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Welcome to the Graphite Connect Blog. Check in for frequent articles that will help your team operate at the highest possible level.

The Age of Agents: Managing “Shadow AI” in Procurement

The Age of Agents: Managing “Shadow AI” in Procurement

Podcast

In our personal lives, we can build an AI agent on our phone in an hour for under $50. But when that same “citizen developer” mindset enters the corporate world without guardrails, it creates a massive risk for the enterprise. […]

I've Got the Power: Using AI to Even the Playing Field

I've Got the Power: Using AI to Even the Playing Field

Podcast

Procurement professionals often feel under-resourced compared to their sales counterparts, who have entire teams dedicated to responding to RFPs. To “even the playing field,” procurement needs tools that can optimize data and automate the heavy lifting. In this special “jam […]

I Won't Back Down: A Leader's Guide to Courage and Overcoming the Fear of AI Disruption

I Won't Back Down: A Leader's Guide to Courage and Overcoming the Fear of AI Disruption

Podcast

As AI and automation change the procurement landscape, what skills will you actually need to stay relevant? Natasha, Conrad, and Zach break down how the profession is evolving from a narrow focus on savings to a strategic function centered on […]

Mr. Roboto: How to Navigate the Agentic AI Revolution in Procurement

Mr. Roboto: How to Navigate the Agentic AI Revolution in Procurement

Podcast

For decades, procurement professionals have been bogged down by administrative work—scheduling meetings, running reports, chasing stakeholders, and managing paperwork. But what if 80-90% of that work simply disappeared tomorrow? With the release of new agentic browsers like OpenAI’s Atlas, that […]

The CPO's 90-Day Playbook: People, Process, Systems

The CPO's 90-Day Playbook: People, Process, Systems

Podcast

What should a procurement leader do in their first 90 days to make a real impact? In a special in-studio jam session, veteran CPO Ash Hall joins Proc and Roll to share his proven playbook for career progression and leadership […]

It's The End of RFP as We Know It

It's The End of RFP as We Know It

Podcast

For decades, the Request for Proposal (RFP) has been the default tool for procurement. But for anyone who has had to create one—or worse, respond to one—the process is often a “disgusting,” “sloppy,” and painful exercise in futility. It’s a […]

How to Build a Bio-Medical Procurement Strategy That Balances Speed & Safety

How to Build a Bio-Medical Procurement Strategy That Balances Speed & Safety

Procurement

Procurement teams in the biomedical sector are concerned about more than just delivery schedules and cost targets. You’re responsible for sourcing products and materials that directly support patient care, lab operations, or life-saving devices. Mistakes in supplier vetting, compliance checks, […]

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Vendor Management Software in 2025

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Vendor Management Software in 2025

Supplier Management

Managing vendors manually just isn’t practical or competitive anymore. As regulatory requirements grow and supply chains grow more interconnected, an online vendor management system has become necessary for procurement managers seeking operational efficiency and risk mitigation. The right vendor management […]

Strategic Procurement Process: Best Practices for Maximum Efficiency

Strategic Procurement Process: Best Practices for Maximum Efficiency

Procurement

Procurement today goes far beyond buying goods and services. A strategic procurement process helps companies secure better terms, reduce risk, and support long-term goals, so if your team still relies on emails and spreadsheets to manage suppliers, it’s time for […]

Telecommunication Procurement Strategy: 8 Best Practices

Telecommunication Procurement Strategy: 8 Best Practices

Procurement

Telecommunication procurement is the process of sourcing, contracting, and managing the connectivity infrastructure that keeps your business running. From internet and phone systems to unified communications platforms and mobile data plans, your telecom services impact every department. But managing telecom […]

Top Supplier Collaboration Tools to Streamline Procurement Processes

Top Supplier Collaboration Tools to Streamline Procurement Processes

Procurement

Supplier relationships were once primarily based on emails and spreadsheets. Today, that approach no longer suffices. Delays, missing data, and back-and-forth requests slow everything down, which isn’t conducive to business. That’s where supplier collaboration tools come in. These platforms help […]

Why the Best CLM Software Delivers More Than Just Document Storage

Why the Best CLM Software Delivers More Than Just Document Storage

Contract Management

Contract management plays a key role in how you handle supplier relationships. When contract data is scattered across inboxes or stored in random folders, it’s easy to miss deadlines or lose track of what was agreed to. That leads to […]

What to Look for in a Supplier Performance Management Tool

What to Look for in a Supplier Performance Management Tool

Supplier Performance Management

Tracking supplier performance by email or spreadsheet can hold your team back. You can’t act on delays or quality issues if you’re always chasing down updates. Fortunately, supplier performance management tools help you identify what’s working, what’s not, and where […]

Your First 100 Days as a Procurement Leader: What to Prioritize

Your First 100 Days as a Procurement Leader: What to Prioritize

Procurement

Taking on a new procurement leadership role can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. You’re expected to drive value, establish trust, and signal a clear direction—often all at once. So where do you start? In your first 100 days, focus on […]

Best Supplier Portal Software to Streamline Your Procurement Workflow in 2025

Best Supplier Portal Software to Streamline Your Procurement Workflow in 2025

Procurement

Procurement teams today need faster onboarding capability, fewer manual tasks, and better communication with vendors. The best supplier portal software gives you a centralized space to manage documents, track compliance, exchange data, and keep suppliers informed, all in real time. […]

Vendor Management Software for Financial Institutions: What to Look For

Vendor Management Software for Financial Institutions: What to Look For

Supplier Management

Financial institutions work with a growing number of third-party vendors. Many of them handle sensitive data, payments, or infrastructure. As regulatory expectations rise and supply chain risks increase, banks and credit unions need a better way to manage oversight, reduce […]

A Matter of Trust: An Ethical Negotiation Guide

A Matter of Trust: An Ethical Negotiation Guide

Podcast

You’re in a high-stakes negotiation, and you need a better price. You know you don’t have a better offer, but you’re tempted to say you do. Is that a strategic bluff or an unethical lie? In those moments, a procurement […]

Choosing IT Vendor Risk Management Solutions for Long-Term Security

Choosing IT Vendor Risk Management Solutions for Long-Term Security

Risk Management

As you add more cloud platforms, SaaS tools, and service providers, your vendor network becomes harder to secure. Every new connection increases the chance of data exposure, downtime, or compliance failure. Without the right tools, you may not catch these […]

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