The Sourcing Hero

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 conversation about current news stories. Kris has experience in multiple industries and has his finger on the pulse of the trends and topics that procurement, sourcing, and supply chain professionals need to be aware of.
In this month’s discussion, Kris and Kelly reflect on the need to be purposeful in this ‘Golden Hour’ between 2024 and 2025: 
What business leaders should be focused on doing at this time of year
Striking a balance between sentimentality and professionalism in the workplace
Positioning ourselves for success in what promises to be a very different new year
 
Links:
Kris Lance on LinkedIn
Subscribe to “The Sidekick”
Episode 192: The Surging Power of the Podcast Format with Kris Lance
Episode 189: The Calm? After the Storms feat. Kris Lance
Episode 184: Speculating About a 2024 October Surprise with Kris Lance
Episode 180: Metacognition - Thinking About Thinking with Kris Lance

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 journeys of purpose and passion. 
In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Kelly Barner takes a look back at the most downloaded episodes of 2024 - wrapping the year by celebrating the interviews that resonated most with you. 
No spoiler alerts… but listen in to hear excerpts of episodes about:
Finding purpose in life, and achieving it through balance
The power of storytelling in procurement
A humorous take on procurement’s past - and future - reputation
And more!
 
Links:
Episode 151: What You Don’t Know About Shipping Can Hurt You with Nick DiNatale
Episode 153: Finding Purpose in Procurement and in Life with Paul Nilsen
Episode 157: Telling a Compelling Procurement Story with Alex Ball
Episode 146: Calling all Solution Enthusiasts! With A’Keela Johnson
Episode 148: Optimization of Procurement in the Automotive Industry with Robert Čačković

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 Director of Waste to Wonder Worldwide, an organization with a unique origin story that has been able to deliver amazing results over the last two decades. 
In this interview, Michael speaks about:
Waste to Wonder Worldwide’s mission to turn unwanted office furniture into an opportunity for education across the world
How they went from a single set of circumstances to large scale impact with the help of a bit of serendipity
Some of the stories that illustrate the meaning of their massive impact on a personal level
Links:
Michael Amos on LinkedIn

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 this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes back Kris Lance, Vice President and General Manager at Una, for a monthly conversation about current news stories. Kris has experience in multiple industries and has his finger on the pulse of the trends and topics that procurement, sourcing, and supply chain professionals need to be aware of.
In this month’s discussion, Kris and Kelly talk about why podcasts are so powerful and what their popularity may suggest about today’s content preferences: 
The advantages podcasting has over traditional media formats and channels
What he has learned about podcasting as a monthly guest on The Sourcing Hero for two and a half years
His advice for anyone considering appearing as a guest on a podcast for the very first time
Links:
Kris Lance on LinkedIn
Subscribe to “The Sidekick”
Episode 189: The Calm? After the Storms feat. Kris Lance
Episode 184: Speculating About a 2024 October Surprise with Kris Lance
Episode 180: Metacognition - Thinking About Thinking with Kris Lance
Episode 176: Fighting off the Impact of Slow Onset Inertia with Kris Lance

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 Barner welcomes Jonathan Gardner. Jonathan has worked in supply chain, sourcing, and procurement at a number of well-known companies, including Starbucks, GM, and Dell. Today, he is using that combined experience to help other procurement leaders and teams (as well as suppliers) maximize the value created through every contract and supply relationship. 
In this interview, Jonathan speaks about:
The intersection of procurement culture and corporate culture
What to emphasize when having conversations about procurement-driven continuous improvement
The due diligence procurement needs to do before documenting category strategy or making recommendations to the business 
How procurement can figure out what is a top priority and assign their resources accordingly
Links:
Jonathan Gardner on LinkedIn

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. Joseph has deep experience managing functions like real estate, operations, and procurement - and sometimes all three at once - at the enterprise level.
In this interview, Joseph speaks about:
How process, direct contact, and results shape internal perceptions of procurement
Using budgets to incentivize decision makers to work with procurement
When the business is most likely to seek out procurement’s help, and how procurement can turn that into added value
Links:
Joseph Scull on LinkedIn

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 Una, for a monthly conversation about current news stories. Kris has experience in multiple industries and has his finger on the pulse of the trends and topics that procurement, sourcing, and supply chain professionals need to be aware of.
In this month’s discussion, Kris and Kelly talk about the lessons we can learn from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton: 
Preparation: Could other steps have helped people or businesses stay safe and whole?
Response: What did we see from the days immediately following the hurricanes’ landfalls? 
Aftermath: What long term systemic changes will result from the handling of these two massive weather events?
 
Links:
Kris Lance on LinkedIn
Subscribe to “The Sidekick”
Episode 184: Speculating About a 2024 October Surprise with Kris Lance
Episode 180: Metacognition - Thinking About Thinking with Kris Lance
Episode 176: Fighting off the Impact of Slow Onset Inertia with Kris Lance
Episode 171: Japan: A Silent Player in the Semiconductor Supply Chain with Kris Lance

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 the CEO of Sensos, a company spun off from Sony that makes it possible to streamline supply chain operations through increased visibility.
In this interview, Aviv shares his perspective on:
What ultimately motivates the decisions of supply chain management teams
How improved supply chain efficiency is an enabler for sales and top line growth
Key success factors for sustained supply chain efficiency
Predictions for supply chain practices and strategy that will affect companies in the year to come
Links:
Aviv Castro on LinkedIn