
Value, Perception & Insight
Subscribe for free regular purchasing tips and comments via our eNewsletter
"Will Parsons and Mark Allen provided really useful input to our Best Value Review of Procurement and helped us achieve a much better result with more substantial savings identified through improved procurement practices"
Francis Murphy
Best Value Officer
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council
Coaching
Coaching is a mix of personal (face-to-face) and remote (mainly phone, texts and emails) assistance, normally with greater emphasis on remote. Continuing improvements in technology, and our increasing ability to work effectively within its constraints, provide a sound basis, in many situations, for only using Remote-Coaching. This is beneficial when your needs, proclivities and circumstances meet these criteria:
- Focused issues; for example writing a strategy to purchase a specific service or reviewing a current contract to identify options and make recommends to achieve a lower price
- Preference; you prefer to receive assistance remotely and you want to improve your ability to work remotely
- Privacy; you can't take the chance, even off-site, of being seen talking to a coach, or simply an unknown outsider
- Expense; you don't have enough money and Remote-Coaching is more affordable
- Schedule; the type and timing of the support you need requires the flexibility and responsiveness of Remote-Coaching, for example you travel a lot
- Situation; your current situation only allows for Remote-Coaching, for example internal politics, jealousy and perceptions
Remote-Coaching
Remote-Coaching is unlimited and direct access, by phone, text and email, as and when you need it, for as long as we agree. Assistance may be for a one-time only issue with a known duration (perhaps less than 30 days) or a multitude of issues, some unknown at the start, with an indeterminate duration. We help with strategic issues such as formulating purchasing strategies, writing board papers, evaluating purchase options etc. and operational aspects such as analysing spend data, writing tender documents and specifications etc.
If Remote-Coaching is right for you and your situation we review your current circumstances, expectations and preferences, to confirm:
- Where you are starting from?
- What you need to improve?
- How you will be better when we have finished?
- What success will look like?
- The value of success?
- How we will know if you are making progress?
When we agree on 'where we are going' we'll confirm:
- Our support
- When and how we get in touch
- The initial duration
Input and feedback are available when convenient for you, for example when preparing for an important meeting or when formulating strategy to purchase a service. We agree when and how to communicate; some like to discuss progress regularly at the same time on the same day, whereas others prefer to call, text or email on a more ad-hoc basis. Most combine the two. How often and the way you get in touch are up to you. We respond promptly within the time agreed.
Your investment is easily recouped from cash savings or more value, for example less off-contract expenditure, writing clearer specifications, negotiating lower prices and setting priorities more effectively. Not to mention other benefits, such as fewer risks occurring because you are better at managing and mitigating them, and more contracts awarded more quickly when benefits are cumulative.
Call 0844 5611232 or email enquiries@qualitar.co.uk to talk to us about your situation or that of others.
