
Episode #10
The Value Mirage: Why Procurement Keeps Looking in the Wrong Place
In Part I of this two-part Procurement Pathways series, host Stacy Joslin sits down with Omid Ghamami , President of the Procurement and Supply Chain Management Institute, and Darshan Deshmukh , President of ProcureAbility. Together, they challenge one of procurement's biggest misconceptions: that negotiation creates most of the value. Drawing on decades of procurement leadership experience, Omid and Darshan explore why many organizations focus on savings only after costs have already been embedded in the business. They examine how procurement teams can create greater impact by shaping requirements, reducing complexity, and aligning more closely with business objectives long before supplier negotiations begin. Throughout the conversation, they discuss the hidden costs of over-engineered specifications, excessive customization, and outdated procurement practices. They also challenge traditional zero-sum negotiation approaches, arguing that stronger collaboration with suppliers and stakeholders can unlock greater value for all parties involved.






