Practical solutions to an array of emerging day to day problems… That was the main theme arising at the 6th Annual Contract Management Conference, taking place this week in Dubai.

What delegates want… Is what delegates get…

• Take-away tools to resolve disputes with suppliers and other parties in contractual management
• Ways of cutting costs and getting projects to completion, while those around you go out of business
• How to avoid costly litigation by finding ways of collaborating without going to court
• Practical workshops and interactive sessions

Sarah Cole’s the brains behind the event. She’s been making sure delegates have been getting exactly what they want. “People want more effective ways of cutting costs in a credit crunched world. They want to find out how to work with suppliers in a more effective way, with tips on how to arm themselves in order to avoid exposing their organisation. I think increasingly, we’ll see regional cases following the European trend to go to arbitration.”

Raed Al-Saadouni, Corporate Legal Counsel, Arabian Cement has been speaking at the Conference….“They’ve been an extremely enthusiastic group – in fact, they started the discussion before I did! Their main concerns were centered on the performance of suppliers and contractors. They wanted to find practical tools to help them implement effective contract management.”

It appears that delegates got exactly what they wanted:

“Very well organised with some very good speakers, like for example Clyde & Co… They were excellent and so was Dr Paul Polanski. He was very concise and gave me exactly what I was looking for which was answers to specific challenges. Actually, I’ll be taking away some really useful contract solutions that I’ll be applying directly when I get back to work. I wanted practical advice and I got it! I trust the advice that I’m getting. This has been a really good experience!” - Mona Ahmad, Qatar Foundation, Doha

“I can’t believe that I’ve learned so much in just six days! In the past, I’ve found these kinds of conferences a waste of time with speakers and delegates going off task. On the contrary, this has been extremely well managed with well selected speakers who have covered everything I needed to know. The time has absolutely flown by which is very unusual! I’m surprised at how useful I’ve found this experience and am pleased to have learnt best practice from leaders in the field. It will be very useful in helping me to avoid making mistakes when drafting future contracts.” - Amr Gouda Mohamed, Emirate of Abu Dhabi Executive Council

We’re in the Business of providing Solutions….

“People are asking for practical solutions, not just theories. They are asking for support and we have just a short window of opportunity to give it to them. We need to act right NOW. Delegates are in situations where they’re potentially very vulnerable,” said Chairman Alan Kingsley-Perkins from Sterling Commerce, UK.

“Oil prices have dropped dramatically, lots of companies are going under and banks in the GCC are losing confidence and pulling back. This has had a major impact, leaving many suppliers very exposed. All this amounts to serious cash flow problems. Legal issues relating to money are a recurring theme right now.”

So, what are the key issues?

1. Payment terms
2. Scope of work ( consolidation and reducing agreements)
3. Actual price (win/win relationships)
4. Vendor management as partners
5. Managing relationships (mission statements)
6. Reducing emergency situations
7. Should the cost be fixed?
8. Supporting distressed suppliers
9. Improving internal efficiencies