SPECIALIST PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT
Supplier & Partnership Review
Independent support when an important business relationship is no longer working as effectively as it should.
Critical supplier and partner relationships can drift over time. Expectations become less clear, governance weakens, communication turns reactive and delivery begins to require more effort from both sides.
I provide an independent, balanced review of the relationship—looking at the commercial expectations, practical ways of working and human dynamics affecting performance.
The aim is to identify what is working, address what is not and create a practical basis for a stronger partnership.
Start with a free, confidential 30-minute conversation.
When to consider a Review
he relationship remains important—but it is creating more friction than value.
A review is helpful when both parties are working hard, but expectations, behaviours or delivery arrangements are no longer sufficiently aligned.
A review creates the space to understand the relationship objectively before frustration becomes failure or formal escalation.
Expectations are unclear
Responsibilities have become blurred
Each party has a different understanding of what should be delivered, who owns particular issues or what good performance looks like.
Communication is reactive
Conversations happen too late
Issues are addressed only after they become problems, and communication is increasingly defensive or transactional.
Delivery is inconsistent
Performance requires too much intervention
Deadlines, service expectations or agreed outcomes are not being achieved without repeated escalation and senior involvement.
Trust has weakened
Confidence in the relationship is falling
Previous difficulties, missed expectations or unresolved concerns are affecting how both parties interpret decisions and behaviours.
HOW I SUPPORT YOU
How the Review works
A balanced process that combines evidence, experience and honest conversation.
I speak with the relevant people on both sides, review how the partnership currently operates and identify the issues affecting trust, performance and delivery.
01
Agree the scope
Define what needs to be understood
I begin with the organisational sponsor to establish the context, the concerns and the outcome the review needs to achieve.
We agree:
- The relationship or services in scope
- The stakeholders to involve
- The information to review
- How findings will be shared
- The intended outcome
02
Gather both perspectives
Listen to the people involved
I hold confidential, structured conversations with selected stakeholders from both organisations.
This helps identify:
- Different expectations
- Communication gaps
- Governance concerns
- Delivery obstacles
- Areas of strength
- Unresolved tensions
03
Assess the relationship
Identify the underlying issues
I assess the findings across the areas that sustain an effective partnership:
- Shared purpose and expectations
- Responsibilities and accountability
- Governance and decisions
- Communication and escalation
- Performance and delivery
- Trust and working behaviours
04
Reset the partnership
Agree practical improvements
I bring the relevant leaders together to consider the findings, clarify expectations and agree the changes required.
The emphasis is on creating a workable way forward rather than assigning blame.
Deliverables
What you receive
- A concise, balanced summary of the findings
- Clear identification of strengths and areas requiring attention
- Agreed actions, owners and timings
- Clarified expectations and responsibilities
- Recommended governance and communication improvements
- A practical partnership reset plan
- An optional follow-up review
The scope and format are agreed in advance. This is a focused partnership review, not a formal legal, contractual or financial audit.
OUTCOMES, SUITABILITY AND NEXT STEP
The difference it makes
Before the Review
- Expectations are interpreted differently
- Communication is reactive
- Issues repeatedly require senior intervention
- Confidncee in delivery is falling
- Both parties focus on what the other is doing worng
- Trust is continuing to weaken
After the Review
- Expectations and responsibilities are clarified.
- Communication and escalation routes are agreed.
- Problems are addressed through clearer governance.
- Actions and performance expectations are visible.
- Both parties understand their role in improving the relationship.
- The partnership has a practical opportunity to rebuild confidence.
The review cannot guarantee that every partnership should continue. It provides leaders with the evidence and clarity needed to decide whether to reset, renegotiate or reconsider the relationship.
SUITABILITY
Is a supplier and partnership review right for you?
This review could be right if:
- The relationship remains strategically or operationally important.
- Delivery concerns have persisted despite previous conversations.
- Both practical and relational issues are affecting performance.
- Senior leaders want an independent perspective.
- There is a genuine willingness to listen and make changes.
It may not be right if:
- You require a legal or contractual investigation.
- The decision to terminate the relationship has already been made.
- The review is intended only to support one party’s predetermined position.
- There is no willingness to involve or hear from the other party.
- Immediate formal dispute resolution is required.
Fractional support depends on trust, access and a clearly agreed mandate. We will establish these expectations before any engagement begins.
Start the conversation
Could an independent review help reset an important partnership?
Let’s discuss what is happening, why the relationship matters and whether an independent review would provide the clarity needed to move forward.
30 minutes · Confidential · Informal · No obligation
or you can email me: sarah@sarahskelton-consulting.co.uk