Proc-N-Roll : Your guide to practical procurement!

Graphite Connect and Candor Procurement

Welcome to Proc n Roll, where nearly 70 years of combined procurement expertise come together. Join Natasha, the PRO CPO with experience at IBM, McKesson, Salesforce, and Nike; Zach, the procurement guru from London; and Conrad, the visionary innovator behind transformational procurement at Intel and Adobe. We dive into the latest trends shaping the procurement landscape while breaking down the essential building blocks for success. Whether you’re new to procurement or a seasoned expert, our discussions will inspire you and keep you grounded in real-world value.

  1. 2 hr ago

    Don't Sacrfiice Speed for Security: Avoiding the TPRM Trap

    On this week's Proc N Roll, our hosts are back together from the four corners of the world to tackle one of the biggest "boat anchors" slowing down procurement: Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM). In this episode, they dive into the reality of "risk theater," revealing how 80 to 90% of businesses pretend to manage risk by checking boxes rather than doing actual risk mitigation. The hosts discuss how to apply proportionality to your risk, learn lessons from the Silicon Valley Bank and CrowdStrike crises, and use intentional design to make the procurement process faster and more effective. Plus, catch up on Natasha's birthday sailing trip in Turkey and Conrad's travels to the DPW conference in Amsterdam! Timestamps (00:00) - Cold Open: Participating in risk theater (01:02) - Intro: The Three Amigos return to Proc and Roll (01:25) - Natasha's birthday sailing trip in Turkey (05:48) - Conrad's houseboat at DPW Amsterdam and Europe trip (09:41) - Zach's restructuring engagement and AI preaching (11:43) - Main Topic: TPRM and contracts as giant boat anchors (12:55) - Why nobody is doing TPRM right (15:16) - Why risk is often treated as an enterprise afterthought (21:37) - Segmenting suppliers based on risk and criticality (30:46) - Applying risk proportionality (Zach's London SUV analogy) (32:48) - The Target HVAC breach and avoiding generic questionnaires (40:40) - Managing crises like the Silicon Valley Bank collapse (44:16) - The CrowdStrike failure and master data issues (45:46) - Key Takeaways: Intentional design and managing real risk About Proc and Roll Proc and Roll is your guide to practical procurement. Hosted by Conrad, Natasha, and Zach, the podcast cuts through the noise to discuss the real challenges, AI technology trends, and strategies shaping the future of procurement. Don't forget to like, comment, and share to help get these episodes out to your procurement buddies!

  2. 6 days ago

    AI-Native vs. AI-Washed: Don't Get Fooled by Fake Tech


    Conrad and Zach dive into the hype and reality of AI in procurement tech directly from DPW Amsterdam. They tackle the industry's biggest question: is the new tech genuinely "AI-native," or is it just marketing spin? They break down what it actually means to build around a probabilistic core, why traditional dashboards are dying, and how natural language interfaces will fundamentally change how we interact with ERPs like SAP. Timestamps: (00:00) - Cold Open: AI architecture and natural language (01:07) - DPW Amsterdam recap and the blend of tech and entertainment (07:22) - What does "AI-Native" actually mean? (15:37) - The problem with isolated AI use cases and the need for an operating model (17:19) - Conrad’s "vibe coding" surf app project (22:22) - Why vibe-coding enterprise apps can cause security hacks (26:31) - When to let AI make decisions vs. strictly internal tools (30:23) - Natural language is the new procurement interface (40:47) - AI governance: The danger of everyone being a builder (49:52) - Will AI replace jobs in procurement and sales? (56:53) - Final Takeaways: Start experimenting with AI before buying the tech About Proc and Roll: Proc and Roll is your guide to practical procurement, hosted by Conrad, Zach, and Natasha. The podcast tackles industry trends, technological transformations like AI, and practical advice for CPOs and procurement professionals. Don't forget to like, comment, and share!

  3. 8 Oct

    Fixing the Contract Bottleneck

    Why is the procurement cycle always so slow, and why are stakeholders constantly complaining? In this week's Proc and Roll, Conrad, Zach, and Natasha tackle the biggest bottleneck in the industry: the contract and risk process. The hosts break down why forcing an ironclad contract for every single purchase is a massive waste of time, and how redundant approval cycles turn necessary compliance into useless "risk theater". If you want to stop frustrating your stakeholders and start actually mitigating risk, you have to follow the money, stop over-contracting, and rebuild your relationship with Legal. Timestamps: (00:00) - Cold Open: Contracts rarely leave the file cabinet (00:58) - Intro: The cycle time bottleneck (02:52) - Quick wins: NDAs, templates, and tracking changes (06:27) - Keep it simple: Stop designing 8-document processes (08:30) - "Follow the money" and stop unnecessary contracts (13:11) - Building a progressive partnership with Legal (15:22) - Empowering requesters vs. risk-averse clicking (20:31) - Natasha's pushback: Stakeholders aren't always risk-averse (23:06) - The redundant approval trap (24:13) - The invisible hand: Designing process for stakeholder interest (26:22) - Why the best process won't stop a bad actor (30:13) - TPRM maturity and the reality of "Risk Theater" (34:02) - Supplier integrity is saving your enterprise (37:35) - Final Takeaways: Playbooks, AI, and Legal relationships About Proc and Roll: Proc and Roll is your guide to practical procurement. Hosted by industry veterans, we cut through the corporate jargon to tackle the real, everyday challenges of enterprise procurement, supply chain risk, and contract negotiations. Whether you are navigating AI-native tech stacks or figuring out how to stop your stakeholders from bypassing your process, we bring you the actionable insights you need to become a genuine business partner. Don't forget to like, comment, and share!

  4. 30 Sept

    Mastering Career Pivots and Emotional Intelligence with Adam Lancaster

    What does it actually take to rocket-ship your career, build unshakable leadership skills, and completely transform your mindset? In this week's Proc and Roll, Conrad sits down with his former Adobe colleague, Adam Lancaster. Adam shares his wild journey from surviving a mountain lion attack to navigating the high-pressure environments of Intel and Adobe, and eventually becoming the number two real estate agent in North America. This episode goes far beyond traditional procurement advice. Adam breaks down the exact three traits he looks for when hiring rock stars—Emotional Intelligence (EQ), data analytics, and critical thinking—and explains why raw transparency is the true foundation of leadership. Finally, he reveals the "wildly uncomfortable" daily affirmation practice that completely rewired his behavior and drove his massive career success. Timestamps: (01:05) - Welcome Adam Lancaster to the Studio (01:52) - The Mountain Lion Survival Story (06:37) - From Real Estate to Procurement: Charting a Career Path (16:19) - "In God We Trust, All Others Bring Data" (22:17) - The 3 Traits to Hire For: EQ, Analytics, and Critical Thinking (26:08) - What Leadership Actually Means: Raw Transparency (29:27) - Balancing Relationship Building with Hard Results (40:19) - The Core Difference Between Management and Leadership (45:18) - "Become Worthy of the Fee" (50:48) - The 5 Uncomfortable Morning Affirmations That Drive Success Mentioned in this Episode: The Mountain Lion Encounter: Adam’s wild survival story was actually immortalized on canvas! The painting, titled "Out of Nowhere" by Western artist Clark Kelley Price, depicts the exact moment Adam took aim from the horses while his father, Kellen, defended himself on the ground. (https://clarkkelleyprice.com/products/out-of-nowhere?utm_source=gemini&hl=en-US) Adam’s A Cappella Days: We teased it at the end of the episode, and yes, the footage is real. Watch Adam singing "I'm a Believer" with his college a cappella group here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wGNNfonSEI About Proc and Roll: Proc and Roll is your guide to practical procurement. Hosted by industry veterans, we roll up our sleeves to tackle the real, unglamorous challenges of enterprise procurement, leadership, and career growth. Tune in for candid conversations, actionable frameworks, and unfiltered advice on how to build a world-class career and drive real business value.

    Mastering Career Pivots and Emotional Intelligence with Adam Lancaster

  5. 24 Sept

    The 15-Day Nightmare: Why Your PR to PO Cycle is Killing Your Business

    Is your procurement process holding the business back? Everyone dreams of a two-day PR to PO cycle, but reality often averages 10 to 15 days. When the process is that slow, business stakeholders will bypass procurement entirely to get things done. In this week's Proc and Roll, Conrad, Natasha, and Zach break down exactly why cycle times drag and how to fix them. They unpack the massive delays caused by legal, security, and onboarding, and explain why treating every purchase as high-risk is a recipe for failure. Learn how to leverage P-cards, optimize internal catalogs, and hold cross-functional teams accountable to realistic SLAs to speed up the business. Timestamps (01:06) - The 15-Day PR to PO Dilemma (04:42) - Procurement as the Pit Stop: "Fix It or Get Out of the Way" (07:19) - Identifying the Real Process Bottlenecks (09:10) - The Trap of the One-Size-Fits-All Approach (12:03) - Accelerating Cycle Times with P-Cards (22:50) - Automating Repeat Buys with Catalogs (28:00) - The AI Fallacy: Can Tech Fix a Broken Process? (32:39) - The Massive Time Drain of Legal and Security Reviews (36:41) - CPO Accountability & Budgeting Your Risk About Proc N Roll Proc and Roll is your guide to practical procurement. Hosted by industry veterans Conrad, Natasha Gurevich, and Zach, we roll up our sleeves to tackle the real, unglamorous challenges of enterprise procurement, leadership, and supply chain management. Tune in for candid conversations, actionable frameworks, and unfiltered advice on how to build a world-class procurement engine that drives real business value.

  6. 10 Sept

    The Anatomy of a Great Decision: 3 Frameworks Every Leader Needs

    In this week's PNR, Conrad, Zach, and Natasha roll up their sleeves to tackle one of the most critical elements of leadership: how we actually make decisions. Moving beyond high-level theory, the hosts reveal their personal, battle-tested decision-making frameworks. From using AI to analyze our own subconscious biases, to navigating hidden corporate agendas and short-term quarterly earnings pressures, this episode is a raw, unfiltered look into the reality of boardroom dynamics. Whether you lean on hard data, intuition, or political capital, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to bulletproof your next big choice. Timestamps (00:00:00) - Cold Open: The danger of short-term quarterly goals and why altruism doesn't exist in business. (00:01:02) - Intro: Welcoming Natasha and Zach, plus Conrad's "The Smith" t-shirt. (00:03:25) - Zach’s 5-step analytical framework (and how he used Claude AI to uncover his own process). (00:11:42) - Natasha’s pragmatic approach: Balancing the enterprise, the team, and political capital. (00:16:11) - Conrad’s problem-solving framework and weighing the "believability" of experts. (00:20:49) - Business vs. Personal choices: Are corporate decisions ever truly unemotional? (00:34:05) - Navigating egos, hidden agendas, and the "HIPPO" (Highest Paid Person's Opinion) in the boardroom. (00:46:55) - The Altruism Debate: Does selfless decision-making actually happen? (00:53:19) - The temporal aspect of choices and why execution is where the money is. (01:06:20) - Career Advice: Why you should never "phone it in" when pivotal decisions are being made. About Proc and Roll Proc and Roll is your ultimate guide to practical procurement. Hosted by industry veterans, we explore the realities of supply chain, digital transformation, and the deeply human elements of leadership in the corporate world. We are passionate about helping procurement professionals learn, innovate, and grow their careers.

  7. 1 Sept

    Everything is Rented: Leaving a Leadership Legacy Beyond Your Title


    In this special in-studio jam session, Conrad sits down with Natasha Gurevich live at Graphite Headquarters. Fresh off her week at Sundance Mountain Resort for a senior leadership program, Natasha shares powerful reflections on executive integrity, the danger of corporate "storytelling," and why every leader needs a personal board of directors. Whether you are navigating volatile times, learning to balance your head, heart, and hands, or wondering if AI can ever truly replace empathetic leadership, this episode is packed with raw, authentic wisdom. Timestamps (00:00:00) - Cold Open: Why your position, salary, and title are only temporary. (00:01:00) - Intro: Welcoming Natasha to the live in-studio jam session at Graphite HQ. (00:03:08) - The "Everything is Rented" leadership philosophy. (00:05:06) - Discussing Level 5 leadership and leaving an organization better than you found it. (00:08:15) - Leadership lessons from top sports coaches and the Chicago Bulls. (00:09:57) - The AI Debate: Can artificial intelligence actually be empathetic and lead teams? (00:12:57) - Why integrity is complex and how corporate values often fall short. (00:19:14) - Stop suffering alone: The power of a personal board of directors. (00:24:00) - The Redwood metaphor: Building strong, intertwined professional networks. (00:26:32) - Do people want authenticity, or do they just want you to do your job well? (00:28:41) - The manipulative nature of corporate "storytelling" versus actual truth-telling. (00:34:19) - Navigating volatility: How to know when to withhold the truth. (00:40:04) - The Leadership Trifecta: Aligning your head, heart, and hands. (00:41:44) - Celebrating the 2-year anniversary of the Proc and Roll podcast! Mentioned in this Episode Good to Great by Jim Collins: Conrad references this book when discussing the principles of "Level 5 leadership" and how great leaders build systems that thrive in their absence. The Practice of Groundedness by Brad Stulberg: This is the book Conrad mentions regarding the California Redwoods metaphor, illustrating how trees (and leaders) support each other by intertwining their roots rather than standing alone. The Playbook (Netflix): Natasha highly recommends this series featuring interviews with six coaches, highlighting that their real job is teaching individuals how to play as a team. The Last Dance (Netflix): A documentary about Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and coach Phil Jackson that perfectly captures the joy, energy, and dynamic of true teamwork. Diary of a CEO Podcast with Seth Godin: Conrad references a discussion from this podcast regarding the boundaries of professional authenticity. About Proc and Roll Proc and Roll is your ultimate guide to practical procurement. Hosted by industry veterans, we explore the realities of supply chain, digital transformation, and the deeply human elements of leadership in the corporate world. We are passionate about helping procurement professionals learn, innovate, and grow their careers. Don't forget to like, comment, and share!

  8. 21 Aug

    Vibe Coding 101: How to Build Your Own Procurement Tech

    In this week's Proc N Roll, Conrad and Zach dive deep into the world of Artificial Intelligence and how it is revolutionizing the way procurement professionals work. They discuss how the "language barrier" of traditional coding is gone, meaning anyone can use plain English to build complex systems like a Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) tool. The duo also debates the new "Build vs. Buy" reality, the importance of clear requirements when working with AI agents, and why human imagination remains irreplaceable. Timestamps: (00:00) - Cold Open: The language barrier is gone, and English is the new coding language. (01:05) - Intro: Conrad welcomes Zach from London for a jam session on AI in procurement. (02:27) - Zach discusses the rapid evolution of AI over the past 18-24 months and how enterprises are adapting. (03:40) - Conrad shares his journey from struggling with early AI tools to easily building a CLM system using open AI models. (13:19) - Zach explains why providing clear scope and requirements is crucial so AI doesn't over-engineer your app. (20:50) - The importance of spending time upfront on design and documentation before rushing into "vibe coding". (27:23) - The new "Build vs. Buy" dilemma: When should procurement teams build their own tools instead of spending $150,000 on software? (36:27) - Evaluating the cost of failure: Why you shouldn't build your own ERP, but building a CLM or RFP tracker is low risk. (46:06) - Zach shares his massive learnings from iterating and building an autonomous procurement agent. (51:18) - Why AI won't take all our jobs: Humans still need to bring imagination, learning, and decision-making to the table. (54:36) - Outro: Upcoming AI workshops, a potential meetup in London for DPW, and an invitation to reach out. About Proc and Roll: Proc and Roll is your ultimate guide to practical procurement. Hosted by industry veterans, we explore the cutting edge of supply chain, digital transformation, and how tools like AI are reshaping the enterprise landscape. We are passionate about helping procurement professionals learn, innovate, and automate their workflows.

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Welcome to Proc n Roll, where nearly 70 years of combined procurement expertise come together. Join Natasha, the PRO CPO with experience at IBM, McKesson, Salesforce, and Nike; Zach, the procurement guru from London; and Conrad, the visionary innovator behind transformational procurement at Intel and Adobe. We dive into the latest trends shaping the procurement landscape while breaking down the essential building blocks for success. Whether you’re new to procurement or a seasoned expert, our discussions will inspire you and keep you grounded in real-world value.

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