Enter the world of AI and how it's transforming businesses…
Featured in our Tea Time series - candid conversations with industry leaders on transformation and professional development
About This Episode
Why do some organizations achieve transformational results with AI in procurement while others fail spectacularly? The answer lies in something far less glamorous than the latest AI technology: smart data classification and quality.
Join us for an essential Tea Time conversation with data expert Susan Walsh as she reveals why the organizations rushing headfirst into AI without proper data foundations are setting themselves up for failure—while those who invest in classification and data cleanliness first are seeing game-changing results.
If you're a procurement leader feeling pressure to implement AI quickly, this episode offers the strategic framework you need to build lasting, effective solutions rather than costly quick fixes.
Key Takeaways
The Foundation Factor - Understand why data classification is the make-or-break element that determines AI success or failure in procurement.
Proven Success Stories - Learn from real organizations that prioritized data quality first and achieved transformational AI results.
Assessment Frameworks - Get practical tools to evaluate whether your data is truly ready for AI implementation.
Strategic Balance - Discover how to manage the pressure for quick AI wins while doing the necessary foundational work.
Change Management - Explore proven strategies for building data-conscious procurement teams that sustain long-term success.
Future Trends - Stay ahead of emerging developments in data classification for procurement AI applications.
About Our Guest
Susan Walsh, known as The Classification Guru, is a globally recognized expert in spend data classification and transformation who has dedicated over a decade to helping organizations solve their "dirty data" challenges. Through her company, The Classification Guru Ltd, which she founded in 2017, Susan has worked with over 90 clients worldwide, developing innovative solutions particularly focused on procurement data quality. Her expertise is grounded in the COAT framework she created, ensuring data remains Consistent, Organized, Accurate, and Trustworthy, and she recently launched Samification, a self-service supplier normalization tool that represents years of development in streamlining procurement processes. Beyond her business success, Susan is an accomplished author of "Between the Spreadsheets: Classifying and Fixing Dirty Data," a sought-after global speaker who has delivered a TEDx talk, and serves as a Key Influencer for the Accounts Payable Association, making her a true thought leader in the data quality space.
Perfect For
- Procurement Leaders considering or implementing AI initiatives
- Data Professionals working on procurement transformation projects
- Executives making strategic decisions about AI investment
- Change Management Practitioners supporting AI adoption
- Anyone involved in digital transformation who wants to understand the difference between sustainable AI success and costly failures
About Tea Time
Tea Time is our bi-weekly video series featuring authentic conversations with industry experts on leadership, transformation, and professional development. Released every other Friday, each 20-30 minute episode delivers practical insights you can implement immediately in your professional journey.
Ready to build AI that actually works? Watch the full episode and discover why smart data classification is your secret weapon for procurement AI success.
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