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Building Vendor Relationships That Work

Amy Agnew Irvine

Does your job require you to work with a vendor? Do you want to be a hero in the process? It's time to rethink what it means to build relationships with your vendor partners. It's time to maximize your investment and build a vendor-ship that works.

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Does your job require you to work with a vendor? Do you want to be a hero in the process? It's time to rethink what it means to build relationships with your vendor partners. It's time to maximize your investment and build a vendor-ship that works.

Are you currently working with a vendor? Would you like to maximize your investment and build a vendor-ship that works? In this course, Building Vendor Relationships That Work, you will learn how to re-approach your vendor partnership to achieve mutual success. First, you will be exposed to common vendor relationships and lifecycle. Next, you will explore how to uncover the "why" to reach a win-win. Then, you will discover how to build a vendor-ship. And finally, you will gain an understanding of how to create and share your story of success. When you are finished with this course, you will have the mindset and strategies needed to build a vendor relationship that works.

This course is no longer available. Find something similar by browsing:
Vendor Relationships Vendor Management Procurement Stakeholder Management Communication

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Setting the Stage
Uncovering the Why
Building Your Vendor-ship
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the intricacies of vendor relationships, a critical skill in maximizing investments and achieving mutual success
Suitable for individuals actively engaged in vendor partnerships seeking to enhance their effectiveness and foster win-win outcomes
Provides strategies and insights for building successful vendor-ships, promoting collaboration and value creation
Taught by experienced industry experts, Amy Agnew Irvine, bringing deep knowledge and practical insights to the course
Applicable to various industries and roles, making it relevant to a wide range of learners

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Reviews summary

Building collaborative vendor partnerships

According to students, this course is a highly practical and transformative resource for fostering stronger vendor relationships. Learners consistently praise its actionable strategies, clear explanations, and powerful emphasis on creating mutual success, which helps them reframe their entire approach to vendor interactions. While it provides a solid foundation for professionals at any level, some with extensive experience noted that it occasionally felt a bit high-level or could benefit from more tactical guidance or advanced scenarios. Nevertheless, it is widely regarded as a valuable tool for building effective, win-win partnerships.
Offers a strong foundation but may lack advanced, tactical specifics.
"A very solid foundation for professionals at any level, perhaps leaning slightly more towards those newer to formal vendor management."
"I felt it was a bit too high-level for my needs... experienced managers might find it lacking in practical depth."
"Some parts felt a bit redundant if you're already familiar with basic relationship management principles."
"This course is good for beginners or as a refresher, but it wasn't groundbreaking for me as a seasoned professional."
Well-structured with clear, concise, and engaging explanations.
"The practical examples and clear explanations made complex concepts easy to grasp."
"The content is concise, engaging, and directly applicable."
"The structure is logical, and the concepts are well-explained."
"The lessons are presented clearly and the flow is excellent... making it easy to absorb."
Shifts perspective from transactions to collaborative, win-win relationships.
"The focus on creating mutual success, which truly reframed my approach."
"The emphasis on 'vendor-ship' over mere transactions is powerful. I gained valuable insights into fostering win-win scenarios."
"It clearly lays out how to transform adversarial vendor relationships into collaborative partnerships."
"This isn't just about managing vendors; it's about partnership. The emphasis on shared objectives is revolutionary."
Provides practical, implementable strategies for immediate use.
"I found myself applying the lessons immediately in my work."
"This course provides actionable steps to build stronger vendor relationships... directly applicable. It's about making things work in the real world."
"The content is succinct and to the point, making it easy to absorb and implement."
"The examples provided were highly relatable, and the framework presented is robust."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Building Vendor Relationships That Work with these activities:
Review Digital Business Concepts
Review key concepts in digital business to refresh your knowledge and ensure a strong foundation for this course.
Browse courses on Digital Business
Show steps
  • Review notes and materials from previous courses or online resources on digital business.
  • Take practice quizzes or complete sample exercises to test your understanding of core concepts.
Practice Vendor Relationship Management Simulations
Engage in simulations and exercises to practice vendor relationship management techniques and improve your skills.
Browse courses on Negotiation Skills
Show steps
  • Participate in online simulations or role-playing scenarios that involve vendor negotiations.
  • Work with peers or mentors to practice real-world vendor relationship management situations.
Join a Vendor Relationship Management Study Group
Connect with peers to discuss course topics, share insights, and support each other's learning.
Show steps
  • Form or join a study group with other students enrolled in this course or in a similar field.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course materials, case studies, and vendor relationship management trends.
  • Share resources, insights, and experiences to enhance each other's understanding.
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Contribute to Open Source Vendor Relationship Management Projects
Deepen your understanding and gain practical experience by contributing to open source projects related to vendor relationship management.
Browse courses on Community Involvement
Show steps
  • Identify open source vendor relationship management projects that align with your interests.
  • Review the project documentation and codebase to understand its functionality and goals.
  • Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes, feature enhancements, or documentation improvements.
  • Submit your contributions to the project and engage with the community to discuss your work.
Mentor Junior Professionals in Vendor Relationship Management
Reinforce your knowledge and help others grow by mentoring junior professionals in vendor relationship management.
Browse courses on Professional Development
Show steps
  • Connect with junior professionals who are eager to learn about vendor relationship management.
  • Share your experiences, insights, and best practices to guide their development.
  • Provide feedback on their work and offer support as they navigate the field.

Career center

Learners who complete Building Vendor Relationships That Work will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Procurement Manager
Vendor relationship management is an integral part of being successful as a Procurement Manager. In this role, you'll be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with vendors to ensure that your organization gets the best possible prices and services. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role by providing you with the mindset and strategies to build vendor relationships that work for both parties. Additionally, the course will help you understand the vendor lifecycle and how to uncover the "why" to reach a win-win.
See salaries and explore the career path for Procurement Manager
Vendor Manager
Vendor Managers are responsible for managing relationships with vendors and ensuring that they are providing the goods and services that the organization needs. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role by providing you with a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships. Additionally, the course will help you understand the vendor lifecycle and how to uncover the "why" to reach a win-win.
See salaries and explore the career path for Vendor Manager
Sourcing Specialist
Sourcing Specialists are responsible for identifying and qualifying vendors and negotiating contracts for goods and services. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role by providing you with a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships. Additionally, the course will help you understand the vendor lifecycle and how to uncover the "why" to reach a win-win.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sourcing Specialist
Contract Manager
Contract Managers are responsible for drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts for goods and services. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role by providing you with a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships. Additionally, the course will help you understand the vendor lifecycle and how to uncover the "why" to reach a win-win.
See salaries and explore the career path for Contract Manager
Supply Chain Manager
Supply Chain Managers are responsible for managing the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role by providing you with a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships. Additionally, the course will help you understand the vendor lifecycle and how to uncover the "why" to reach a win-win.
See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager
Operations Manager
Operations Managers are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of an organization. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course may be useful for Operations Managers who are responsible for managing relationships with vendors. The course will help you develop a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships and understand the vendor lifecycle.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager
General Manager
General Managers are responsible for the overall management of an organization. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course may be useful for General Managers who are responsible for managing relationships with vendors. The course will help you develop a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships and understand the vendor lifecycle.
See salaries and explore the career path for General Manager
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officers (COOs) are responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course may be useful for COOs who are responsible for managing relationships with vendors. The course will help you develop a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships and understand the vendor lifecycle.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are responsible for the overall management of an organization. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course may be useful for CEOs who are responsible for managing relationships with vendors. The course will help you develop a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships and understand the vendor lifecycle.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer
Business Development Manager
Business Development Managers are responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course may be useful for Business Development Managers who are responsible for managing relationships with vendors. The course will help you develop a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships and understand the vendor lifecycle.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager
Sales Manager
Sales Managers are responsible for managing sales teams and developing sales strategies. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course may be useful for Sales Managers who are responsible for managing relationships with vendors. The course will help you develop a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships and understand the vendor lifecycle.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course may be useful for Marketing Managers who are responsible for managing relationships with vendors. The course will help you develop a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships and understand the vendor lifecycle.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager
Account Manager
Account Managers are responsible for managing relationships with clients and developing sales strategies. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course may be useful for Account Managers who are responsible for managing relationships with vendors. The course will help you develop a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships and understand the vendor lifecycle.
See salaries and explore the career path for Account Manager
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course may be useful for Project Managers who are responsible for managing relationships with vendors. The course will help you develop a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships and understand the vendor lifecycle.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and support to organizations on a variety of topics. The Building Vendor Relationships That Work course may be useful for Consultants who are responsible for managing relationships with vendors. The course will help you develop a structured approach to building and maintaining vendor relationships and understand the vendor lifecycle.
See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Building Vendor Relationships That Work.
Cover image
Trust-Based Selling (Pb)
Save
Provides an introduction to the concept of building and maintaining trust in business relationships. It classic work in the field and is often used as a textbook in business schools.
Trust-Based Selling (PB)
Paperback
$$
Trust-Based Selling (PB): Using Customer Focus and...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Getting to Yes
Save
Provides a framework for negotiating win-win agreements. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to negotiate effectively.
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without...
Paperback
$$
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without...
Paperback
$$
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without...
Paperback
$$
(Deutsch) Das Harvard-Konzept: Die unschlagbare Methode für...
Kindle Edition
$$
Getting to Yes Negotiating an agreement without...
Paperback
$$
(Español) Sí, de acuerdo [Getting to Yes]: Cómo negociar sin...
Audible Audiobook
$$
Cover image
Influence, New and Expanded
Save
Provides an overview of the psychology of persuasion. It useful resource for anyone who wants to learn how to influence others.
Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of...
Hardcover
$$
(中文) Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Major Account Sales Strategy (Pb)
Save
Provides a sales methodology that is designed to help salespeople build rapport with customers and close deals. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their sales skills.
Major Account Sales Strategy (PB)
Paperback
$$
Major Account Sales Strategy (PB)
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Challenger Customer
Save
Provides a framework for sales professionals who want to take control of the sales conversation and close more deals. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their sales skills.
The Challenger Customer: Selling to the Hidden...
Hardcover
$$
The Challenger Sale, The Challenger Customer, Scale...
Paperback
$$$
The Challenger Customer: Selling to the Hidden...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Experience Economy, With a New Preface by the...
Save
Provides a framework for building stronger customer relationships. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create a customer-centric business.
The Experience Economy, With a New Preface by the...
Hardcover
$$
The Experience Economy, With a New Preface by the...
Kindle Edition
$$
Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Save
Provides a framework for building a successful startup. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create a successful business.
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Hardcover
$$
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Traction
Save
Provides a framework for getting customers for your startup. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to build a successful business.
Traction
Paperback
$$
(Français) Traction - Comment toute start-up peut développer...
Kindle Edition
$$
(Italiano) Traction. Le strategie vincenti per ottenere una...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword
Save
Provides a framework for understanding why large companies often fail to innovate. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to build a successful business.
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Hardcover
$$
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Audio CD
$$
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Crux
Save
Provides a framework for developing a good strategy. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to build a successful business.
The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists
Hardcover
$$
The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists
Kindle Edition
$$
Joosr Guide to ... the Mckinsey Way by Ethan Rasiel
Save
Provides an overview of the McKinsey & Company consulting methodology. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to solve business problems.
A Joosr Guide to... The McKinsey Way by Ethan...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
The Way of the Warrior
Save
Provides a framework for understanding the principles of war. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to compete in business.
The Path of the Warrior Ornate Box Set: The Art of...
Hardcover
$$
The Way of the Warrior: Deluxe Silkbound Editions...
Hardcover
$$
The Way of the Warrior: The Way of the Samurai, The...
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
A Mission Statement for Your Life
Save
Provides a framework for personal and professional development. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to be more successful.
A Mission Statement for Your Life
Paperback
Check
A Mission Statement for Your Life
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Time
86 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Pluralsight
Instructor
Amy Agnew Irvine
Language
English
Building Vendor Relationships That Work belongs to the following collections:
  1. Being a Technology Manager
  2. Leadership and Management for Project Managers
  3. Being a Technology Manager
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the intricacies of vendor relationships, a critical skill in maximizing investments and achieving mutual success
Suitable for individuals actively engaged in vendor partnerships seeking to enhance their effectiveness and foster win-win outcomes
Provides strategies and insights for building successful vendor-ships, promoting collaboration and value creation
Taught by experienced industry experts, Amy Agnew Irvine, bringing deep knowledge and practical insights to the course
Applicable to various industries and roles, making it relevant to a wide range of learners
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