| | APRIL 20259CIORevieweffective management, and supplier relationships mean for our company.With input from team members, company leaders, and supplier partners, we created a framework for sourcing and procurement partners to become true strategic partners. We developed five key capabilities for these relationships: Alignment, Accountability, Trust, and Debate and Resolve.In this strategic partnership model, Delaware North and our partners share resources, knowledge, and expertise to create products, experiences, and services that are more valuable to our clients and guests than we could offer alone. Alignment: Before engaging in a strategic partnership with a supplier, you must ensure your goals, values, and actions are in sync. Everyone involved in the relationship should understand what our organization and supplier "wins."Accountability: Once you have aligned your goals, accountability is the capability that defines how we will achieve these mutual objectives through our values, decisions, and actions ­ that ultimately drive even stronger relationships and performance.Trust: Alignment and accountability are the building blocks for mutual trust and confidence in strategic partnerships. Trust is also related to order accuracy, quality, cost, and on-time delivery from our suppliers, which are essential to meeting the needs of our operations and guests.Debate and Resolve: Trust creates a safe and open environment for debate and resolve, which we view as opportunities for candid communication and transparency as well as new solutions to achieve shared goals.After defining these key capabilities for our sourcing and procurement strategy, we asked ourselves how to leverage these relationships to form even stronger strategic partnerships. We devised five drivers of mutual value ­ Insights, Efficiency, Quality, Continuous Improvement, and Innovation.To future-proof our business and remain competitive, Delaware North relies on partners that seek greater efficiency without sacrificing quality ­ a key metric for maintaining Delaware North's reputation with key stakeholders (our clients and guests). Open communication and continuous feedback loops between our team members and supplier partners enable new solutions and growth. Leveraging data from our operations, partners, and industry research into actionable insights to better understand our clients and guests as well as innovate our products and services.One of Delaware North's core beliefs has always been to work with suppliers and partners with shared interests, values, and goals to create mutual value. We measure value not only through reduced costs and increased revenue but through new opportunities, improved efficiency, and information sharing, which must trickle down to improve the client and guest experience. Exceptional products, experiences, and services will capture our clients and delight our guests ­ but forming strategic partnerships will enable us to exceed their expectations. Fostering strategic relationships with supplier partners is critical to our business operations and delivering on our promises to our clients and our communities
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