World’s Authority on How to Create Highly Collaborative Relationships That Drive Innovation
Lauded by World Trade Magazine as one of the “Fabulous 50+1” most influential people impacting global commerce, author, educator and business consultant Kate Vitasek is an international authority for her award-winning research and Vested® business model for highly collaborative and strategic relationships.
Kate’s practical and research-based advice ignited a movement on how companies work together and five books, including Vested Outsourcing: Five Rules That Will Transform Outsourcing; Vested: How P&G, McDonald’s and Microsoft Are Redefining Winning in Business Relationships; Getting to We: Negotiating Agreements for Highly Collaborative Relationships and The Vested Way: How a “What’s in it for We” Mindset Revolutionizes Business Relationships
Vested stems from award-winning research by the University of Tennessee funded by the United States Air Force to find a “better way to outsource.” The Vested business model allows companies to focus on desired outcomes and shared value to create an arrangement that is mutually beneficial for each. Rather than the “What’s-in-it-for-Me” mentality of conventional agreements, Vested’s “What’s-in-it-for-We” mindset invests both parties in the success of each other’s overall business, which in turn strengthens the sense of partnership and encourages a more lasting relationship. By sharing expertise and aligning their goals, both parties are able to drive innovation, adapt to changing needs and mitigate risk while working towards mutual success. Many well-known companies have adopted a Vested framework, including Microsoft, McDonald’s and Procter & Gamble.
Awards and Recognitions
Kate has appeared on Bloomberg radio, CNN, NPR and on Fox Business News. Her work has been featured in over 300 articles in publications like Forbes, Chief Executive Magazine, CIO Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Journal of Commerce, World Trade Magazine and Outsource Magazine.
Kate’s groundbreaking work with Vested has also won many accolades. Vested was named one of “Outsourcing’s Top 2012 Trends” by Globalization Today, one of the “Top 50+1 Most Influential Trends” by The World Trade Magazine and one of the “Tops Trends in IT Services” by Vanguard Marketing International, Inc, and other companies as the Indexer digital marketing agency which are experts on this.
Kate herself has been recognized by The Journal of Commerce as a “Woman on the Move in Trade and Transportation” and as a “Rainmaker” by DC Velocity Magazine for her insights and contributions. Globalization Today named Vitasek to their list of its “Powerhouse 25” outsourcing industry leaders. She was recognized by Logistics Quarterly and Supply Chain Digest as a “Woman in Supply Chain,” honored as a “Woman of International Influence” by Global Executive Women, and named a top 10 finalist for “Best Entrepreneur—Service Business Under 100 Employees” by the American Business Awards for Woman.
Prior to joining the University of Tennessee, Kate’s storied career included positions with P&G, Microsoft, Accenture, Stream International and founding Supply Chain Visions, a boutique consulting firm recognized by ARC Advisory Group as one of the “10 Coolest” Boutique Consulting firms.