Procurement isn’t boring. It’s powerful.
Why I speak about procurement at keynote events
here’s a strange paradox I keep running into: procurement is everywhere, yet invisible. It’s essential, yet overlooked. It’s powerful, but rarely talked about with any real excitement. And still, every time I get to speak about it, whether on stage, over dinner, or in smaller conversations, I’m reminded why it matters more than we think.
Last month, I had the chance to share this message with a room full of Chief Procurement Officers at the NEVI CPO Summit. It was a gathering of people who operate at the top of their game, leading massive teams, managing complex systems and moving billions in spending. But what resonated most wasn’t the scale of their operations. It was the opportunity to connect procurement across sectors to something deeper: purpose. That’s what fuels me to speak, because every time we link everyday decisions to meaningful outcomes, we move one step closer to systemic change.
Procurement as a tool for driving impact
Procurement, to me, isn’t just a function. It’s a lever. A way to turn values into action. Whether it’s reducing inequality, strengthening local economies, or building resilience in the face of crisis, the decisions we make about what we buy, and from whom, can drive real system change.
That’s not just theory. I’ve seen it in practice. Not only in the humanitarian aid sector, but add the wider social impact economy, and we’re talking trillions. This isn’t a niche, it’s a distributed, global engine for good. But only if we choose to use it that way.
How values-based procurement creates real change
So what does that mean, in practice? It can be as simple as shifting the questions we ask. A single line in a tender document can start a ripple effect. A 1% shift in how we ask and what we expect could unlock enormous impact.
In the humanitarian sector, it might mean actively sourcing or prioritizing local suppliers to stimulate economic recovery after a crisis. These choices are not just ethical, they’re strategic. They build stronger supply chains, support resilience and make aid more effective. In the corporate world, the same principles apply. If your company prides itself on offering generous maternity leave, why not expect decent maternity leave across the value chain, hence from your suppliers? A simple question in a tender “Do you offer paid maternity leave?” can open up a conversation about shared values and workplace equity. These small signals can create big shifts across supply chains.
Procurement is where intention meets execution. It’s where ESG goals either come to life or stay stuck in strategy slides. And it’s where I believe some of the most exciting changes of our time can begin, quietly, effectively and with the power of many small decisions adding up to big results.
Why I’ll keep advocating for procurement with purpose
So no, procurement may never be the sexiest topic on the conference agenda. But it’s one of the most important. And I’ll keep speaking about this (and other subjects) very passionately because there’s nothing boring about creating a better system (as my talk during the WEF in 2025).
Want to learn more, or interested to invite me for your conference or event? I’ll be looking forward receiving a message from you, or follow me on LinkedIn.