How do you manage external service providers and partners?

1 Define your expectations

Before you engage any external service provider or partner, you should clearly define your expectations and scope of work. This will help you avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and delays later on. You should also establish a contract or agreement that outlines the roles, responsibilities, deliverables, timelines, fees, and performance indicators of each party. Make sure that you review and approve any changes or variations to the original scope of work.

2 Communicate regularly

Communication is key to managing external service providers and partners successfully. You should communicate regularly and openly with them, using the appropriate channels and tools. You should also provide feedback, praise, and constructive criticism as needed. Communication should be respectful, professional, and transparent. You should also document and record any important communication or decisions for future reference.

3 Monitor and measure performance

You should also monitor and measure the performance of your external service providers and partners against the agreed-upon criteria and standards. You should track their progress, quality, and results, and report any issues or concerns as soon as possible. You should also conduct regular reviews and evaluations to assess their performance and identify any areas for improvement or adjustment. You should also recognize and reward good performance and address poor performance promptly and fairly.

4 Manage risks and issues

Managing external service providers and partners also involves managing risks and issues that may arise during the course of the work. You should identify and assess any potential risks and issues that may affect the work, such as delays, errors, disputes, or accidents. You should also develop and implement mitigation and contingency plans to deal with them. You should also escalate any serious or unresolved risks or issues to the appropriate level of authority or resolution.

5 Build trust and rapport

Another tip for managing external service providers and partners effectively is to build trust and rapport with them. Trust and rapport are essential for creating a positive and productive working relationship. You can build trust and rapport by showing respect, appreciation, and recognition for their work, by being honest, reliable, and consistent, and by listening, understanding, and empathizing with their perspectives and challenges. You can also build trust and rapport by collaborating, cooperating, and supporting them when needed.

6 Learn and improve

Finally, you should always seek to learn and improve from your experience of managing external service providers and partners. You should solicit and accept feedback from them on your performance and behavior, and use it to improve your skills and practices. You should also share your feedback and lessons learned with them, and with your internal team and stakeholders. You should also celebrate and acknowledge the successes and achievements of the work, and thank them for their contribution and partnership.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?