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I’ve seen all kinds of leaders: The ones who threaten, manipulate, shout. 🫨 And the ones who lead with calm, clarity, and quiet power. Do the kind ones always lead better? Honestly — it depends. On the company. On the culture.And by looking who are the world`s leaders today 🫢 , honestly – I don`t know. But here’s what I know:I want to stay close to the kind of leadership that feels human. And create more of it. That’s why […]

Leaders take care of others — but first, they must take care of themselves. In the rush of performance and pressure, leadership often becomes reactive, transactional, and emotionally depleted. Steppebystep retreats invite international leaders to slow down, reset, and return to their core in the steppes of Kazakhstan— through presence, purpose, and connection to nature.With over 26 years of international experience in procurement, contract management, and strategic negotiation — I’ve helped organizations secure high-value deals and build systems that last. […]

Will Procurement Be Replaced by AI in 2025? The Uncomfortable Truth… AI is moving fast. It’s automating sourcing, predicting supplier risks, and even conducting negotiations. For many procurement professionals, also for myself, this sparks a real fear: Will my job still exist in a few years? 😱 From what i see is happening in Supplier`s potfolios and my consulting clients cases: AI is already taking over many of the repetitive, data-heavy tasks. And this is great! It can process purchase […]

When startups bring their innovative products to market, they often face a battle securing corporate contracts, of course unless they are backed by well-known venture capital firms or industry giants.📌 Why? Because procurement professionals see startups as risky and unproven. Meanwhile, startups see procurement as. a slow and bureaucratic ( based on the feedbacks).These two worlds operate on different principles:🔹 Procurement: Focuses on risk mitigation, structured processes, and long-term supplier relationships.🔹 Startups: Operate with agility, disruptive ideas, and a drive […]

Scale Smarter: How Strategic Procurement Can Drive Your Startup’s Growth Startups fail… It’s nothing new and a significant number fail because they don’t manage their resources effectively.Take this scenario: You negotiate a contract with a client, use your time efficiently, but reach only one country. Now imagine negotiating that same contract in a way that covers five countries. That’s not just efficient; it’s transformational. For a startup, the difference between one client and clients across five countries is monumental. At […]

I’ve always cherished precious moments immersed in yoga and wellness activities throughout all these years of building my hashtag#careerandbusiness. In the busy, competitive world of hashtag#corporate life, yoga became my sanctuary, nurturing my well-being and preserving my sanity. I have always kept yoga/ wellness and my professional activities – consulting, training, and mentorship – a bit like two different directions. After my recent trip to hashtag#Bali to the infamous hashtag#YogaBarn studio and witnessing how consciousness hashtag#meditations and yoga practices help […]

In the fast-paced world of startups, effective procurement and contract management are crucial for long-term success. One notable case is Homejoy, which faced challenges that ultimately contributed to its closure. A key issue was the leakage of talented workers who sought direct employment with former clients. By implementing stronger contractual agreements with employees, including clauses that prohibit direct arrangements with clients, Homejoy could have retained its skilled workforce and maintained service quality.While there are many reasons why startups face hurdles, […]

None of us as adults believe in Santa Claus, right? Yet… we still think that the New Year will bring us miracles. We tell ourselves that during this festive season, we’ll exercise more, eat healthier, and set new strategies for success. But as the festive lights dim, many of us are left with heavy hearts and  too much food. Sound familiar? The post-holiday blues can hit hard… The Opportunity Instead of falling into the post-holiday blues or, God forbid, heading […]