Tracing ProcureAbility’s Evolution from Specialized Advisory Firm to Enterprise-Scale Procurement Services Provider

The Chicago Journal Staff on December 15, 2025

Once viewed as a tactical, back-office function, procurement has evolved into a vital strategic lever for organizational resilience and competitiveness. In a business landscape shaped by ongoing global supply chain disruptions, accelerating digital transformation, and rising stakeholder expectations, procurement is no longer just about acquiring goods and services; it’s a driver of innovation, cost savings, compliance, value creation, and risk mitigation. As companies navigate increasing complexity, many are turning to specialist partners to help manage dynamic market conditions. This shift has fueled a rise in firms offering focused procurement services and deep domain expertise, reinforcing procurement’s position as a critical enabler of business success.

Over the past 30 years, procurement consulting and services have undergone a significant transformation. Models such as managed services and digital procurement emerged in the early 2000s, reshaping how organizations approach procurement operations. According to industry reports, the global procurement services market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, driven by increasing demands for agility, data-driven insights, and specialized talent. In this evolving landscape, ProcureAbility has risen to connect strategy, technology, and execution. The company began as a niche provider and has since become a leader in the procurement services space. Today, ProcureAbility offers a comprehensive suite of capabilities tailored specifically to meet the needs of global procurement organizations of all sizes.

Founded in 1996, ProcureAbility began as an advisory firm focused on strategic sourcing and procurement transformation. The company supported a growing base of cross-industry clients seeking to reduce costs and optimize procurement processes and operations. As market needs evolved, so did ProcureAbility, expanding its geographic footprint and broadening its offerings. Today, the firm is a global provider of advisory, managed services, digital solutions, and talent-based services. This strategic evolution mirrors broader industry trends, as organizations increasingly shift from ad hoc consulting engagements to long-term operational support and analytics-driven decision-making.

A pivotal moment in ProcureAbility’s corporate journey came with its acquisition by Jabil Inc., a global manufacturing solutions provider. Announced via a PR Newswire press release on November 1, 2023, the integration was designed to enhance Jabil’s purchasing capabilities while allowing ProcureAbility to continue operating independently as a dedicated procurement services provider. Jabil (NYSE: JBL) is a Fortune 200 enterprise that employs more than 250,000 worldwide and is known for its scale, operational excellence, and technology-driven approach. The acquisition positioned ProcureAbility within a broader enterprise ecosystem, unlocking access to global resources, expanded research capabilities, and advanced technological infrastructure to support its continued growth and innovation in procurement services.

Leadership has played a pivotal role in shaping ProcureAbility’s direction and growth. Over the years, the company has successfully transitioned to a new generation of leadership, with Conrad Snover stepping into the role of CEO and Darshan Deshmukh being appointed as President in 2023. Under their guidance, ProcureAbility has sharpened its focus on combining human expertise with technological innovation, positioning the firm at the intersection of procurement strategy and scalable delivery. This vision reflects the evolving needs of modern procurement organizations and sets the stage for continued impact and growth.

This strategic direction has led to significant industry recognition. In 2024, ProcureAbility was recognized as one of the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies, a prestigious list that showcases companies with high revenue growth in North America. The firm, before its acquisition by Jabil, also earned multiple placements on the Inc. 5000, a well-respected ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. These accolades not only reflect ProcureAbility’s consistent performance but also underscore the growing demand for specialized procurement solutions across industries, from utilities and energy to financial services and healthcare.

The firm’s growth is also reflected in its continued expansion and diversification of service offerings. In addition to traditional consulting, ProcureAbility delivers managed procurement services to help clients execute operational sourcing activities. This model enables internal procurement teams to concentrate on high-value, strategic activities while outsourcing transactional or overflow tasks to specialized external experts. Staffing and recruitment services are a significant priority, particularly with the shortage of talent in procurement positions.

According to recent industry research, including findings from Descartes Systems Group’s 2024 supply chain talent report, a majority of logistics and supply chain leaders are facing workforce shortages, with 76% reporting significant hiring challenges and 37% describing them as high to extreme. These shortages span critical roles, including procurement specialists, logistics managers, and supply chain analysts, underscoring the urgent need for targeted talent development and recruitment strategies in the sector.

Digital innovation has become a cornerstone of ProcureAbility’s transformation. In recent years, the company has developed technology-driven solutions, including procurement analytics, spend visibility dashboards, and category strategy tools, designed to enhance data-driven decision-making and sourcing performance for clients. These digital capabilities support a broader mission: to empower procurement teams with actionable insights and measurable impact, enabling them to communicate their strategic importance to the business. ProcureAbility has shared insights on these themes in trade publications such as SC Media and PR Newswire, and has influenced the broader industry conversation about procurement’s evolution into a technology-enabled, performance-focused function.

ProcureAbility’s client base has also continued to diversify, reflecting the firm’s growing global presence and industry reach. While initially concentrated in the U.S. marketplace, the company now serves a diverse group of multinational enterprises, including Fortune 500 firms and high-growth global businesses. Its service approach centers on adaptability, with engagement types varying from short-term advisory initiatives to long-term managed services engagements. Though industry-agnostic by design, ProcureAbility has developed specific depth in heavily regulated, asset-intensive markets where procurement strategies are complex and the function plays a critical role in driving enterprise operational performance.

The company’s development is not without context. Broader market trends have increased the strategic relevance of procurement. The COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and inflationary pressures have exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains. In response to shifting global dynamics, organizations are increasingly prioritizing supplier diversification, risk management, and digital transformation, areas where ProcureAbility has developed deep, targeted capabilities and specialized expertise. This strong alignment with evolving market needs has helped the firm grow while maintaining its specialized focus and client-centric approach.

At its core, ProcureAbility remains true to its founding mission: to help build high-performing, future-ready procurement organizations. While the company’s size, global reach, and service delivery models have evolved dramatically since its founding in 1996, its purpose has remained constant. As organizations increasingly seek end-to-end procurement solutions that combine human expertise with digital insight, companies such as ProcureAbility are no longer seen as occasional consultants; they’re being recognized as strategic partners integral to long-term success.

As of 2025, ProcureAbility continues to operate as an independent brand within the Jabil group of companies, maintaining its leadership team, strategic focus, and service integrity. The firm’s contributions to procurement thought leadership, through whitepapers, sourcing models, and workforce intelligence, are regularly cited by both business and industry media. ProcureAbility’s evolution is not only a testament to its adaptability but also a reflection of a broader transformation in how organizations approach procurement: as a strategic, tech-enabled function that is critical to success in a global, volatile, and hyper-connected economy.

Nasdaq Tower: Where Global Brands Meet the World’s Influential Audience

The Chicago Journal Staff on December 15, 2025

Rising above the heart of Times Square, the Nasdaq Tower is more than just a digital billboard—it is widely seen as one of the most powerful symbols of global business, innovation, and credibility. Located in New York City’s most iconic intersection, the Nasdaq Tower represents visibility at the highest level, offering brands a distinctive opportunity to showcase their achievements on a screen seen by large crowds each day.

Times Square is often reported to attract over 50 million visitors annually, including investors, executives, tourists, media professionals, and decision-makers from around the world. Within this environment, the Nasdaq Tower stands out as a high-profile advertising destination closely associated with technology, finance, and market leadership. Appearing on this screen is not simply an advertisement—it can be a statement of legitimacy, momentum, and global ambition.

What makes the Nasdaq Tower especially unique is its direct connection to the Nasdaq brand, one of the world’s most respected financial marketplaces. Brands featured on the tower may benefit from this association, often elevating their public perception. For startups, scale-ups, and established companies alike, Nasdaq Tower exposure can signal growth, trust, and relevance in today’s competitive business landscape.

Advertising campaigns on the Nasdaq Tower are designed for high impact. Typically, ads run in 15-second slots and can appear hundreds of times throughout the day, helping maintain continuous visibility to both foot traffic and digital audiences. With massive screen dimensions and high-resolution visuals, the tower delivers a striking brand presence that tends to draw attention in one of the busiest locations on Earth.

Beyond physical visibility, Nasdaq Tower campaigns offer strong digital amplification opportunities. Brands often complement their billboard appearance with professional photo and video documentation captured on-site. This content can be used across press releases, social media, websites, and investor communications, transforming a single Times Square moment into a lasting global asset.

Another key advantage of Nasdaq Tower advertising is its ability to support storytelling. Whether announcing a major funding round, product launch, partnership, or corporate milestone, appearing on the tower allows brands to visually share success. These moments are frequently leveraged in global media coverage, turning outdoor advertising into a newsworthy moment rather than a one-time display.

From a strategic standpoint, the Nasdaq Tower is particularly valuable for companies targeting international markets. New York City is a global media hub, and visibility in Times Square can attract the attention of journalists, analysts, and online publications. As a result, Nasdaq Tower campaigns are frequently paired with global press distribution, so the message may reach audiences far beyond the streets of Manhattan.

While premium Nasdaq Tower campaigns typically start at higher price points, the return on investment can extend far beyond the duration of the ad itself. Brands gain credibility, media attention, digital assets, and global recognition—benefits that can continue long after the screen goes dark.

In today’s fast-moving business world, standing out requires more than online ads or social media posts. It requires presence, positioning, and perception. The Nasdaq Tower can deliver all three. For brands seeking to make a bold statement, capture global attention, and align themselves with innovation and market leadership, the Nasdaq Tower remains one of the most prominent advertising platforms in the world.

About PR to SKY

PR to SKY is an international public relations and media distribution company that helps startups, businesses, and personal brands build global visibility through strategic press release distribution, outdoor advertising, and premium media placements.

PR to SKY supports clients in securing coverage on leading global media platforms and helps position their news across hundreds of international news websites. The company’s service portfolio includes campaigns on iconic advertising locations such as the Nasdaq Tower in Times Square, professional content creation, photo and video production, and multilingual press release distribution.

With a strong focus on strategic planning, editorial compliance, and measurable results, PR to SKY supports brands in building credibility and recognition in global markets. The company specializes in promoting product launches, funding announcements, partnerships, and corporate milestones to international audiences.

How Quiet Firing Is Affecting Job Satisfaction in Chicago’s Offices

The Chicago Journal Staff 2 on December 15, 2025

Quiet firing is quietly reshaping job satisfaction across Chicago’s offices, leaving workers disengaged, undervalued, and increasingly on edge. As the city’s workforce evolves, this passive-aggressive management tactic is fueling a new wave of workplace detachment, and it’s hitting Chicago’s civic-minded professionals harder than most.

In Chicago’s diverse office landscape, from Loop law firms to West Side nonprofits to River North tech startups, employees are noticing a shift. It’s not loud. It’s not formal. But it’s unmistakable. They’re being quietly fired.

Quiet firing refers to the subtle ways employers push employees out without actually terminating them. It’s the inverse of quiet quitting. Instead of disengaged employees, it’s disengaged managers, those who withhold promotions, exclude staff from meetings, reduce responsibilities, or simply stop investing in their team members. And in Chicago, it’s becoming a workplace epidemic.

Chicago’s Workforce Is Feeling the Chill

According to HR strategist Akilah Bradford, who spoke on ABC7’s “Our Chicago” segment, quiet firing is “a passive way employers push employees out the door.” It’s not new, but it’s newly visible. As companies navigate post-pandemic restructuring, hybrid work confusion, and budget constraints, quiet firing has become a cost-saving shortcut. No severance. No confrontation. Just silence.

But the impact is loud. Employees report feeling undervalued, confused, and increasingly detached. In a city known for its work ethic and civic pride, that detachment is hitting morale hard. Chicago’s workforce is built on loyalty and hustle. Quiet firing undermines both.

The city’s office culture has long been rooted in mentorship, collaboration, and upward mobility. Quiet firing disrupts that rhythm, replacing feedback with avoidance and opportunity with ambiguity. It’s a slow fade that leaves employees questioning their value, and their future.

The Signs Are Subtle, But Damaging

In Chicago’s offices, quiet firing often looks like:

Being passed over for stretch assignments or leadership roles
Receiving vague or delayed feedback
Getting left out of strategy meetings or team outings
Watching responsibilities shrink without explanation
Losing access to mentorship or development opportunities

How Quiet Firing Is Affecting Job Satisfaction in Chicago’s Offices

Photo Credit: Unsplash.com

These micro-moves send a clear message: you’re not part of the future. And for employees who value transparency and growth, it’s a slow erosion of trust.

The psychological toll is real. Workers begin to question their worth, their performance, and their place in the organization. Job satisfaction plummets, not because of workload, but because of silence. The ambiguity breeds anxiety, and the lack of communication creates a vacuum where resentment grows.

In some cases, quiet firing leads to internalized guilt. Employees wonder if they missed a signal, failed a test, or somehow caused their own marginalization. That emotional burden can affect not just performance, but mental health.

Why It’s Surging in Chicago Now

Chicago’s office culture is in flux. As explored in this analysis of workforce mobility, employees are switching industries, locations, and roles at unprecedented rates. That mobility has made retention harder, and some managers are responding by quietly nudging out those they see as flight risks or misaligned.

Add to that the city’s push for more inclusive workplaces, and quiet firing becomes a problematic contradiction. While Chicago’s policies support working families, quiet firing disproportionately affects caregivers, older workers, and employees from marginalized backgrounds. It’s a silent form of bias that sidesteps accountability.

Chicago’s civic identity is built on fairness, transparency, and grit. Quiet firing undermines those values. It’s a management shortcut that avoids hard conversations and erodes trust, especially in communities where work is more than a paycheck. It’s a source of pride, stability, and generational progress.

The Great Detachment: Chicago’s New Workplace Mood

Gallup calls it “the Great Detachment”, a trend where employees feel emotionally disconnected from their jobs. In Chicago, that detachment is showing up in exit interviews, engagement surveys, and watercooler conversations. Workers aren’t just leaving, they’re ghosting. And quiet firing is often the trigger.

Some employees are responding with quiet thriving, finding fulfillment in their roles despite the lack of support. Others are embracing revenge quitting, leaving abruptly as a form of protest. Either way, the message is clear: silence breeds disengagement.

This shift is especially visible in hybrid and remote teams, where physical distance makes quiet firing easier to mask. Without hallway conversations or spontaneous check-ins, employees can go weeks without meaningful feedback. That isolation accelerates detachment and makes recovery harder.

What Chicago Employers Can Do

Quiet firing may be subtle, but reversing its effects requires bold action. Chicago employers can start by:

Reinvesting in performance reviews and career development
Training managers to give clear, constructive feedback
Creating transparent promotion pathways
Encouraging open dialogue about expectations and growth
Auditing team dynamics for exclusionary behavior

It’s not just about retention, it’s about reputation. In a city where word-of-mouth matters, quiet firing can damage employer branding fast. Chicago’s talent pool is tight-knit, and stories of silent exits travel quickly.

HR leaders are also calling for stronger accountability structures. That includes anonymous reporting channels, manager scorecards, and regular pulse surveys that track employee sentiment. These tools help surface quiet firing before it becomes a pattern.

Looking Ahead: A Culture Shift in Progress

Chicago’s workforce is resilient. But resilience requires respect. As quiet firing continues to shape job satisfaction, the city’s employers face a choice: stay silent or speak up. The future of work in Chicago depends on clarity, communication, and care.

And for employees navigating this new terrain, the advice is simple: document everything, ask direct questions, and know your worth. In a city that values grit and transparency, quiet firing doesn’t have to be the final word.

Chicago’s office culture is evolving, and with the right leadership, it can evolve toward equity, empathy, and engagement. Quiet firing may be trending, but it doesn’t have to define the city’s workplaces. Not here. Not now.