How It All Started

It started one night over a beer.??

I was part of a team of researchers at the University of Tennessee, and we had just completed a research project for the U.S. Air Force, trying to find a better way for them to outsource.??

As we’d conducted our research, it had became apparent that the principles we were uncovering applied to more than outsourcing. We were sure our developing methodology had transformational potential that could?impact all industries and markets and create sweeping changes in how business is done.?

But we also knew that great academic research often remains trapped inside university walls and bureaucracy, overlooked by the business world. As we nursed our beers and decried this hard truth, we were inspired to do something the University had never done: ignite a movement that would rival that of Lean and Six Sigma. (Read more about the Vested birth story here).?

From the time we first realized the potential of our research to where Vested is today, we’ve….?

• Published nine books authored by University of Tennessee faculty, with some offered in Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, and even?Slovenian?
• Created ten courses, including seven online courses, two live courses,?and one capstone distance learning course where teams put Vested concepts into practice?with a real business relationship?
• Authored over 400 articles in publications such as Harvard Business Review, World Financial Review, CIO Magazine, Forbes, Supply Chain Management Review, and Contract Management Magazine.?

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Thirteen years later, our work has evolved into a movement that is having an impact in ways we never dreamed possible.?There have been 616 companies that so strongly believed in the power of our “What’s-in-it-for-WE?” message that they’ve sent over 10,500 employees to our courses, resulting in?156 Certified Deal Architects globally. These pioneers have led 141 initiatives producing 20 formal case studies from companies such as?Intel/DHL (third-party logistics), Dell/FedEx (reverse logistics), Vancouver Coastal Health (environmental services), Island Health (labor services with doctors), BP/JLL (real estate and facilities management),?Telenet (telco-operations and maintenance), and Discovery Health (insurance). Dozens of companies have openly shared the successes they’ve achieved making the shift to the Vested Way of working. ?

While we’re proud of these accomplishments, we’re also just getting started. The business world — and the world at large — needs the power of Getting to We and the Vested concepts more than ever.? That’s why I decided to?launch my newsletter in the LinkedIn community of business professionals.?

My years of research, teaching, and presenting to audiences big and small have all led to where I am today. It is my honor to share my insights to help you and your organization reimagine winning in business relationships by creating highly collaborative win-win relationships. ?

In celebration of Valentine's Day, I want to share my love of Vested by giving everyone around the world a scholarship to our Vested Five Rules that Transform Business Relationship online course. The tuition is normally $495.00, but for the rest of the month of February, anyone can register for free.?To register, click here and use the promo code “LoveVested.” The code will expire on February 29, 2024.? ?

I am confident those new to Vested will learn what hundreds of people are learning -?the Vested Way of working will transform your business, initiating a powerful change in how you see,?lead, and grow your business through true win-win collaborations.?

Happy Vesting!

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