There are so many news stories and events contained in any one year that it can boggle the mind trying to remember them all, let alone process their combined impact. But the end of one year and the start of another is a natural time to reflect back before looking ahead to what the new year may hold.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes back Kris Lance, Senior Director at Una, for a recurring monthly conversation about current news stories. Kris has experience in multiple industries and has his finger on the pulse of the trends and topics that procurement, sourcing, and supply chain professionals need to be aware of.

In this conversation, Kris and Kelly talk about the trends and news stories they think were most impactful in 2023 and the ones they are already watching for 2024: 

• The impact of border policies and human rights challenges on the U.S. economy and supply chain efficiency

Links:

• Kris Lance on LinkedIn

What we experience personally cannot be completely separated from what we experience professionally, and vice versa. This is as true for the impact of digital communications on relationships and trust building as it is our ability to ‘hear’ and connect with others.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Julienne Ryan. Julienne is an author, an executive coach, a storyteller, and - most importantly - a true people person. Her career includes an impressive number of leadership roles, and she was able to be succesful in each one because of her interpersonal and communication skills.

In this interview, Julienne speaks honestly about :

• The importance of bringing the idea of affirmation into personal and professional decisions

Links:

Julienne Ryan on LinkedIn

Entrepreneurs found businesses because they believe they have formulated the best new product or the most innovative way of providing a service. They are focused on their customers, value proposition, and their hope for the future. Unfortunately, there is one thing that - if left unmanaged - can bring all of their hopes and dreams to a sudden halt: cash flow.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Richard Gusmano. Richard is the Founder and CEO of Business Credit Consultants, a company that is focused on helping small businesses secure the credit they need to grow. He uses his own experience as a small business owner to help others manage cash flow and credit so they can reach their growth goals.

In this interview, Richard shares his first-hand experience working with small to medium-sized businesses:

• The most common mistakes small business owners make when it comes to credit and cash flow

Links:

Richard Gusmano on LinkedIn

“The single biggest  problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” - George Bernard Shaw

The Sourcing Hero podcast releases 50 new interviews every year, and while every episode offers unique value and insights to listeners, a few are bound to become listener favorites. 

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes back Kris Lance, Senior Director at Una, for a recurring monthly conversation about current news stories. Kris has experience in multiple industries and has his finger on the pulse of the trends and topics that procurement, sourcing, and supply chain professionals need to be aware of.

In this conversation, Kris and Kelly talk about the top three episodes of 2023, taking a key lesson away from each one: 

• Learning to Work Side-by-Side with ChatGPT with Joshua Palacios, Senior Sourcing Manager at Ro (the episode with the most listens of all time, not just for 2023!)

Links:

• Kris Lance on LinkedIn

Change is as hard as it is inevitable. Even the most exciting new project can quickly go from “This is fantastic!” to “What on earth were we thinking!” when unexpected questions arise. How those moments are managed, and the tone that is kept in place through the process, ultimately determine the potential for value and success for everyone involved.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Toni Ann Careccio. Toni is the Chief Customer Officer at PortPro, a company that provides transportation management software for drayage carriers - they move freight from an ocean port to its destination. 

In this interview, Toni applies her experience onboarding customers to procurement’s constant need to successfully onboard suppliers:

• Why tech providers with an operational background in transportation have an advantage over newcomers to the space 

Links:

Toni Ann Careccio on LinkedIn

Businesses that want to see long term impact in terms of sustainability need to commit to short term changes. And while there are many ways to incentivize these changes - such as regulations and customer requirements - procurement and supply chain professionals are absolutely on the front lines, as the overwhelming majority of a company’s emissions are associated with its supply chain in some capacity.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Alexis Normand. Alexis is the CEO and Co-founder at Greenly. Given his expertise in carbon accounting and management, he is an ideal guest to speak with us about some of the practical business challenges facing procurement and supply chain professionals tasked with responsibility for their company’s ESG or sustainability program.

In this interview, Alexis provides critical information about the ongoing effort to manage carbon emissions as well as his perspective on the associated complexity:

• What the differences are between Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions

Links:

Alexis Normand on LinkedIn

As human beings, being able to read and use non-verbal cues can determine the outcome of a situation, keeping us safe or strengthening the bonds we build with those around us. For procurement professionals in particular, being aware of non-verbal communication is absolutely essential, especially in situations of high intensity or where first impressions make the difference in measurable outcomes.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Laura Scarfe. Laura is the Director of Business Academy Online, specializing in CIPS procurement training,

negotiation, influencing, and emotional intelligence. Laura helps busy procurement professionals achieve their qualifications to help with their employability, while also helping them understand and manage their emotions and relationships to improve their confidence.

In this interview, Laura draws from a wealth of research and experience to shed some light on the complex world of non-verbal cues:

• Why it is best to stay away from behavioral generalizations, instead focusing on observations that are rooted in science

Links:

Laura Scarfe on LinkedIn

The U.S. military is accustomed to taking 7 years and a cost plus method to build billion dollar satellites with te help of their supply base. With instability around the world starting to ratchet up concerns about space, the Space Development Authority (SDA) is responding by disrupting traditional procurement practices. 

As SDA Director Derek Tournear recently said, “Change is hard; change is necessary. And nothing fights change like the paralyzing behavior of going along to get along.” 

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes back Kris Lance, Senior Director at Una, for a recurring monthly conversation about current news stories. Kris has experience in multiple industries and has his finger on the pulse of the trends and topics that procurement, sourcing, and supply chain professionals need to be aware of.

In this conversation, Kris and Kelly talk about how the Space Development Agency, part of the U.S. Space Force, is shaking up procurement processes and approaches: 

• Finding ways to speed up the procurement process so the U.S. can stay competitive with China in satellite manufacture

In the race to build global empires of data and digital systems, today’s businesses must not risk forgetting what all of those zeroes and ones mean. Sometimes walking a mile in someone’s shoes and listening to their firsthand experience is the only way to pull together all of the pieces of a modern supply chain puzzle.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Frank Kenney. Frank is the Director of Market Strategy at Cleo, where he is focused on helping companies get ahead and stay ahead despite persistent supply chain complexity.

In this interview, Frank talks about the importance of supply chain visibility for the sake of optionality and accountability:

• Why the ultimate goal of supply chain visibility is not just to ‘see’ but also to make effective decisions

Links:

Frank Kenney on LinkedIn

Global supply chains reach the furthest corners of the earth, bringing back valuable, well-made goods and putting us in touch with people we may never meet. Some of the challenges of this are logistical like time zone differences and travel delays. Others are more cultural, and tie into the most core issues of relationship building: culture, communication, and trust.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Chris Volz, a Client Success Manager at China Performance Group. Chris has over two decades worth of experience in different verticals. He prides himself on his empathy, attention to detail, and innovative ideas… traits we could all use in greater concentration!

In this interview, Chris shares his experience and perspective on how businesses from different parts of the world and in countries with very different cultures can come together for mutual gain:

• What he suggests companies focus on when sourcing internationally

Links:

Chris Volz on LinkedIn