http://www.iaccm.comIACCM is a not-for-profit international association that exists to advance the status of contract and commercial management. Recognized by the world’s leading corporations, it provides added value services to contracts and negotiation executives and professionals, including accreditation.http://www.iaccm.com/images/rsslogo.gifhttp://www.iaccm.comFive years ago, it seemed no one was interested in contracts. They were seen as an unfortunate bi-product of business dealings, a source of delay and frustration. Today, they have in many cases become a dynamic instrument for creativity and good governance. So what changed?http://tcummins.wordpress.com/Do buyers get an unfair image? Not according to a report by the UK's Sunday Telegraph, that lifts the lid on 'unprincipled negotiation' in the UK retail sector. But while such behavior may destroy trust and relationships, is it wrong? http://tcummins.wordpress.com/The May edition of Contracting Excellence is now available. This month's e-zine features the highlights of the presentations and key messages coming from our recent IACCM Americas Conference, "Collaborate To Innovate". We have drawn from the bloggers to provide articles on Negotiation, Risk, Organization, Automation and Collaboration. http://www.iaccm.com/contractingexcellence.php?id=75CFOs don't lack for worries as the credit markets continue to create uncertainty.http://www.iaccm.com/full.php?id=851Former IACCM Chairman Bill Huber recently penned an article for "Inside Sourcing" that spells out the leadership challenge facing many procurement groups. His findings continue to mirror those of IACCM - and the concerns that we unearth among sourcing professionals when it comes to their future.http://www.iaccm.com/full.php?id=850Many outside the U.S. would rather American companies and auditors stick to their own accounting standards, says a panel of experts http://www.iaccm.com/full.php?id=849IACCM research has revealed the negative impact of contract review policies at many major corporations - showing that they have generated increased workload and longer cycle times. While this research did not measure the economic cost of such policies, it is clear that they are also responsible for lost savings opportunities.http://tcummins.wordpress.com/The news is daily highlighting more and more supply shortages. While the media focuses on consumer items, the challenges of both raw materials and skills shortages are impacting many business to business contracts. Can buyers expect much sympathy? Having ridden their suppliers hard for the last few years, what should they now do to tackle the rapid shift in market conditions?http://tcummins.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/challenging-times-for-procurement-will-suppliers-show-pity/On April 7th, 2008 at the International Association for Contract and Commercial Management (IACCM) 2008 Americas Conference in Scottsdale Arizona, Chevron Global Upstream and Gas (CGUG) presented a recognition award to the IACCM for its significant contribution to Learning and Professional Development of its Global Upstream Supply Chain Management team. Tom Crimi, Chevron Global Upstream and Gas’s Learning and Development Manager, noted that IACCM’s professional development program is structured to help Chevron companies develop a more consistent and coordinated approach to their worldwide contract management capability.http://www.iaccm.com/full.php?id=845For years, the IACCM annual study of the 'Top Ten Negotiated Terms' has shown very little movement. We negotiate much the same issues, year after year - and most of those issues are essentially negative, they are about a lack of trust and a fear of failure. http://www.iaccm.com/full.php?id=844