Mastering Vendor Management: Lessons from IT Transformation and M&A Success Stories with Mousa Hamad
05/11/25 • 18 min
Mousa Hamad, an expert in procurement and vendor management, shares insights from his extensive career in IT operations and business transformation. He emphasizes the importance of being customer-oriented and empathetic, drawing from his experiences on the front lines of IT. Hamad recounts a significant project where he tackled SaaS cost management by consolidating contracts and implementing a platform called Zylo, which streamlined the process and improved contract hygiene. This initiative not only saved costs but also enhanced his role within the organization, showcasing the value of effective vendor management.
Hamad discusses the alignment of procurement with organizational goals such as speed, innovation, and security. He highlights the necessity of building intentional processes that involve key stakeholders like InfoSec and legal teams early in the procurement process. By doing so, organizations can avoid unnecessary delays and ensure that purchases align with budgetary constraints. He stresses that having the right tools and processes in place is crucial for managing vendor relationships effectively and achieving operational efficiency.
The conversation also delves into measuring the success of procurement processes. Hamad explains how tracking the time taken for approvals and vendor engagements can lead to significant improvements in efficiency. By establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) and engaging vendors well in advance of contract renewals, organizations can negotiate better terms and reduce costs. This proactive approach not only enhances speed but also ensures that companies are getting the best value from their vendor relationships.
Finally, Hamad reflects on the challenges of managing rapid team growth and maintaining operational consistency across diverse teams and cultures. He advocates for a people-first approach, emphasizing the importance of communication and empathy in IT leadership. By fostering a culture that values understanding and support, organizations can navigate the complexities of growth while ensuring that both employees and customers feel valued. Ahmad's insights provide a roadmap for IT leaders looking to balance operational demands with a commitment to people-centric practices.
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Mousa Hamad, an expert in procurement and vendor management, shares insights from his extensive career in IT operations and business transformation. He emphasizes the importance of being customer-oriented and empathetic, drawing from his experiences on the front lines of IT. Hamad recounts a significant project where he tackled SaaS cost management by consolidating contracts and implementing a platform called Zylo, which streamlined the process and improved contract hygiene. This initiative not only saved costs but also enhanced his role within the organization, showcasing the value of effective vendor management.
Hamad discusses the alignment of procurement with organizational goals such as speed, innovation, and security. He highlights the necessity of building intentional processes that involve key stakeholders like InfoSec and legal teams early in the procurement process. By doing so, organizations can avoid unnecessary delays and ensure that purchases align with budgetary constraints. He stresses that having the right tools and processes in place is crucial for managing vendor relationships effectively and achieving operational efficiency.
The conversation also delves into measuring the success of procurement processes. Hamad explains how tracking the time taken for approvals and vendor engagements can lead to significant improvements in efficiency. By establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) and engaging vendors well in advance of contract renewals, organizations can negotiate better terms and reduce costs. This proactive approach not only enhances speed but also ensures that companies are getting the best value from their vendor relationships.
Finally, Hamad reflects on the challenges of managing rapid team growth and maintaining operational consistency across diverse teams and cultures. He advocates for a people-first approach, emphasizing the importance of communication and empathy in IT leadership. By fostering a culture that values understanding and support, organizations can navigate the complexities of growth while ensuring that both employees and customers feel valued. Ahmad's insights provide a roadmap for IT leaders looking to balance operational demands with a commitment to people-centric practices.
All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/
Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/
Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/
Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/
Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech
Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com
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Previous Episode
How AI is Transforming MSP Marketing: Strategies for Success in the Age of ChatGPT with Srinivas Krishnaswamy
Srinivas Krishnaswamy, author of "Inbound Marketing in the Age of GPTs," discusses the transformative impact of AI on customer search behaviors and marketing strategies for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). He emphasizes that traditional methods, particularly reliance on Google for information discovery, are evolving. With the rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, customers are increasingly turning to these platforms for tailored responses, which necessitates a shift in how MSPs approach their marketing efforts.
Krishnaswamy highlights the importance of understanding the changing dynamics of search. While Google continues to dominate, the volume of searches is increasing, and the landscape is becoming more complex. He points out that MSPs must adapt to this new reality by optimizing their online presence not just for Google, but also for AI-driven platforms. This includes implementing schema markup on websites to enhance discoverability and ensuring that content is relevant and valuable to potential customers.
The conversation also delves into the significance of community-based marketing. Krishnaswamy advises MSPs to identify where their target customers congregate, whether online or at industry events, and to engage with them authentically. By providing valuable insights and solutions to their problems, MSPs can build credibility and authority in their niche. This approach not only helps in generating leads but also positions MSPs as trusted partners in their customers' decision-making processes.
Finally, the discussion touches on the potential pitfalls of over-automation in marketing. While AI tools can streamline content creation, Krishnaswamy warns against relying solely on them without human oversight. Instead, he encourages MSPs to use AI as a tool for brainstorming and generating ideas, while ensuring that the final content reflects their unique voice and expertise. By balancing technology with genuine engagement, MSPs can effectively navigate the evolving marketing landscape.
All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/
Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/
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Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech
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Next Episode
U.S.-China Tariff Agreement Fuels Market Growth; AI Layoffs and AEO Shift Digital Marketing Focus
The recent U.S.-China tariff truce has led to a significant surge in global markets, with the U.S. reducing tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30% and China lowering its tariffs on American imports from 125% to 10%. While this agreement has provided short-term relief, it has also triggered caution among Chief Information Officers (CIOs), who are now deferring IT projects and prioritizing cost management. A survey indicates that nearly two-thirds of IT leaders are focusing on cost control, with many reporting delays in discretionary IT spending, reflecting a shift from initial optimism to a more cautious approach.
In the realm of artificial intelligence, the U.S. Copyright Office has issued a report warning that generative AI companies may be infringing copyright laws by using creators' works without permission. This has raised significant legal and political concerns, especially following the dismissal of the office's director shortly after the report's release. The implications for IT service providers are profound, as they must now navigate increased legal ambiguity and compliance risks related to the provenance of training data used in AI models.
Moreover, a recent survey revealed that many business leaders who implemented AI-driven layoffs regret their decisions, with over half acknowledging that their choices were misguided. As organizations face a global skills shortage, experts caution against hastily reducing headcount without a strategic plan for workforce transformation. The Society for Human Resource Management reports that a significant portion of jobs is at risk of displacement due to automation, emphasizing the need for reskilling and upskilling workers in vulnerable roles.
Finally, the emergence of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) marks a shift in digital marketing strategies, focusing on optimizing content for AI-driven conversational interfaces rather than traditional search engine optimization. As generative AI platforms reshape how consumers access information, businesses must adapt their content strategies to remain visible in an evolving digital landscape. This shift underscores the importance of providing tangible value in services, as consumers increasingly prioritize measurable business outcomes over ideological narratives.
Four things to know today
00:00 Markets Rally on U.S.–China Tariff Truce, But CIOs and Consumers Signal Deeper Economic Uncertainty
09:42 Automation Without Alignment: Firms That Cut Staff for AI Now Face Strategic Reversals
13:06 AI-Native Discovery Rises: Answer Engine Optimization Signals SEO’s Next Evolution
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All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/
Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/
Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/
Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/
Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech
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