FAIR in the News
FAIR Releases Article on Competition and Collaboration as Part of its “Point of View” Series”
Dave Nelson and Joe Sandor Discuss Importance of Supplier Collaboration for a Successful Competition Strategy
Washington, D.C., November 12, 2009 –The Federal Acquisition Innovation and Reform Institute (FAIR) has released the second essay in its’ Point of View Series titled, “Win-Win Competition: A Perspective in the Supply Chain from the Private Sector,” written by Joseph Sandor, member of the FAIR Board and Hoagland-Metzler Professor of Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University and Dave Nelson, member of the FAIR Board and former senior purchasing executive at Honda of America, John Deere and Delphi.
The essay is part of FAIR’s “Point of View Series,” a forum for thought leaders in government, industry and the non-profit sector to engage in a dialogue on issues facing the federal acquisition community.
“There is wide agreement across both public and commercial sectors on the benefits of competition. It drives innovation, limits complacency and reduces costs and prices. It is the foundation of a free market system...however competition by itself doesn’t ensure best value,” said Mr. Sandor.
And while collaboration often times connotes shady dealings and ethical challenges, the essay states that when suppliers and purchasers collaborate in a transparent win-win framework, innovation and savings result.
“In fact, superior supplier relationships are increasingly viewed as a key success factor in today’s competitive marketplace,” said Mr. Nelson. “Such relationships have multiple components: collaboration with key stakeholders, open and trusting communications, mutual dependence, expanded opportunities for innovation, focus on cost prevention versus price saving.”
The entire essay can be found at www.thefairinstitute.org. This essay compliments FAIR Institute’s report on “The State of Competition” in the Federal government.
To obtain this report, please register at www.thefairinstitute.org or contact us at contactus@thefairinstitute.org.
About FAIR
The FAIR Institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit* organization being led by several leaders in acquisition and supply management. The Board of Directors consists of the leaders in acquisition and supply management from private industry, government and academia including Raj Sharma, President/CEO of Censeo Consulting Group, Dr. Allan V. Burman, Co-Chair of the FAIR Board, former Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy and President of Jefferson Solutions, David Nelson, former Senior Executive in Procurement with Honda of America and chair emeritus of the Institute of Supply Management, David Litman former Senior Procurement Executive for the U.S. Department of Transportation, and Joseph Sandor, Hoagland-Metzler Professor of Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University, one of the leading supply chain programs in the world. The Institute’s priorities include providing input and recommendations to decision makers within OMB, Congress and federal agencies on comprehensive acquisition and workforce reform as well as implementation of the stimulus funding.
*501 (c) (3) Tax Exempt Status Pending.
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