Una

Indirect spend is important for a two main reasons: ?? It typically accounts for 15-30% of a company's total spend ? Leaving it unmanaged opens up potential risk factors Looking beyond cutting costs and limiting risks, better managing indirect spend is all about fostering a culture of strategic procurement that supports the overall growth and health of your organization ?? Our newest playbook (#10 in our collection ??) is available now! It highlights the significance of indirect spend, the challenges it presents, and how to successfully unleash the value hiding within these categories. Inside you'll find: ?? Five challenges of managing indirect spend (+ solutions) ? Six mistakes to avoid when it comes to these categories ?? Five ways to successfully manage your indirect spend ?? Tips for working with a GPO to increase savings and reduce risk We also included a case study showing how a real Una member saved an average of 27% across indirect spend categories by using group purchasing. Snag a copy of the full PDF here: https://hubs.li/Q02Z2Tw00 #indirectspend #indirectprocurement #savings #value #businessgrowth

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 #TheSourcingHero podcast, Kelly Barner welcomes back Kris Lance, Vice President and General Manager at Una, to talk about why podcasts are so powerful and what their popularity may suggest about today’s content preferences ?? https://hubs.li/Q02YTQMf0 Art of Procurement #podcast #businessleaders

Organizations looking to slash costs should give serious consideration to automating their Chief Procurement Officer ?? Seems extreme, right? Historically, discussions around automation have focused on the lowest-paid workers - those in repetitive, manual roles - as the most replaceable by AI. But why not extend that logic to the highest-paid roles? A robot CPO never sleeps, doesn’t require an eye-watering CPO-level salary, and can process data faster than any human ever could. It can enhance executive decision-making by linking data with outcomes and significantly reduce human error. If one holds the traditional view that procurement’s only role is to acquire goods and services while minimizing costs and risks, then perhaps a robot CPO is perfectly suited for the job. But, if we envision procurement as a dynamic, value-adding partner within the organization - capable of identifying opportunities and driving innovation - then an automated CPO may fall short. The relationship-driven aspects of leadership are just as important. As we look to a future where technology plays a bigger role, it’s essential to consider what we truly value in leadership and how we define the role of procurement. Ultimately, the question isn’t just about whether we *can* automate the CPO role, but if we *should* - and what that means for the future of procurement as a strategic function ?? https://hubs.li/Q02YMnSN0 #procurement #AI #procurementleaders

One of the most important questions procurement should ask their stakeholders is: “what does success look like for you?” Procurement has to have a deep understanding of their stakeholders’ end goals so they can align their supplier strategies and achieve those goals. In a recent episode of #TheSourcingHero podcast, Barry C. Kull from AstraZeneca explains how procurement can create value and support their stakeholders by gaining a deeper understanding of what’s important to them.?

Business-as-usual or ongoing disruption? Steady growth or economic slowdown? What will happen in the world of procurement come 2025? With rapid technological advancements and changing geopolitical landscapes in play, here's what we're predicting to shape the future of sourcing next year: ?? Accelerated AI adoption: from predictive analytics that forecast demand to smart algorithms that help negotiate better deals, AI will continue to streamline operations and enhance decision-making. ?? The "disappearance" of AI: as the technology becomes routine, it will become increasingly integrated as a back-end co-pilot that works invisibly in the architecture. ?? Enhanced supply chain visibility: expect technology that provides real-time insights into supply chain operations, stemming from a combination of fast-proliferating IoT devices, blockchain technology, and advanced analytics. ?? Growing adoption of traceability: for procurement teams, this means that sourcing decisions will be increasingly influenced by traceability data to help meet regulatory requirements and enhance brand reputation. ?? Skills for the future: procurement teams must be able to analyze and interpret data to make informed decisions swiftly, including understanding analytics tools and being comfortable with data-driven insights. ?? Geopolitical factors: a suggested economic slowdown, continued instability within the global supply chain, and the increased possibility of moving manufacturing closer to home has businesses re-evaluating sourcing strategies. No matter what happens, the 2025 procurement landscape is set to be dynamic. Are you ready to seize the opportunities that come your way? ?? https://hubs.li/Q02XZ0dj0 #procurement #businessleaders #sourcinghero

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 #TheSourcingHero podcast, 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. Listen as he discusses the intersection of procurement culture and corporate culture, what to emphasize when having conversations about procurement-driven continuous improvement, and more ?? https://hubs.li/Q02Y477W0 Art of Procurement #procurementleaders #continuousimprovement

A recent survey revealed that 30% of large US companies are exploring new work schedules, including four-day or four-and-a-half-day weeks. A Gallup poll showed that 77% of US workers believe a four-day, 40-hour workweek would positively impact their wellbeing, with 46% saying it would have an “extremely positive” effect. This shift isn’t just a trend; it’s a response to a competitive job market where attracting and retaining talent is more important than ever. For procurement managers, this shift brings a mix of opportunities and challenges—especially when it comes to juggling immediate tasks with the need for strategic planning. There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach but hopefully these tips on structuring your work week help so nothing falls through the cracks ?? https://hubs.li/Q02XYt450 #procurement #leadership #sourcinghero

Is your procurement team always saying “no, we can’t do that,” to the business? In a recent episode of #TheSourcingHero podcast, Barry C. Kull from AstraZeneca explained why procurement should shift their mindset – and brand – from constantly saying “no” to stakeholders to partnering with them to make it happen. Shifting to a more affirmative, solution-driven mindset will not only lead to better outcomes but also transform the way stakeholders perceive and value the procurement function ??

“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 #TheSourcingHero podcast, 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. Listen as he shares how process, direct contact, and results shape internal perceptions of procurement and how to turn that into added value ?? https://hubs.li/Q02X5n0Z0 Art of Procurement #sourcinghero #procurement

It's a fact that procurement’s role in the business has taken on a deeper and more strategic scope in recent years. And yet, they’re still often seen as a department focused solely on cost savings and driven by process-heavy practices. These perceptions are outdated but they are starting to shift. Just how much and how fast this shift happens depends on how well procurement can cultivate and leverage strong stakeholder relationships to strengthen their internal brand and drive more value for their organizations ?? https://hubs.li/Q02X11960 #procurement #relationships #SourcingHero