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        <title>The Procurement Signal</title>
        <link>https://redcircle.com/shows/the-procurement-signal</link>
        <language>en-US</language>
        <copyright>All rights reserved.</copyright>
        <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
        <itunes:summary>Welcome to The Procurement Signal — the show that tunes into the future of procurement.
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In every episode, we dive straight into how modern teams are transforming supplier relationships, elevating vendor management, tackling supplier risk, and driving real sustainability impact. If you’re ready to rewire procurement from a back‑office function to a strategic powerhouse, you’re in the right place.

This is your signal — amplify what procurement can be.
------------------------------------------------------</itunes:summary>
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        <description><![CDATA[<h3><span>Welcome to </span><em>The Procurement Signal</em><span> — the show that tunes into the future of procurement. </span></h3><p><br></p><p><span>In every episode, we dive straight into how modern teams are transforming supplier relationships, elevating vendor management, tackling supplier risk, and driving real sustainability impact. If you’re ready to rewire procurement from a back‑office function to a strategic powerhouse, you’re in the right place. </span></p><h3><span>This is your signal — amplify what procurement can be. </span></h3><p><br></p>]]></description>
        
        <itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type>
        <podcast:locked>no</podcast:locked>
        <itunes:owner>
            <itunes:name>Leroy Lobo</itunes:name>
            <itunes:email>info@procurementsignal.com</itunes:email>
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                <itunes:title>#17: Is Your Procurement Leader Out of Sync with the team?</itunes:title>
                <title>#17: Is Your Procurement Leader Out of Sync with the team?</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p>Ever wonder why a top-tier procurement team suddenly falls apart when a new CPO arrives? Or why a department that used to be &#34;all about the savings&#34; is suddenly struggling to talk about innovation?</p><p>In this episode of <strong>The Procurement Signal</strong>, we’re pulling back the curtain on the force that dictates your team’s success: <strong>Leadership Archetypes.</strong> Culture doesn’t just happen; it’s driven from the top. Whether your leader is a &#34;Bottom-Line Driver,&#34; an &#34;Innovation Visionary,&#34; or an &#34;Ethical Steward,&#34; their philosophy creates a ripple effect that touches every contract, every supplier, and every team member.</p><p><strong>The Reality Check:</strong> If your leader and your team aren’t speaking the same language, you aren&#39;t just facing awkward meetings—you’re facing a systemic breakdown. Is your team evolving, or is it just experiencing friction?</p><p>Tune in to find out where you stand and how to survive the transition.</p><p><strong>Links &amp; Resources:</strong></p><ul><li><span>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</span></li><li><span>Our website:</span><a href="http://www.procurementsignal.com/" rel="nofollow"> www.procurementsignal.com</a></li></ul><p><span>Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -</span><a href="https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt" rel="nofollow"> https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt</a></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;Ever wonder why a top-tier procurement team suddenly falls apart when a new CPO arrives? Or why a department that used to be &amp;#34;all about the savings&amp;#34; is suddenly struggling to talk about innovation?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;strong&gt;The Procurement Signal&lt;/strong&gt;, we’re pulling back the curtain on the force that dictates your team’s success: &lt;strong&gt;Leadership Archetypes.&lt;/strong&gt; Culture doesn’t just happen; it’s driven from the top. Whether your leader is a &amp;#34;Bottom-Line Driver,&amp;#34; an &amp;#34;Innovation Visionary,&amp;#34; or an &amp;#34;Ethical Steward,&amp;#34; their philosophy creates a ripple effect that touches every contract, every supplier, and every team member.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Reality Check:&lt;/strong&gt; If your leader and your team aren’t speaking the same language, you aren&amp;#39;t just facing awkward meetings—you’re facing a systemic breakdown. Is your team evolving, or is it just experiencing friction?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to find out where you stand and how to survive the transition.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Links &amp;amp; Resources:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;Our website:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;http://www.procurementsignal.com/&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt; www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt; https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 01:34:27 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:title>#16: Juggling Modern Slavery Compliance for Procurement teams</itunes:title>
                <title>#16: Juggling Modern Slavery Compliance for Procurement teams</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p><strong>The hidden reality of forced labor in global supply chains is no longer just an ethical concern—it is a legal and financial minefield.</strong><span> In this episode of </span><strong>The Procurement Signal</strong><span>, we trace the 20-year evolution of Modern Slavery regulations. We move from the early &#34;transparency&#34; laws of California and the UK to the high-stakes era of 2026, where trade bans, civil liability, and fines of up to $250,000 are the new reality for procurement teams.</span></p><p><span>Whether you are part of a global enterprise or a small private business, the burden of compliance has shifted. Procurement is now expected to be part investigator, part educator, and part data analyst. But how do you manage N-tier mapping and rigorous due diligence when you don’t have the budget for expensive software or extra headcount?</span></p><p><strong>Compliance isn’t a destination; it’s a journey.</strong><span> Tune in to learn how to build an ethical, resilient supply chain that protects both human rights and your bottom line.</span></p><p><strong>Links &amp; Resources:</strong></p><ul><li><span>Download your free Modern Slavery Risk Based Segmentation template and important links to resources. </span><a href="https://payhip.com/b/iDsvM" rel="nofollow">https://payhip.com/b/iDsvM</a></li><li><span>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</span></li><li><span>Our website:</span><a href="http://www.procurementsignal.com/" rel="nofollow"> www.procurementsignal.com</a></li></ul><p><span>Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -</span><a href="https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt" rel="nofollow"> https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt</a></p><p><br></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The hidden reality of forced labor in global supply chains is no longer just an ethical concern—it is a legal and financial minefield.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; In this episode of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Procurement Signal&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;, we trace the 20-year evolution of Modern Slavery regulations. We move from the early &amp;#34;transparency&amp;#34; laws of California and the UK to the high-stakes era of 2026, where trade bans, civil liability, and fines of up to $250,000 are the new reality for procurement teams.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Whether you are part of a global enterprise or a small private business, the burden of compliance has shifted. Procurement is now expected to be part investigator, part educator, and part data analyst. But how do you manage N-tier mapping and rigorous due diligence when you don’t have the budget for expensive software or extra headcount?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Compliance isn’t a destination; it’s a journey.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; Tune in to learn how to build an ethical, resilient supply chain that protects both human rights and your bottom line.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Links &amp;amp; Resources:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;Download your free Modern Slavery Risk Based Segmentation template and important links to resources. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;https://payhip.com/b/iDsvM&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt;https://payhip.com/b/iDsvM&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;Our website:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;http://www.procurementsignal.com/&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt; www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt; https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 05:50:00 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:title>#15: Beyond the Dotted Line: Navigating Risks in S2C, P2P, and SRM</itunes:title>
                <title>#15: Beyond the Dotted Line: Navigating Risks in S2C, P2P, and SRM</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p><strong>Is your pursuit of &#34;speed&#34; creating a financial ticking time bomb?</strong></p><p>In this episode of <em>The Procurement Signal</em>, we’re stripping away the idea that procurement is just &#34;procedural compliance&#34;.</p><p>Whether you are a seasoned pro or just starting out, you likely spend your days in one of the three major processes: <strong>Source to Contract (S2C)</strong>, <strong>Procure to Pay (P2P)</strong>, or <strong>Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)</strong>. But are you aware of the threats lurking in each?</p><h3><strong>What we cover in this episode:</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>S2C &amp; The Bias Trap:</strong> How the rush for &#34;Time to Market&#34; can lead to skipped audits, vendor capacity meltdowns, and why a signed contract is only as good as the due diligence behind it.</li><li><strong>P2P &amp; The Liquidity Crisis:</strong> Why bypassing &#34;boring&#34; system circuit breakers can lead to a warehouse full of dead stock and a depleted bank account (even when you think you’re moving &#34;fast&#34;).</li><li><strong>SRM &amp; common myths associated with it:</strong> Why your smallest spend might be your biggest risk.</li><li><strong>From Buyer to Guardian:</strong> Redefining the role of procurement. Hint: The business owns the relationship, but <em>you</em> own the value.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>If you’ve ever felt like your processes were just red tape, this episode will change your perspective on how you protect your company’s bottom line every single day.</p><p><strong>Want to dive deeper into these risks?</strong> I’ve put together a comprehensive <strong>e-book</strong> that highlights the critical red flags in S2C, P2P, and SRM. <a href="https://payhip.com/b/H9Fqf" rel="nofollow">Check it out</a>.</p><p>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</p><p>Our website:<a href="http://www.procurementsignal.com/" rel="nofollow"> www.procurementsignal.com</a></p><p>Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -<a href="https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt" rel="nofollow"> https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt</a></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is your pursuit of &amp;#34;speed&amp;#34; creating a financial ticking time bomb?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;The Procurement Signal&lt;/em&gt;, we’re stripping away the idea that procurement is just &amp;#34;procedural compliance&amp;#34;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you are a seasoned pro or just starting out, you likely spend your days in one of the three major processes: &lt;strong&gt;Source to Contract (S2C)&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Procure to Pay (P2P)&lt;/strong&gt;, or &lt;strong&gt;Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)&lt;/strong&gt;. But are you aware of the threats lurking in each?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What we cover in this episode:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;S2C &amp;amp; The Bias Trap:&lt;/strong&gt; How the rush for &amp;#34;Time to Market&amp;#34; can lead to skipped audits, vendor capacity meltdowns, and why a signed contract is only as good as the due diligence behind it.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;P2P &amp;amp; The Liquidity Crisis:&lt;/strong&gt; Why bypassing &amp;#34;boring&amp;#34; system circuit breakers can lead to a warehouse full of dead stock and a depleted bank account (even when you think you’re moving &amp;#34;fast&amp;#34;).&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SRM &amp;amp; common myths associated with it:&lt;/strong&gt; Why your smallest spend might be your biggest risk.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;From Buyer to Guardian:&lt;/strong&gt; Redefining the role of procurement. Hint: The business owns the relationship, but &lt;em&gt;you&lt;/em&gt; own the value.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever felt like your processes were just red tape, this episode will change your perspective on how you protect your company’s bottom line every single day.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Want to dive deeper into these risks?&lt;/strong&gt; I’ve put together a comprehensive &lt;strong&gt;e-book&lt;/strong&gt; that highlights the critical red flags in S2C, P2P, and SRM. &lt;a href=&#34;https://payhip.com/b/H9Fqf&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt;Check it out&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our website:&lt;a href=&#34;http://www.procurementsignal.com/&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt; www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -&lt;a href=&#34;https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt; https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 03:30:11 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:title>#14: The parents of procurement, Risk &amp; Governance</itunes:title>
                <title>#14: The parents of procurement, Risk &amp; Governance</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p>Are you driving with a map? Or are you just hoping you don&#39;t crash?</p><p>In this episode of <strong>The Procurement Signal</strong>, we dive into a common point of confusion in the supply chain world: the difference between <strong>Governance</strong> and <strong>Risk Management</strong>. While many professionals use these terms interchangeably, they serve distinct—yet equally vital—roles in a healthy operational environment.</p><p>If procurement were a child, Governance and Risk Management would be the parents. One insists you follow the rules and keep your room clean; the other makes sure you’re wearing a helmet before you hop on your bike.</p><p><span>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</span></p><p><span>Our website:</span><a href="http://www.procurementsignal.com/" rel="nofollow"> www.procurementsignal.com</a></p><p><span>Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -</span><a href="https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt" rel="nofollow"> https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt</a></p><p><br></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;Are you driving with a map? Or are you just hoping you don&amp;#39;t crash?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;strong&gt;The Procurement Signal&lt;/strong&gt;, we dive into a common point of confusion in the supply chain world: the difference between &lt;strong&gt;Governance&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;Risk Management&lt;/strong&gt;. While many professionals use these terms interchangeably, they serve distinct—yet equally vital—roles in a healthy operational environment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If procurement were a child, Governance and Risk Management would be the parents. One insists you follow the rules and keep your room clean; the other makes sure you’re wearing a helmet before you hop on your bike.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Our website:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;http://www.procurementsignal.com/&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt; www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt; https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:17:33 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:title>#13: Managing Risk on a &#34;Bare Minimum&#34; Budget</itunes:title>
                <title>#13: Managing Risk on a &#34;Bare Minimum&#34; Budget</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p>When the economy tightens and leadership demands urgent cost-cutting, procurement teams are often the first to feel the squeeze. In this episode of <strong>The Procurement Signal</strong>, we tackle the dangerous paradox of financial vulnerability: just as a company loses its ability to absorb the blow of a supplier bankruptcy or an ESG scandal, the budgets for the very tools that monitor those risks are slashed.</p><p>So, how do you protect the business when your &#34;non-essential&#34; tools, memberships, and data services are gone?</p><p>We dive into the shift from <strong>external tool dependency</strong> to <strong>internal expert dependency</strong>. We explore why &#34;bare minimum&#34; isn&#39;t an excuse to lower your guard, but rather a mandate to sharpen your instincts.</p><h3>Key Takeaways from This Episode:</h3><ul><li><strong>The Power of Segmentation:</strong> Why you must move from watching 100 suppliers poorly to watching 5 critical suppliers like a hawk.</li><li><strong>Resourceful Intelligence:</strong> How to gather &#34;eyes and ears on the ground&#34; data without a subscription—tracking supplier health through hiring trends, investment signals, and payment term negotiations.</li><li><strong>Negotiating for Stability:</strong> Strategies for when the cash for discounts isn&#39;t there, such as locking in inventory guarantees and support hours.</li><li><strong>Soft Power &amp; Internal Buy-in:</strong> Identifying exactly who owns risk and aligning stakeholders to act as a single, unified front.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Join us as we discuss how to turn a shoestring budget into a competitive advantage by building a procurement function that is truly indispensable.</strong></p><p>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</p><p>Our website:<a href="http://www.procurementsignal.com/" rel="nofollow"> www.procurementsignal.com</a></p><p>Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -<a href="https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt" rel="nofollow"> https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt</a></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;When the economy tightens and leadership demands urgent cost-cutting, procurement teams are often the first to feel the squeeze. In this episode of &lt;strong&gt;The Procurement Signal&lt;/strong&gt;, we tackle the dangerous paradox of financial vulnerability: just as a company loses its ability to absorb the blow of a supplier bankruptcy or an ESG scandal, the budgets for the very tools that monitor those risks are slashed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So, how do you protect the business when your &amp;#34;non-essential&amp;#34; tools, memberships, and data services are gone?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We dive into the shift from &lt;strong&gt;external tool dependency&lt;/strong&gt; to &lt;strong&gt;internal expert dependency&lt;/strong&gt;. We explore why &amp;#34;bare minimum&amp;#34; isn&amp;#39;t an excuse to lower your guard, but rather a mandate to sharpen your instincts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Key Takeaways from This Episode:&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Power of Segmentation:&lt;/strong&gt; Why you must move from watching 100 suppliers poorly to watching 5 critical suppliers like a hawk.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Resourceful Intelligence:&lt;/strong&gt; How to gather &amp;#34;eyes and ears on the ground&amp;#34; data without a subscription—tracking supplier health through hiring trends, investment signals, and payment term negotiations.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Negotiating for Stability:&lt;/strong&gt; Strategies for when the cash for discounts isn&amp;#39;t there, such as locking in inventory guarantees and support hours.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Soft Power &amp;amp; Internal Buy-in:&lt;/strong&gt; Identifying exactly who owns risk and aligning stakeholders to act as a single, unified front.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Join us as we discuss how to turn a shoestring budget into a competitive advantage by building a procurement function that is truly indispensable.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our website:&lt;a href=&#34;http://www.procurementsignal.com/&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt; www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -&lt;a href=&#34;https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt; https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:28:22 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:title>#12: Perform financial checks on your suppliers, without the analysis!</itunes:title>
                <title>#12: Perform financial checks on your suppliers, without the analysis!</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p><span>Nothing kills a procurement career faster than a critical supplier vanishing overnight. But for lean teams without a massive budget for third-party risk reports, how do you actually perform due diligence without an accounting degree?</span></p><p><span>Today, we’re diving into a simple, three-tiered approach to evaluating supplier solvency. We move past the jargon to give you the exact questions to ask and the specific &#34;red flag&#34; phrases to watch out for in annual reports and CPA letters.</span></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>The Open Books Club:</strong><span> Navigating public annual reports.</span></li><li><strong>The Solvency Shortcut:</strong><span> What to ask for when a private company won&#39;t share their books.</span></li><li><strong>The Startup Runway:</strong><span> Measuring risk in emerging, high-growth partners.</span></li><li><strong>Frequency Matters:</strong><span> Why due diligence is a marathon, not a sprint.</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><span>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</span></p><p><span>Our website:</span><a href="http://www.procurementsignal.com/" rel="nofollow"> www.procurementsignal.com</a></p><p><span>Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -</span><a href="https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt" rel="nofollow"> https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt</a></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Nothing kills a procurement career faster than a critical supplier vanishing overnight. But for lean teams without a massive budget for third-party risk reports, how do you actually perform due diligence without an accounting degree?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Today, we’re diving into a simple, three-tiered approach to evaluating supplier solvency. We move past the jargon to give you the exact questions to ask and the specific &amp;#34;red flag&amp;#34; phrases to watch out for in annual reports and CPA letters.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Key Takeaways:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Open Books Club:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; Navigating public annual reports.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Solvency Shortcut:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; What to ask for when a private company won&amp;#39;t share their books.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Startup Runway:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; Measuring risk in emerging, high-growth partners.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Frequency Matters:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; Why due diligence is a marathon, not a sprint.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Our website:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;http://www.procurementsignal.com/&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt; www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt; https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:13:30 &#43;0000</pubDate>
                <itunes:duration>505</itunes:duration>
                
                
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                <itunes:title>#11: Post Contract Trap: Why “sourcing &amp; handover” kills business value?</itunes:title>
                <title>#11: Post Contract Trap: Why “sourcing &amp; handover” kills business value?</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p><em>&#34;It’s not procurement’s risk.&#34; We’ve all heard it, but is it true? In today’s episode, we dive deep into the &#34;handover&#34; culture in procurement. We discuss why a successful RFP doesn&#39;t guarantee a successful partnership and how &#34;Value Leakage&#34; and &#34;Unmanaged Risk&#34; thrive in the absence of post-contract governance.</em></p><p><strong><em>Inside this episode:</em></strong></p><ul><li><strong><em>The Soccer Metaphor:</em></strong><em> Why leaving the goalpost to your &#34;midfielders&#34; (the business) leads to failure.</em></li><li><strong><em>The AI Threat:</em></strong><em> Why sourcing is becoming automated and how governance is your new job security.</em></li><li><strong><em>The Governance Dream Team:</em></strong><em> A breakdown of who should own what—from Category Managers to the often-overlooked Risk &amp; Sustainability Managers.</em></li></ul><p><em>Stop being a gatekeeper and start being a bridge. Tune in to learn how to own the full supplier lifecycle.</em></p><p><br></p><p><em>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</em></p><p><em>Our website:</em><a href="http://www.procurementsignal.com/" rel="nofollow"><em> www.procurementsignal.com</em></a></p><p><em>Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -</em><a href="https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt" rel="nofollow"><em> https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt</em></a></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&amp;#34;It’s not procurement’s risk.&amp;#34; We’ve all heard it, but is it true? In today’s episode, we dive deep into the &amp;#34;handover&amp;#34; culture in procurement. We discuss why a successful RFP doesn&amp;#39;t guarantee a successful partnership and how &amp;#34;Value Leakage&amp;#34; and &amp;#34;Unmanaged Risk&amp;#34; thrive in the absence of post-contract governance.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Inside this episode:&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Soccer Metaphor:&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; Why leaving the goalpost to your &amp;#34;midfielders&amp;#34; (the business) leads to failure.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;The AI Threat:&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; Why sourcing is becoming automated and how governance is your new job security.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Governance Dream Team:&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; A breakdown of who should own what—from Category Managers to the often-overlooked Risk &amp;amp; Sustainability Managers.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Stop being a gatekeeper and start being a bridge. Tune in to learn how to own the full supplier lifecycle.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Our website:&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;http://www.procurementsignal.com/&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt;&lt;em&gt; www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Check out the book, Rewire Procurement -&lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt;&lt;em&gt; https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:07:39 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:duration>392</itunes:duration>
                
                
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                <itunes:title>#10: Decoding Net Zero: Procurement’s Role in the Value Chain</itunes:title>
                <title>#10: Decoding Net Zero: Procurement’s Role in the Value Chain</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p> If Your Suppliers Aren’t Green, You’re in the Red!</p><p>&#34;<strong>Every time you sign a contract, you are essentially buying the carbon footprint of that supplier</strong>.&#34;</p><p>It’s a bold statement, but in the world of Scope 3 reporting, it’s the reality. In today’s episode, we’re looking at why 90% of your organization&#39;s footprint likely sits within your supply chain—and why Procurement holds the key to fixing it. We move past the &#34;compliance knock on the door&#34; and dive into how to update your category strategies and influence product design at the source. If you’ve ever wondered how to transition from &#34;counting carbon&#34; to actually &#34;cutting it,&#34; this episode is for you.</p><p><strong>What we cover in this episode:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>The Compliance Reality:</strong> What Finance and Legal actually want when they ask for spend data.</li><li><strong>The Strategic Shift:</strong> How to move from reactive reporting to proactive supplier development.</li><li><strong>The Design Phase:</strong> Why 80% of environmental impact is decided before a PO is even issued.</li><li><strong>Getting Started:</strong> Why your segmentation model is your best friend in identifying carbon &#34;hot spots.&#34;</li></ul><p>Don&#39;t let your procurement strategy stay stuck in the past. Tune in to learn how to adapt your team for the Net Zero journey.</p><p><span>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</span></p><p><span>Our website: </span><a href="http://www.procurementsignal.com" rel="nofollow">www.procurementsignal.com</a></p><p><span>Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - </span><a href="https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt" rel="nofollow">https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt</a></p><p><br></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt; If Your Suppliers Aren’t Green, You’re in the Red!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#34;&lt;strong&gt;Every time you sign a contract, you are essentially buying the carbon footprint of that supplier&lt;/strong&gt;.&amp;#34;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It’s a bold statement, but in the world of Scope 3 reporting, it’s the reality. In today’s episode, we’re looking at why 90% of your organization&amp;#39;s footprint likely sits within your supply chain—and why Procurement holds the key to fixing it. We move past the &amp;#34;compliance knock on the door&amp;#34; and dive into how to update your category strategies and influence product design at the source. If you’ve ever wondered how to transition from &amp;#34;counting carbon&amp;#34; to actually &amp;#34;cutting it,&amp;#34; this episode is for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What we cover in this episode:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Compliance Reality:&lt;/strong&gt; What Finance and Legal actually want when they ask for spend data.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Strategic Shift:&lt;/strong&gt; How to move from reactive reporting to proactive supplier development.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Design Phase:&lt;/strong&gt; Why 80% of environmental impact is decided before a PO is even issued.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Getting Started:&lt;/strong&gt; Why your segmentation model is your best friend in identifying carbon &amp;#34;hot spots.&amp;#34;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Don&amp;#39;t let your procurement strategy stay stuck in the past. Tune in to learn how to adapt your team for the Net Zero journey.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Our website: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;http://www.procurementsignal.com&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt;www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt;https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 12:42:36 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:duration>456</itunes:duration>
                
                
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                <itunes:title>#9: Procurement Technology won’t fix People or Process issues</itunes:title>
                <title>#9: Procurement Technology won’t fix People or Process issues</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, we tackle the all-too-common urge to solve organizational chaos with a new SaaS tool. We’ve all seen the polished vendor demos—the ones with the colorful charts and &#34;effortless&#34; automation—but there’s a catch: that wasn&#39;t your data.</p><p>We dive deep into why technology is an enabler, not a cure-all. If your stakeholders are bypassing you and your data is a disaster, digitizing that mess only creates &#34;digital confusion.&#34;</p><p>In this episode, we discuss:</p><p>The Demo Disconnect: Why &#34;out-of-the-box&#34; integrations often end up as manual Excel uploads.</p><p>The Root Cause: Identifying when your problem is actually about People and Process, not software.</p><p>Compliance vs. Strategy: Can a system really &#34;force&#34; a better process, or does it just hide the cracks?</p><p>&#34;If you haven’t mapped the real-world pain points beyond a vendor demonstration, how do you expect a platform to deliver value?&#34;</p><p>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</p><p>Our website: www.procurementsignal.com</p><p>Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt</p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we tackle the all-too-common urge to solve organizational chaos with a new SaaS tool. We’ve all seen the polished vendor demos—the ones with the colorful charts and &amp;#34;effortless&amp;#34; automation—but there’s a catch: that wasn&amp;#39;t your data.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We dive deep into why technology is an enabler, not a cure-all. If your stakeholders are bypassing you and your data is a disaster, digitizing that mess only creates &amp;#34;digital confusion.&amp;#34;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we discuss:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Demo Disconnect: Why &amp;#34;out-of-the-box&amp;#34; integrations often end up as manual Excel uploads.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Root Cause: Identifying when your problem is actually about People and Process, not software.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Compliance vs. Strategy: Can a system really &amp;#34;force&amp;#34; a better process, or does it just hide the cracks?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#34;If you haven’t mapped the real-world pain points beyond a vendor demonstration, how do you expect a platform to deliver value?&amp;#34;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our website: www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 13:58:38 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:duration>384</itunes:duration>
                
                
                <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
                
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                <itunes:title>#8: 10 ways procurement adds value beyond cost savings</itunes:title>
                <title>#8: 10 ways procurement adds value beyond cost savings</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p><span>For decades, the &#34;Value of Procurement&#34; has been reduced to a single line item: Cost Savings. But in a world of fractured supply chains, volatile markets, and shifting consumer ethics, if you’re only measuring &#34;dollars saved,&#34; you’re missing 90% of the story.</span></p><p><span>In this episode, we move past the &#34;Department of No&#34; stereotype and explore how modern procurement teams align themselves with high-level corporate strategy. We break down the 10 Strategic Levers—from Risk Mitigation and ESG to Speed to Market and Data Intelligence—that transform procurement from a back-office cost center into a powerful value-multiplier. Whether you’re a C-suite executive or a category manager, this episode will change the way you define &#34;success&#34; in the supply chain.</span></p><p><span>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</span></p><p><span>Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library</span></p><p><span>Our website: </span><a href="http://www.procurementsignal.com" rel="nofollow">www.procurementsignal.com</a></p><p><span>Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - </span><a href="https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt" rel="nofollow">https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt</a></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;For decades, the &amp;#34;Value of Procurement&amp;#34; has been reduced to a single line item: Cost Savings. But in a world of fractured supply chains, volatile markets, and shifting consumer ethics, if you’re only measuring &amp;#34;dollars saved,&amp;#34; you’re missing 90% of the story.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;In this episode, we move past the &amp;#34;Department of No&amp;#34; stereotype and explore how modern procurement teams align themselves with high-level corporate strategy. We break down the 10 Strategic Levers—from Risk Mitigation and ESG to Speed to Market and Data Intelligence—that transform procurement from a back-office cost center into a powerful value-multiplier. Whether you’re a C-suite executive or a category manager, this episode will change the way you define &amp;#34;success&amp;#34; in the supply chain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Our website: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;http://www.procurementsignal.com&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt;www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&#34;https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&#34; rel=&#34;nofollow&#34;&gt;https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 09:47:35 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:title>#7: If everyone is a buyer, what does procurement do?</itunes:title>
                <title>#7: If everyone is a buyer, what does procurement do?</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p>In today’s fast-paced corporate world, everyone has a credit card, a login, and a &#34;need for speed.&#34; When Marketing, IT, and HR are clicking the &#34;buy&#34; button themselves, it’s easy to wonder: <em>Does Procurement even have a job anymore?</em></p><p>The answer is a resounding <strong>yes</strong>—but the job description has fundamentally changed.</p><p>In this episode, we explore the identity shift from <strong>transacting</strong> to <strong>enabling</strong>. We move past the old reputation of being the &#34;Department of No&#34; and dive into the role of the <strong>Strategic Architect</strong>. If the company is a highway, Procurement isn&#39;t driving every car; we’re the city planners ensuring the bridges don&#39;t collapse and the traffic flows toward the right destination.</p><p>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</p><p>Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library</p><p>Our website: www.procurementsignal.com</p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;In today’s fast-paced corporate world, everyone has a credit card, a login, and a &amp;#34;need for speed.&amp;#34; When Marketing, IT, and HR are clicking the &amp;#34;buy&amp;#34; button themselves, it’s easy to wonder: &lt;em&gt;Does Procurement even have a job anymore?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The answer is a resounding &lt;strong&gt;yes&lt;/strong&gt;—but the job description has fundamentally changed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we explore the identity shift from &lt;strong&gt;transacting&lt;/strong&gt; to &lt;strong&gt;enabling&lt;/strong&gt;. We move past the old reputation of being the &amp;#34;Department of No&amp;#34; and dive into the role of the &lt;strong&gt;Strategic Architect&lt;/strong&gt;. If the company is a highway, Procurement isn&amp;#39;t driving every car; we’re the city planners ensuring the bridges don&amp;#39;t collapse and the traffic flows toward the right destination.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our website: www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 06:07:37 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:duration>364</itunes:duration>
                
                
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                <itunes:title>#6 Are you managing vendors or managing crises?</itunes:title>
                <title>#6 Are you managing vendors or managing crises?</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p><span>If your supplier management strategy feels more like a series of fire drills than a strategic partnership, you aren’t alone. Too many procurement teams are stuck in a reactive cycle—jumping on calls only when things break and suffering through &#34;status update&#34; meetings that go nowhere.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we dismantle the &#34;check-the-box&#34; approach to vendor management and reveal the hidden engine behind high-performing supply chains: Governance.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>We are moving past the buzzwords to give you the practical &#34;Rhythm of Business&#34; that turns transactional vendors into strategic partners.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>Let’s dive in.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>Our website: www.procurementsignal.com</span></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If your supplier management strategy feels more like a series of fire drills than a strategic partnership, you aren’t alone. Too many procurement teams are stuck in a reactive cycle—jumping on calls only when things break and suffering through &amp;#34;status update&amp;#34; meetings that go nowhere.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we dismantle the &amp;#34;check-the-box&amp;#34; approach to vendor management and reveal the hidden engine behind high-performing supply chains: Governance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;We are moving past the buzzwords to give you the practical &amp;#34;Rhythm of Business&amp;#34; that turns transactional vendors into strategic partners.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Let’s dive in.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Our website: www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:31:57 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:duration>431</itunes:duration>
                
                
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                <itunes:title>#5:  Defining the Radar: Setting Your Risk Scope</itunes:title>
                <title>#5:  Defining the Radar: Setting Your Risk Scope</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p><span>Is your procurement team drowning in data but starving for insights? In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we’re cutting through the noise of Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM). One of the biggest mistakes procurement teams make is trying to monitor every single vendor with the same intensity. When everything is a priority, nothing is. Join us as we break down how to establish a Risk Radar that actually works. We discuss the transition from &#34;checking boxes&#34; to building strategic resilience by focusing on what truly matters.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>Let’s dive in.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</span></p><p><span>Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library</span></p><p><span>Our website: www.procurementsignal.com</span></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Is your procurement team drowning in data but starving for insights? In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we’re cutting through the noise of Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM). One of the biggest mistakes procurement teams make is trying to monitor every single vendor with the same intensity. When everything is a priority, nothing is. Join us as we break down how to establish a Risk Radar that actually works. We discuss the transition from &amp;#34;checking boxes&amp;#34; to building strategic resilience by focusing on what truly matters.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Let’s dive in.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Our website: www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:28:12 &#43;0000</pubDate>
                <itunes:duration>300</itunes:duration>
                
                
                <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
                
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                <itunes:title>#4: Procurement&#39;s 70:20:10 rule for success</itunes:title>
                <title>#4: Procurement&#39;s 70:20:10 rule for success</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p><span>In this episode of the procurement signal, we break down the three elements that truly make procurement tick — through a fresh take on the 70/20/10 rule.</span></p><p><span>No, it’s not a budgeting model.</span></p><p><span>No, it’s not a training framework.</span></p><p><span>And no, it’s definitely not the ratio of coffee, chaos, and courage needed to survive a sourcing cycle.</span></p><p><span>This 70/20/10 rule reveals where procurement’s real impact comes from:</span></p><p><span>70% Stakeholder Alignment</span></p><p><span>20% Standardising Process</span></p><p><span>10% Tools &amp; Technology</span></p><p><span>If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to fix your procurement problems and unlock meaningful change, this episode is your roadmap.</span></p><p><span>Let’s get into it.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</span></p><p><span>Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library</span></p><p><span>Our website: www.procurementsignal.com</span></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;In this episode of the procurement signal, we break down the three elements that truly make procurement tick — through a fresh take on the 70/20/10 rule.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;No, it’s not a budgeting model.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;No, it’s not a training framework.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;And no, it’s definitely not the ratio of coffee, chaos, and courage needed to survive a sourcing cycle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;This 70/20/10 rule reveals where procurement’s real impact comes from:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;70% Stakeholder Alignment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;20% Standardising Process&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;10% Tools &amp;amp; Technology&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to fix your procurement problems and unlock meaningful change, this episode is your roadmap.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Let’s get into it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Our website: www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:24:36 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:duration>428</itunes:duration>
                
                
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                <itunes:title>#3: Untangling roles in modern teams</itunes:title>
                <title>#3: Untangling roles in modern teams</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p><span>In this episode of the</span><strong><em> procurement signal we</em></strong><span> dive into one of the biggest sources of chaos in modern procurement teams: blurred roles and responsibilities.</span></p><p><span>From category managers running sourcing events to vendor managers juggling risk, many teams today operate like a game of musical chairs — and it’s costing them clarity, efficiency, and value.</span></p><p><span>We break down the five core roles every modern procurement function needs to get right:</span></p><p><span>- Category Manager</span></p><p><span>- Procurement Manager</span></p><p><span>- Sourcing Manager</span></p><p><span>- Supplier Risk Manager</span></p><p><span>- Vendor Manager</span></p><p><span>You’ll learn what each role should own, why overlap happens so often, and how to untangle responsibilities so your team can operate with precision instead of confusion.</span></p><p><span>If your procurement team feels stretched, blurred, or overloaded, this episode will help you reset the foundations.</span></p><p><span>Let’s get into it.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</span></p><p><span>Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library</span></p><p><span>Our website: www.procurementsignal.com</span></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;In this episode of the&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; procurement signal we&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; dive into one of the biggest sources of chaos in modern procurement teams: blurred roles and responsibilities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;From category managers running sourcing events to vendor managers juggling risk, many teams today operate like a game of musical chairs — and it’s costing them clarity, efficiency, and value.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;We break down the five core roles every modern procurement function needs to get right:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;- Category Manager&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;- Procurement Manager&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;- Sourcing Manager&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;- Supplier Risk Manager&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;- Vendor Manager&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;You’ll learn what each role should own, why overlap happens so often, and how to untangle responsibilities so your team can operate with precision instead of confusion.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If your procurement team feels stretched, blurred, or overloaded, this episode will help you reset the foundations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Let’s get into it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Our website: www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:20:53 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:duration>552</itunes:duration>
                
                
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                <itunes:title>#2: Build vs Buy, the legendary procurement question.</itunes:title>
                <title>#2: Build vs Buy, the legendary procurement question.</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p><span>In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we unpack one of the profession’s most debated questions: Should you build, or should you buy?</span></p><p><span>This isn’t just a sourcing choice — it’s a reflection of your organisation’s priorities, capabilities, and risk appetite. And procurement sits right in the middle of that strategic crossroads.</span></p><p><span>We break down the real considerations behind build vs buy, the traps teams fall into, and how to guide the business toward smarter, value‑aligned decisions.</span></p><p><span>Let’s get into it.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</span></p><p><span>Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library</span></p><p><span>Our website: www.procurementsignal.com</span></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we unpack one of the profession’s most debated questions: Should you build, or should you buy?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;This isn’t just a sourcing choice — it’s a reflection of your organisation’s priorities, capabilities, and risk appetite. And procurement sits right in the middle of that strategic crossroads.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;We break down the real considerations behind build vs buy, the traps teams fall into, and how to guide the business toward smarter, value‑aligned decisions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Let’s get into it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Our website: www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:16:44 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:duration>475</itunes:duration>
                
                
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                <itunes:title>#1: The identity crisis</itunes:title>
                <title>#1: The identity crisis</title>

                
                
                <itunes:author>Leroy Lobo</itunes:author>
                
                <description><![CDATA[<p><span>Welcome to the very first episode of </span><strong><em>THE PROCUREMENT SIGNAL</em></strong><span> And we’re starting strong — with a topic every procurement professional has felt but few openly talk about: Procurement’s Identity Crisis.</span></p><p><span>Ask ten people in your organization what procurement does, and you’ll get twelve different answers… most of them unflattering. We’re labelled the admin team, the PO police, the cost‑cutters, the paper‑pushers — the people who “slow things down.”</span></p><p><span>But here’s the truth: procurement doesn’t have a capability problem. It has a perception problem.</span></p><p><span>In this episode, we unpack where that perception comes from, how it limits the value procurement can deliver, and what modern teams can do to rewrite the narrative and reclaim their strategic identity.</span></p><p><span>Let’s dive in.</span></p><p><span>Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9</span></p><p><span>Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library</span></p><p><span>Our website: www.procurementsignal.com</span></p>]]></description>
                <content:encoded>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Welcome to the very first episode of &lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;THE PROCUREMENT SIGNAL&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt; And we’re starting strong — with a topic every procurement professional has felt but few openly talk about: Procurement’s Identity Crisis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Ask ten people in your organization what procurement does, and you’ll get twelve different answers… most of them unflattering. We’re labelled the admin team, the PO police, the cost‑cutters, the paper‑pushers — the people who “slow things down.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;But here’s the truth: procurement doesn’t have a capability problem. It has a perception problem.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;In this episode, we unpack where that perception comes from, how it limits the value procurement can deliver, and what modern teams can do to rewrite the narrative and reclaim their strategic identity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Let’s dive in.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Our website: www.procurementsignal.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content:encoded>
                
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                <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:07:27 &#43;0000</pubDate>
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                <itunes:duration>483</itunes:duration>
                
                
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