When we first launched the NETpositive Supplier Engagement (HE) Tool in 2016 we asked institutions to make a two-year commitment realising it would take a little time for the benefits to be clear.
We were very well aware we were using the strength of our relationships with the sector to persuade the early adopters to take a chance on something new.
Our job for the next two years became making sure they did not regret that decision.
It turns out time flies when you are supporting sustainable procurement!
As the renewal dates crept closer we geared up to remind institutions of the benefits, the positive feedback we had received, why developing their supply chain remained so important.
We also sought to remind ourselves; how tight budgets were, how busy procurement teams always seem to be, the impact of shifting priorities. If institutions don’t re-sign it might be them, not us…
Three months later? EVERY SINGLE ONE of our early adopters have reaffirmed their commitment to the tool. No reminding of the benefits was needed, no cajoling and no wondering where we went wrong.
So thank you, to the procurement and sustainability teams at:
Manchester, Keele, MMU, Lancaster, Liverpool, Birmingham, Salford, Kingston, St George’s, Anglia Ruskin, Liverpool Hope, Hull, York, Leeds
for re-affirming your commitment to supplier development and sustainable procurement