Effective Communication With Vendors

The SentinelOne outage today highlighted a critical gap in cybersecurity operations: when visibility disappears, so does confidence. Endpoints continued to function, and threats were blocked locally, but the real concern was the lack of access, limited visibility, and almost no meaningful updates for hours. Teams were left in the dark without answers, timelines, or clear status. The real failure wasn’t just technical—it was communication. Security vendors must treat real-time transparency as part of the product. Status pages, customer alerts, and open communication aren’t optional during a service disruption. Organizations evaluating security partners should prioritize the following: • Verify how vendors communicate during incidents • Understand what visibility exists when the platform is offline • Ask about contingency plans and support escalation paths Outages are inevitable. Silence shouldn’t be. Trust is earned not just in how a platform performs on a good day, but in how openly it communicates on a bad one. #CISO #Cybersecurity #IncidentResponse #OperationalResilience #XDR #SecurityOperations #SentinelOne #Leadership #VendorManagement

Having been in the jewelry industry since the 90s, I’ve learned that strong vendor relationships are the backbone of any successful operation. But let’s face it—managing these relationships can be chaotic without the right tools. Endless back-and-forth emails, unclear ship dates, and the constant juggling act shouldn’t be the norm anymore. This is why vendor portal systems are becoming an absolute must, especially for manufacturers and wholesalers in our industry. Here’s why they matter: 🔹 Streamlined Communication Sending a purchase order and then chasing for updates shouldn’t eat up your time. A vendor portal ensures all pricing, dates, and statuses are in one place, reducing the need for endless phone calls and emails. 🔹 Real-Time Order Tracking Transparency is key. Being able to track orders from production to delivery in real-time gives your business an edge, especially when time-sensitive orders are on the line. 🔹 Scaling Without the Headache As your business grows, managing vendor communications manually becomes a costly burden. A vendor portal automates this, helping you scale smoothly while reducing errors that could hurt your reputation. 🔹 Efficient Workflow No more scattered information. Vendors and internal teams have access to the same up-to-date data. This minimizes misunderstandings and ensures that everyone is on the same page. In today’s fast-moving industry, relying on manual processes is an impediment to growth, whether a professional or a family-run business in the jewelry industry. Hence, a vendor portal is not just a tool—it’s a strategic asset for streamlining operations, improving relationships, and ultimately, helping you scale faster and smarter. Would you like to know more about what a vendor portal is or how it can benefit your organization?  I’d like to hear your thoughts on this. #VendorManagement #JewelryBusiness #JewelryManufacturing #JewelryWholesalers #SupplyChain #B2BSoftware #DigitalTransformation #LuxuryJewelry #BusinessGrowth #JewelryTech #JewelrySolutions #VendorPortal #LuxareByDiaspark

I strongly believe that technology can drive processes in a way that builds and strengthens trust between clients & vendors. Tech platform services have made processes in project procurement faster, data-driven, and transparent. Tasks like vendor scouting, assessments, and comparisons that once took weeks can now be done in days. Trust is built when decisions are backed by data and transparency—stakeholders understand why a vendor was chosen. Responsiveness is equally critical; when clients promptly address vendor queries, it fosters confidence on both sides. I remember we worked with a client struggling to find the right vendor for a specialized CapEx project. Through Venwiz, they: - Identified pre-verified vendors in a flash. - Assessed vendor capabilities with over 20+ custom data points. - Used the platform to share updates and ensure alignment with vendors. The result? A faster, more objective, and transparent process that strengthened trust on both sides. For me, the intersection of technology and trust makes decisions more objective and better informed. But these are my experiences, would love to hear your thoughts/additions. #Procurement #CapEx #Trust #Technology

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟? 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞. During my stint as Group Medical Director with Dr Lal Path Labs, I was introduced to the concept of a pre-read. Anyone scheduled to speak should share the slide deck with relevant information as a pre-read with all the attendees. This allows for everyone to know the context in advance, giving time to review the details and build their point of view, allowing for a healthy discussion, rather than understanding the contents during the presentation. Taking into account this simple philosophy, here's how I suggest 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭. 1. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞: Arriving 5 minutes before the start of the meeting allows the meeting to start on time and also time to address any tech glitches that could come up in making the presentation. 2. 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥: Consider sharing pre-read materials or literature related to the agenda which ensures that all participants have the chance to do their homework, and come prepared with thoughts, notes, & ideas, making the meeting more focused & effective. 3. 𝐁𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞: Interactive meetings where all participants contribute makes for a healthier discussion. 𝐈 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 "𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬!" 4. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: It's not about scribbling down every word like a court stenographer. It's about capturing the non-negotiables, action points, and responsibilities in the moment. Consider them as not just records; they're your treasure map to the 'Aha!' moments that will help you think better and collaborate effectively post the discussion. 5. 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Meeting minutes aren't meant to gather dust in your inbox; they're strategic tools. Break down minutes into bite-sized, achievable steps to ensure that discussions lead to tangible results. 6. 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 & 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭: How often do we jump from one meeting to another in a day? It's crucial to pause and reflect. Take a few minutes after the meeting to ponder on the discussed topics. Immediate reflection eliminates confusion and clutter, providing clarity when circling back to the key points. How do you approach meetings to ensure maximum productivity and efficiency? I would love to hear and learn from your insights. #preread #productivemeetings #DrSanjayArora

Do you know this feeling? At the end of the year, we gather all our concerns and criticisms and pour them out in one big discussion with our suppliers. But is this really effective? 💬 I strongly believe that we should establish a culture of feedback and evaluation. Instead of saving everything up, we should provide feedback after each completed project. This gives our suppliers the chance to improve and adapt. Let's stop "collecting" information and then presenting it all at the end of the year. Instead, we should use annual meetings or business review sessions to look ahead, discuss new ideas, and make plans together. By setting up a regular feedback loop, we create open and constructive communication with our suppliers. We enable them to continuously improve and meet our needs. At the same time, we have the opportunity to clearly communicate our expectations and address obstacles early on. A proactive approach in working with suppliers is crucial for long-term success. We shouldn't wait for annual meetings to address issues; instead, we should stay in constant dialogue. Let's together create a culture of open feedback and continuous evaluation. This is the only way we can take our supplier relationships to a new level and make lasting improvements. I'm eager to hear your thoughts and experiences. How do you handle annual reviews with your suppliers?  #SupplierReviews #FeedbackCulture #Procurement

We spend so much time just trying to get a meeting. 160+ hours a month. Outbound cadences. Events. Ads. Personas. ICP mapping. The works. All of that, just to get maybe 10 or 15 people to give us 30 minutes of their time. That’s not just a meeting - it’s an investment. Behind every booked call is: → Hours of campaign work from marketing → Strategic outbound from sales → A whole lot of budget and brainpower Yet once we get that meeting on the calendar… We often show up underprepared. No agenda. No real research. No hypotheses. No game plan. It’s wild how little effort we put into maximising something we worked so hard to create. Here’s the mindset shift....The meeting isn’t the finish line, it’s the starting line. So act like it. Want to make that 30 minutes count? Here’s a simple checklist that’ll instantly level-up your team’s approach: ✅ Agenda: Why are we meeting? Who else should be there? ✅ Calendar title: Make it clear, relevant, and mutually valuable. What did they say “yes” to? ✅ Research: →Industry. →Company. →Team. →Role. →How do they make money and how does this person contribute to that? ✅ Hypothesis: What do we think we can help with? Why now? ✅ Anticipated next steps: Based on what we know, what might come next? ✅ No fit? No problem: Leave them with a feeling of increase. Value doesn’t always mean a proposal. If you're not preparing this way, you’re wasting the most expensive part of your funnel. How does your team prep for discovery or intro calls? Side note: Thinking about turning this checklist into a 1-pager for teams to use before every meeting. Want a copy? Comment “Checklist” and I’ll finalise it and then send it over.

Sales folks, take note! Spamming a target company's employees with your services and requests for meetings will result in your company making its way onto a buyer's blocklist. As a buyer in the localization industry, I receive dozens of emails and LinkedIn requests every single day from vendors looking to showcase translation, AI, QA services, and more. It's not humanly possible to give personal replies to every outreach. When vendors can't get through to me, they often reach out to everyone on my team... and sometimes to many others across my company. I'd love for this practice to stop. It wastes valuable company time and makes a vendor appear desperate and non-strategic. Here's what to do instead: 1. Appeal to ego! Invite a target company’s decision-maker to a panel, or start a vlog series and ask buyers to appear and discuss industry topics. It’s also a great opportunity to reposition your company as a thought leader. 2. Offer genuine insight, not just services. Share a case study, white paper, or benchmarking data that’s actually useful to the buyer’s role, and do it without a sales pitch. 3. Build a reputation before you build a pipeline. Comment thoughtfully on posts. Contribute to community conversations. If you consistently show up with value, you’re far more likely to get noticed. 4. Target smarter, not broader. Don’t shotgun your message to an entire company. Learn the org. Understand the buyer’s scope. Then send one well-researched, personalized note that shows you actually did your homework. 5. Focus on mutual value. Can you help solve a known pain point or offer perspective on something changing in the market? Frame your outreach around collaboration, not consumption. 6. Use timing to your advantage. Keep tabs on when companies are hiring for roles associated with your offerings, launching in new markets, or attending conferences. That’s when buyers are more receptive to new solutions. 7. Lead with generosity. Offer a no-strings-attached resource, intro, or suggestion that doesn’t benefit you directly. Reciprocity is a powerful trust builder. And please! Don't ever ever call me on the phone! ;)

Most third-party risk teams I speak with face the same challenge: Small staff, large vendor portfolios. 💼 The data backs this up: - The average portfolio is ~286 vendors; most TPRM teams have fewer than 10 staff. - 94% of teams say they cannot assess all vendors due to a lack of time or resources. - Nearly 50% of companies admit they don’t even reassess all vendors periodically. - Assessment cycles average 37+ hours per week, with vendor responses dragging 12+ days and 84% needing follow-ups. So, how do you cover more risk without more people? Here are some simple recommendations: ✅ Tier ruthlessly – Auto-tier vendors into 4 levels; reserve full assessments + monitoring for Tier 1. ✅ Use what exists – Accept SOC 2, ISO, or SIG Lite when fresh instead of sending new questionnaires. ✅ Streamline questionnaires – Keep only two: Core and Lite, with “proof selector” options to reduce doc sprawl. ✅ Event-based reassessments – Trigger quick checks after major incidents or CVEs instead of annual reviews for all. ✅ Automate workflows – SLA boards, templates, and parallel legal/security reviews speed decisions. ✅ Blend capacity – In-house for critical vendors, managed services, or external reviewers for overflow. Six metrics to prove efficiency to your board: 1) Coverage – % of Tier 1–2 assessed & monitored 2) Cycle Time – intake → decision 3) Risk Impact – remediation in 30/60/90 days 4) Accepted Risk Backlog – trend line 5) Reviewer Hours – per completed assessment 6) Cost – per Tier 1 decision Bottom line: You don’t need to assess every vendor equally. Focus depth where it matters, streamline the rest, and measure results. #ThirdPartyRiskManagement #TPRM #VendorRisk #OperationalResilience #RiskManagement #CyberRisk #Governance #Compliance #Procurement #SupplyChainRisk

"Each of Vendor and Client shall indemnify the other for any third party claims arising out of the Services." For some of you, the #ContractTrap in that statement seem obvious. But sadly, I still see language like this a fair amount. The problem is that it's not clear at all which party is indemnifying the other. If Vendor gets sued for IP infringement based on Client's use of the Services, is Client supposed to indemnify Vendor? If Client gets sued for the same thing, is Vendor supposed to indemnify Client? And what if they both get sued (as often happens)? Are they each indemnifying the other? None of this makes much sense. And when things don't make sense, you don't know how they will play out if there's a dispute. I suspect that the way this language appears is that someone's template has a broad indemnity in their favor - e.g., "Vendor shall indemnify Client for any third party claims arising out of the Services." And then the Vendor demands that clause be made mutual, resulting in the problematic language. So what do you do instead? Think about what each party really should be indemnifying the other for, and specify that. If it makes sense for both parties, the fix could be as simple as "Each party shall indemnify the other for claims relating to the Services to the extent arising out of the actions or wrongful omissions of such party." Sometimes it's more complicated - you may want to specify certain claims (e.g., IP infringement) as the risk of one party and other claims (e.g., data security) as the risk of the other. But whatever you do, don't wind up in a situation where each party is indemnifying the other for the very same claim! #contracts #inhousecounsel

How to Improve Communication with Vendors During Emergency Facility Management Situations? Managing communication with vendors during emergency facility management (FM) situations is crucial for maintaining operations and minimizing damage. Here are some effective strategies I've learned from my practical experiences: 1. Quick Assessment: The initial response should be a swift assessment of the situation to determine priorities and accurately communicate needs to vendors. 2. Clear Protocols: Having clear and detailed communication protocols ensures everyone knows who to contact and how to convey critical information efficiently. 3. Reliable Contacts: Maintaining an up-to-date list of primary and backup vendor contacts helps avoid delays in getting the necessary support. 4. Backup Plans: Having alternative communication plans, such as backup email accounts and emergency phone lines, ensures continuous communication. 5. Technology Leverage: Using facility management software with real-time messaging and alert features enhances communication and ensures a quick response. 6. Continuous Improvement: Conducting after-action reviews to identify gaps and improve communication tools and protocols is essential. 7. Regular Training and Drills: Periodic training sessions and emergency response drills with staff and vendors ensure everyone is familiar with their roles and communication protocols. For more insights on this topic, you can read the full article [here](https://lnkd.in/dxNPXkeg).