While he can almost always be found sitting in the interviewer’s chair, Art of Procurement Founder and Managing Director Philip Ideson had the tables turned recently when he was interviewed by The Procurement Ledger. He spoke about the inspiration, milestones, and future vision behind AOP’s transformation from the #1 podcast in procurement to a comprehensive media and consultancy organization.
AOP’s journey began in 2015 when Philip, who already had nearly two decades of procurement experience behind him, realized a critical gap in access to knowledge and insights for procurement professionals. “I started the AOP podcast to help tell the stories of companies that were successful in driving change and to provide a resource where procurement practitioners could learn about best practices and emerging trends,” said Philip.
Nearly 10 years later, AOP has now grown from a single podcast to a family of media brands, including Art of Procurement, Art of Supply, and the consultancy, SpendPros. As Philip explained in the interview, one of the core values that continues to guide AOP’s evolution and growth is the company’s commitment to what he calls a “no jerks” culture, a value he shares with his co-founder and Head of Content and Operations Kelly Barner.
“This was the first value we wrote down when trying to articulate what we stand for,” Philip said. “We also use this value to determine who we partner with – or do not partner with. It is critical to us that everyone we work with also embodies this core value.”
As the interview highlights, this philosophy is also reflected in AOP’s approach to content development and service delivery. Every part of the business is focused on addressing the evolving needs of procurement professionals. As Philip explains, “there is something for everyone” at Art of Procurement, because the team prioritizes nuanced, relevant, and impactful topics and content that help procurement elevate their impact. “We know how busy procurement professionals are, so the last thing we want to do is waste their time with throwaway content or hyperbole.”
While looking back at the journey that has gotten AOP to where it is today is inspiring, it’s the road ahead that Philip is most excited about.
“Since I entered procurement in 2000, there has always been speculation about how different things would be in 10 years. But, when I look back, not much has fundamentally changed over these years. That said, the next 10 years have the potential to be the most transformative decade in the history of procurement.”
And, no doubt, Philip and the rest of the AOP team will be there every step of the way!
