Training to procurement SaaS – Jonathan O’Brien from Positive Purchasing

The Procurement Software Podcast

In this episode of the Procuretech Podcast, host James Meads is joined by a multiple published author, procurement training business owner and SaaS entrepreneur - Jonathan O'Brien, CEO of Positive Purchasing. Jonathan is here to talk about the big changes he's witnessed in the industry over the last 20 years, and to look forward to the future of digital procurement.

Training to procurement SaaS – Jonathan O’Brien from Positive Purchasing

Timestamps

2:19 What are the biggest changes in procurement over the past 20 years?

• Biggest changes in procurement over the past 20 years.
• Cost focus and recognition.
• Mitigating price rises and deflation.
• Conversations with procurement and sales teams.

8:27 How much of the transformation has been accelerated by the pandemic, and how much has been a more general transition away from in person work?

• Transition from in-person negotiation to digital transformation.
• Sustainability, supply chain risk, digital transformation and visibility.

10:34 How to get people to engage with online training. Building a broadcast studio for live online instructor-led training.

• Adoption of technology during the pandemic.
• Online training needs to be high-energy and engaging.
• The backlash against remote work.

15:28 How digital transformation is impacting the travel and training category.

• Making travel essential rather than nice.
• Budgeting for training and digital transformation.

18:21 How do you convince your CFO to invest in digital transformation?

• How to convince CFOs to invest in procurement.
• The 10% of value from procurement.
• The snakes and ladders board of digital transformation.
• Five books on procurement.

24:07 What’s going to replace category management in this digital world?

• Category management is the first step.
• A tool that combines artificial intelligence and category strategy.

27:06 How to get stakeholders to buy into the fact that procurement is steering the direction.

• Adoption of category management is still early.
• Why most companies are first-base on category management.
• Changing hearts and minds to do category management.
• The most painful thing about category strategies.
• How technology can help procurement professionals embed sustainability principles.
• Sustainability in the supply chain.

And that wraps up another episode of the Procuretech Podcast. Thanks to Jonathan for sharing his thoughts with us today, and big thanks to you for listening. We'll be back at the same time next week, so see you there! If you want to learn more about Jonathan, Positive Purchasing, or Procurement Software, check out the useful links below.

Stay in touch!

• Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn
• Check out Positive Purchasing online
• Download our Tech Map for Enterprise
• Download our Tech Map for Mid-Market
• Download our Tech Map for SMEs
• Find your perfect procurement tech solution in our Software Finder app
• Sign up for the Procurement Software Newsletter
• Book an Intro Call and let’s talk all things Digital Procurement!
• Connect with James on LinkedIn