Hey, I want to create the feel of a thriving community over here on World of Procurement so let’s get to know one another.
I’m Daniel, the beard and, occasionally, the brain behind World of Procurement. World of Procurement is my passion project that started out just before Covid hit.
This is me, in my little office, at the bottom of my garden, where I work, write, create, and collect nerdy things that make me happy. Coffee makes me incredibly happy, especially oat milk flat whites (yeah - people call me a hipster alotttt).
I read a lot. I have a dangerous habit of buying books I probably won’t read for years to come and have to sneak them into my house in case my parter decided to stage an intervention. And I’m in ultra-marathon training now with my first planned for 2024.
What are you interested in? What brought you here? What career goals do you have in sight?
I’d love to hear about them (as would the wider community).
PS. Thanks so much for the support since I moved World of Procurement to substack…I appreciate you all.
Hi Daniel, been following you for some time now. I’m not sure exactly where I saw you originally but I did your Udemy course a few years ago.
I’m in Alberta, Canada and have almost 10 years of procurement specific experience for publicly traded companies. Have spent a lot of time on P2P and also helping building out a procurement dept. at a Start Up.
I birthed my first human baby in June and am enjoying maternity leave and the (sometimes) extra time it is allowing for reading more about Procurement. I want to stay engaged in this field I love while off from the workforce for a whopping 18mos.
Hey Monica, sorry for the delay in replying, I've taken a break from everything social and all of my projects.
Firstly, congrats on becoming a Mum! How are you finding it?
And 18 months off? Please explain this as that sounds incredible.
Whilst you're off, if you get the energy or urge to do so, I'd highly recommend starting your own substack to share your knowledge. You'll end up making a few extra $ too.
And yes, I recognise your name from the Udemy course. I've been planning on giving that course a face lift (and by that I mean ripping it up and starting again) since I've headed up two contract management teams since the inception of that course.
Glad to hear you took a break, it’s relieving to know that people like yourself with a full time job and working on multiple other initiatives can be so consistent and also find rest.
Being a mom is so cool. We prepped well, our baby is really good and mostly easy right now, and her gummy smiles just light up everyone’s hearts!
In 2017 Canada changed its rules to allow for 18 mos’ total parental + maternity leave (standard was 12 previously). So the eligible employment insurance can be spread out over a 12 or 18 month period, employers obligated to hold the position for that time. Seems like an absolute dream compared to our southern neighbours in America but I suspect many other socialist leaning countries/ Europe have these longer leave options.
Would love to know more about Substack and how it’s been beneficial for you! I’m relatively new to the platform. It seems like a LOT of content creation work and consistency is required.
Interested to know more about what your goals are with your brand building journey / this channel and how writing Substack has transformed things for you ( such that you’re recommending I start! ). Please direct me to that thread or would love to pick your brain some time!
I'm here because I think your content is fab, pretty much everything you say resonates with me (I can't say everything as I don't have a beard and certainly not planning to run an ultra!) I might be a bit different to most of your subscribers as I'm in direct Procurement for a large commercial insurer. A lot of what I read elsewhere on Procurement is so geared up for P2P and indirect services but your publications I find I can apply more to my world.
I have two girls who are my world, I love running, drinking wine, being outdoors but also going to bed early with a good book. I'm here to learn everything I can about Procurement from the people in the know and hopefully bring an exciting and fresh approach to Procurement in the business. Thank you for your community!
Hey Joanna, sorry for the delay in replying, I've taken a break from everything social and all of my projects.
But I'm back feeling largely refreshed (except I just slept on the sofa nursing my son who picked up a sickness bug within 2 days of being back at school so the coffee is flowing this morning).
Going to bed early with a good book is underrated. Any must-reads this year?
If you ever want to ask any of the community questions to get some opinions/help, you can ask in the chat: https://substack.com/chat/1331541
I'll also be creating threads like this more frequently, aiming for every Sunday evening, so people can connect on a multitude of topics related to procurement and our careers.
PS. on the "Thank you for your community!" - it should be "our community" and I should be thanking you, so thanks, Joanna, for being part of it.
Love reading and chatting other folks who are obsessed with making their working lives in Procurement better through notions of People, Process & Technology.
Grow that beard - pretty sure you had one previously?
"CrossFitter and lifter of heavy things" - Noice. I'm so weak. I'm building out my home gym next month to get some heavy stuff to lift in between the running to work on my strength.
Running is long...I've taken a little break as I've picked up a "niggle" in my knees but will be back to it tomorrow as I've got a trail marathon in a month (just before DPW).
And your substack and newsletter is a recommended read on my end.
My name is Erez and I'm the Product Marketing at Fiverr Enterprise. I'm here to learn about procurement. What you guys care about, what bothers you and keeps you up at night, what processes you think should improve, how you are using AI, etc. Basically everything. So far it's been so interesting and I spoke to so many talented procurement individuals that I'm starting to fall in love with this profession. There's just so many aspects to it.
Anyway I'm rambling. Thanks Daniel for all the content!
Daniel I think I first started following you on LinkedIn, before you started The World of Procurement. I really enjoy your content. And what happened to the long beard??
I live in sunny Queensland Australia. I am a real coffee snob and enjoy a good caffe latte. I love catching up with my friends each Saturday morning for our 8am coffee date. I co-admin a monthly book club which doesn't have many rules, only has 6 members and we hardly talk about the books we read. We we meet up once a month and I think we all value the social connection and friendship way more than the discussing the books. When I want to escape from the world, I also turn to reality TV.
I transitioned into procurement after being made redundant from a 30 year long career in the lottery industry. I started my procurement journey in the Not For Profit industry around six and a bit years ago. I kind of fell into the role of procurement (like most people I have met do) when one of my networks was recruiting and said I had a lot of transferable skills! I have been in higher education, (procuring research equipment and business services categories), for the past two years as a Senior Category Manager. I toy with the idea of moving back into a leadership role, but then I am also content to do my job well and switch off at the end of the day.
I have always thought that negotiation wasn't my strong point and that I needed to do more training. But then I saw one of your videos Daniel where you spoke about developing your negotion skills through on the job experience. So I think it's time to change the narrative and just get on with it.
Its 5:30PM Saturday afternoon here, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Carolynn
Aussie Aussie Aussie, this is where you all say "Oi Oi Oi"
It’s Marlena here, Procurement Manager for a fairly big housing association, and I’m very lucky to be a part of a really nice supportive team.
I’m involved in indirect procurements that are heavily governed by Public Contract Regulations 2015 (new set of regs is due out in October ‘24).
My aim is to get better at what I do, so I can grow and help my organisation to be even more efficient, and be the buyer of choice for vendors out there.
Therefore, I’m here to learn as much as possible from Procurement PROs and a wider community. Also, I’m hoping to somehow finally unlock my creative side so I can create more content on LinkedIn.
I like reading books, articles, blogs, as well as listening to a good podcast and music.
I’m currently studying towards MCIPS, I know, I know but hear me out here...I don’t have years and years of experience in Procurement, and to ‘compensate’ this I decided that going back to basics, and learning everything from start is a great idea for meeee 🤓
Hey Marlena, sorry for the delay in replying, I've taken a break from everything social and all of my projects.
Public Sector Procurement can be painful but incredibly rewarding. PCR can be a bit of a pain to navigate and I didn't realise there was a new set due next year, thanks for the heads up there.
Nice aim - you'll pull that off with no issues.
If you want to start creating on LinkedIn more often, you need a "content system". I know it sounds boring and sounds like "another job", but it's the only way. I'm currently working on my new content as I've taken a few weeks off the platform but fortunately, my second brain is full of "stuff" I can dip into. And this also helps me in my consulting gig to build out a better procurement tech solution. I'd say, it would help me out if I was in a practioner role in procurement too.
Any recommendations on the content you consume?
And on your MCIPS, I get it. I think CIPS could be incredible but there approach is outdated. You'll learn a bunch of things doing it and make sure you connect the practical with the theoretical to see how it really comes together.
Approaching Procurement like this is a good bet for sure. A lot of teams don't focus on these areas, governance is too lax or too rigid, and we should focus on improving within our teams.
Hi Daniel, been following you for some time now. I’m not sure exactly where I saw you originally but I did your Udemy course a few years ago.
I’m in Alberta, Canada and have almost 10 years of procurement specific experience for publicly traded companies. Have spent a lot of time on P2P and also helping building out a procurement dept. at a Start Up.
I birthed my first human baby in June and am enjoying maternity leave and the (sometimes) extra time it is allowing for reading more about Procurement. I want to stay engaged in this field I love while off from the workforce for a whopping 18mos.
Nice to meet you and keep it up!
Hey Monica, sorry for the delay in replying, I've taken a break from everything social and all of my projects.
Firstly, congrats on becoming a Mum! How are you finding it?
And 18 months off? Please explain this as that sounds incredible.
Whilst you're off, if you get the energy or urge to do so, I'd highly recommend starting your own substack to share your knowledge. You'll end up making a few extra $ too.
And yes, I recognise your name from the Udemy course. I've been planning on giving that course a face lift (and by that I mean ripping it up and starting again) since I've headed up two contract management teams since the inception of that course.
Thanks very much Daniel for the response!
Glad to hear you took a break, it’s relieving to know that people like yourself with a full time job and working on multiple other initiatives can be so consistent and also find rest.
Being a mom is so cool. We prepped well, our baby is really good and mostly easy right now, and her gummy smiles just light up everyone’s hearts!
In 2017 Canada changed its rules to allow for 18 mos’ total parental + maternity leave (standard was 12 previously). So the eligible employment insurance can be spread out over a 12 or 18 month period, employers obligated to hold the position for that time. Seems like an absolute dream compared to our southern neighbours in America but I suspect many other socialist leaning countries/ Europe have these longer leave options.
Would love to know more about Substack and how it’s been beneficial for you! I’m relatively new to the platform. It seems like a LOT of content creation work and consistency is required.
Interested to know more about what your goals are with your brand building journey / this channel and how writing Substack has transformed things for you ( such that you’re recommending I start! ). Please direct me to that thread or would love to pick your brain some time!
Cheers
Monica
Hi Daniel,
I'm here because I think your content is fab, pretty much everything you say resonates with me (I can't say everything as I don't have a beard and certainly not planning to run an ultra!) I might be a bit different to most of your subscribers as I'm in direct Procurement for a large commercial insurer. A lot of what I read elsewhere on Procurement is so geared up for P2P and indirect services but your publications I find I can apply more to my world.
I have two girls who are my world, I love running, drinking wine, being outdoors but also going to bed early with a good book. I'm here to learn everything I can about Procurement from the people in the know and hopefully bring an exciting and fresh approach to Procurement in the business. Thank you for your community!
Hey Joanna, sorry for the delay in replying, I've taken a break from everything social and all of my projects.
But I'm back feeling largely refreshed (except I just slept on the sofa nursing my son who picked up a sickness bug within 2 days of being back at school so the coffee is flowing this morning).
Going to bed early with a good book is underrated. Any must-reads this year?
If you ever want to ask any of the community questions to get some opinions/help, you can ask in the chat: https://substack.com/chat/1331541
I'll also be creating threads like this more frequently, aiming for every Sunday evening, so people can connect on a multitude of topics related to procurement and our careers.
PS. on the "Thank you for your community!" - it should be "our community" and I should be thanking you, so thanks, Joanna, for being part of it.
Hi Daniel - It's your French Canadian non-bearded ProcureTech content writer doppleganger here 😅
Father to a young girl and boy,
Procurement technology consultant to a wonderful stable of clients,
CrossFitter and lifter of heavy things,
Ex-Short Track speed skater,
Lover of back country canoe camping,
Writer over at pureprocurement.substack.com when I need a bit of down time with myself.
I tried running but it was too long... 😅
Love reading and chatting other folks who are obsessed with making their working lives in Procurement better through notions of People, Process & Technology.
Yo Joël, my friend, good to have you here.
Grow that beard - pretty sure you had one previously?
"CrossFitter and lifter of heavy things" - Noice. I'm so weak. I'm building out my home gym next month to get some heavy stuff to lift in between the running to work on my strength.
Running is long...I've taken a little break as I've picked up a "niggle" in my knees but will be back to it tomorrow as I've got a trail marathon in a month (just before DPW).
And your substack and newsletter is a recommended read on my end.
Hey Daniel and the rest of the community
My name is Erez and I'm the Product Marketing at Fiverr Enterprise. I'm here to learn about procurement. What you guys care about, what bothers you and keeps you up at night, what processes you think should improve, how you are using AI, etc. Basically everything. So far it's been so interesting and I spoke to so many talented procurement individuals that I'm starting to fall in love with this profession. There's just so many aspects to it.
Anyway I'm rambling. Thanks Daniel for all the content!
Hey Erez,
Fantastic to have you here.
If there's a place to ramble...it's here.
They're good reasons to be here, and we all know Procurement struggles in these areas and is behind the curve when it comes to tech.
You're right...there is a lot too it.
Hi All,
Daniel I think I first started following you on LinkedIn, before you started The World of Procurement. I really enjoy your content. And what happened to the long beard??
I live in sunny Queensland Australia. I am a real coffee snob and enjoy a good caffe latte. I love catching up with my friends each Saturday morning for our 8am coffee date. I co-admin a monthly book club which doesn't have many rules, only has 6 members and we hardly talk about the books we read. We we meet up once a month and I think we all value the social connection and friendship way more than the discussing the books. When I want to escape from the world, I also turn to reality TV.
I transitioned into procurement after being made redundant from a 30 year long career in the lottery industry. I started my procurement journey in the Not For Profit industry around six and a bit years ago. I kind of fell into the role of procurement (like most people I have met do) when one of my networks was recruiting and said I had a lot of transferable skills! I have been in higher education, (procuring research equipment and business services categories), for the past two years as a Senior Category Manager. I toy with the idea of moving back into a leadership role, but then I am also content to do my job well and switch off at the end of the day.
I have always thought that negotiation wasn't my strong point and that I needed to do more training. But then I saw one of your videos Daniel where you spoke about developing your negotion skills through on the job experience. So I think it's time to change the narrative and just get on with it.
Its 5:30PM Saturday afternoon here, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Carolynn
Aussie Aussie Aussie, this is where you all say "Oi Oi Oi"
Hi Daniel,
Which ultra are you training for? Did my first one in Feb.
Hey Paul,
There's a local Test Valley Ultra that I've got my eyes on. The original aim was to have done it earlier this year but Covid screwed me up.
How did you find yours?
If I'm honest...brutal ;)
It was the north east coast in February and running into a headwind for the whole 36 miles!
The pleasure is all in the afterglow of having completed it!
yeah, I bet that was tough.
There are two distances I can go for: 40 or 50 miles.
I'm going to aim for the 50 miler.
Hi Daniel,
It’s Marlena here, Procurement Manager for a fairly big housing association, and I’m very lucky to be a part of a really nice supportive team.
I’m involved in indirect procurements that are heavily governed by Public Contract Regulations 2015 (new set of regs is due out in October ‘24).
My aim is to get better at what I do, so I can grow and help my organisation to be even more efficient, and be the buyer of choice for vendors out there.
Therefore, I’m here to learn as much as possible from Procurement PROs and a wider community. Also, I’m hoping to somehow finally unlock my creative side so I can create more content on LinkedIn.
I like reading books, articles, blogs, as well as listening to a good podcast and music.
I’m currently studying towards MCIPS, I know, I know but hear me out here...I don’t have years and years of experience in Procurement, and to ‘compensate’ this I decided that going back to basics, and learning everything from start is a great idea for meeee 🤓
Hey Marlena, sorry for the delay in replying, I've taken a break from everything social and all of my projects.
Public Sector Procurement can be painful but incredibly rewarding. PCR can be a bit of a pain to navigate and I didn't realise there was a new set due next year, thanks for the heads up there.
Nice aim - you'll pull that off with no issues.
If you want to start creating on LinkedIn more often, you need a "content system". I know it sounds boring and sounds like "another job", but it's the only way. I'm currently working on my new content as I've taken a few weeks off the platform but fortunately, my second brain is full of "stuff" I can dip into. And this also helps me in my consulting gig to build out a better procurement tech solution. I'd say, it would help me out if I was in a practioner role in procurement too.
Any recommendations on the content you consume?
And on your MCIPS, I get it. I think CIPS could be incredible but there approach is outdated. You'll learn a bunch of things doing it and make sure you connect the practical with the theoretical to see how it really comes together.
Hi, am Tarig Omer, Operations & Procurement Specialist adopting Operations and Procurement Management; as Strategic Approach & Thinking
* To promote Organizational Efficiency and Good Governance
* To Strengthening Internal Controls Mechanisms and Anti-Corruption Course
* Business/Industries support, by facilitating flow of orders/requests
* Information Management and Reporting system, to facilitate monitoring roles & participation/engagement
* Capacities Development targeting Systems, Individuals and team building
Hey Tarig, it's a pleasure to have you here.
Approaching Procurement like this is a good bet for sure. A lot of teams don't focus on these areas, governance is too lax or too rigid, and we should focus on improving within our teams.