Procurement Resources

This edition of The Sidekick explores ways Chinese manufacturers are exposing the true cost of luxury goods, AI’s growing influence on how we source and manage spend, and more.

Ryan Christensen talks about his own experiences dealing with emotion and how he now helps others do the same via peak mental focus.

This edition of The Sidekick takes a look at some of the creative ways companies are avoiding tariffs, the implications of privatizing the USPS, the rise of poultry smuggling, and more.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero, Kris Lance and Kelly Barner talk about gradual rise and sudden fall of egg prices in America.

This edition of The Sidekick breaks down a recent study indicating the bleak economic outlook from businesses and how a GPO can provide a much-needed confidence boost in uncertain times.

In episode 204 of The Sourcing Hero, Kris Lance and Kelly Barner discuss the sudden interest (and intensity) focused on the Arctic Circle.

Ron Crabtree shares the skills procurement professionals should be building to lead transformation and how ensure your project's success.

Kris Lance and Anthony Clervi join Kelly Barner for Episode 200 to discuss the dynamics of fostering conditions that lead to success.

Implement a category management strategy to save money, time and effort, and improve procurement within your organization one area at a time.

A playbook for understanding the significance of your indirect spend categories, the challenges they present, and how to successfully unlock value.

Explore the difference between strategic sourcing and category management to learn how the concepts work together to drive value and savings.

This issue covers the supply chain impacts of the Baltimore bridge collapse, the demise of non-compete agreements, and more.

Grant Caplan shares with Kelly Barner his extensive experience as a managed travel consultant and active road warrior.

A playbook for navigating rising food procurement costs and how to save money, promote operational efficiency and protect product quality.

Matthew Wright shares some of the procurement-specific challenges and opportunities associated with packaging category spend.

Learn how YPurchasing, a group purchasing organization serving YMCAs, is saving members 10-15% on food costs through Una’s food cost reduction program.

Learn how Campus Cooks, a national food service provider serving Greek Chapters, is saving members up to 15% on food costs with Una.

Learn how YPurchasing, a group purchasing organization serving YMCAs, is saving members 10-15% on food costs through Una’s food cost reduction program.

How this digital healthcare and manufacturing company is working with Una to save six-figures on shipping costs.

Learn how this fully integrated property developer saved 18% by joining Una's group purchasing platform in this promotional items case study.

How Ascend Wellness, a state-of-the-art cannabis operator is bettering their bottom line and saving more than money with Una.

How this network of behavioral health centers is working with Una to save an average of 27% across multiple categories.

Learn how this up-and-coming specialty business saved over 20% on shipping costs by joining Una’s group purchasing platform.

See how Savvik Buying Group increased their buying power and membership reach, and enhanced their contract portfolio with Una.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero, Kris Lance and Kelly Barner talk about gradual rise and sudden fall of egg prices in America.

This issue discusses the increase in food insecurity at home and abroad, and looks into what exactly is going on with Boeing and the live lesson about the consequences of reckless cost-cutting.

This issue dives into the EU’s war on its own farmers and the latest on the US cattle herd decline, the grim outlook in the Middle East, and more.

A playbook for navigating rising food procurement costs and how to save money, promote operational efficiency and protect product quality.

Learn how Campus Cooks, a national food service provider serving Greek Chapters, is saving members up to 15% on food costs with Una.

Learn how YPurchasing, a group purchasing organization serving YMCAs, is saving members 10-15% on food costs through Una’s food cost reduction program.

Running a summer camp is a costly business. Here's how joining a food cost reduction program can help save money and time this camp season.

How to save on food costs while increasing operational efficiency, protecting product quality and diminishing administrative burdens.

View a sample food cost analysis and market basket to see how your current food pricing stacks up against Una's group purchasing platform.

Kris Lance shares his perspective on the critical situation around food supply chains and how procurement can plan for potential disruptions.

Barry Friends shares what’s really going on in the food supply chain, when it started, and what needs to change as we move forward.

Anna McGovern shares information about food insecurity in New York City and the sourcing and supply chain challenges her team faces daily.

Bill Reeder shares how nurturing your employee relationships will flow through to the experience you're able to offer your customers.

Practical ways procurement leaders can improve the procurement process and increase the rate at which your company saves money.

Answers to five FAQs exploring the benefits of a group purchasing organization and how they work to provide savings and value.

Answers to four FAQs to aid in evaluating a group purchasing organization's potential and how they work to provide savings and value.

Answers to six FAQs to aid in understanding group purchasing organizations and how they work to provide savings and value.

Anthony Clervi and Kris Lance join Kelly Barner for a very special in-studio recording for Episode 200 of The Sourcing Hero Podcast.

Understanding CapEx vs. OpEx is crucial for procurement as the way these costs are managed significantly impacts overall business strategy.

The shiniest procurement platform alone won't revolutionize your procurement strategy. Learn why a modern, multi-faceted approach to sourcing is best.

Each of these entities - buying groups, purchasing cooperatives, and GPOs - has its own unique purpose and structure. Let’s break it down.

Develop comprehensive strategies for managing maverick spend in a way that leads to increased savings, improved compliance, and more control.

The shiniest procurement platform alone won't revolutionize your procurement strategy. Learn why a modern, multi-faceted approach to sourcing is best.

This guide to Una membership details the simplified connection process and ongoing assistance you receive as part of your GPO membership.

A comprehensive guide to outsourced procurement and the benefits of working with a group purchasing organization to save money, time, and effort.

A series of resources sharing procurement career advice and exploring the skills needed to become a successful and impactful Sourcing Hero.

Explore a collection of resources depicting common pain points in procurement and how sourcing professionals can implement actionable solutions to overcome these challenges.

Highlighting indirect procurement, why it’s important, how to bring it under control, and common mistakes to avoid.

A quick reference guide highlighting centralized vs. decentralized procurement and which strategy is best for your organization.

A guide to IT procurement for navigating the complex IT sourcing process in a way that drives efficiencies and improves your bottom line.

A comprehensive guide designed to tame tail spend in a way that leads to reduced risk and increased cost savings.

A guide to exploring the benefits of working with a group purchasing organization to save money, time and effort.

Debunking common misconceptions surrounding the concept of group purchasing and group purchasing organizations.

The ultimate guide outlining 15 efficient cost reduction strategies procurement can use to save money, add value and make an impact.

How to utilize an effective category management strategy to simplify procurement and increase cost savings.

Answers to 14 of the most frequently asked questions about group purchasing and how group purchasing organizations work as part of a holistic approach to sourcing.

A guide featuring some of the top procurement software solutions available to help simplify and streamline procurement processes.

How to optimize your procurement strategy and deliver value beyond cost savings with the power of group purchasing.

Gale Daikoku shares tips for managing your professional journey and why relationships are one of the most important parts of any job.

Understanding CapEx vs. OpEx is crucial for procurement as the way these costs are managed significantly impacts overall business strategy.

Issue #010 sounds the alarm regarding the fragile state of our international supply chains with risks including geopolitical flashpoints around the globe, the rise of BRICS, and Chinese restriction of critical minerals.

The top strategies and functions that could serve as valuable sources of cross-functional talent as you build a procurement team.

Issue #009 dives into the fascinating - and sometimes perplexing - world of Generative AI and its impact on procurement and supply chain.

Issue #008 covers what's causing the drastic food inflation we're seeing and what leaders need to do in order to take this issue seriously.

Combat the link between quiet quitting and disengagement and learn how to motivate your procurement team with purpose to boost productivity.

Kris Lance and Kelly Barner discuss the sense of "slow onset inertia" and the emotional fatigue that seems to be spreading across companies.

A playbook for understanding the significance of your indirect spend categories, the challenges they present, and how to successfully unlock value.

A'Keela Johnson combines her personal experience with humorous stereotypes to illustrate why procurement is truly a great field to work in.

A fun take on the relationship between group purchasing and indirect spend and how they work together to drive cost savings and value.

Highlighting indirect procurement, why it’s important, how to bring it under control, and common mistakes to avoid.

Brian Chaplin shares his international team’s journey towards strategic, value-oriented procurement and tips for procurement modernization.

Six tips on how to reduce indirect spend and maximize the value and savings procurement teams can garner from indirect spend categories.

Managing indirect spend is crucial when it comes to improving your bottom line. Here are 6 indirect procurement mistakes to avoid.

It can be difficult to keep tabs on your indirect spend. Here are the top 5 challenges of managing indirect spend, and how to overcome them.

This edition of The Sidekick explores ways Chinese manufacturers are exposing the true cost of luxury goods, AI’s growing influence on how we source and manage spend, and more.

This edition of The Sidekick takes a look at some of the creative ways companies are avoiding tariffs, the implications of privatizing the USPS, the rise of poultry smuggling, and more.

This edition of The Sidekick breaks down a recent study indicating the bleak economic outlook from businesses and how a GPO can provide a much-needed confidence boost in uncertain times.

This edition of The Sidekick explores the implications of new tariffs announced by the new administration and highlights strategies for turning challenges into advantages.

Issue #012 highlights the main reason The Sidekick was started and serves as a year-in-review and what to look forward to in 2025.

Issue #011 explores the harsh reality of an unsecure energy supply that is heavily impacted by geopolitics.

Issue #010 sounds the alarm regarding the fragile state of our international supply chains with risks including geopolitical flashpoints around the globe, the rise of BRICS, and Chinese restriction of critical minerals.

Issue #009 dives into the fascinating - and sometimes perplexing - world of Generative AI and its impact on procurement and supply chain.

Issue #008 covers what's causing the drastic food inflation we're seeing and what leaders need to do in order to take this issue seriously.

Issue #007 examines the "quiet quitting" phenomenon seemingly taking over the workforce and how employers can re-engage employees in a way that's meaningful.

This issue tackles the idea that new technologies like electric cars are inherently green and sustainable but, in reality, it’s a bit more complicated than that.

This issue covers the supply chain impacts of the Baltimore bridge collapse, the demise of non-compete agreements, and more.

A playbook for implementing effective spend management practices that are crucial for maintaining profitability and promoting long-term growth.

A playbook for understanding the significance of your indirect spend categories, the challenges they present, and how to successfully unlock value.

A playbook for transforming your procurement strategy with the power of group purchasing. Save more money, time, and effort with Una.

A playbook for navigating rising food procurement costs and how to save money, promote operational efficiency and protect product quality.

A playbook for boosting business growth and turning procurement into one of your organization’s most important sources of value.

A playbook on how to implement a strategic sourcing process that aligns with your organization’s goals and creates long-term value.

A play-by-play for mitigating risk within your procurement function and the wider organization by utilizing the power of group purchasing.

A play-by-play for improving the efficiency of your procurement function and increasing the rate at which your organization saves money.

Get an inside look at what it means to be an Una member, how to get the most value out of your GPO membership, and achieve sourcing success.

A play-by-play on how to manage tail spend in a way that leads to full spend visibility and increased cost savings for your organization.

Tips to jump-start procurement at your new org and implement a sourcing function that works to increase efficiency and profitability.

Dr. Cindie Burkett shares her point of view on supplier relationships, and why they are so critical to the organization's success.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero, John Latham shares lessons from his many years working in and around procurement.

Kris Lance and Kelly Barner talk about Under Armour’s decision to experiment with regenerative sportswear as plant-based clothing.

Vytas Sliesoraitis shares how his sabbatical changed his outlook now that he has returned to the professional world.

Gale Daikoku shares tips for managing your professional journey and why relationships are one of the most important parts of any job.

Louis Bastone shares his experience with TCO management, the role specifications play in reducing total cost, and more.

Ryan Christensen talks about his own experiences dealing with emotion and how he now helps others do the same via peak mental focus.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero, Kris Lance and Kelly Barner talk about gradual rise and sudden fall of egg prices in America.

Dr. Cindie Burkett shares her point of view on supplier relationships, and why they are so critical to the organization's success.

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero, John Latham shares lessons from his many years working in and around procurement.

Practical ways procurement leaders can improve the procurement process and increase the rate at which your company saves money.

This edition of The Sidekick explores ways Chinese manufacturers are exposing the true cost of luxury goods, AI’s growing influence on how we source and manage spend, and more.

Vytas Sliesoraitis shares how his sabbatical changed his outlook now that he has returned to the professional world.

Gale Daikoku shares tips for managing your professional journey and why relationships are one of the most important parts of any job.

To lead the business through change, procurement leaders have to be willing to balance procurement fundamentals with big, bold moves.

Ryan Christensen talks about his own experiences dealing with emotion and how he now helps others do the same via peak mental focus.

Louis Bastone shares his experience with TCO management, the role specifications play in reducing total cost, and more.

Develop comprehensive strategies for managing maverick spend in a way that leads to increased savings, improved compliance, and more control.

Utilizing the right mix of cost savings in procurement can lead to significant reductions that will improve your organization's bottom line.

Key profit protection strategies to implement that will safeguard your bottom line and ways your GPO can help strengthen the supply chain.

Understanding CapEx vs. OpEx is crucial for procurement as the way these costs are managed significantly impacts overall business strategy.

Learn how joining GPO and using group purchasing as a cost reduction strategy will increase your organization's bottom line.

Stop wasting time and effort and transform your procurement processes in a way that drives value and cost efficiency across the board.

Learn how to maximize buying power by joining a group purchasing organization and save your business money, time, and effort.

Dr. Cindie Burkett shares her point of view on supplier relationships, and why they are so critical to the organization's success.

When procurement's mindset is set to TCO, we get stronger sourcing decisions, happier stakeholders, empowered suppliers, and more savings.  

Practical ways procurement leaders can improve the procurement process and increase the rate at which your company saves money.

This edition of The Sidekick explores ways Chinese manufacturers are exposing the true cost of luxury goods, AI’s growing influence on how we source and manage spend, and more.

Louis Bastone shares his experience with TCO management, the role specifications play in reducing total cost, and more.

This edition of The Sidekick takes a look at some of the creative ways companies are avoiding tariffs, the implications of privatizing the USPS, the rise of poultry smuggling, and more.

Key profit protection strategies to implement that will safeguard your bottom line and ways your GPO can help strengthen the supply chain.

Dive into the top procurement best practices, along with some tips on what NOT to do for each, when developing a procurement strategy.

It’s impossible to plan for every specific risk scenario. Follow these common-sense tips to mitigate supplier risk before the next supply chain disruption takes place.

Five steps you can take to start chipping away at functional barriers to reduce procurement risk and improve procurement visibility.

Proactively embedding cybersecurity into procurement practices allows organizations to better protect themselves against supply chain risks.

The alliance between procurement and legal has a direct impact on business outcomes and protecting the organization from risk.

Blake Tablak shares his perspective on data and the very human conditions that have to be in place for companies to deploy data successfully.

Explore how a group purchasing organization can be an effective solution for managing procurement risk and improving procurement processes.

A play-by-play for mitigating risk within your procurement function and the wider organization by utilizing the power of group purchasing.

Tips for collaborating with teams to mitigate IT supplier risk from an industry professional focused on improving IT vendor management.

The best spend management strategies every procurement leader can use to cut costs, drive efficiency, mitigate risk, and deliver value.

A playbook for implementing effective spend management practices that are crucial for maintaining profitability and promoting long-term growth.

Develop comprehensive strategies for managing maverick spend in a way that leads to increased savings, improved compliance, and more control.

Tips for understanding rogue spenders and controlling maverick spend in a way that makes sense for your organization.

Learn why it’s crucial for procurement to learn the importance of keeping tabs on your spend data to drive innovation and improvements.

Stop struggling with being time-poor in procurement and pave the way for bigger projects, more strategic thinking, and better innovation.

10 ways procurement can cut costs by using back-to-basic cost reduction strategies to generate savings and demonstrate the function's value.

Amplify your business spend management strategies by using a GPO to save in top spend categories like technology, travel, Jan/San, and more.

Kris Lance and Kelly Barner talk about Under Armour’s decision to experiment with regenerative sportswear as plant-based clothing.

Karen Betancourt talks about her experience working in large companies and the opportunity that exists for procurement teams.

Explore the difference between strategic sourcing and category management to learn how the concepts work together to drive value and savings.

A playbook on how to implement a strategic sourcing process that aligns with your organization’s goals and creates long-term value.

Explore how strategic sourcing for SMEs can help procurement professionals overcome the unique challenges of operating a small business.

How to allow for the human factor in strategic sourcing to drive the success of procurement process optimization and cost efficiency efforts.

Five key benefits of strategic sourcing and tips for implementing strategic sourcing best practices to improve your company's bottom line.

Promoting cross-functional collaboration within your organization can help you reach your goals while improving efficiencies and processes.

Celia SGAR discusses the roles procurement may play - or share with other parts of the business - in strengthening supplier relationships.

Jaime Paiva discusses the approach to social procurement and how companies new to the social procurement space can start their own journey.

James Lowry talks about why investing in the growth of minority-owned businesses is so critical and how we can make that growth possible.

Keri Pena talks about how she puts herself into her role and how connecting on a personal level can help drive desired business outcomes.

Explore the key elements that should comprise comprehensive and impactful supplier meetings to maximize value.

Getting the supplier onboarding process right enables you to avoid unnecessary hurdles and dive headfirst into collaboration.

Aligning values with suppliers and the organization as a whole plays a pivotal role in establishing robust partnerships and driving success.

Explore seven signs of supplier financial instability and learn how to proactively protect your business against risk.

Exploring the bullwhip effect in supply chain management, why it matters, and how businesses can mitigate its potential impact.

Learn how companies can bridge the manufacturing gap between their own needs and the capabilities of their overseas suppliers.

Eric Westerduin discusses procurement’s role as the ‘go between’ in conversations with decision makers and current/prospective suppliers.

Find out if fourth-party logistics (4PL) is the right fit for your organization when it comes to optimizing your entire supply chain.

Ron Crabtree shares the skills procurement professionals should be building to lead transformation and how ensure your project's success.

Key benefits of traceability in the supply chain and 10 traceability technologies to protect your brand, boost transparency, and more.

Aviv Castro shares what motivates supply chain management teams and his predictions for supply chain practices and strategy going forward.

Proactively embedding cybersecurity into procurement practices allows organizations to better protect themselves against supply chain risks.

Four smart strategies to implement that will transform your tail spend, optimize procurement processes, and start saving you serious cash.

Steps to take when managing tail spend to avoid "porcelain Dalmatians" - purchases within an organization that are made and then go unused.

A comprehensive guide designed to tame tail spend in a way that leads to reduced risk and increased cost savings.

Discover the benefits of outsourcing tail spend management using strategies that are proven to deliver cost savings and additional value.

Discover three of the best tail spend management strategies designed to save money and time, and deliver value beyond cost savings.

A play-by-play on how to manage tail spend in a way that leads to full spend visibility and increased cost savings for your organization.

Debunking 4 myths to aid in understanding tail spend and how procurement professionals can manage it in a way that drives cost-savings.

Discover how applying category management methodologies to your tail spend can unlock new sources of value for your organization.

As the landscape evolves, agentic AI one type of technology that stands out as particularly promising. But what exactly is it?

Issue #010 sounds the alarm regarding the fragile state of our international supply chains with risks including geopolitical flashpoints around the globe, the rise of BRICS, and Chinese restriction of critical minerals.

Issue #009 dives into the fascinating - and sometimes perplexing - world of Generative AI and its impact on procurement and supply chain.

Matt Palackdharry talks about how the power of artificial intelligence is (and is not) changing the way we make decisions.

Toni Ann Careccio applies her experience onboarding customers to procurement’s constant need to successfully onboard suppliers.

Explore how chatbots in procurement have begun to reshape the industry and the exciting possibilities that come along with this technology.

Kevin Frechette shares what he is seeing and hearing as procurement works to figure out how to create value with the help of generative AI.

With the explosion of generative AI, learn how to utilize ChatGPT in procurement to conduct research, analyze data, and communicate better.

Answers to five FAQs exploring the benefits of a group purchasing organization and how they work to provide savings and value.

Answers to four FAQs to aid in evaluating a group purchasing organization's potential and how they work to provide savings and value.

Answers to six FAQs to aid in understanding group purchasing organizations and how they work to provide savings and value.

Anthony Clervi and Kris Lance join Kelly Barner for a very special in-studio recording for Episode 200 of The Sourcing Hero Podcast.

If you're a business leader, here are three things to know about GPOs and how working with a group purchasing organization can impact your bottom line.

Discover 7 top advantages of group purchasing and learn why working with a group purchasing organization is the right move for your business.

Our Director of Sales answers your frequently asked questions about Una's onboarding process and what you can expect upon signing up.

Have you ever seen group purchasing explained by a giant jar of mayo?! Take advantage of increased buying power and incredible savings today.