Episode show notes
“Build yourself a great team, and build a team that challenges you. You can’t do it all yourself, you’re only as good as the people around you.”
With huge, long-spanning roles at Diageo and Compass Group, Oliver Cock has developed the blueprints for successful procurement change, fulfilling leadership, and introducing category management from scratch.
Oliver is an incredibly experienced procurement leader, and now CEO of Zircon Consulting, which makes him wonderfully placed to weigh in on the virtues of great leadership, empathy, talent management, and so much more.
This episode of Talent Talks covers:
- Oliver’s long and illustrious career through CPO, MD and other leadership roles
- Introducing category management from scratch by focusing on quick wins in core areas
- Working with key stakeholders for greater buy-in from the wider business
- Recruiting new talent with attitude over aptitude
- Empathy and clarity of direction being essential in procurement leadership
Episode highlights
“I think I was in my late 30s when I went out, and suddenly managing a team of 100 people, dealing with global brands like Captain Morgan. I always respected the fact that they backed people and put investment behind them.” – 10:50 – Oliver Cock
“There were a few too many suppliers. I’d sat in on a couple of contract renewals and thought this is not working. So I went back to basics and said, ‘Look, you almost have to assume you’ve not bought this properly, at all. So start from scratch, and run a proper process’.” – 24:45 – Oliver Cock
“We said ‘Once you decide which product is the right quality for you, I get to decide who to buy from’. That made a tangible difference, because we were seen to be listening.” – 30:05 – Oliver Cock
“It took me a long time to understand that logic doesn’t win every argument. You have to engage with people through empathy, to understand other people’s perspectives.” – 39:00 – Oliver Cock
“Clarity of direction is critical. You can’t run teams on an ongoing, year-to-year basis – talent development takes time.” – 43:10 – Oliver Cock
“Build yourself a great team, and build a team that challenges you. You can’t do it all yourself, you’re only as good as the people around you.” – 50:30 – Oliver Cock
Links & references
Oliver Cock, CEO of Zircon Consulting – https://www.linkedin.com/in/olicock/
Zircon Consulting – https://www.zirconconsulting.co.uk/
Martin Smith, Founder & Director of Talent Drive – https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinsmith2009/
