - but it isn't impossible.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes back Kris Lance, Vice President and General Ma
Ep 179: Focusing on Procurement’s Relationship with AP feat. Anders Lassen
Procurement thinks that the accounts payable team ‘just’ pays suppliers. Accounts payable teams think that procurement ‘just’ finds suppliers and negotiates contracts. In reality, both teams do quite a bit more - and the better they understand each other’s priorities, contributions, and challenges, the more they can do for each other and for the business.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podca
Ep 178: Losing a Fear of Failure in Order to Succeed feat. Alan J. Rice
Although AI is not new, applications of it are constantly evolving. This is especially true of generative AI. The low barrier to use encourages innovation and experimentation, and people are learning to use it personally and professionally. Over time, it is likely to become so pervasive that anyone who does not develop a basic understanding may be left behind.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero
Ep 177: Cross Cultural Understanding in Global Business feat. Dupre Jones
Procurement professionals need to have excellent soft skills, especially when they are working across geographies and cultures. A simple gesture like a handshake is expected in one culture, and may offend in another. Knowing the difference and being able to read the room are essential.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Dupre Jones. Dupre is a Regional Categor
Ep 176: Fighting off the Impact of Slow Onset Inertia feat. Kris Lance
After the ‘working from home’ movement that began a few years ago, the professional world then passed through ‘quiet quitting’ on its way to something that feels a little heavier. Whether we call it apathy, nihilism, or inertia, the current mood is affecting individuals and teams in a way that we should all be aware of.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes back
Ep 175: Making the Journey from Procurement Pro to Entrepreneur feat. Keith Wright
When we think about what excellence looks like, especially on a podcast about heroism, it would be reasonable to assume that it involves feats of superhuman strength, altruistic triumph, and being 100% on point 110% of the time.
Not so, says this episode’s guest. Excellence is doing just that much better than the competition - and your own past performance - consistently over the long term.
In thi
Ep 174: Financial Positioning for Lasting Growth feat. Lonnie Bloom
Fast growth company leadership teams have a lot on their plates. They are balancing building a solution or offering, building brand recognition, and closing deals. But no concern is higher priority than funding. In order to secure that funding, they also need to invest in accounting - and it is never too soon to get started.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes
Ep 173: Savings Start at Home feat. Omid Ghamami
When procurement needs to deliver savings, the reflexive response is usually to go to market, approaching suppliers for discounts or putting a contract out to bid. While this approach works, the results often pale in comparison to what procurement can deliver by having internal conversations about specifications, requirements, and projected demand.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, H
Ep 172: Applying Aristotelian Intelligence When Considering Artificial intelligence feat. Matt Palackdharry
For all of the hopes and expectations around AI’s ability to support human decision making, it is important to acknowledge that people and companies make decisions for different kinds of reasons. According to Aristotle (384 BCE – 322 BCE), there are three persuasions: logos, pathos, and ethos. Thousands of years after his death, we are still making decisions on logic, emotion, and character, or so
Ep 171: Japan: Silent Player in the Semiconductor Supply Chain feat. Kris Lance
Most of us think about Taiwan, China, and - to some extent - the U.S. when it comes to semiconductor manufacturing… but Japan is just as critical. They are a primary (and dominant) supplier of semiconductor related chemicals, packaging materials, and tools. In fact, Japan views the industry as part of their national security strategy, and is currently investing nearly one percent of GDP in those c
Ep 170: Understanding Data and Risk in Decision Making feat. Blake Tablak
The volume of data available at our fingertips can sometimes create the illusion that any information is accessible, that decision making is improved, and that failure is avoidable. Once we get past that illusion and accept the reality of even data-driven decision making, we can finally be on the road to success.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Blake Tablak
Ep 169: Aspiring to Generous Leadership feat. Joe Davis
There will always be challenges to overcome - personally, professionally, and combined - but by finding the courage to work in community and to receive all each employee has to give, leaders can allow themselves and their teams to attain a new level of achievement. All it takes is a bit of generosity, purposefully carried out.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcome
Ep 168: Adventures in Public Sector Procurement feat. Dwight Gibbs
The public and private sectors both have a great need for top procurement talent. And while their stakeholders, objectives, and processes differ in some ways, they are also subject to the same economic forces and market trends. Sometimes the dynamics in one of their sectors even has an impact on the other.
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Dwight Gibbs. Dwigh
Recommended
پلی لیست | PlayList
Conspiracy Files with Paige Carter
Bad Friends
Learn 50 English Phrases While You Sleep | Everyday English Phrases & Vocabulary
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Dateline NBC
Back to the 80s Radio
Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Bible Tea
این نقطه
TED Business
Dark Night Tales with Brian King
