ProcureCon Indirect East 2025 Blog

Improving Supplier Relationships Through Digital Integration The growth of digital procurement tools and the rising expectations of stakeholders have changed the way companies manage their relationships with suppliers. These changes have also introduced new challenges, such as the need for increased transparency and collaboration. However, procurement teams can leverage digital communication platforms and data analytics to enhance relationships with suppliers and stakeholders. This article will explore why procurement leaders must focus on building trust through transparency and collaboration. It will also reveal how leaders can adapt to the new fundamentals by offering personalized and agile solutions that align with partners' evolving needs.

Achieving Sustainability Through Ethical Sourcing Companies are under more pressure to make sure their supply chains are ethical and environmentally friendly. There are plenty of steps they can take in-house to reduce their carbon footprint. However, real change can only occur by addressing their supply chain, which can be difficult to manage with suppliers who aren't directly connected. According to an article by Accenture, supply chains generate about 60% of all carbon emissions globally. That means companies must choose suppliers based on their ability to meet sustainability metrics, use tools to keep track of supplier sustainability commitments, and work with suppliers to help them become more sustainable overall. This article explores how procurement leaders can adopt sustainable procurement policies to improve supplier selection and collaborate to bring about meaningful change.

Enhancing Procurement Through Company Culture and Employee Engagement Company culture and employee engagement are now at the forefront of most company's leadership strategies, and they apply to every area of the business, including procurement. Companies that prioritize these aspects are more likely to withstand market disruptions and achieve long-term success. According to an article by Fobes, "A strong culture that fosters teamwork, community, and inclusivity increases engagement exponentially. Companies with a robust culture have up to a 72% higher employee engagement than those whose cultures are misaligned or need improvement." This article explores the critical relationship between culture, employee engagement, and procurement practices within an organization. It offers actionable steps businesses can take to align their procurement strategies with their core values and enhance employee involvement.

Navigating the Next Frontier of AI in Procurement In procurement, artificial intelligence is rapidly emerging as more than a mere adjunct to the human workforce. It has opened new possibilities for efficiency and innovation, transforming traditional procurement strategies with technology-driven optimization. That said, AI adoption in procurement is still in its infancy. For example, according to an article by Digital Commerce 360, 66% of chief procurement officers believe generative AI is "still years from creating substantive business results. But there are pockets of success." Regular assessments of AI use are invaluable, serving as a compass to validate progress and chart future investments. In this article, we'll explore the current state of AI applications in procurement, identify unexplored opportunities, and reinforce the importance of keeping ahead of technological advancements.

Adapting Procurement Processes to Leverage New Technologies Many organizations struggle with outdated procurement processes that lack integration with modern digital tools, leading to inefficiencies and reduced visibility across the procurement lifecycle. The solution is the strategic integration of new technology into these processes to make operations smoother, improve decision-making, and offer a better view of spending. This change is necessary. According to an article by McKinsey & Company, the current state of the supply chain "makes transformative action the only option for addressing volatility and disruptions." However, "The resulting improvements to practices and ways of working will permanently upgrade operating models." Here, we'll explore how procurement leaders can transform their procurement functions through strategic technology implementation, change management, and the adaptation of their existing processes.

To acquire buy-in from senior leadership, procurement teams must communicate effectively, highlighting the potential contributions of transformation initiatives to the organization's growth. They should also conduct thorough research, presenting data-driven analyses to support their proposed initiatives. By demonstrating the potential returns on investments, procurement teams can build a compelling business case that outlines the long-term benefits of procurement transformation.

Procurement leaders can find it challenging to navigate the complexities of their organizations when attempting to implement changes in the department. It takes more than just day-to-day transactions to deliver business value and make lasting change—it requires collaboration.

Procurement departments are operating in a difficult environment. Supply chain disruptions are ongoing due to global events, and inflation continues to make it difficult to achieve core savings goals.

The role of procurement is at a crossroads. While some companies have maintained value-driven procurement teams at their companies for years, other companies are still attempting to create the type of procurement organization that focuses on transformation rather than pragmatic objectives like achieving savings.

In business, a "sprint” is when a team works to accomplish a specific goal within a predefined period. In procurement, flexible sprints allow teams to implement procurement changes quickly and improve the overall efficiency of procurement processes while also adjusting their efforts to account for conflicts.

Many procurement organizations are now pursuing supplier diversity. A "diverse supplier,” is typically one that is at least 51% owned and operated by an individual or group that has been traditionally underrepresented.

Climate change is having a tangible impact on so many industries, including the procurement field. Most organizations will take meaningful steps to protect their direct procurement needs, but climate change could significantly impact indirect procurement, as it doesn't always take priority.

Disruptions are becoming more and more common in today's business world. Whether it's a natural disaster or an unexpected change in the market, companies need to be prepared for anything. In this article, we will discuss how businesses can overcome supply chain bottlenecks to keep their business running smoothly during times of disruption.

As the world becomes increasingly digitized and remote work becomes more popular, the traditional workforce is slowly coming to an end. Companies can expect major changes in the labor component of most supply chains. In this article, we will explore how procurement organizations can win the war for talent, both to bolster their own workforces and to improve their labor supply chains.

The procurement field is constantly evolving, and to stay ahead of the curve, procurement leaders need to focus on data. Collecting and strategically using data can help companies become more diverse and inclusive, reduce their carbon emissions, and accomplish other goals. This article will explore why this is such an important task and how procurement leaders can overcome any challenges they face.

In 2022, supplier diversity will be more important than ever. Here, we'll explore how procurement leaders can support minority-owned suppliers and why incorporating diversity into the corporate supplier strategy can benefit the business.

Businesses and supply chains are struggling with multiple challenges at once. Here, we will explore how procurement and supply chain functions can play a role in enhancing resiliency as orchestrators between the business and its suppliers. By working together, these teams can help the company navigate these uncertain waters and maintain stability during these challenging times.

For procurement professionals, staying up to date on the latest procurement statistics is essential. After all, knowing where the industry is headed will help you make better decisions for your own business. That's why we've put together a list of some of the most important procurement stats you need to know now. Keep reading to learn more.

Supply chains are growing in complexity in almost every industry, and there's no indication that things are going to get simpler anytime soon—at least, not based on market forces. But many organizations are innovating in the space to make their supply chains more resilient. Not only are they deploying new technologies to enhance supply chain visibility and automation, but they're also working toward a better tomorrow by embracing ethical sourcing and sustainable supply chain initiatives.

2020 was a challenging year for leaders at most organizations, but it was especially challenging for supply chain professionals. According to Harvard Business Review, "The supply shock that started in China in February and the demand shock that followed as the global economy shut down exposed vulnerabilities in the production strategies and supply chains of firms just about everywhere."

Procurement teams have made significant progress in the role of technology sourcing. And although much of this progress can be attributed to the strategic value procurement now brings to organizations and their boardrooms, the partnerships formed between procurement and IT teams—particularly CPOs and CIOs—can't be discounted.

This past year, supplier diversity initiatives have taken on a new level of importance and awareness amid the ongoing conversation about systemic racism. As procurement professionals, how are we continuing the conversation and pushing our organizations forward.

While we all recognize the importance of stakeholder relationships, it’s all too easy to maintain a status quo and sometimes adversarial relationship with the business units and suppliers you interface with on a daily basis.

In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 crisis exacerbated long-standing supply challenges, especially a shortage of components to develop much-needed drugs and medications. Thankfully, organizations are taking a hard look at their procurement processes. 

The past year has taught companies some valuable lessons about how to stay resilient. But agility is perhaps the most important factor in deciding how an organization can adapt to a rapidly changing business environment.

According to Financial Management, 95% of business leaders said their companies experienced disruption to strategic sourcing and supplier management processes during the pandemic.

In procurement, many organizations have focused on developing supplier diversity as a social responsibility and a business imperative. But procurement organizations must also look internally, incorporating diversity into their own teams...

Reducing waste and pollution in the supply chain has been a hot topic for years, but the need is becoming more urgent. Climate change and waste in our oceans have dire implications for the global economy as well as the health and wellbeing of those living on our planet...

Today's procurement processes operate on multiple platforms and technologies, across borders and oceans, and within multiple integrations between enterprises. Inevitably, sensitive data such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers, invoices, bid information, names, addresses...

The ethical and business cases for supplier diversity are already well-established. Developing a diverse supplier base can help organizations promote innovation through the introduction of new products and services, add resiliency and flexibility to the supply chain, and drive competition...

Now that Procurement leaders are taking part in strategic discussions, they have more opportunities to prove the value of the function. It also represents a significant shift in how organizations are structured around Procurement and which stakeholders the function reports to.

Here, we'll explore the current state of RPA in the Procurement function and what lies just over the horizon for this capability.

The quality of Procurement's supplier selection and the function's ability to manage its myriad suppliers are increasingly connected to technology solutions, and cloud-based solutions are dominating this space.

Automation tech increases the amount of data at our fingertips and lowers the amount of tactical work in procurement– the industry now seeks new skill sets.

Procurement leaders are investing in tech solutions that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize procurement performance.

Sustainability leaders in procurement align strategies with the company's core values, which found a place in the business case alongside enhanced engagement.

Procurement teams can deliver business value through engaging, collaborative partnerships with innovative solution suppliers.

Procurement organizations are finding ways to overcome digitalization roadblocks through business model transformations and digital procurement strategies.

With digital trends and changing needs in procurement, businesses need to identify new skill sets and develop existing talent accordingly.

Smart technology has solved many painful challenges in traditional procurement operations, allowing for higher productivity and collaboration with suppliers.

Are you part of the procurement community and looking for a helpful place to view upcoming conferences & events? One of the best ways to keep updated on trends in the industry is by attending procurement conferences. Not only can you take away actionable insights from executives from the world’s largest companies, but you can also leave with long-term business connections with your industry peers. In this blog post, you’ll find some of the top procurement and sourcing conferences & events, why you should attend them, and what you can expect.

Within a modern organization, the role of technology is central to productivity. Appointing leadership that can confidently guide the business towards the right solutions is critical.

Stakeholder alignment is a critical element of Procurement's success, and understanding how relationships are performing today as well as how they can be improved provides a significant advantage for executives who are able to apply the lessons gleaned from the collective experience of their peers