What Can Procurement Learn from the Ice Hockey Finals?
- Lauri Vihonen
- May 7, 2025
- 4 min read
I’m not a big ice hockey enthusiast. I don’t go to games, I don’t follow the regular season, and I don’t know all the team lineups or statistics. I usually only watch hockey on TV during major international tournaments – or when the Finnish SM-liiga finals approach their climax.
This time, however, my interest was sparked for a different reason. I read an article in Helsingin Sanomat where Raimo Summanen analyzed the SM-liiga finals between KalPa and SaiPa. Summanen is a hockey figure I’ve followed over the years – outspoken, experienced, and often insightful.
The article wasn’t just about sports – it was full of observations about rhythm, roles, courage, and adaptation. And the more I read, the more I found myself thinking: this could be a textbook example of team play in procurement.
I train and consult on procurement development, especially through the lenses of service design and business understanding. One of the most effective methods in service design is learning from outside your own field. In this case, from the hockey finals.
In this blog, I reflect on Summanen’s analysis through the lens of procurement. What happens when the insights of a hockey team are applied to the procurement arena? The answer: quite a lot.
1. Simplifying under pressure – less flash, more focus
Raimo Summanen described how KalPa simplified its game as the matches got tighter. They directed the puck straight to the goal, defended more compactly, and cut unnecessary risks.
In procurement, this means the ability to focus on what truly matters. When time is tight and business pressure high, an agile procurement team doesn’t aim for perfection but for impact. One well-executed agreement is better than three half-finished plans. One realized saving is better than ten calculated ones in Excel.
2. Role fluidity and bold defenders – flexible teams without silos
Summanen applauded how defenders actively joined the offense. They didn’t rush back to their own zone, and the team adapted dynamically. This wasn’t recklessness—it was skill and teamwork.
In procurement, this reflects multi-skilling and role flexibility. Top-performing teams don’t cling to narrow roles—they go where the value is. They support sales, contribute to product development, and back operational purchasing—while still protecting their core. Role fluidity isn’t chaos; it’s intelligence and trust in action.
3. Adapting to the opponent’s play – flexible processes and supplier-specific approaches
KalPa struggled more with SaiPa’s playing style than with Ilves. So they adapted: simplified their game and adjusted their pace.
In procurement, this means realizing that one model doesn’t fit all suppliers. Some require a straight-up tender and contract. Others need co-development, dialogue, and long-term relationship building. Agile procurement adapts its “game” to the situation—and changes it when needed.
4. Unified team movement – collaboration with the business and stakeholders
Summanen praised the cohesive team play of KalPa and SaiPa: the lines moved together, supported each other, and adjusted in real time.
In procurement, this is collaboration with business units, finance, quality, HR, and more. No one gets far alone—and over-defending one’s own turf may cause opportunities to slip away. When the whole organization plays as a team, the value created multiplies.
5. Weak finishing – focus on real impact
Summanen also pointed out a key improvement area: attacks lacked directness and quality. The puck wasn’t taken to the goal often or decisively enough.
In procurement, this means the ability to finalize and deliver concrete results. A good analysis, plan, or dialogue isn’t enough. Procurement must know how to finish—get decisions made, actions taken, and value measured. This is where traditional and impactful procurement truly diverge.
What can procurement learn – what does your team’s playing style look like?
Summanen’s analysis was about hockey—but also a perfect example of cross-industry insight. The hockey finals reminded us that winning play is often simple, collaborative, and adaptive.
What if you looked at your own procurement team’s playing style with this lens? Are you ready to simplify when needed? Do you have the courage to step out of rigid roles and support one another? Can you adapt to changing conditions? Most importantly—can you get things across the finish line?
Good procurement is like a good team. It doesn’t play for the rules—it plays to win, together.
Let’s develop your procurement playing style
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Best regards,
Lauri Vihonen
Author of the Blog
I’ve written more than 200 blogs on procurement’s role, challenges, and opportunities – always grounded in real-world experience, successes, and lessons learned.
If you’re considering improving your procurement or recognized some familiar challenges, I recommend browsing my writings. You’ll find practical tools, insights, and ideas tailored to different industries and situations.
Source:
Arkimies, Tuomas. Raimo Summanen innostui – SM-liigan finaaleissa nähtiin jotain täysin uudenlaista. Helsingin Sanomat (online), published 5.5.2025. Available at: https://www.hs.fi/urheilu/art-2000011210112.html (subscription required)
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