 Is Collaboration Dead?
Recession, supply constraints, sub-optimized relationships - whatever the forces that lie behind it, more and more organizations are talking about 'collaboration' or 'partnering' or 'customer / supplier of choice'. But realizing such relationships is proving tough to achieve. There are some obvious reasons for this - but maybe there is a hidden factor that actually makes it impossible. [Click Here] |
Top Software Company Leads Change
Microsoft today announced a radical overhaul of its contracting and negotiation practices. Responding to its own market research, it is aiming to show industry leadership in making it easier - and more rewarding - for customers to do business. [Read More] |
IACCM Highlights for May 2008
This summary offers a snapshot view of IACCM articles, research, projects, and events during the month of May. Articles and presentation materials, including recordings of webcasts and 'Ask The Expert' calls, are all available in the IACCM Library and were provided to the members of the relevant IACCM Communities of Interest.
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Talent & Morale: Is Crunch Becoming Crisis?
Morale amongst Procurement and Contract Management professionals has fallen sharply in the last year - even though there is a general feeling of increased executive attention and opportunity. And the drop is especially severe in the United States, a full 15 points ahead of Europe and 26 ahead of Asia-Pacific. [Read More] |
MyTechnologyLawyer Radio Show Interview
Listen to the recording of Scott Draughon (MTL) and Tim Cummins (IACCM) as they interview guests Richard Wingate (LG Electronics), Doug Turner (British Columbia Institute of Technology), Dianne Martin (AVAYA) and Tom Barton (California Western School of Law) on Contracting Challenges: What constitutes "Contracting Excellence" in negotiating deals and how can it be achieved? [Click Here] |
Is Globalization The Next Mismanaged Risk?
A recent report by the Economist Intelligence Unit suggests that executives believe globalization is unstoppable. But is it just like the last "únstoppable" force - the expectation of continued and unbroken economic growth? [Click Here] |
Confidentiality
Confidentiality agreements and NDAs seem to have proliferated in recent years, doubtless another manifestation of an information society. This has led to growing focus on 'best practice' (IACCM in fact has a Wiki on this subject with some model terms). [Click Here] |
Developing Buyer / Seller Relationships
Scott Draughon, of My Technology Lawyer, and Tim Cummins (IACCM) interview guests, Brian Dietmeyer (Think Inc.), Russ Edelman (Corridor Consulting), Bill Huber (TPI)and Bob Endres (Synaptic Decisions) on this web radio show, "Contracting Challenges: How to improve collaboration between buyer and seller in contract negotiations".
[Click Here] |
Networked World Brings Tax Headaches
The news that New York State plans to levy taxes on out-of-state internet sales is not entirely surprising. It mirrors debates in the EU and other trading blocs over the challenge of raising revenue in today's networked economy. There are strong indications that the legislation will not withstand legal challenges - but it is yet one more indication of the uncertain and complex world faced by businesses as they seek to define and manage trading policies and relationships. [Click Here] |
Aligning Controls With Collaboration
Traditional controls “work at cross-purposes to the critical goals of collaboration and wealth creation”, according to management guru Gary Hamel. At most organizations, contract and performance management are seen as ‘traditional controls’, yet the trading relationships that they define and manage are primary sources of collaboration and wealth creation. Organizations that reconcile this conflict discover a rich source of value-creation and competitive advantage. [Click Here] |
Lessons From Emerging Markets
Emerging markets present the sort of challenges that make the world of commercial management and contracting so fascinating. But unless the contracts and commercial staff are open to and aligned with these new market challenges and models, they are inhibitors to change; they must get out onto the front line, where they can be a powerful source of innovation and business development.
[Click Here] |
Contracts Move Center Stage
Five years ago, it seemed no one was interested in contracts. They were seen as an unfortunate bi-product of business dealings, a source of delay and frustration. Today, they have in many cases become a dynamic instrument for creativity and good governance. So what changed? [Click Here] |
Case Study in Unprincipled Negotiation
Do buyers get an unfair image? Not according to a report by the UK's Sunday Telegraph, that lifts the lid on 'unprincipled negotiation' in the UK retail sector. But while such behavior may destroy trust and relationships, is it wrong? [Click Here] |
Contracting Excellence - May Edition
The May edition of Contracting Excellence is now available. This month's e-zine features the highlights of the presentations and key messages coming from our recent IACCM Americas Conference, "Collaborate To Innovate". We have drawn from the bloggers to provide articles on Negotiation, Risk, Organization, Automation and Collaboration. [Click Here] |
Top 10 Concerns of CFOs
CFOs don't lack for worries as the credit markets continue to create uncertainty. [Read More] |
Breaking The Sourcing Ceiling
Former IACCM Chairman Bill Huber recently penned an article for "Inside Sourcing" that spells out the leadership challenge facing many procurement groups. His findings continue to mirror those of IACCM - and the concerns that we unearth among sourcing professionals when it comes to their future. [Read More] |
Will Americans Foul Up Global Standards?
Many outside the U.S. would rather American companies and auditors stick to their own accounting standards, says a panel of experts
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Contract Practices Hit Cycle Times, Workload
IACCM research has revealed the negative impact of contract review policies at many major corporations - showing that they have generated increased workload and longer cycle times. While this research did not measure the economic cost of such policies, it is clear that they are also responsible for lost savings opportunities. [Click Here] |
Will Suppliers Show Pity?
The news is daily highlighting more and more supply shortages. While the media focuses on consumer items, the challenges of both raw materials and skills shortages are impacting many business to business contracts. Can buyers expect much sympathy? Having ridden their suppliers hard for the last few years, what should they now do to tackle the rapid shift in market conditions? [Click Here] |
Chevron Recognizes IACCM Professional Development Program
On April 7th, 2008 at the International Association for Contract & Commercial Management (IACCM) 2008 Americas Conference in Scottsdale Arizona, Chevron Global Upstream and Gas (CGUG) presented a recognition award to the IACCM for its significant contribution to Learning and Professional Development of its Global Upstream Supply Chain Management team. Tom Crimi, Chevron Global Upstream and Gas’s Learning and Development Manager, noted that IACCM’s professional development program is structured to help Chevron companies develop a more consistent and coordinated approach to their worldwide contract management capability. [Read More] |
