Welcome to the Graphite Connect Blog. Check in for frequent articles and podcast episodes that will help your team operate at the highest possible level.
In the 2026 retail landscape, the traditional "vendor list" is a relic of the past. Modern retailers are no longer just buying products; they are orchestrating a complex web of global partners.
Conrad interviews Certificial CEO Peter Teresi on innovation and problem-solving. Peter notes true innovation requires moving past simple efficiency to transformative, foundational solutions. He advises leaders to carve out time for creative thinking, hire carefully, and execute their ideas without second-guessing.
In Ep 50, Conrad, Zach, and Natasha detail practical steps to build a procurement operating model. They argue leaders must first map the enterprise's structure and goals (the "skeleton") before focusing on spend or org charts. They also share personal use cases of AI agents automating admin tasks like org charts and calendars , urging teams to repurpose freed FTEs for strategic value.
This episode of Proc n Roll features Natasha and Zachary interviewing Jason Busch on AI's impact on procurement. Jason divides AI into copilots, agentic systems, and AI employees. He advises leaders to build AI digital twins instead of relying on legacy SaaS. Jason warns AI will soon replace knowledge work, advising kids to pursue manual trades like electricians.
Streamline procurement with supplier information management software for retail. Automate onboarding, mitigate risk, and scale fast with Graphite Connect.
Conrad, Zachary, and guest Tomas Wiemer explore the procurement operating model of the future. With AI agents automating tasks like RFPs and TCO models, the focus shifts from rigid processes to fast outcomes. They discuss how procurement roles will evolve into AI supervisors and why leaders must adopt an abundance mindset to architect this new era of tech-driven sourcing.
The hosts explore OpenClaw AI agents. Kasey shows how non-technical users can build agents like "Gavin" to automate contract compliance. The team predicts these AI tools will replace expensive procurement tech stacks. They urge professionals to start experimenting today.
Learn how to conduct a third-party risk management audit that identifies supplier vulnerabilities, streamlines procurement, and satisfies compliance requirements.
Conrad and Shunit Kainy discuss the power of procurement communities. Shunit explains how she built an IT procurement network in Israel to combat professional isolation. They explore overcoming introversion, the generosity of peer knowledge sharing, and why procurement must step up to lead. Finally, they note that human imagination is the biggest barrier to AI adoption.
Scaling software procurement goes beyond buying licenses. You also need tools that support strong vendor relationships while maintaining high-security standards. Without a structured approach and an eye on software procurement best practices, your software business risks delays, overspending, and security […]
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, […]
A diverse, competitive marketplace is beneficial to both suppliers and buyers alike. For a buying corporation, diversity in their suppliers promotes company values, supports local businesses, and according to a 2015 Hackett Group study adds $3.60 dollars per dollar spent […]
Each vendor exposes your organization to risks. Understanding this exposure is the first step to preventing risk.
If you manage procurement in a healthcare setting, your strategy directly affects patient care, cost control, and day-to-day operations. Without a reliable process, you risk delays, compliance gaps, and rising supply costs. Fortunately, with the right tools and structure, you […]
A sound new vendor onboarding strategy is mission-critical for any organization that relies on external parties for goods and services. Proper supplier onboarding ensures that new suppliers are properly integrated into your company’s systems and processes: without it, managing risk, […]
Offboarding suppliers ensures sensitive information and reduces risk of data breaches and compliance violations.
Boost spend under management by empowering stakeholders. Don’t let new supplier requests hold you back.
Graphite transforms your procurement with its secure network, automated supplier data management, and less stress.
Bart Reekmans shares leadership insights from his military and CPO background. He emphasizes adapting to company culture and prioritizing stakeholder outcomes. Comparing team management to marathon training, he advises engineering "sprints" to build crisis muscle memory. Bart also champions prioritizing collaboration to be a "customer of choice".
Conrad, Zach, and Natasha kick off a leadership series by exploring the purpose of life in an AI-driven world of abundance. They conclude lasting fulfillment comes from overcoming personal flaws, not material wealth. The trio distinguishes management from true leadership, defining the latter as a sacred privilege to inspire, elevate others, and build united teams.
Sanjay Srivastava explains why the rapid pace of AI is the "slowest it will ever be". He warns that while coding costs drop, token and maintenance expenses are skyrocketing. Companies must shift from episodic to continuous transformation, prioritizing domain expertise and an "oak tree" strategy to restructure corporate design and realize true ROI.
This week on Proc N Roll, the hosts interview Joël Collin-Demers on AI in procurement. Joël details "buy to build"—buying a base platform and using AI agents to customize the rest. He also explains MCP as a "menu" that lets AI easily integrate systems, and stresses the need for hybrid IT-procurement talent to lead this tech shift safely.
Limor David-Sternfeld details her path to global procurement leadership. She emphasizes a "figure it out" mindset and deep category preparation. Limor predicts AI will automate tactical tasks, while humans retain strategic negotiations. She advises delaying long-term tech contracts and defines leadership through bravery and clear communication.
In this week's podcast, Conrad, Natasha, and Zach debate who owns enterprise AI. Zach argues for decentralized, bottom-up innovation where employees test tools and procurement manages rising token costs. Natasha counters that without a centralized strategy, companies risk compliance disasters and "shadow AI." They conclude AI needs a careful mix of top-down governance and bottom-up creativity.
40-year procurement veteran John Dickson explains why the function is at a critical inflection point. He argues against begging for a "seat at the table," urging leaders to earn credibility by deeply understanding business needs. John shares strategies for aligning with finance on value metrics, using category strategies to build stakeholder trust, and why CPOs must actively learn AI.
In this episode of Proc N Roll, Conrad, Natasha, and Zach debate AI's workforce role, from automated assistants to "digital twins" handling volume. They also explore structuring procurement operating models using various archetypes and service layers. Their golden rule: leaders must align their operating model with broader enterprise goals before ever starting to build the actual org chart.
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