Cut Your SaaS Costs: COO Justin Etkin on Smarter Procurement
In this episode of Between Two COOs, Michael Koenig sits down with Justin Etkin, COO of Tropic.io, to discuss how procurement has evolved into a strategic function in today’s businesses. Justin shares his insights on how companies can use procurement as a growth lever rather than just a cost-saving measure, the impact of AI on procurement, and best practices for negotiation. If you’re a COO, CFO, CEO or anyone dealing with vendor contracts, this episode is packed with actionable insights on optimizing procurement.
Don't forget to check out www.fellow.app/coo for a 90-day free trial of their AI Meeting Assistant.
Don't forget to check out www.fellow.app/coo for a 90-day free trial of their AI Meeting Assistant.
[00:00] Introduction – Michael introduces Fellow as a trusted AI meeting assistant.
[01:00] Welcome to Between Two COOs – Introducing Justin Etkin and Tropic.io.
[02:00] The evolution of procurement – From cost-cutting to strategic value creation.
[05:00] When should companies start formalizing procurement?
[07:00] Common mistakes businesses make in procurement.
[10:00] Using data and AI to improve procurement efficiency.
[12:00] Negotiation strategies and dealing with vendors.
[16:00] The role of AI in procurement and automation potential.
[20:00] How companies are shifting towards integrated procurement platforms.
[23:00] The intersection of procurement and legal, finance, and security.
[28:00] Justin’s wildest COO experience – Painting walls before an office move-out.
[30:00] Closing thoughts – Where to follow Justin and learn more about Tropic.io.
Tropic - https://www.tropicapp.io/
Between Two COO's - https://betweentwocoos.com
Episode URL - https://betweentwocoos.com/tropic-coo-justin-etkin
Michael Koenig - https://linkedin.com/in/michael-koenig514
Justin Etkin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justintropic/
Don't forget to check out www.fellow.app/coo for a 90-day free trial of their AI Meeting Assistant.
