Beyond the Contract: Rethinking Supplier Relationships for Long-Term Value

From cost crunches to supply chain shocks, procurement professionals have had a tough few years, and it's clear that traditional, transactional supplier relationships are no longer enough.

In our recent LinkedIn Live session, Enhancing Collaboration through Effective Relationship Management, we sat down with Sharon Morris, Group Regional Head for APAC at World Commerce & Contracting, for an unfiltered look at what’s holding procurement teams back and what bold, practical steps forward look like. A true champion of human-centered procurement, Sharon drew on WorldCC’s research and her global experience to challenge outdated norms and present a smarter, more strategic path ahead.

Key takeaways from this must-watch session include:

From Transactional to Relational: Discover why 80% of suppliers and buyers agree relationship management delivers substantial benefits and why a shift in strategy is critical for long-term resilience and innovation.

The Perception Gap That’s Costing You: 77% of suppliers doubt the sincerity of their buyers’ collaborative efforts. Sharon explains what’s behind this trust deficit and how to close the gap.

Building True Partnerships: Go beyond SLAs with practical, human-centered strategies from milestone recognition to informal check-ins that strengthen supplier engagement at scale.

7 Ways to Build Trust (Even When Negotiating Margins): Learn how governance frameworks, shared goals, contract simplification, and more can help build lasting trust even during the toughest negotiations.

Measuring What Actually Matters: Move from KPIs to OKRs with five clear metrics that signal long-term supplier value, including co-innovation, growth alignment, and supplier sentiment.

Ditch the Adversarial Mindset: Hardball tactics are a barrier to innovation. Learn how "relational contracting" unlocks collaboration, fairness, and flexibility, essentials in today’s dynamic market.

Looking Ahead to 2030: Think AI-driven SRM, embedded ESG metrics, risk-resilient networks, and outcome-based commercial models. Sharon lays out what organisations must do now to prepare

Are you ready to stop reacting and start proactively shaping your future?

Don't let outdated practices hold you back. Watch the full LinkedIn Live session on demand now and arm yourself with actionable strategies and backed by WorldCC's cutting-edge research, needed to forge stronger, more collaborative, and ultimately more profitable partnerships that will drive your business forward.