News #09-25: Procurement and Innovation

Written By Sophie Durand

For too long, procurement has been seen as the enemy of innovation, slowing things down with rigid processes, contracts, and a cost-first mindset. But in today’s world of disruption, AI, and ecosystem collaboration, that old paradigm no longer works.

Innovation does not emerge from isolated teams. It flourishes when organizations and their partners create the right conditions to experiment, adapt, and grow together. Procurement is at the very heart of that shift. From agile contracting to ecosystem design, it can either stifle or unlock the collaboration that innovation depends on.

This issue brings together perspectives and case studies that show a clear direction: transforming procurement is not just about efficiency, it is the foundation of resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable innovation.

Cheers,

Sophie

Stories of the month

cBlog
Procurement kills innovation.
Sophie Durand
Procurement kills innovation.
Sophie Durand

This bold statement was dropped at a Wellington’s startup and innovation event. A live poll confirmed it: startup-friendly policy and procurement is the top priority to accelerate growth and impact.

Read More →
Sophie Durand
cBlog
Haier ZeroDX Journey 2025 - Case Studies, Insights and Learnings (Post 1 - The Journey)
mirko kleiner
Haier ZeroDX Journey 2025 - Case Studies, Insights and Learnings (Post 1 - The Journey)
mirko kleiner

In this series of blog posts, We’ll be sharing key insights, learnings, and experiences from the Haier ZeroDX Journey 2025, and why I believe the future of business lies in a NewEconomic Engine driven by AI and Business Ecosystems.

Post 1 - The Journey in Italy

Read More →
mirko kleiner
cBlog
How Switzerland Innovation Park Central Is Enabling Circular Construction
mirko kleiner
How Switzerland Innovation Park Central Is Enabling Circular Construction
mirko kleiner

What does it take to enable a circular economy in construction?
This case study walks you through Switzerland Innovation Park Central’s Open Innovation Ecosystem.
From over 50 projects to policy adoption, learn how ecosystems turn collaboration into transformation.

Read More →
mirko kleiner
cBlog
foryouandyourcustomers: A Decentralized Model for Growth and Innovation
foryouandyourcustomers: A Decentralized Model for Growth and Innovation

This case study presents a consultancy built on a decentralized structure and people-first philosophy. It explains how independent “cells” foster autonomy, innovation, and customer proximity and how new ventures like kustik extend the company’s philosophy into fresh business domains.

Read More →
cBlog
From Disruption to Agility: The State of Procurement in the Age of AI
From Disruption to Agility: The State of Procurement in the Age of AI

The State of Procurement in the Age of AI highlights how global disruption, rapid digitalization, and artificial intelligence are reshaping supply chains and contracting. Traditional procurement models are too slow and adversarial, creating bottlenecks that limit agility and innovation. Lean-Agile Procurement (LAP) positions procurement as a strategic capability within the Agile Product Operating Model, enabling collaboration, adaptability, and trust-based contracts. With 90% of organizations recognizing agility as critical, but only 8% including partners in transformations, the paper stresses the urgent need for ecosystem-level agility to unlock competitive advantage, resilience, and faster, value-driven outcomes across industries.

Read More →

LAP Alliance Updates

Keynote:
Leading Procurement in the Age of AI


Mirko Kleiner — Thought Leader, President of the LAP Alliance, and expert in ecosystem-driven business models — will show how CEOs and CFOs can use LAP, AI, and agility to:

  • Navigate volatility and complex global markets

  • Rapidly evolve & scale business models and unlock new revenue streams

  • Turn procurement into a driver of financial and strategic impact

  • Build resilient, adaptive partner ecosystems

📅 September 4 at 10:00 AM CET & September 6 at 12:00 PM CET
👉 Interlaken, Switzerland


Certification & Community

Upcoming courses

Sophie Durand

LAP Trainer & Consultant

LAP Alliance Board Member

https://www.solomi.fr
Next

Bringing Procurement into the Agile Product Operating Model