At some point we all face an issue or situation that’s commonly called “the elephant in the room”: an obvious truth that is either being ignored or not addressed. The expression arises frequently in business situations where there is a problem or risk that no one wants to talk about. I teach that this is […]
innovation
Area Development Online — January 2014
One Size Fits All: “Vested” for Large and Small Companies Article published on January 28, 2014 by Kate Vitasek and Scott R. Schroeder (Owner/CEO, RelianceCM) Companies of all sizes are finding that negotiating and nurturing relationships with suppliers can provide a sustainable competitive advantage. Learn how the “Vested” model is lifting one small, Oregon-based contract manufacturer’s […]
Open Innovation and Knowing Too Much
There’s a somewhat perverse side to innovation that Andy Zynga has touched upon in a Harvard Business Review blog post. Zynga, CEO of NineSigma International, put it this way: “It is a profound irony that the more you know about a particular industry, and the more experience you gain in it, the more difficult it […]
Teaming and Innovation at GM
Mary Barra took the reins as General Motor’s new CEO last week, bringing the “teaming gene” to one of the more hierarchical and siloed major U.S. corporations. GM has been on my mind since mid-2012, when Randy Mott was installed as the company’s new chief information officer, followed quickly by his decision to move some […]
Area Development — December 2013
Vested Outsourcing: How P&G Brought its Focus on Innovation to Facilities Management Article in Area Development online on Dec. 10, 2013 by Kate Vitasek and Joseph Tillman. In a unique arrangement, P&G outsourced its facilities management, along with several other functions, creating a collaborative, win-win relationship with its service providers… Here’s the link for the […]
Innovate Your Innovation Strategy (Part II)
Last time, I talked about the need for collaborative innovation in strategic relationships that emerges from both inside and outside companies. At Procter & Gamble innovation has always been a prime imperative. That focus intensified in 2000, when A.G. Lafley took the helm as P&G’s CEO. He set out to reinvent the company’s innovation business […]
Outsource Magazine — October 2013
Getting to We: Time for a New Negotiating Paradigm Column/blog by Kate Vitasek, Jeanette Nyden and David Frydlinger If your recent experiences with new or renewal contract negotiations are something akin to visiting the dentist for a root canal, we’d like to introduce you to a much better – and pain-free! – way to go […]
Innovate Your Innovation Strategy (Part I)
I think of innovation as a big potluck gathering: you know, where everyone brings their favorite—and best—dish. The more scrumptious and imaginative the dishes that are brought to the table, the better and more successful the potluck! It’s the same with innovation. The best and most durable innovations come when everyone attends the party, bringing […]
General Mills, Suppliers, Innovation Strategy and the Power of We
Some interesting and encouraging insights regarding the company-supplier interface came out of the recent General Mills 2013 Supplier Summit where Tim Coats, vice president of Worldwide Sourcing for General Mills, kicked off the spring event by sharing his belief in “The Power of We” with a theme of Connect, Create, Elevate! Maerenn Jepsen, an external […]
RVCF Link – September 2013
Five and Ten: Five Rules and Ten Steps for a Successful Supplier Contract Article on the Five Rules and 10 Elements by Kate Vitasek and Joe Tillman. Alignment, communication and collaboration are crucial for an effective buyer-supplier retail value chain. That’s easy to say, not necessarily easy to accomplish… Here’s the link: https://www.rvcf.com/page/RVCF_LINK_13_09_02/?
