Audio PodcastIn this episode of Smarter Sourcing, John speaks with Bill Courtney, 7x CFO & Senior Financial Executive, about his extensive experience in procurement and sourcing across various industries. Bill reflects on his time at companies like Ford, Hertz, and Delta, highlighting the challenges faced and the strategic decisions made during critical periods such as 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
They dive into the importance of simplifying complex processes, the impact of leadership in driving organizational change, and the evolving role of Chief Procurement Officers.
Topics discussed:
- Bill Courtney’s journey as a CFO from Ford to Hertz, Delta, and CWT, highlighting leadership lessons, challenges overcome, and strategic decision-making.
- The critical role of procurement during crises like 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic in managing suppliers and costs.
- The importance of simplifying complexity and fostering partnerships to drive organizational success.
- The impact of mergers and acquisitions on procurement processes and the need for efficient integration of backend systems.
- Lessons learned about leadership, compassion, and making tough decisions during company turnarounds and bankruptcies.
- The evolution of the Chief Procurement Officer role, including increased importance after crises such as 9/11 and COVID-19.
Guest Quotes:
“Each company that I’ve served and each industry I’ve played in, and I say play because it’s been fun, I think you have to make your career an adventure and embrace it and have fun with it. Otherwise it becomes a challenge to get up in the morning.”
“But if you think about a bank the size of Bank of America, JP Morgan, Citigroup having a systems pickup and going down, you’re talking billions. And so really having a partner that helps us negotiate those deals, looking at them end to end early in the process, proactively, was invaluable.”
“I think you have to treat each industry in each company and then look at a specific vertical, but then look for the horizontal golden threads between those where you can drive value.”
“I don’t view procurement and sourcing as being an order taking organization. I view it as a key partner and strategic partner.”
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About the Guest
Bill Courtney
7x CFO & Senior Financial Executive Leader
About the Host
John Pavia
Executive Producer, Smarter Sourcing
