Series - About Managing Contractors and Vendors"

Think180 experts Jim Everett and Jane Dixon share tips and guidance on how to get the best from vendors and contractors. Based on their successful training workshops, this series is a handy guide for employees and others who engage and manage external resources. Situations range from a single contractor working on a project team, to an outsourced program using a larger vendor company.

Most corporate management training programs teach how to manage employees, but few address the day-to-day issues and skills of managing resources from outside the organization.

Listen to the growing collection of free Podcast Episodes or download the PDF Transcripts. These range up to 10 minutes, and give good ideas and directions to get you started.

Extended Premium Series

For more detailed content, purchase and download Premium Extended Episodes - 30 mins each, and broken into chapters. One Episode is $10, or purchase the current 6 Episodes, plus 4 future Premium Episodes, for $50. Purchase 5 single Premium Episodes, and you will be entitled to the full series at no additional cost. Not happy with your purchase? Tell us why they did not meet your needs, and we will refund your money (and rely on you to delete your copies).

Episode 1
Introduction - Using and Managing External Resources

An introduction to the series for employees who manage external project resources, such as contractors, consultants and vendor companies. It provides an overview to the process and how to more effective at managing these resources.
Transcript as PDF
Listen to Episode - 7:44 min

Episode 2
Differences in Managing Contractors Vs. Employees

One of the most frequently asked questions is "What's the difference between managing contractors and employees?" This episode addresses the question, and five other most asked questions.
Transcript as PDF
Listen to Episode - 14:22 min

Episode 3
Manipulation Part 1 - Games That Vendors Play

Some vendors engage in game-playing, thinking that they will gain business advantage over a client and increased returns. But clients need to be aware of what games can be played, and how any disadvantage or negative impact can be minimized or controlled to achieve best results and an effective working relationship.
Transcript as PDF
Listen to Episode - 8:52 min

Episode 4
Manipulation Part 2 - Games That Clients Play

Some clients engage in game-playing, thinking that they will get the better of a vendors, or squeeze the maximum work from them. But often this can simply result in a compromised project, an unhappy vendor, and a lower quality work product.
Transcript as PDF
Listen to Episode - 9:36 min

Episode 5
Scoping the Work - Define the Job To Be Done

Before you engage any vendor, or external resource, it is essential to map out the job to be done, and how much work is involved. We call this "scoping the work", and it allows you to assess what is to be done, and estimate a cost, create a budget and a Request For Proposal for the outsourcing.
Transcript as PDF
Listen to Episode - 7:00 min

Episode 6
Choose a Vendor - Preparing to Select

Once you defined and scoped the work to be done by a vendors, you can take the next step towards selecting the right vendor, who is a "best-fit" for the work and your company. This involves listing your criteria, working with Purchasing if required, creating a Request for Proposal, and sourcing candidates to propose on your project.
Transcript as PDF
Listen to Episode - 9:58 min