Tom Finn and Alan Veeck explore why the procurement department should be viewed as the "internal bank" of an organization by strategically managing cash flow and payment terms. We break down the massive financial impact of Days Payable Outstanding (DPO), illustrating how shifting from Net 30 to Net …
Rebuild Procurement Podcast
by Tom Finn & Alan Veeck
Sick of the same old procurement blah-blah-blah? Join hosts Tom and Alan, two veterans of the procurement trenches, as they cut through the corporate jargon and get to the heart of the matter. From supply chain disruptions to procurement transformation, we're here to challenge the status quo and rebuild procurement from the ground up. Tune in for weekly episodes filled with wide-ranging, intellectual, and honest conversations that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about procurement.
Latest Episodes
With Alan traveling this week, Tom Finn takes the lead to explain why procurement professionals are actually the firm's most important asset managers. He breaks down why we must shift from chasing simple "savings" to protecting a company's hurdle rate and return on invested capital. The episode expl…
Most economists focus on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but Tom and Alan argue that staring at GDP is like trying to drive a car by looking only at the odometer—it tells you how far you’ve gone, not where you’re going. In this episode, we dive into Gross Output (GO), the $42 trillion "dark matter" ec…
Start 2026 with a plan that actually sticks by moving beyond traditional New Year's resolutions and embracing high-impact themes. Tom and Alan dive into the psychological side of planning, using Jordan Peterson’s "Maps of Meaning" to explain why career anxiety is often just a biological signal that …
Thirteen months ago, we laid out 10 bold predictions for the 2025 economy—now, we’re checking the receipts using our "MythBusters" rating system of Confirmed, Busted, or Plausible. We dive deep into the massive "Confirmed" hits, including Paul’s call on Gold outperforming the S&P 500 and Alan’s pred…
Tom Finn and Alan Veeck analyze the 2025 PNC Christmas Price Index to uncover how macro-economic shifts are impacting the most unique supply chain in the world. This year, the total cost of the 12 gifts officially broke the $50,000 ceiling, settling at $51,476 for a 4.5% year-over-year increase. Nea…
How do you differentiate yourself and truly shine in the crowded field of procurement? Tom and Alan welcome the legendary Philip Ideson (Host of the Art of Procurement Podcast) to reveal his three non-negotiable rules for rising above the crowd and ensuring you are never a commodity. Phil shares cri…
How does a seasonal item like a Christmas tree become a massive global sourcing project? This week on How It's Sourced, Alan and Tom dissect the two very different supply chains behind your holiday centerpiece: real vs. artificial trees. They reveal the shocking cost factors, including the risk prof…
Did you know the psychological tricks used on Black Friday are the exact same ones your suppliers use to raise your costs? Alan and Tom dive into the history of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, revealing how concepts like price anchoring influence both consumer and B2B procurement decisions. Learn how…
Is the dirty data excuse killing your procurement analytics initiatives? Tom Finn and Alan Veeck provide a simple, executable 4-step roadmap for any procurement team to clean dirty data and get more value out of their analytics. Learn why you should start small with your dirtiest spend data and use …
Is selling to procurement a numbers game, or a relationship game? In this solo episode, Alan Veeck (the OG in Procurement) reveals his entire sales philosophy, explaining why procurement professionals respect knowledge and trust over aggressive email marketing. Alan dives deep into his Network of 10…
Is AI a threat or the ultimate tool? Alan challenges Tom's bold claims about the immediate, seismic shift of AI in procurement. Tom reveals the powerful AI add-on that can instantly turn your ugliest, most complex Excel spreadsheets into clean, formula-driven dashboards—a true game-changer for any a…
Ready to tear up your outdated sourcing playbook? Alan and Tom dive back into the mind of Elon Musk to uncover four critical business drivers that demand continuous improvement from procurement. They challenge the status quo, asking why so many teams are still using a slow 9-step sourcing process wh…
Join tom and Alan on the latest episode of Rebuild Procurement where they discuss how outsourcing might get 58% more expensive? Tom and Alan break down the proposed HIRE Act, a new US Senate bill that would introduce a 25% tax on offshored services. We discuss why this legislative move—if passed—cou…
Did you know your body language and nonverbal cues could be subtly increasing your procurement costs? In this solo episode, Tom Finn dives into the power of nonverbal communication, sharing lessons from Amy Cuddy's famous research on how your posture impacts confidence. Discover the critical nonverb…
What is the "Idiot Index," and why did it make Elon Musk an ultra-obsessed procurement buyer? In this episode, Tom Finn and Alan Veeck break down Musk’s radical approach to cost, revealing how to use his "Should Cost Model" to expose massive markups from your suppliers. Learn how to apply Musk's "10…
Is your company forcing you back to the office? In this no-holds-barred episode, Tom Finn and Alan Veeck reveal what’s really behind the "Return to Office" (RTO) push, including the controversial idea that it’s being used as a “shadow layoff.” We break down the statistics, debate the true drivers be…
Are your major cost-saving achievements failing to impress your company's leadership? In this solo episode, Tom Finn reveals the critical disconnect: procurement and finance are often speaking two completely different languages. Discover the essential shifts you must make to start thinking like a CF…
Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at the fascinating world of reverse auctions. Ever feel like negotiating prices is like a game of poker, where everyone’s bluffing, but only one player walks away with the pot? They’ll dive into the pros and cons of reverse auctions, explo…
Join Tom and Alan on Rebuild Procurement as they take a look at how to transition from a great career to landing your next job in procurement. Ever feel like job hunting is just like online dating—lots of swiping but no matches? They’ll discuss the importance of networking, tailoring your resume, an…