Shop Talk | Episode 20 of 10

Vendor twin

Two colleagues, one feature, fifteen minutes. Janice hosts, Brian brings years from both sides of the table. A living model of each vendor relationship: what you own, what you pay, how they behave, and what it should cost. Recorded August 2026.

The first two minutes play for everyone. The full episode is available on request with a work email.

What this episode covers

Every vendor Brian negotiated with knew more about his company than he knew about theirs. The twin is the symmetry fix, and it holds the knowledge when people leave.

Live: the twin, the model underneath, and the questions that become answerable instantly.

Chapters

0:00Welcome: the vendor knows you better
2:40How the twin is assembled
5:11Live: reading a vendor's posture
8:03Live: the renewal ninety days out
10:08Live: rehearsing your ask list
12:14Brainstorm: five ways teams use the twin
14:53Real life: the ask that leaked
16:41Start tonight: twin your biggest vendor

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