For awhile, I've thought that procurement needs a few sound bites that capture the imperatives and aspirations of the function. Last week, the Procurement Leaders Next Decade event in New York City provided several possibilities.

Everyone from kids to adults loves games. Generation Y plays video and computer games, sometimes as a substitute for social interaction. Families play games around a table or computer screen as a bonding exercise. But, do computer and video games have a place in business? Sure they do.

Data analytics are being harnessed by just about everyone - it's time procurement became the master.

Anyone attending last week’s Procurement Leaders World Procurement Congress or reading the presentations and the accomplishments of the winners of the Procurement Leaders Awards, has to feel a sense of pride in the accomplishments of this vital business function.

You never know where a good discussion can lead in business, but you can be sure that whatever direction it takes, either new insights or a different take on accepted wisdom will emerge.

3D technology may be interesting, but should procurement be taking notes?

Recently, I asked Ray Schlaff, CPO of international electricity and gas company National Grid, to list his top challenges for 2013. The first topic he listed: sustainability.

Procurement is the bridge that connects companies to their suppliers. But just because procurement has that role, it doesn’t mean that others in the organization shouldn’t be involved.

If you are wondering how big CSR has become in corporations, consider this: The number of CSR consultants is growing.

An emerging online currency could one day present some interesting solutions to the problems of currency fluctuations.