Join this engaging 20-minute Fireside Chat with Nicolai Jensen, CEO of LeanLinking (Supplier relations and negotiation management platform), and Andy Lewis, Sustainable Procurement Lead at Convatec (a LeanLinking customer and global medical products company). The pair kick off by detailing the successful partnership between their two organisations. The discussion then explores the evolution from traditional transactional relationships to strategic partnerships, explaining what this shift means in real terms and why it is so crucial for modern procurement. They address how supplier relationships have evolved beyond simple cost considerations, and highlight the common pitfalls organisations face when trying to move away from a purely cost-focused approach. Nicolai and Andy delve into practical strategies for building trust and transparency with suppliers in complex supply chains. They discuss the vital role of technology and data in unlocking value from these partnerships and recommend specific metrics or KPIs for measuring this true value beyond price. Furthermore, the speakers provide compelling examples of supplier collaborations that drove innovation and business growth, and share how strong relationships have helped Convatec navigate disruptive situations. Finally, they discuss the necessary cultural change within an organisation to facilitate this evolution, and how to balance strategic partnerships with effective risk management, acknowledging that a supplier's risk is inevitably your own.