Procurement

Topics Covered:

• Why Teresa is (half-jokingly) threatening to retire

• The stark contrast between vendor-friendly companies and bureaucratic nightmares — and why company size isn't the deciding factor

• The hidden cost of procurement theater: scope creep, repetitive forms, and the 800-question security review

• How a CEO's buy-in can compress a 4-month legal review process into 10 days — and what that reveals about organizational priorities

• The vendor experience as a brand experience — a lens product people should apply to their own organizations

• Teresa's new policy: her paperwork, credit card payment, no vendor setup — or no speaking engagement

• How bureaucracy compounds over time through adverse events — and why startups historically win by moving fast

Key Takeaways:

• Your procurement process is a reflection of your culture. If it's painful for vendors, it's probably painful internally too.

• Product thinkers should care about vendor experience. Every process your company delivers — including procurement — has brand impact.

• CEO-level buy-in is the fastest procurement tool there is. It reveals how much your organization actually values what it's trying to buy.

• Simple vendor terms attract the best experts. The more friction you create, the more likely top speakers and consultants will just say no.

Resources & Links:

• Follow Teresa Torres: ProductTalk.org

• Follow Petra Wille: Petra-Wille.com

Mentioned in the episode:

• The classic film Office Space (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_Space) (referenced for reasons that will be very clear)

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