There are many paths to innovation. But far too many think it’s about just doing “more” of something. Or doing something “faster.” KLM understands the spirit of innovation is in thinking differently rather than trying to just improve an existing process or product. This YouTube video shows how the customer service team is innovating when it comes […]
Kate Vitasek
An Oldie but Goodie: The Service Contract Manifesto
I ran across this great blog declaring the need for a Service Contract Manifesto. It’s a bit old (2008) but very good. The manifesto is a “declaration of customer-contractor interdependence.” In simple words it lays out some highly Vested conclusions: that “both sides want more,” and that both the buyer and the service provider “recognize the need for […]
SIG Inside Sourcing Newsletter — July/August 2015
Take Five Giant Steps to Collaborative Relationships Simply getting the deal done and then moving on to the next one is a lot like treading water – you stay afloat but don’t get very far… Article by Kate Vitasek in SIG’s Inside Sourcing Newsletter, published online 30 July 2015. Here’s the link: http://www.sig.org/newsletter.php?id=9483
Negotiation Wisdom from JFK
In a recent LinkedIn post Kees Van Der Vleuten, Director, KC MT Services, talks about the need to understand and use “expectation management” while embracing collaboration in the value chain. His well-said point is that by fully embracing collaboration—and measuring and monitoring the results of collaboration—“it is possible to achieve greater and more sustainable results […]
ISS Service Futures — July 2015
Interview with Kate Vitasek: Are European companies ready for Vested Outsourcing? ISS Service Futures interview with Kate Vitasek posted 21 July 2015 Here’s the link: http://servicefutures.com/facility-management/interview-kate-vitasek-european-companies-ready-vested-outsourcing/
Supply Chain Resource Cooperative — July 2015
A Tale of Two Procurement Books: Cox’s Sourcing Portfolio Analysis (Cox) & Strategic Sourcing in the New Economy (Keith et al.) Robert Handfield’s blog, “Supply Chain View from the Field” (NC State University Supply Chain Resource Cooperative) has the first review of the Vested book, Strategic Sourcing in the New Economy. The post was published […]
Outsource Magazine — July 2015
Stewart Macaulay: pioneer for relational contracting Column by Kate Vitasek published in Outsource 14 July 2015 Stewart Macaulay – Professor of Law Emeritus, University of Wisconsin Law School – occupies a unique place in the evolution, awareness and acceptance of relational contracting. In fact one might safely argue that he helped set relational contract theory […]
Avoid the Risk-Shift Game
Among the tried and true contract negotiation strategies, shifting risk is probably among the most ubiquitous and actively used—and best-rewarded when successfully accomplished. , mainly because it typically happens after you have a “deal.” Have you ever heard this: “Great! I’ll take it. How about 90 day payment terms?” or “Perfect…how about a two-year warranty instead of a one-year warranty?” For […]
Drop that Grudge
There’s nothing positive about holding a grudge, especially in the business world because grudges produce negative feelings and results. Seth Godin, in a recent post, rightly put it this way: Whatever is causing the grudge, he continues, whether it is competition, technology or what someone said or did years ago, “none of it is going […]
In This Case the Mask is Way Better
Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks and their thrilling Stanley Cup victory last week, their third in six years. It made me think of a great story that Robert Martichenko, CEO of LeanCor, told me recently about hockey masks and the history and evolution of the goalie mask. Not so long ago it was considered a […]
