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June 10, 2026 | Live Webinar
What Stakeholders Want: Vendors, Community and Government
Michael R. Wood is a Business Process Improvement & IT Strategist Independent Consultant. He is creator of the business process-improvement methodology called HELIX and founder of The Natural Intelligence Group, a strategy, process improvement and technology consulting company. He is also a CPA, has served as an Adjunct Professor in Pepperdine's Management MBA program, an Associate Professor at California Lutheran University, and on the boards of numerous professional organizations. Mr. Wood is a sought after presenter of HELIX workshops and seminars in both the U.S. and Europe.
Part 4 of 4. Read Parts 1, 2 and 3 of "What Stakeholders Want."
This week marks that last installment on “What Stakeholders Want”. To date we have explored customers, owners and employees. This week we will wrap things up with a look at vendors, community and government.
Vendors
Vendors come in two flavors, strategic and non-strategic. Strategic vendors are those whose value to the organization is critical to success. Typically these include technology partners, consultants and supply-chain partners. Non-strategic vendors are those that provide things like office supplies or noncritical services. The expectations of non-strategic vendors are very simple: prompt and courteous payment for items ordered coupled with repeat business. Strategic vendors have a more robust expectation from the organizations they partner with. These include:
- Long-term relationships
- Collaboration with (not negotiation with)
- Mutual trust and respect
- Fair profit margins and prompt payment
Strategic vendors work closely with the organization on a day-to-day basis. They are part of the organization and provide products and services that are not likely to be replaced with any ease. They are expected to perform beyond the call when needed. They integrate into the corporate culture and often are difficult to distinguish from employed staff. Maintaining a …
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