Inside Supply Management Magazine

March/April 2025

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Direct spend is complex. Coupa Adverstisement

March/April 2025

Cover Story

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    March 11, 2025
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    Moving Pictures

    In ‘the most challenging time’ for the profession, the ISM World 2025 Annual Conference is designed to inspire and celebrate genius amid global challenges and an ever-changing supply chain canvas.
    Dan Zeiger
Spend is Complex. Coupa

Featured Content

  • March 11, 2025
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    The DEI Debate

    Executive orders have aimed to curtail diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the public sector, and some private companies have followed suit — clouding the future of such policies in supply chain organizations.
    Sue Doerfler
  • March 11, 2025
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    Forging the Future of Factories

    U.S. manufacturing is at a crossroads as the sector seeks to balance the tools, talent and technology to make up ground lost to China.
    Dan Zeiger
  • March 11, 2025
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    How to ‘Start Changing the Narrative’

    The progress of women’s representation in the supply management profession has stalled, but numerous strategies, some as simple as being true to oneself, can help individuals — and organizations — move forward.
    Sue Doerfler

Economics

Departments

Columns

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March 11, 2025
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voices

Collaboration with Human Resources Can Elevate Procurement

Procurement and human resources (HR) professionals should work together to elevate careers in the supply management profession, as well as cultivate the newest generation of talent.
Ulunda Baker
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March 11, 2025
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perspectives

How can you avoid ‘So what?’ What kinds of questions lead to better solutions and opportunities?

Fresh out of college, I assumed business problems were solved with the right numbers, leading me to think data was the key driver of decision-making. However, this question made me realize that numbers are not answers — they are guideposts.
Othman F. Muhammad, CSCP, CSM
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March 11, 2025
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competencies

Improve Performance With After-Action Reviews

Also called a post-incident critique, postmortem, hot wash or debrief, an after-action review (AAR) is a simple and quick exercise for the team to discuss, interpret and learn from its performance during or following a recent activity.
John Perez, CPSM, CPSD
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March 11, 2025
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technology

Artificial Intelligence in the Truck Driver’s Seat

Once seen as a reactive tool, artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving to a proactive logistics force that can reduce total cost by improving overall operational efficiency.
James Kirby Easterling, DBA, Teresa L. Smith, ABD, Julia Graham, Ph.D., Kristen B. Wilson, Ph.D.
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March 11, 2025
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talent

A New Talent Game Plan, With AI as a Key Player

The message is clear: Success now demands more than negotiation prowess or category expertise; it requires digital fluency, proactive risk management, strategic influence and adaptability. 
Naseem Malik, CPSM
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March 11, 2025
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research

Sifting Through the Cloud (and Fog) of Technologies

The procurement ecosystem is facing continued uncertainty and volatility following the coronavirus pandemic. Hence, there is an increased focus on improving resiliency through digital tools that enable better management of spend and supplier relationships.
Srimathy Mohan, Ph.D., Mohan Gopalakrishnan, Ph.D., Brett Duarte
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March 11, 2025
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insights

Leveraging Expertise Through 4PLs

Like a broken play in football, a mishandling of the players in the supply chain can result in costly delays, higher pricing, inefficient handoffs and poor execution that keep businesses from scoring points with customers.
Chris Sower, CPSM, C.P.M.
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March 11, 2025
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leadership

Rebuilding Bridges After a Collaborative Breakdown

What happens when two parties attack each other, arguing their points, even pointing out how stupid or ill-informed the other side’s arguments are?
Mandy Flint, Elisabet Vinberg Hearn

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