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“ The key is to work with ‘ champions ,’” “ These are the experts and final users of the services and / or products we need to buy ,” Harrat continues . “ Involving them at an early stage helps us understand our requirements , the market and key players . Then , it ’ s the communication about the benefits for compliance and the benefits for our employees .

“ We also benefit from the expertise of our shareholders , some of whom are real technology visionaries .”

Additionally , Brightstar promotes cross-collaboration to enhance not only its communication , but boosts transparency across its divisions . Both the procurement and legal team consequently work in tandem , providing a number of advantages for the business at large .

“ Our internal approval process for contracts includes the business owner and our procurement and legal teams . This was initiated not only to have a better control over

cost , but also for procurement to bring its added value in becoming more strategic in the way we spend our money and in our collaboration with the business ,” explains Harrat .

The implementation of a new contract management system , in addition to reshaping the approval process , has provided Brightstar the ability to retain all of its agreements , which will work to support both its procurement and legal teams .

“ It makes us aware of the expiration dates of these agreements , where we can decide to renegotiate or extend , avoid lapses in services , and often use the same master agreement ,” reflects Harrat .

“ The legal team is tremendously important for procurement in particular . Many companies make the mistake to think about vendor risk management through the value of a contract , when in fact it is not about the value – it ’ s the liability for the company that is most important .”

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