Yaay, year-end is close, and yet another 2025 Procurement Trend & Prediction Season has started. Plenty of consulting firms (mainly the big ones) and procurement tech companies („Procurement is just tech“) began to tell or persuade experienced procurement leaders (fighting challenges) about what to expect from the next 12 months. Okay, such predictions also have their raison d’être and may give some people guidance, but they are mostly just (deleted for legal reasons). I have been very critical of these recurring predictions about “trends” for years. Why?
📌they look the same every year; only the ranking changes yearly
📌they rarely match the real challenges and pain points of the majority
📌they often represent the wishful thinking of those who want to earn money
There is no trend or trends. It’s about further development, strengthening, and taking the right and most effective measures to respond to market developments and challenges. I read one just yesterday: it was all about Digital and KI. There were no words about economic or geopolitical challenges, market changes, or industry transformation. It was as hollow as a German Laternenpfahl.
🏁 So, instead of wasting your time, here is my DIY Procurement Trend Generator. It never expires and can be used again every year (sustainability first).
👉For experienced Procurement Warriors on the front line:
( ) Cost Management, Savings, Working Capital (hint: there is a reason why this is at the top)
( ) Supply Chain Risk Management
( ) Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
( ) Supplier Relationship Management
( ) Sustainability / Green Procurement
( ) Digitalization (including AI -of course- and MS Office updates or a new e-mail software)
( ) Customer Service & Stakeholder Integration
( ) Placeholder for your expertise as a Procurement Veteran
👉For Consultants with no practical experience and Tech companies:
( ) Transformation (whatever that is)
( ) Digitalization
( ) Trend Reports (2010-2024), just in a different order
( ) KI
( ) KI & Digitalization (and vice versa)
( ) Something with KI and/or Digitalization
Save time and enjoy building your 2025 Trends. Feel free to get in touch for a more realistic view of how to prepare for 2025 and my expectations on what to expect.
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