Everyone’s talking about AI. Few are buying it wisely. In this episode of Procurement Game Changers, we tackle the big question: How do you navigate uncertainty when buying AI solutions — and still make smart, strategic decisions?

Our guest, Debo Lufadeju brings a wealth of experience leading complex strategic sourcing projects across private and public sectors. His golden rule?

“Take a step back and understand what business problem you’re solving before investing in AI.”

We discuss why 95% of AI pilot projects fail, how to tie investments to measurable outcomes, and the role of procurement as a strategic partner in innovation, not just a gatekeeper.

Tune in to learn how to balance innovation with practical risk management — and buy AI with confidence.

Guess what? Our Procurement Game Changers podcast has unveiled a fascinating secret—none of our guests willingly chose to enter this field. For each of them, it was either a stroke of luck or an unexpected twist of fate that led them here. In today's episode, our esteemed guest, Thejo Kote, shed light on the underlying reason: "In business school, they teach you how to make money, not how to spend it efficiently. You only realize the importance of managing expenses once you're running a business."

This episode is a treasure trove of insights, with two thought leaders in the realms of spend management innovation and consulting sourcing engaging in profound discussions and sharing their perspectives.

And, by the way, did we mention that this is a special episode of our Procurement Game Changers series, where we introduce the most promising solutions leaders to you? We're thrilled to introduce you to Thejo Kote in this episode.

Join us for this captivating conversation between your beloved host, Helene, and the eminent entrepreneur and spend management innovator, Thejo Kote. Together, they navigate the world of spend management solutions, unveiling their ability to streamline operations, provide real-time data, and revolutionize decision-making in procurement.

The digital procurement trend is gradually replacing traditional practices, and it's not just a trend; it's a reality. What essential skills and tools do procurement leaders need in this digital age? They need to be familiar with the end-to-end "procure-to-pay" process.

This involves understanding the company's external needs, market dynamics, finding suppliers, creating contracts, receiving deliveries, making payments, and managing suppliers, their performance, and associated risks. To manage these steps effectively, they require a variety of tools in their toolkit. These tools encompass different aspects such as category management, market analysis, price quote requests, tender management, order systems, catalogue maintenance, contract administration, stock level monitoring, and risk management.

With numerous new digital tools available, it's crucial to comprehend their potential benefits for your organization. Our host, Ozan, will guide us through best practices, challenges that may arise when using these tools, and much more. Are you ready to elevate your game in procurement? Tune in.