Maybe you are perfectly content with all of your suppliers, maybe… not so much! With the new year not far off it may be a good time to re-evaluate the status quo. No matter what your experience with suppliers has been in the past, here are 5 Quick Checks to get you started on the journey to healthy and happy vendor relationships.
Marketplace Knowledge
Does the vendor know more than their own product line? Are they aware of what is happening more than locally in business? Are they on top of regional and national market trends and changing technology?
Preparation
Has the vendor done their homework on you? Do they know what you do and who your clients are? Are they offering specific and unique solutions or are they trying to slap a boiler plate on your problem? A good vendor will have done their research before making a sales visit– this way they are not wasting valuable time – yours, as the potential client’s, or theirs. In-person visits should be verifying that their research is spot on and then address specifics of client current and future needs.
Trust
Do you feel like you can trust this company? Is there a track record of integrity? What is their reputation? Do they do what they promise? Professional respect, courtesy and confidentiality are top priority. Not everyone signs non-disclosure agreements but you shouldn’t feel like you have to. If there are red flags with vendor trust, don’t do business with them.
Accountability and Problem Solving
Everyone makes mistakes, everyone has those days. At least that’s how the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus song “Nobody’s Perfect” goes, right? Making mistakes is inevitable, it will happen eventually. The key here is how does the vendor handle them? If you have made a mistake, will the vendor partner with you to make it right – especially in regard to critical timetables? If the vendor themselves has made an error, will they admit it? Will they work to fix the problem in a gracious way? Are they solution focused or are they more concerned with playing the blame game?
Employee Endorsements and Relationships
The vendor outside salesmen know the product, but what about the other employees? Do the inside sales, customer service and order fulfilment staffs at the vendor know and believe in their products and services? Do they speak well of the sales people? Are they familiar with the products they are recommending? Have they taken the time to explain product features to you? If you have concerns, do they listen and alleviate them? Would they purchase the product themselves?
Mark Bric Display would love the opportunity to pass your vendor check inspection! Give us a call at 800-742-6275 so we can get to know you and your current needs. If you’d like to see what we have to offer before you pick up the phone, check us out online at these two great websites: www.MarkBricDisplay.com and www.ISOframeExhibits.com . We look forward to earning your trust and your business!
– By Stacy D. Poole, Marketing Professional at Mark Bric Display Corp.
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