Skip to content

Contracts

Top 5 contract management strategies for your B2B business

A contract management strategy is a crucial aspect of any business-to-business (B2B) operation. It encompasses the creation, negotiation, execution, and administration of contracts with customers, suppliers, and partners. A well-executed contract management process can guarantee that both parties are aware of their obligations and responsibilities, reduce the possibility of disputes and breaches, and maximize the potential for success. 

In this article, we’ll cover:

  1. Have one contract archive
  2. Standardise your contract management strategy
  3. Automate your contract management strategy
  4. Build in risk management
  5. Collaboration and communication

But before we go any further, what exactly is contract management?

What is contract management?

Contract management is the process of creating, negotiating, and storing contracts made between organizations, suppliers, customers, and partners. It involves all the whole life cycle of a contract, from the initial stages of contract negotiation and execution to ongoing monitoring, renewal, and, sometimes, termination. The goal of contract management is to ensure that all parties are aware of their obligations and responsibilities, that all contracts are handled within their terms, and that they’re sorted and archived correctly.

Effective contract management requires a well-structured and systematic approach, involving processes such as standardizing contract templates, automating contract processes, and integrating risk management strategies. Good communication and collaboration between all relevant stakeholders, both internal and external, are also essential to a great contract management strategy.

So, without further ado, here are some great contract management strategies:

Read also: Before you sign: What should great contract management software actually do pre-sign?

contract management strategy

1. Have one contract archive

Having access to all relevant contract information is the backbone of effective contract management. This can be achieved by establishing a single, centralized contract archive that contains all contracts signed by the business along with associated information, such as contract terms, parties involved, and renewal dates. 

Having one archive makes it easier for all stakeholders to access the information they need without having to search through multiple sources, or risking not being able to find something crucial.

2. Standardize your contract management strategy

Standardizing your contract management strategy and templates can improve consistency and accuracy, as well as reduce the time and resources required for contract creation and review. B2B businesses can standardize their contract process by creating contract templates using contract management software

This standardization helps ensure that all contracts are consistent in terms of language, format, and content, reducing the likelihood of confusion, or even disputes, arising.

3. Automate your contract management strategy

Automating your contract management strategy can significantly improve efficiency and accuracy. Automated contract generation minimizes the risk of errors and saves time and resources. 

Automating the signing part ensures that contracts are executed correctly and on time, while automated renewal processes ensure that contracts are renewed in a timely and efficient manner, reducing the risk of a contract accidentally lapsing.

Read also: Discover the Best Contract Management Tools – Our Top 10 Picks!

contract management strategy is a balancing act

4. Build in risk management

Risk management is a critical aspect of contract management as it helps reduce some major contract risks and helps protect the business in the event of disputes or data breaches. 

B2B businesses should integrate a systematic approach to risk management into their contract management process, including the identification and assessment of risks, some clear and concise risk management strategies, and ongoing monitoring and reporting of risk status. This helps ensure that the business is aware of potential risks and is prepared to manage them effectively.

5. Collaboration and communication

Effective communication and collaboration between all relevant stakeholders, especially legal, are essential to any successful content management strategy. This includes regular meetings to discuss contract statuses and updates, as well as the sharing of information and best practices. Good communication ensures that all parties are aware of their obligations and responsibilities, reducing the risk of any possible disputes or breaches. 

Effective collaboration helps ensure that contracts are managed effectively and that all stakeholders are working together towards a common goal.

Read also: 5 benefits of contract automation that will boost your business

The key takeaways

Contract management is a continuous process that requires a well-structured and systematic approach. The five strategies we’ve looked at here can help B2B businesses streamline their contract management strategy. By implementing these strategies, B2B businesses can reduce the risk of disputes and breaches, improve efficiency and accuracy, and maximize their potential for success. After all, if your sales team is less bogged down in admin work, they have more time to sell.

Moreover, it’s important to remember that contracts are not a one-time event. As business needs evolve, contracts will need to be reviewed and updated to reflect these changes. Regular contract audits can identify areas where changes are necessary and ensure that contracts remain relevant, up-to-date and up-to-code. 

Effective contract management requires ongoing attention and commitment, but the benefits of a well-executed strategy make it a valuable investment for any B2B business.

Prev:

Sales in B2B in 2023: A complete guide

Next:

How to get started with digital signatures for car rental

Related articles

Contract Archive Folders
Product Updates

A better contract archive with folders inside of Oneflow

data-driven decision-making - DDDM
Marketing

The importance of data-driven decision-making for businesses

Zapier Connector
Product Updates

Zapier Connectors: What’s a Zap?

Hoe maak je een professionele online handtekening
Work & Culture

The ten steps to create a successful procurement strategy

chrome doc viewer
Contracts

The ultimate guide to Chrome doc viewer: View documents with ease!

Woman in green shirt smiling in front of pin background - blog on 10 best AI writing tools for 2023
Contracts

10 Best AI writing tools in 2023

blog explaining how to write your signature on your phone
Contracts

Contract automation: What exactly does Oneflow automate?

woman with hula hoops - how to add a signature in a pdf
Contracts

PDF signatures: How to add, create, and attach a signature to a PDF