Stop selecting suppliers by price. Start asking about value.

This article was first published on 25 March 2021 and has been regularly updated since. Last update: 7 March 2026.

Price is straightforward — value is something else entirely. If you are selecting a project management partner, ask about these 7 things that separate marketing claims from real-world results. Our practical checklist with links can help you choose the right supplier.

What to look for in a supplier

1) Credibility and verifiable references

In projects, promises do not count — results do. And those results must be traceable, with a transparent track record.

SHINE:

• Long-standing experience: over 30 years in the market, more than 1,000 clients across industries, over 40,000 people trained

• Experience not only with large corporations, but also with medium and smaller companies

• We regularly work with both Czech and English-speaking teams

• Client references are publicly available on our website

What this means for you when you choose us: confidence that we will deliver real value and results you can apply in practice.

2) Non-commodity solutions (focus on people, AI and standards)

When a supplier is "just a course", you typically get nice course materials. When they are a genuine partner, you get change that has real impact in practice.

SHINE:

• The concept we are built on: Project Management 5.0. Developing people's capabilities, mindset and attitudes is critical in the age of AI.

• We carry out diagnostics and follow-on individual development: Project Capabilities Assessment. You test your people's project competencies and invest only where it is actually needed.

• We help integrate AI into existing systems.

• We use our own team of AI assistants — ShineStarlight — trained on our many years of experience. These assistants are also available to our clients.

• We have developed a unique system for motivating people in projects and innovation: MOTIV-ACE®. It reflects a person's genuine contribution — not just the number of hours spent on a project.

• We work with people typology in project teams: Talent Dynamics. These are not just another set of psychometric tests — it is a simple, effective system.

What this means for you when you choose us: faster progress through personalisation and AI support. Instead of sinking into the "swamp of chaos", you build a solid working standard.

3) International accreditation and quality of learning academies

Standards are not a formality. They are the guardrails that maintain quality under pressure.

SHINE:

• Overview of our products and courses: SHINE Product Catalogue

• We offer 214 hours of internationally accredited interactive programmes (CZ/EN) for the digital world and AI

• Programmes are applicable for IPMA® certification/recertification, compatible with PMI® and inspired by PRINCE2®

• We offer open courses and free development webinars: Events Calendar

What this means for you when you choose us: immediately applicable training anchored in standards — not "theory without impact".

4) Value and return on investment (ROI)

You are not paying for "trainer days". You are buying a result and ongoing support you can use beyond the training itself.

SHINE:

• We combine consultants and AI tools (including our ShineStarlight AI assistants) connected to our knowledge base.

• Example: with our Project Master 5.0 academy, participants receive content valued at over CZK 41,000 — with a return on investment measurable within days.

What this means for you when you choose us: greater value for your time and money, thanks to scalable support and 24/7 availability.

5) An expert team with shared experience (not just a "one-man show")

A stable team shortens the path to solutions. You do not have to repeatedly explain your context or educate your supplier about your systems.

SHINE:

• Internationally certified specialists with 30+ years of hands-on experience and the option of long-term collaboration

• Learn more about us and our team: 30 Years of Shared Experience

What this means for you when you choose us: fewer mistakes, more practical expertise, faster impact on real projects.

6) Company stability (a partner for the long term)

Many changes in projects are a long-distance race. You need a supplier who will not disappear after the first wave of enthusiasm.

SHINE:

• We have been in the market since 1996.

• Transparency verifiable at justice.cz

What this means for you when you choose us: confidence in continuity, accountability and long-term support.

7) Expert communities and thought leadership

Know-how is not a presentation. Know-how is community, sharing and practice — and that shows.

SHINE:

• We are active members and an accredited training organisation of IPMA.CR, as well as examiners and co-authors of the IPMA® certification process.

• We regularly publish articles, live streams, podcasts and free tests: Know-how (articles, streams, podcasts, tests), a rich YouTube channel with webinars and streams, and Josef Hajkr's personal LinkedIn profile with over 70 published LinkedIn News editions. Projects, Simply.

What this means for you when you choose us: access to current know-how that goes well beyond any single engagement.

Conclusion: How to use this in practice (a quick recommendation)

If you are selecting a supplier, work through these 7 points and ask for evidence: references, standards, concrete impact in practice, availability of support, and how they work with both people and AI tools.

If you would like to understand what makes the SHINE offering unique, watch this short video.

If you would like to learn about our working system and what we offer, visit our Product Catalogue. You will find a wide range — from free resources through to support from our experts.