Thirteen months ago, we laid out 10 bold predictions for the 2025 economy—now, we’re checking the receipts using our "MythBusters" rating system of Confirmed, Busted, or Plausible. We dive deep into the massive "Confirmed" hits, including Paul’s call on Gold outperforming the S&P 500 and Alan’s prediction of the $500 billion surge into U.S. chip manufacturers like Nvidia. However, not every call was a win; we analyze why American manufacturing struggled under new tariff packages and how t...

Tom Finn and Alan Veeck analyze the 2025 PNC Christmas Price Index to uncover how macro-economic shifts are impacting the most unique supply chain in the world. This year, the total cost of the 12 gifts officially broke the $50,000 ceiling, settling at $51,476 for a 4.5% year-over-year increase. Nearly 95% of this hike was driven by a 32.5% surge in the price of gold rings, fueled by global geopolitical risks and a "flight to safety" among investors. We also dive into the labor market nuances...

How do you differentiate yourself and truly shine in the crowded field of procurement? Tom and Alan welcome the legendary Philip Ideson (Host of the Art of Procurement Podcast) to reveal his three non-negotiable rules for rising above the crowd and ensuring you are never a commodity. Phil shares critical career advice, emphasizing that long-term success requires both a deep passion for your category and the strategic use of thought leadership to elevate your profile. The three hosts discuss t...

How does a seasonal item like a Christmas tree become a massive global sourcing project? This week on How It's Sourced, Alan and Tom dissect the two very different supply chains behind your holiday centerpiece: real vs. artificial trees. They reveal the shocking cost factors, including the risk profile of growing a tree for 10-12 years and the incredible logistics required to move massive artificial trees from China. Discover the biggest producers, the history of tree auctions (including a po...

Did you know the psychological tricks used on Black Friday are the exact same ones your suppliers use to raise your costs? Alan and Tom dive into the history of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, revealing how concepts like price anchoring influence both consumer and B2B procurement decisions. Learn how to beat these tactics using Tom's secret weapon, CamelCamelCamel.com, a website that exposes inflated 'starting' prices. They also explore the strange side effects of the holiday shopping spree, i...

Is the dirty data excuse killing your procurement analytics initiatives? Tom Finn and Alan Veeck provide a simple, executable 4-step roadmap for any procurement team to clean dirty data and get more value out of their analytics. Learn why you should start small with your dirtiest spend data and use an 80/20 approach to drive immediate, measurable savings. Learn the vital difference between a data governance team and a team focused on quick wins that generates budget for future resources. Stop...

Is selling to procurement a numbers game, or a relationship game? In this solo episode, Alan Veeck (the OG in Procurement) reveals his entire sales philosophy, explaining why procurement professionals respect knowledge and trust over aggressive email marketing. Alan dives deep into his Network of 10,000 strategy, detailing exactly how he connects with decision-makers to offer value and build long-term relationships that lead to deals. He shares key lessons from his career (McKinsey, Free Mark...

Is AI a threat or the ultimate tool? Alan challenges Tom's bold claims about the immediate, seismic shift of AI in procurement. Tom reveals the powerful AI add-on that can instantly turn your ugliest, most complex Excel spreadsheets into clean, formula-driven dashboards—a true game-changer for any analyst. They also explore the darker side: how AI is rapidly deteriorating the job of Human Resources and what that means for your future job prospects in procurement. Stop treating AI like a dista...

Ready to tear up your outdated sourcing playbook? Alan and Tom dive back into the mind of Elon Musk to uncover four critical business drivers that demand continuous improvement from procurement. They challenge the status quo, asking why so many teams are still using a slow 9-step sourcing process when Musk's principles demand a rapid 4-step approach instead. Discover the power of questioning your requirements and why breaking down every process to its fundamental pieces is the only way to suc...

Join tom and Alan on the latest episode of Rebuild Procurement where they discuss how outsourcing might get 58% more expensive? Tom and Alan break down the proposed HIRE Act, a new US Senate bill that would introduce a 25% tax on offshored services. We discuss why this legislative move—if passed—could cause a 58% increase in the cost of outsourced services , completely changing the Excel math for procurement and BPO decisions. Learn how this bill could boost investment in North American onsho...

Did you know your body language and nonverbal cues could be subtly increasing your procurement costs? In this solo episode, Tom Finn dives into the power of nonverbal communication, sharing lessons from Amy Cuddy's famous research on how your posture impacts confidence. Discover the critical nonverbal signals your suppliers are sending in negotiations and why understanding their baseline is the key to getting a better deal. Tom breaks down simple techniques like the "Superman Pose" and the cr...

What is the "Idiot Index," and why did it make Elon Musk an ultra-obsessed procurement buyer? In this episode, Tom Finn and Alan Veeck break down Musk’s radical approach to cost, revealing how to use his "Should Cost Model" to expose massive markups from your suppliers. Learn how to apply Musk's "10% Rule" to over-delete unnecessary steps in your processes and instantly simplify complex, cost-inflating regulations. They also cover the secret to building a Musk-level team: hiring for attitude ...

Is your company forcing you back to the office? In this no-holds-barred episode, Tom Finn and Alan Veeck reveal what’s really behind the "Return to Office" (RTO) push, including the controversial idea that it’s being used as a “shadow layoff.” We break down the statistics, debate the true drivers behind RTO policies like improving culture and mentorship, and discuss why productivity and accountability might not be the real reason at all. Alan shares real-world anecdotes from clients making th...

Are your major cost-saving achievements failing to impress your company's leadership? In this solo episode, Tom Finn reveals the critical disconnect: procurement and finance are often speaking two completely different languages. Discover the essential shifts you must make to start thinking like a CFO, focusing on enterprise value, working capital, and de-risking the P&L instead of just purchase price variance. Tom breaks down how to masterfully discuss key financial metrics like EBITDA an...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the fascinating world of reverse auctions. Ever feel like negotiating prices is like a game of poker, where everyone’s bluffing, but only one player walks away with the pot? They’ll dive into the pros and cons of reverse auctions, exploring when to use them and when to steer clear, all while sharing some entertaining stories from the field. With insights on supplier dynamics and competitive pressure, this episode will help you na...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at how to transition from a great career to landing your next job in procurement. Ever feel like job hunting is just like online dating—lots of swiping but no matches? They’ll discuss the importance of networking, tailoring your resume, and the value of a standout cover letter. Learn how to ace your interviews using the STAR method, ensuring your story shines through. Join us for this and much more on today's episode! #Procurement #...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at how to elevate your career from good to great in procurement. Ever feel like you're just one software upgrade away from being replaced? They’ll discuss the importance of networking and building strong relationships that can help you stand out in a competitive landscape. Learn actionable strategies to make yourself indispensable, even in a world where AI seems to do it all. Join us for this and much more on today's episode! #Procu...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the latest tariff news that’s shaking up the procurement landscape. Ever wonder why negotiating tariffs feels like trying to organize a family reunion—everyone’s got their own agenda? They’ll discuss how AI tools are transforming contract management faster than you can say "reciprocal tariffs," and why procurement teams might be caught flat-footed in this changing environment. Tune in to discover actionable insights that could el...

Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the world of outsourcing and BPO, where rebranding is key—because nobody wants to admit they're shipping jobs overseas. Discover the managed services spectrum, from staff augmentation to full-blown business process services, and find out why Alan hates the "C word" (consulting, of course!). Ever wondered if BPO is just corporate code for "things are going downhill"? They'll explore the difference between growth BPO and maturity/d...

Join Tom, Alan and Michael on Rebuild Procurement as they dive into the overlooked—but high-stakes—world of real estate in procurement. From 15-year leases that outlast CEOs to landlords who'd rather sit on empty buildings than negotiate, real estate can be a strategic landmine. Special guest Michael Katz, a real estate SME with 30+ years of experience, unpacks why flexibility is gold, how to dodge restoration traps, and what every procurement pro should know before signing on the dotte...