Let's Talk Procurement

Episodes

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  S3.E11. Procurement Under Pressure: Procurements most pressing topics 16.06.2026 46m

  Send us Fan Mail Procurement can feel like the job where every problem lands, even when you do not control the root cause. We start by catching up on a listener’s hunt for buyer and procurement assistant roles, why apprenticeships (including CIPS Level 4 pathways) can be a real shortcut to credible experience, and the one skill we both wish we had built earlier: staying calm when a supplier call turns heated, then steering it back to commitments and next steps. From there we tour r/procureme...
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  S3.E10. Force Majeure In Procurement 19.05.2026 25m

  Send us Fan Mail Force majeure gets tossed around whenever the world gets messy, but most procurement teams only discover what their clause really says when a supplier is already late. We take a clear, buyer-friendly look at how force majeure works in supply chain contracts, what it can legitimately excuse, and why “boilerplate” wording can quietly shift risk onto you at the worst possible time. We start with a quick catch-up while Luke’s away travelling, then tackle a listener question that...
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  S3.E9 How Procurement Thinking Can Stretch A South America Travel Budget 07.04.2026 27m

  Send us Fan Mail Forty-seven and a half hours before a flight, Luke admits he has not packed, has no local currency, and only has a rough budget for a four to six month backpacking trip across Central and South America. So we do what we do best: drag travel planning into the world of procurement and see if cost control can survive contact with real life. If you care about smart spending, practical budgeting, and making better choices under pressure, this one hits close to home. We translate ...
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  S3.E8. Has Procurement got..Easier? 1990s CIPS v 2026 CIPS 17.03.2026 28m

  Send us Fan Mail A listener asks a simple question that every procurement professional should take personally: what can we do right now to stay future-proof over the next five years? Our first instinct is to joke about AI hype and quitting to “find yourself”, but the real answer sits underneath the banter: the best way to future-proof your procurement career is to build durable skills that survive new tools, new job titles, and the next wave of “must-have” tech. Then we do something oddly pr...
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  S3.E7. The final Procurement assignment: Does Luke 10 get his CIPS? 03.03.2026 35m

  Send us Fan Mail We turn a silly pun challenge into a serious guide to passing the Advanced Practitioner project and building change that lasts. It ends with a live CIPS results reveal at the airport and a cheer as the plane boards. Will Luke 10 get his final pass of the journey? Will we ever hear from him again?? • how to frame an assignment title that wins approval • primary research using stakeholder interviews • programme vs project and why it matters • structuring a 10,000-word business...
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  S3. E6. Procurement Frameworks Made Simple, Really Simple 10.02.2026 34m

  Send us Fan Mail We answer a listener’s question on breaking into procurement, then unpack how frameworks speed buying while staying compliant. Along the way we share real CCS evaluation insight, social value pitfalls, and where a DPS can beat a framework. • translating a law degree into procurement advantage • core procurement cycle from need to contract management • interview tactics using everyday buying examples • stakeholder triage and relationship cadence • what framework agreements ar...
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  S3. E5. We Share Big Life Updates And Tease A Packed Procurement Lineup For 2026 06.01.2026 13m

  Send us Fan Mail We share a quick check‑in from a cold January, outline what’s coming in 2026, and talk through Luke’s sabbatical plans with a mix of jokes and practical next steps. From a CIPS tutor session to vintage exam papers, we set a path for useful, human, and curious episodes. • 2026 preview with banked episodes and production update • CIPS tutor insights and assignment module results on the way • Will Luke qualify or fall short question teased • 1993 exam papers and how the profess...
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  S3.E4. Data Protection Essentials for Procurement Professionals 16.12.2025 46m

  Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how much personal data passes through your contracts, emails, and supplier handshakes? We sat down with Sara, a compliance lead who lives at the intersection of data protection, information security, and business continuity, to translate privacy law into buyer-friendly moves you can deploy today. No jargon. No scare tactics. Just clear guidance on where risk hides and how procurement can control it. We break down what “personal data” really means, why work email ...
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  S3.E4. From Setbacks To Passes: Practical CIPS Procurement Exam Retake Strategies 02.12.2025 25m

  Send us Fan Mail Ever failed an exam and felt like it defined you? We’ve been there, and today we unpack a practical, no-fluff plan to turn repeated CIPS Level 4 setbacks into momentum. Starting from Kareem’s email, we map the exact steps to recover confidence and results: how to structure essay answers under pressure, how to read examiner reports for recurring patterns, and how to practise in a way that actually sticks on test day. We dig into timing discipline for constructive responses, i...
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  S3.E3. How Procurement Automation Wins Trust, Time and Stakeholder Buy-in 17.11.2025 33m

  Send us Fan Mail Ever wish stakeholders called procurement first, not last? We dig into a live MCIPS Corporate Award project aimed at fixing exactly that, using three levers—procurement efficiency, process automation and behavioural insights—to make early engagement the easiest path for the business. Along the way, we tackle the hot take that the Corporate Award is the “easy route,” share what CIPS accreditation actually says, and explain why assignments still demand rigour, evidence and real...
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  S3.E2. Porter's Five Forces Explains Sportswear Buying Industry 04.11.2025 34m

  Send us Fan Mail A chance encounter at a wedding with a sportswear buyer kicks off a fast, funny, and deeply practical tour of the football kit business. We break down the hidden economics behind those £70 shirts using Porter’s Five Forces, showing where brand power wins, where it leaks, and how clubs and manufacturers really negotiate. We start with the state of play: intense rivalry among Adidas, Nike, and Puma; contracts that churn every few years to refresh revenue; and why fans pay prem...
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  S3. E1 Why tariffs raise prices—and what smart buyers can do about it 21.10.2025 32m

  Send us Fan Mail Tariffs can feel like a policy headline—until they hit your PO, your budget, and your delivery dates. We unpack what a tariff really is, why governments reach for it, and how those choices cascade through price, lead time, and supplier behaviour. From sudden trade-war spikes to quietly expanding duty lists, we map the real routes by which costs climb and explain why “someone else will absorb it” is more wish than plan. We walk through a practical playbook built for busy proc...
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  Let's Talk Procurement Season Three, For Real This Time 07.10.2025 4m

  Send us Fan Mail We draw a clear line: season three starts now with a sharper format, stronger guests, and a promise to keep the humour while raising the bar. We share what’s coming—CIPS tutors, practical topics like data protection and team design, and a steadier hand on structure. • Let's Talk Procurement season three is here! • what listeners can expect from the two Lukes • upcoming guests and episode insights • invitation for listeners to get involved Listen now on any good podcasting p...
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  S2. E31. Ship Happens: Global Trade Disruption Duck Up 16.09.2025 38m

  Send us Fan Mail A single ship lodged sideways for six days. Global trade paralyzed. Billions of dollars in goods delayed. The Ever Given incident in the Suez Canal wasn't just a maritime mishap—it was a wake-up call for procurement professionals everywhere. When the massive container vessel blocked this critical waterway in March 2021, it created ripple effects that reached every corner of global commerce. Overnight, companies faced empty shelves, production delays, and frantic calls from c...
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  S2. E30 The Next Wave: Gen Z in Procurement 26.08.2025 43m

  Send us Fan Mail What does Generation Z want from a career in procurement? And are industry bodies like CIPS missing the mark completely when trying to attract young talent? In this thought-provoking episode, we dissect a recent CIPS article attempting to appeal to Gen Z procurement professionals—and why comparing the profession to "planning parties with cake and magic shows" might not be the most effective recruitment strategy. While procurement rarely features in school career fairs or uni...
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  S2. E29. When Contract and Category Management Collide: CIPS Assignment Survival Story 12.08.2025 1h

  Send us Fan Mail Have you ever submitted an assignment and immediately thought "I've definitely failed that one"? In this candid episode, Luke 10 takes us through his experience with the dreaded Category Management and Contract Management combined assignment for his CIPS qualification. The procurement certification journey is rarely smooth sailing, and this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities of professional development. Luke 10 shares his struggles connecting two seemingly relat...
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  S2. E28. Why you should NOT become a procurement person. Become a business person instead! 30.07.2025 53m

  Send us Fan Mail What makes the difference between an average procurement professional and a genuinely influential business partner? The answer might surprise you – it's not just procurement expertise, but genuine business acumen that transforms your impact. In this thought-provoking episode, we explore why procurement professionals need to shed the "procurement person" label and embrace becoming true business people. Drawing from insights shared by CIPS, we unpack how isolation limits procu...
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  S2. E27. Learn These Important Procurement Acronyms: Decoding Procurement Buzzwords 15.07.2025 55m

  Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like procurement professionals are speaking an entirely different language? You're not alone. In this episode, we tackle the cryptic world of procurement acronyms – those seemingly innocent letter combinations that can make or break your understanding of contracts, negotiations, and supplier relationships. From the foundational NDAs, to the nuanced differences between RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, and RFTs, we demystify the procurement sourcing process step by step. We explore...
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  S2. E26. What is the Dream Procurement Job? 01.07.2025 33m

  Send us Fan Mail What does your dream procurement job look like? That's the question at the heart of this revealing episode where we open up about our ideal roles in the procurement world. The episode takes an unexpected personal turn with the announcement of big personal news from Luke1! For one host, the perfect procurement position combines passion with profession. His vision represents the ultimate blend of personal interest and professional expertise, where procurement becomes more than...
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  S2. E25. How to Smash CIPS Multiple Choice Exams (Tips from a 90% Achiever) 10.06.2025 31m

  Send us Fan Mail Want to learn about CIPS Objective Response (OR) exams? This episode delivers exactly what you need to succeed. We're joined by Nic, a procurement professional from a multi-generational procurement dynasty, who shares how he's achieved an impressive 90% average across his multiple choice exams. Rather than generic study tips, Nick reveals the specifics that appear in virtually every exam (Porter's Five Forces, Whole Life Asset Management, Mendelow's Matrix) and explain...