Provocative, grumpy, experienced, sincere, and does not suffer fools easily, Michael Lamoureaux is the ultimate “alligator poker.” In fact, he is such an agitator that even when he compliments you, your first instinct is to argue his point.
Michael, Jason Busch, and I are among the few original Procurement Industry Bloggers. It’s amazing how years and decades can fly by so quickly. While we may not have always agreed, there was and still is mutual respect for our earnest efforts to get it right rather than being right.
Generative AI – It’s How You Say It!
Anyone who has read Michael’s posts shouldn’t be surprised that he “bristles” regarding the “new-age” AI versions heralded as the ultimate game-changing part of today’s ProcureTech solution landscape. Because of his views and writings, he is a “persona non grata” with many solution providers in the industry.
I recently read Joel Collin-Demurs’s comment in a LinkedIn discussion stream about sensitivities and the importance of not what you say but how you say it—even if what you say is accurate and well-researched.
One way to remove the human tone or element from the equation is to use the very Generative AI that virtually all ProureTech solution providers are talking about. In short, let’s put that old alligator poking stick aside and see how ChatGPT delivers the message.
A Case In Point
I have received feedback regarding my last two posts,” Which ProcureTech Solution Providers Will Thrive or Struggle in 2025?” and “ProcureTech CEO Younger stresses we must change the negative narrative and focus on accelerating the positive.“
Here is the exchange regarding one such dialogue:
Solution Provider Exec: Hey Jon, I’m a little surprised by this post. It is possible that you don’t understand our company or our strategy. Shall we discuss?
JWH: To start, this was not my assessment. I asked ChatGPT the following questions and received the following response from ChatGPT – here is the link to the report: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/purchasing-global-supply-chain-professionals-poll-1-results-docx/273144609
I was somewhat surprised to see your company’s name come up – not so much SAP Ariba’s.
For example, ZIP has that unicorn status, but by its own admission, according to some sources, it does not have a strong “procurement-knowledge” bench.
Oracle is Oracle.
So yes, I was surprised to see your name come up.
Why do you think that ChatGPT singled out your company out of the list provided?
As you will also note in the report, ChatGTP’s answers have a pretty solid level of trust. The more significant concern for the ChatGPT response regarding your company is the following response from ChatGPT:
Currently, there is limited specific data on the percentage of people who use ChatGPT or similar AI tools specifically to research ProcureTech solution providers. However, ChatGPT is becoming a popular tool in procurement for various purposes, including preliminary research, generating supplier briefs, and organizing market insights. Its ease of access and broad adaptability make it a valuable resource for sourcing professionals, especially when they need rapid synthesis of information or initial analysis of suppliers and market trends.
This adoption of ChatGPT in procurement appears to be growing alongside other applications of generative AI, as organizations increasingly incorporate AI for data synthesis, document creation, and supplier negotiation simulations. These tools are not only used to understand the capabilities of potential suppliers but also to prepare category strategies and communications, reflecting a broad integration of AI into the research phase of procurement activities.
Today’s Takeaway
Of course, the key with ChatGPT or any AI-based result is that critical human thinking is still required. However, given the increasing use and trust in ChatGPT, we can’t ignore it. That said, I would be happy to take suggestions regarding other provider names and ask the same questions about those. Alternatively, ChatGPT is available to everyone. – Procurement Insights (2024)
The priority should be the responsible use of AI’s speed and convenience in general. In this regard, I agree with Michael about misleading Hype Cycles and overemphasizing technology through crowded Solution Maps.
The continuing use of equation-based solution development and implementation models is the most troubling for me.
When it comes to AI, we don’t need sticks. What we really need is common sense and active human leadership and intervention.
30
Procurement Insights 
Should you poke alligators with sensitive skin?
Posted on November 11, 2024
0
Provocative, grumpy, experienced, sincere, and does not suffer fools easily, Michael Lamoureaux is the ultimate “alligator poker.” In fact, he is such an agitator that even when he compliments you, your first instinct is to argue his point.
Michael, Jason Busch, and I are among the few original Procurement Industry Bloggers. It’s amazing how years and decades can fly by so quickly. While we may not have always agreed, there was and still is mutual respect for our earnest efforts to get it right rather than being right.
Generative AI – It’s How You Say It!
Anyone who has read Michael’s posts shouldn’t be surprised that he “bristles” regarding the “new-age” AI versions heralded as the ultimate game-changing part of today’s ProcureTech solution landscape. Because of his views and writings, he is a “persona non grata” with many solution providers in the industry.
I recently read Joel Collin-Demurs’s comment in a LinkedIn discussion stream about sensitivities and the importance of not what you say but how you say it—even if what you say is accurate and well-researched.
One way to remove the human tone or element from the equation is to use the very Generative AI that virtually all ProureTech solution providers are talking about. In short, let’s put that old alligator poking stick aside and see how ChatGPT delivers the message.
A Case In Point
I have received feedback regarding my last two posts,” Which ProcureTech Solution Providers Will Thrive or Struggle in 2025?” and “ProcureTech CEO Younger stresses we must change the negative narrative and focus on accelerating the positive.“
Here is the exchange regarding one such dialogue:
Solution Provider Exec: Hey Jon, I’m a little surprised by this post. It is possible that you don’t understand our company or our strategy. Shall we discuss?
JWH: To start, this was not my assessment. I asked ChatGPT the following questions and received the following response from ChatGPT – here is the link to the report: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/purchasing-global-supply-chain-professionals-poll-1-results-docx/273144609
I was somewhat surprised to see your company’s name come up – not so much SAP Ariba’s.
For example, ZIP has that unicorn status, but by its own admission, according to some sources, it does not have a strong “procurement-knowledge” bench.
Oracle is Oracle.
So yes, I was surprised to see your name come up.
Why do you think that ChatGPT singled out your company out of the list provided?
As you will also note in the report, ChatGTP’s answers have a pretty solid level of trust. The more significant concern for the ChatGPT response regarding your company is the following response from ChatGPT:
Currently, there is limited specific data on the percentage of people who use ChatGPT or similar AI tools specifically to research ProcureTech solution providers. However, ChatGPT is becoming a popular tool in procurement for various purposes, including preliminary research, generating supplier briefs, and organizing market insights. Its ease of access and broad adaptability make it a valuable resource for sourcing professionals, especially when they need rapid synthesis of information or initial analysis of suppliers and market trends.
This adoption of ChatGPT in procurement appears to be growing alongside other applications of generative AI, as organizations increasingly incorporate AI for data synthesis, document creation, and supplier negotiation simulations. These tools are not only used to understand the capabilities of potential suppliers but also to prepare category strategies and communications, reflecting a broad integration of AI into the research phase of procurement activities.
Today’s Takeaway
Of course, the key with ChatGPT or any AI-based result is that critical human thinking is still required. However, given the increasing use and trust in ChatGPT, we can’t ignore it. That said, I would be happy to take suggestions regarding other provider names and ask the same questions about those. Alternatively, ChatGPT is available to everyone. – Procurement Insights (2024)
The priority should be the responsible use of AI’s speed and convenience in general. In this regard, I agree with Michael about misleading Hype Cycles and overemphasizing technology through crowded Solution Maps.
The continuing use of equation-based solution development and implementation models is the most troubling for me.
When it comes to AI, we don’t need sticks. What we really need is common sense and active human leadership and intervention.
30
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