The Sourcing Hero

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 Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Barry Kull. Barry is the Senior Director, Category Management Americas for AstraZeneca. His experience has given him the opportunity to develop capabilities in a broad range of spend categories as well as the transformation power of technology.
In this interview, Barry and Kelly discuss how building relationships can lead to procurement making a greater impact:
How procurement should think about internal brand identity and management
Strengthening stakeholder relationships through the procurement user experience 
The critical role of language in stakeholder receptivity and relationship building
Links:
Barry Kull on LinkedIn

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 Barner welcomes Jennifer Sterbling, a Senior Manager of Indirect Procurement. Jennifer has expertise in both indirect and direct procurement as well as category management, sourcing, supplier management, and contract negotiation.
In this interview, Jennifer and Kelly talk about the role that faith plays in how they conduct themselves professionally:
What it means to bring your whole self to work when you are a person of faith
Approaching all colleagues with compassion and active listening but not evangelism
The benefits of stopping to think - and pray - about the consequential decisions facing procurement professionals
Links:
Jennifer Sterbling on LinkedIn

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. James is an Advisor at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and his past work experience includes time at McKinsey, Toyota, the Peace Corps and an ongoing academic advisory role at the Kellogg School of Management.
In this interview, James talks about why investing in the growth of minority-owned businesses is so critical and how we can make that growth possible:
The role CEOs and executive boards play in making their supplier diversity programs successful - starting with knowing the CPO’s name
Why growth - not participation - must be the success metric for minority-owned supplier programs
Equity as the best way for minority-owned businesses to access funding and grow without losing their ownership identity
Links:
James Lowry on LinkedIn

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 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 speculate about the sources of an October Surprise, ranging from concerning to entertaining: 
A major financial or economic shock that puts policies and campaign promises to the test
Geopolitical risk stemming from world leaders or political/military activist groups who decide to seize the moment… and the headlines
Humanitarian, entertainment, or sports-based stories that dominate headlines and occupy hearts and minds
Links:
Kris Lance on LinkedIn
Subscribe to “The Sidekick”
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
Episode 167: Bird (Flu) Watching: Tracking the Spread of H5N1 with Kris Lance

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 Sanchez. Hugo is a Senior Category Manager for supplies and MRO in the commercial real estate industry. In addition to being a pun lover (according to his LinkedIn profile), Hugo has a very clear philosophy on procurement that is tied closely to his philosophy on life.
In this interview, Hugo talks openly about why he believes building strong relationships inside and outside of the organization makes all the difference:
How procurement can measure the value created through trust-based relationships
Why it is possible to build influence without trying to exert authority over others
Whether it is possible to be “too nice” to work in procurement
Links:
Hugo Sanchez on LinkedIn

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 transport, as well as a non-Executive Director for Woodenshark. 
In this interview, Natalia shares her passion and enthusiasm for procurement, with a focus on the relationships they should aim to build:
Procurement’s strategic role as matchmaker
The relationships that need to exist between procurement and the business, and procurement and suppliers, as well as how to foster them
Why process, tech, and analytics are nothing if there is no ‘spark’
Links:
Natalia Pickett on LinkedIn

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 - but she didn’t work in procurement for long before she was hooked! Keri reached out and offered to tell her story to help other procurement professionals succeed in the field while forming meaningful relationships and having FUN! 
In this interview, Keri talks about how she puts herself into her role and how connecting on a personal level can help drive desired business outcomes:
How to progress from the name or email address of a supplier representative to the beginnings of a bond
What to do when someone is not receptive to forming a collaborative relationship
The importance of empathy, transparency, trust, being genuine, and humor, to personal and professional success
Links:
Keri Peña on LinkedIn

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 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 techniques for thinking through a never-ending stream of complex topics: 
What factors influence the way we respond to new information and form opinions about it
How to prepare for a conversation on a sensitive topic that is likely to start with disagreement
Preventing passion-driven topics from dividing each of us from our friends and family
Links:
Kris Lance on LinkedIn
Subscribe to “The Sidekick”
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
Episode 167: Bird (Flu) Watching: Tracking the Spread of H5N1 with Kris Lance
Episode 162: Remembering the Port of Baltimore with Kris Lance