Contract & Commercial Management – Just One is Not Enough
By Richard Sterling, Partner at AltoPartners Australia
The challenges of today’s complex work environment means that Contract & Commercial Management (CCM) professionals need to have a network of mentors for their career development.
Now more than ever, aspiring and seasoned CCM professionals need to navigate new technologies and a world of complexities that modern business presents.
Today’s CCM professional needs to be knowledgeable and proficient in a great deal more than their immediate area of expertise. Increasingly, employers want CCM professionals to carry additional responsibilities in conjunction with their contract or commercial portfolio. This example of some the position titles that I’ve encountered just this month makes the point: National Contract and Business Development Manager ~ Commercial and Strategy Development Manager ~ Head of Contracts and Digital Strategy ~ Group Commercial Manager and Marketing.
In the past developing your skills, building experience and progressing your career meant that you found one mentor who worked with you until you took your next step but such days are now gone!!
The challenges of today’s complex work environment means that you will need a network of mentors. The benefits of mentoring are well-known and documented. Having the right mentors has never been more crucial.
But, how do you find the right mentors?
Julia Scheffer, the Global Communications Manager for AltoPartners has put together this 9 Point Checklist.
- Clarify your goals and expectations
- Don’t limit your mentor search to your immediate environment
- Reach out and set up a meeting
- Always bring your best attitude
- Establish trust
- Be open to feedback
- Be conscious of your personal brand and your reputation online
- Acknowledge that gender parity issues exist
- Become a mentor to junior people
Read the full blog on Richard Sterling’s LinkedIn Pulse Blog here
Richard Sterling is AltoPartners’ practice leader for Contract and Commercial Management. He can be contacted via e-mail: iaccm@altopartners.com or on +61 2 8007 5812, (Sydney Australia)
AltoPartners is the global provider of Executive Search and Leadership Advisory services to the members of The International Association of Contract and Commercial Management (IACCM).