Conversation with Jacob Gorm Larsen
Beware of Shiny New Digital Solution!

Beroe’s Head of Content, Sakthi Prasad, speaks with Jacob Gorm Larsen, former Head of Digital Procurement at AP Moller Maersk. Jacob, who currently runs a consulting firm called Moneyball CPH, talks about the need for Procurement teams to guard themselves against the temptations posed by “shiny new digital solutions”.

Discussion Pointers:

• The utility and usefulness of “digital supplier lists” that are on offer in the marketplace. Does it help or create confusion?
• How to not get swayed by marketing messages crafted by solution providers.
• Does Procurement talk about “digitalization” -- because it is now a cool quotient -- even if they actually don’t need many of the tools that are currently in the market?
• If a company has a functional P2P system, do they need to necessarily go for new digital solutions?
• There is a lot of pressure on Procurement to show ROI in the programs that they are running, and can this be a limiting factor when it comes to selecting a solution provider?
• Can a Procurement team working in a small and medium sized firm take advantage of many of the solutions that are currently available in the market? Where and for what should they scout to begin with?
• Is digitalization a ruse to slash the headcount in the procurement department?