From vendor, to supplier, to strategic partner, the relationship between procurement and suppliers is still evolving. This panel will address how to take your supplier relationship management to the next level.
• With mainly small companies driving true innovation, how can you encourage your existing suppliers to be the potential source of new products?
• Leveraging the capabilities of second-tier suppliers to generate savings
• Tactics for getting suppliers to become engaged and support you to bring costs out
• Regaining leverage with suppliers from rogue stakeholders
• How do you move a supplier to strategic partner status?

A truly mature procurement organization knows that price isn’t the only indicator of getting a great supplier contract. From the RFP process through the contract’s signing, how can you establish wins and hit your targets without ever asking your suppliers for cost cuts? This panel will examine:
• Moving away from comparing RFPs on prices instead of full proposal
• Driving efficiencies into the contract
• Asking for more, increasing the scope
• Strategic negotiation practices
• Getting the suppliers to make the tough decisions
• Are RFPs even necessary? You’re wasting an FTE on reading proposals