The Sourcing Hero

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

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 podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Anders Lassen. Anders is the Owner and Senior Procurement Consultant at Gradus Consult and the Founder of P2Connct, a Danish boutique consultancy focused on procure-to-pay process optimisation and transformation.
In this episode, Anders talks about the common misperceptions and missed opportunities that keep procurement and AP apart:
The type of relationship most procurement teams have with AP
How procurement reporting into finance (versus the CEO or operations) might influence their relationship with AP 
The value opportunities that can be created by strengthening this - and all other - internal relationships
Links:
Anders Lassen on LinkedIn

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 podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Alan J. Rice. Alan is the Managing Director of Caché Procurement, LLC, a boutique provider of procurement and AI advisory services.
In this interview, Alan talks about how AI - and mindsets around AI - are changing procurement:
Why embracing AI is a matter of survival
How procurement can achieve professional courage at scale
The level of AI expertise procurement should be expected to develop 
Links:
Alan J. Rice on LinkedIn

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 Category Manager, specializing in Logistics & Warehousing for CSL. He also has an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, where he no doubt learned many of the skills needed to navigate today’s complex business landscape.
In this interview, Dupre shares his point of view on why cultural understanding and active empathy should be considered in all business strategies:
Expectations for cross cultural communications and mannerisms
The role that empathy can and should play in contract negotiations
How procurement can help decision makers determine what they want before selecting a supplier
Links:
Dupre Jones on LinkedIn