Departments Engaging Vendors for Core Tasks
Many company departments use specialized outsourced providers to handle specific core functions. Examples include Customer Service for repair and fulfillment, HR using a payroll vendor and recruitment firm, Product Training, or IT with desktop support.
Challenge
These vendors may simply provide a fixed service with set standards that need to be met. Others may be the face of the company to the public, customers or prospective employees. Each of these types requires different selection considerations, and different management approaches.
Experience
We have worked with department heads in range of industries and companies sizes, where much of the core work of the department is done by vendor companies.
Services
Think180 can help you set up effective selection and management processes and define the priorities for different vendor roles. We can also provide training and guidance to staff within the department of the techniques and requirements of vendor management. Individual coaching is also available on-site or as one-hour sessions over skype as a videoconference.
Resources
Article "Who Controls Sourcing?"
Article "Employees Vs. Contractors"
Outsourcing Matrix
Model - Outsourcing Lifecycle
Tools and Checklists
Workshop - Managing External Resources
Workshop - Creating Effective Partnerships
Article "IT Professionals Managing Vendors"
Article PDF "Outsourced Training – Lessons"
Article PDF "Outsourced Training Case Studies"
Podcast Series "Managing Vendors and Contractors"
Tips Collection - from our workshops
Article "Value of Partnering"
Article "Contracts and Agreements"