"Efficiency should fund the future, not erase the people needed to deliver it." – Philip Ideson, Founder and Managing Director of Art of Procurement

2026 is going to be another year of volatility, but it will also be a year of immense opportunity for procurement pragmatists, the ones who are willing to do the work to build the future rather than just waiting for it to arrive.

In a tradition that dates back to 2018, Art of Procurement rings in the new year with Founder and Managing Director Philip Ideson's Annual Message. Each year's perspectives are shaped by hundreds of conversations with procurement leaders, providers, subject matter experts, and people both inside and outside the world of procurement.

This year, Philip reflects on changes being felt across the professional community and also shares his vision for the next evolution of Art of Procurement.

In this episode, Philip elaborates on:

• Which path to take in an exciting, but also overwhelming, digital procurement landscape
• How procurement operating models need to adjust to take not just AI into account, but also the pure intent of the function
• The 'elephant in the room' - which is not AI, but the readiness and culture that have to be prepared to receive and leverage the new opportunities it creates

Links:

• Art of Procurement Annual Letters
• Philip Ideson on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to This Week in Procurement
• Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube