Trusted by Procurement Professionals
"Graham provided an excellent keynote at our CIPS Futures Conference in London and brought a thoughtful and thought-provoking way of thinking about the future."
Matt Howell, CEO
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply
Case Study
Context
Elanco is a global animal health company that develops products and services for livestock and pets, operating in markets around the world.
The company brought together around 20 senior procurement leaders, including its Chief Procurement Officer and regional leadership team, for a Global Procurement Leadership Site Visit in Liverpool.
The meeting was designed to help the team reconnect around three priorities: navigating change, maintaining resilience and positivity during transformation and preparing procurement for an increasingly uncertain future.
Problem
Procurement leaders are being asked to make increasingly consequential decisions while the environment around them keeps shifting. Tariffs, regulation, technology, supplier health and supply chain disruption can all change the assumptions on which today's decisions are based.
The challenge for Elanco's leaders was therefore bigger than simply keeping up with trends. They needed a practical way to think about uncertainty without becoming overwhelmed by it, maintain confidence through change and stay focused on the company's longer-term direction.
Solution
Graham created a tailored 45-minute version of The Mental Time Machine, combining organizational psychology, strategic foresight and interactive exercises.
Rather than trying to predict what would happen next, the session showed participants how to think like futurists: learn from previous periods of change, explore different possibilities for the future and develop their own informed view of what might be coming.
Examples and discussion were specifically adapted to Elanco and the changing animal health supply chain, helping participants connect the ideas directly to their roles and decisions.
Results
The session gave the leadership team a shared language for talking about uncertainty and a practical approach they could use beyond the event. Participants left with techniques for challenging assumptions, looking further ahead and approaching change with greater curiosity and confidence.
Most importantly, the keynote supported the wider purpose of the leadership visit: helping a global procurement team step away from immediate operational pressures, think collectively about what lies ahead and consider how they can play a more active role in shaping it.
"Graham challenged our Procurement team to look and think differently about how we see our future. By providing a practical tool to help us navigate this evolving landscape, the team felt inspired and better equipped for the challenges ahead."
Sam Hughes
Global Director – Site Procurement
Elanco Animal Health
Working with the world's leading procurement and supply chain body
Graham is Chief Futurist at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), the world's largest professional body for procurement and supply, with more than 70,000 members across 150 countries. He was appointed in 2026 to bring strategic foresight and future-focused thinking into CIPS' work with the global profession.
His work ranges from keynote speaking and executive facilitation to research, articles and video content. A major focus is The Great Conversation, CIPS' global initiative exploring what procurement could become over the coming decades and what today's professionals need to do to prepare for it.
Featured work with CIPS
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Future lessons from the history of procurement
Graham looks back at the evolution of procurement, from clerical purchasing through cost control, supplier relationships and data-driven risk management, then asks what the next transformation of the profession might be. His central argument: understanding how procurement's purpose has changed before can help leaders recognize how it may change again.
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How to think about the future
In this short film for CIPS' Great Conversation, Graham explains how procurement professionals can escape the pull of immediate problems and create the mental space to think five, 10 or 20 years ahead. CIPS describes the film as advice for tackling the "bigger, longer-term questions" facing the profession.
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Mastering Your Futurist Mindset
Graham delivered a keynote for the CIPS Procurement & Supply Futures Conference on how futurist techniques can help procurement professionals anticipate change, create compelling visions and strengthen procurement's strategic role within their organizations.
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Think Like a Futurist: How to Make Decisions with Certainty
On the CIPS Futures podcast, Graham explores how techniques including mental time travel and backcasting can help procurement leaders balance immediate demands with longer-term strategic goals and make decisions with greater confidence.
Why event organizers choose Graham
Engaging & Practical Keynotes: Graham delivers keynote presentations that balance inspiration with real-world application. His talks are engaging, thought-provoking, and filled with practical tools leaders can use immediately to navigate uncertainty and make better decisions. Audiences often describe his sessions as both eye-opening and empowering, giving them the clarity and confidence to face the future with purpose.
Tailored for Your Audience and Goals: No two events are alike, and Graham takes the time to ensure each keynote speaks directly to your audience’s challenges. From pre-event calls to in-depth research, he works closely with organizers to align his message with your theme, industry, and objectives — so every session feels custom-designed for maximum impact.
Proven Expertise in Foresight & Leadership: With over 20 years of international experience — from leading teams in Asia to consulting for global brands like adidas, Intel, Microsoft, and Volkswagen — Graham brings a unique blend of strategic foresight, organizational psychology, and leadership insights to the stage. His TEDx talk, Be More Futurist, and his daily newsletter, The DIY Futurist, have made him a trusted voice for leaders who want to turn uncertainty into opportunity.
Professional, Reliable, and Easy to Work With: Event organizers value Graham not just for his content, but for his professionalism and responsiveness. He’s collaborative, adaptable, and known as a “safe pair of hands” who makes the process seamless from start to finish. Whether speaking to hundreds or facilitating smaller strategy sessions, Graham’s focus is always on making your event a success and leaving your audience inspired.
Dr. Graham Norris is a highly sought-after business motivational speaker, known for his expertise in strategic foresight and leadership. His calendar often fills months in advance, so early booking is recommended to secure your date. Get in touch with Graham today to explore how his unique insights can inspire and empower your audience.
Why Graham's Keynotes Stand Out
Engagement: Graham’s compelling speaking style and thought-provoking storytelling captivate audiences from the very first moment, blending inspiration with clarity.
Customization: Every event is unique, and Graham invests the time to tailor each keynote to the specific challenges and goals of your audience, ensuring maximum relevance and impact.
Global Experience: With two decades of international leadership and consulting across Asia, Europe, and beyond, Graham brings deep, real-world insights and a global perspective to every stage.
Actionable Strategies: Graham goes beyond inspiration, equipping audiences with practical frameworks and tools they can immediately apply to navigate uncertainty and lead with confidence.