Stefan Stern's blog

Purchasers need to work out if their business is serious about sustainability – then it comes down to procurement to ensure it stays that way.

Posted in: First person, General, Sustainability

Networking shouldn’t be the 
ordeal that many think – it is 
really all about sharing interests.

Posted in: Supply chain

Playing hardball like Obama is all very well, but taking negotiations to the wire can jeopardise future deals.

Posted in: General

Are the ‘many’ really smarter than the ‘few’? Surowiecki’s theory must be worth a shot, decides Stefan Stern.

Posted in: First person, Purchasing

Rarely does everybody get everything they want out of a negotiation. We should recognise that 
it takes skill and guts to find a compromise.

Posted in: First person

The way companies refer to their staff has changed many times, often pointlessly, and the latest one – ‘talent’ – should be used sparingly.

Posted in: First person

With limitations put on business travel due to pressure of cost and the environment, should we use our resources, including our time, more wisely?

Posted in: First person, Travel

A family business has particular advantages 
and disadvantages to overcome. But when things do go wrong, the fall-out can be spectacular.

Posted in: First person

If you are planning major changes in the 
year ahead, setting smaller goals might be 
a more reliable way of reaching your target.

Posted in: Business change, First person, General, Purchasing, Technology

Following his death, the spotlight is firmly on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. But there is another business story here that also deserves attention.

Posted in: First person