Learn More About Vested’s Courses

Vested Orientation

Just starting to learn about the Vested business model? This FREE online course includes 13 modules that share the highlights of the University of Tennessee’s award-winning research and will help you learn the essential principles of Vested. It also includes a free online self-assessment where you can gauge the health of an existing agreement. 

Five Rules That Will Transform Business Relationships

The Vested Five Rules online course consists of interactive, self-paced video modules where you will learn how to apply the Vested Five Rules that are essential for creating a highly collaborative Vested business model. The course provides a perfect blend of theory and practice—sharing real examples of how companies are applying each of the Five Rules. The course also includes two self assessments to help you understand how you have structured an existing agreement.

Is Vested Right For Your Situation?

Like the idea of Vested but not sure it is the appropriate business model ? This seven-topic FREE online course will help you answer the question “Is Vested right for your situation?” Start by understanding the basics of what a sourcing business model is. Then end the course by completing a Business Model Map for your potential partnership where you will determine if Vested is the best path for you.

Getting Ready

You’ve learned enough about what Vested is. You’ve completed a Sourcing Business Model Map and know it is a great option for your potential partnership. So what is next? The Getting Ready FREE online course is the right place to start your Vested journey. You will start the course with a quick readiness assessment. The course comes with 10 proven tools to help you close gaps in your readiness—including templates and resources to help you develop a project plan for your Vested initiative and determine who is best suited to be on your Deal Architect Team.

Vested Executive Education Course

Kate Vitasek and the Vested faculty team provide a high-touch environment for attendees to explore the Vested business model in more detail. This course is ideal for companies that are uncertain how to start. The course provides the right amount of detail to allow attendees to comfortably communicate and teach their organization, clients, or suppliers the fundamentals of the why, what, and how of Vested. Attendees walk away with a personal action plan and key steps to start their Vested journey. This course can also be offered as a virtual course in five live Zoom mini-sessions.

Creating A Vested Agreement

Not everyone can come to the University of Tennessee. And organizations typically develop agreements with their business partners at a pace that is unique for them. For this reason, we’ve created a unique online course and resource “toolkit” you can use to help you to physically create your own actual Vested agreement—regardless of your location. Whether you are developing a contract for a new relationship or restructuring an existing agreement, this course is a must-have resource that takes you step-by-step through creating a Vested Agreement. 

Collaborative Contracting Course

It’s one thing to “Get to Yes”—but today’s dynamic business environment demands a new negotiation paradigm that allows you to “Get to We” and leverage the power of formal relational contracts. This advanced skills course covers must-have skills for negotiating highly collaborative agreements. It is ideal for those who are chartered to draft and negotiate their strategic relationships on behalf of their companies and want to learn the “how-to” of drafting a relational contract. This course can also be offered as a virtual course in five live Zoom mini-sessions.

Certified Deal Architect Validation

The Certified Deal Architect Program is ideal for individuals who are professional deal makers for their organizations. To qualify, participants must take all of the Vested courses and demonstrate their competency by submitting a project that shows they can effectively apply their skills to create a Vested agreement. A key part of the CDA program is a hands-on review and coaching from a University of Tennessee Vested program faculty member who will work with participants on a one-on-one basis to review their projects and guide them during implementation.

CDA Coach – Continuing Education

The Coaching Program brings both on-demand and scheduled topics to CDAs and those interested in becoming Certified Vested Coaches. The program ensures CDAs remain up to speed on Vested—learning from the latest case studies and best practices and being exposed to the latest tools and resources. Most CDAs work at Centers of Excellence as consultants or lawyers. However, any CDA can apply for the CDA Coaching program. A key part of the CDA Coaching Program includes helping coaching candidates understand the role, responsibilities, and mindset of what it takes to be a Certified Vested Coach. For example, a CDA Coach can learn how to create an inclusive environment for collaboration and conflict resolution within Vested Partners—the key roles of Standing Neutral.

Getting to We

Not quite ready for Vested? Then the Getting to We course is right for you because it focuses on helping you establish a “What’s-In-It-For-We” (WIIFWe) mindset and lay the groundwork for a collaborative relationship with proven relational contracting practices. The Getting to We online course provides organizations with a simple-to-follow, five-step process and tools needed to embed relational contracting practices in any contract—big or small. The course consists of self-paced, video-based topics and RealPlay® tools that will forever change the way you approach your next negotiation.