Introduction
In the corporate world, the contract manager is responsible for managing contracts between two or more parties. When there’s a complex contract to negotiate, a conflictual situation to analyze and deal with pre-litigation, or a need to monitor contractual performance, the contract manager is the one to call.
However, this function is often – wrongly – reduced to a support or even administrative function. And yet this is a key position, with a vocation to play a part in essential issues. This position requires excellent communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts.
However, there are certain phrases that a contract manager never wants to hear. In this article, we’ll discuss 5 phrases that are likely to make a contract manager cringe
“I didn’t read the contract before signing it”.
One of the worst things a contract manager can hear is that one of the parties didn’t read the contract before signing it. This is a major warning sign that can lead to serious problems later on. It is important that all parties involved read and understand the terms of the contract before signing.
“I didn’t think to call you for the negotiations.”
We’re getting into the very, very irritating here!
How can we forget, when negotiating a CONTRACT, to invite the CONTRACT Manager to negotiate it?
It’s only a short step from accidental oversight to deliberate largesse… and one you’ll need to eliminate quickly if you don’t want to see contracts negotiated in a piecemeal fashion, in defiance of the rules imposed by your company.
“We’ve agreed on the terms of the contract, you can take care of the administrative part.”
It’s a well-known fact that a contract manager is a jack-of-all-trades!
But that’s not a good enough reason for you to be relegated to menial tasks, and even less for you not to be involved in defining the key terms of the contract.
“Can you remind me what’s written in the contract?”
The contract manager is neither a scribe, nor an assistant, nor a secretary!
This question has a way of irritating contract managers. If this is your case, explain to Jean-Mi where the contract is filed and invite him to have a look at it for himself and to question you if he can’t find the answer!
However, a good practice to avoid this Jean Michel Fainéant question is to centralize your contracts in an accessible space (for those who need to access them) and to draw up summary sheets in clear language that will enable all your contacts to know, at a glance, what your contract contains.
“A contract? What contract?”
We saved the best for last. This phrase is usually accompanied by a look as hollow as that of a bovine in the throes of digestion.
It is often issued in response to a request from the contract manager, who, faced with a question or the beginnings of a pre-litigation, wants to know more about the agreed terms.
Every time you hear this phrase, rush out and make yourself a cup of herbal tea, breathe in and out calmly, and stay calm.
Conclusion
Being a contract manager is not an easy job. There are many challenges and obstacles to overcome. However, by being proactive and keeping things in mind, a contract manager can avoid some of the most common problems that arise in contract management. By avoiding the phrases mentioned in this article, a contract manager can ensure that contracts are completed successfully and without major problems.
