IT Vendor Risk Management Co-authored by Steven Nichols, MBA & Dr. Linda Kostic Technology vendors and other 3rd parties create leverage, flexibility, and scale for their clients. They are an essential part of how businesses operate and create stakeholder value. These vendor relationships, however, also increase the risk of an interruption in service, exposure ofContinue reading “IT Vendor Risk”
Author Archives: Steven A Nichols
One-Page RFI
One Page RFI RFIs and RFPs are nearly universally despised by both vendors and clients for the same reason – time wasted on companies which aren’t a realistic fit. As a vendor, I hated filling out lengthy RFI/RFP responses for blind opportunities with an insulated buyer. I knew many of these opportunities were pre-selected, andContinue reading “One-Page RFI”
Vendor Governance for IT Vendors
Vendor Governance for IT vendors By David Johnson MBA, & Steven Nichols MBA Just before close of business one Friday, I get a call from a frustrated ERP Director. “Our application managed services vendor isn’t working out.” he says. There are 18 months left in the contract. Now is a good time to start theContinue reading “Vendor Governance for IT Vendors”
SLAs and KPIs aren’t the point
SLAs and KPIs aren’t the point Technology Services Agreements use Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as a quantifiable proxy for the achievement of the intended business value. If these metrics are met, the business value will be created and the company’s ends achieved. Great vendors understand that these metrics aren’t theContinue reading “SLAs and KPIs aren’t the point”
Vendor Scoring
Vendor scoring is a common part of every RFP or quarterly business review process. It’s an attempt to quantify objectively the quality of the vendor’s proposal or performance.
Technology Vendor References
Technology Vendor Reference Calls Most RFPs include a requirement for reference calls with other clients who have had good experiences. These calls tend to lack candor and depth. Honest feedback is rare. Vendors use only their happiest clients as references, and references hesitate to bring up bad news as it might impact their relationship withContinue reading “Technology Vendor References”
Vendor Management Skills
Vendor Management Skills vs. Team Management Skills Many IT leaders struggle with the transition from managing internal delivery teams to managing an external service provider. They can hamstring the vendor and limit their effectiveness by micromanaging, meddling, or nitpicking the way the service is delivered. Managed services agreements include the “Management of the Service.” DuplicatingContinue reading “Vendor Management Skills”
3 Layers of Quality
3 Layers of Quality for a Technology Services Firm In evaluating the quality of delivery from a technology services firm, I consider their performance from 3 perspectives. Is the vendor meeting contract terms? Is the vendor meeting business needs? And, is the vendor performing well in context of what’s available in the market?
Some questions for your vendor
Some questions for your vendor It’s very difficult to gather enough information to be able to fully anticipate the experience of working with a new technology services vendor. Seeing through the cloud of sales speak, however, is necessary to making good decisions and finding the vendor with the potential to become a true partner. InContinue reading “Some questions for your vendor”
Your managed services vendor is probably under water.
Your managed services vendor is probably under water. The cost of labor has dramatically increased, especially for technology skill sets. Labor is the core cost for managed services companies, and their margins are likely suffering. Some agreements may be under water. Vendors will work to restore profitability. They may cut corners, nickel and dime, andContinue reading “Your managed services vendor is probably under water.”