Is your procurement process truly ethical, or are there hidden gray areas you haven't considered? In this episode, the Proc & Roll team tackles the critical and complex topic of ethics and integrity.

Join Natasha Gurevich, Conrad Smith, and Zachary Bachir as they move beyond clear-cut issues like bribery to explore the subtle, everyday dilemmas that professionals face in negotiations, RFPs, and stakeholder management. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a stronger personal foundation of integrity in their work.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "continuum of influence": Where to draw the line between a golf outing and a bribe.

  
  

• Internal pressure: How to handle it when a senior leader asks you to "put your finger on the scale" for a favored supplier.

  
  

• The "benchmark bid" dilemma: Why asking suppliers for a quote when you have no real intention of awarding them the business is the "opposite from ethical".

  
  

• Negotiation ethics: Are "white lies" and bluffing acceptable, or can you get a good deal with 100% transparency?

  
  

• The "fourth jet" problem: The ethical questions that arise when one department is pinching pennies while another spends lavishly on things like a private jet.

Procurement reports millions in savings, but does the CFO actually believe the numbers? In this follow-up to our savings discussion, the Proc & Roll team tackles the biggest challenge in procurement: credibility.

Join Natasha Gurevich, Conrad Smith, and Zachary Bachir as they share candid stories and practical strategies for building unshakeable trust with your finance partners. They break down why even the biggest savings numbers fall flat without the right validation and communication, and how to translate procurement "value" into the tangible currency your CFO wants to see.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "wheelbarrow of money" analogy: What the CFO really wants to see from your savings reports.

  
  

• Why the lack of a unified code for defining savings creates confusion and mistrust between CPOs and CFOs.

  
  

• The specific role of Finance as a "validator"—not an approver—to make your numbers "bulletproof".

  
  

• The importance of speaking two languages: talking hard currency with Finance and value with business stakeholders.

  
  

• The challenge of cost avoidance, why it's often treated as a "stepchild" by CFOs, and how to explain its importance for protecting future margins.

  
  

If you’ve ever struggled to get your savings report taken seriously, this episode provides a clear playbook.

It's the proverbial 2 a.m. call from the CFO: "The quarter is bad, I need your team to deliver savings". Do you become the "cost police" and start squeezing suppliers, or do you step up as a strategic partner?

In this episode, Natasha Gurevich, Conrad Smith, and Zach Bachir tackle the "S-word" of procurement. They share a practical playbook for generating real value under pressure, moving beyond simple cost-cutting to strategic leadership. This conversation is for any procurement professional who wants to be prepared before that inevitable call comes.

In this episode, we cover:

• The crucial first step: Understanding the

  real driver behind a savings request and how much license you have to push for cuts.

  
  

• The proactive building blocks every team needs: clean spend data, accessible contracts, and strong stakeholder relationships.

  
  

• Why your relationship with Finance must be "iron" solid and how it makes your savings numbers "bulletproof".

  
  

• The full spectrum of savings levers, from a simple "just ask" to transformational operating model changes.

  
  

• • The "Desktop Drill": A powerful exercise to run with your team to test your readiness before a crisis hits.

  If you’ve ever faced a sudden demand for cost reduction or want to elevate your team from a tactical function to a strategic powerhouse, this conversation is for you.