Art of Procurement

"In the AI regime, things are going to be disrupted. So be ready to be disrupted." - Dr. Swapnil Dubey
In a market as complex and fast-changing as India, procurement's role has transformed from tactical to strategic… and fast. As global manufacturers shift operations and Indian firms chase world-class performance, the need for advanced procurement leadership has never been greater.
In this Art of Procurement podcast episode, Philip Ideson speaks with veteran procurement leader Dr. Swapnil Dubey, whose four-decade career spans India's procurement evolution, from the early days of shared service centers to today's digital and AI-driven frontier. 
They discuss how Indian procurement teams are matching their global peers, why AI could upend white-collar work, and where new career opportunities are emerging for the next generation. Swapnil also explains how local strengths, regulatory shifts, and new tech are shaping India's overall procurement landscape.
Listen to the full episode to hear Swapnil's perspective on:
Why executives at every level are now championing procurement
The true drivers (and blockers) of digital transformation in Indian firms
How AI will reshape talent, roles, and upskilling
Diverse career journeys to today's CPO seat
Links:
Dr. Swapnil Dubey on LinkedIn
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"What you think of as the data isn't the right data." 
This observation from FineTune COO Brian Gamble shines an (uncomfortable) spotlight on one of procurement's biggest challenges: AI has the potential to completely transform the function (in a good way) and drive a significant amount of value for the business, but only if organizations first acknowledge how inadequate their current data actually is.
In the twenty-ninth episode of "Buy: The Way...To Purposeful Procurement," Philip Ideson, Rich Ham, and Kelly Barner reflect on recent conversations with procurement tech pioneer Jason Busch and category expert Brian Gamble. They explore the troubling reality that procurement's future with AI depends almost completely on having the right data, while most organizations don't even know what the right data looks like.
This conversation exposes the gap between what practitioners call "the data" and what actually constitutes useful information for decision-making. Invoice details, contracts housed in various systems, and perhaps some quarterly business review reports make up most of what the average procurement professional considers their data foundation. 
Suppliers have systematically reduced invoice transparency over the years, removing fields that enabled auditing, all under the guise of creating "easier to read" formats, and procurement is left to deal with the fallout. 
The episode also connects back to Buylaws 5 and 6, prioritizing comprehensive high-quality data and developing expense-specific systems of measurement, while simultaneously setting up the next conversation about how compensation models and hiring practices must evolve for procurement's uncertain future. 
Links:
Rich Ham on LinkedIn
Learn more at FineTuneUs.com

"Change is the only constant today. Disruption is happening more frequently, and procurement has to be ready for the unknown." - Jon Jensen, Partner & Managing Director, AlixPartners
Procurement leaders are facing more disruption, pressure, and technology change than ever before. Resilience, agility, and the smart use of AI are now table stakes, but only a handful of teams are turning these shifts into real business advantage. 
How are the best-in-class CPOs getting ahead?
In this episode, Amit Mahajan and Jon Jensen, Partners at AlixPartners, reveal insights from the 2026 CPO Executive Insights Report. They share how top teams are shifting from a cost focus to value creation, why indirect procurement is becoming a growth engine, and what's really holding back AI adoption in procurement.
You'll also hear practical guidance on balancing quick AI wins with long-term ROI, and how leaders make disruption work for them instead of against them.
In this episode, Amit and Jon cover:
The core disruptions shaping CPO priorities in 2026
Approach AI adoption with practical use cases, not expectations for perfection
Engage suppliers and stakeholders with new strategies
Links:
2026 CPO Executive Insights Report
Amit Mahajan on LinkedIn
Jon Jensen on LinkedIn
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"The world as we know it in procurement and tech will change beyond recognition over the next couple of years." - Adam Brown
Procurement teams are grappling with a wave of new digital solutions and AI-powered tools, making it harder than ever to stay ahead. The role of the CPO is shifting, as leaders must balance business risk, speed-to-value, and a tech landscape that doesn't wait for anyone.
In this ProcureTech Insider episode, Adam Brown joins host Jyothi Hartley to demystify how procurement organizations can innovate faster while remaining practical. Adam, a founding voice in the ProcureTech100 and veteran of large-scale digital pilots, shares hard-earned lessons on running a "digital garage," partnering with startups, and testing next-gen tech without getting burned.
If you're looking to compress your innovation cycle and get smarter about where to place your bets, Adam's candid stories and actionable tips offer a blueprint you can use. Listen in for the mindset, models, and steps to get your team "garage ready."
In this episode, Adam covers:
How the digital procurement landscape is evolving faster than ever
Where digital garages fit in an innovation strategy for CPOs
Practical steps to manage risk and reward with startup partners
Realistic ways to pilot AI without putting business continuity at risk
Links:
Adam Brown on LinkedIn
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"The goal isn't to create a room where people consume content, it's to create a room where they come ready to work on their organization." - Philip Ideson, Founder and Managing Director, Art of Procurement
The pace of business change has made traditional procurement conferences feel outdated. Senior procurement leaders can't afford passive learning; they need real conversations with peers who face the same challenges they do. 
That's what the Art of Procurement Catalyst event series was built to deliver.
This week, AOP Founder and Managing Director Philip Ideson and Jim Cahalan, Art of Procurement's new Director of Events, discuss what makes AOP Catalyst events different from other professional gatherings. 
Jim explains how thoughtful event design, unique venues, and practitioner-led discussions are the keys to outcomes that matter at the CPO level. From building trust among decision-makers to focusing sessions on what you'll do first thing Monday, this episode will help you see event participation as a true 'catalyst' for change.
Listen to this episode to hear Philip and Jim discuss:
Why Catalyst is built for action, not just ideas

How unique venues and small group formats drive real conversation

The value of practitioner-led facilitation and outside perspectives

How CPOs can future-proof their teams beyond AI implementation

 
Links:
Learn more about AOP's Catalyst Event Series for senior procurement leaders
Philip Ideson on LinkedIn
Jim Cahalan on LinkedIn
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