While being the boss is a lonely job, it doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Along with partners and clients and employees, you’ll also have a range of suppliers. Without their materials and services, it’s incredibly difficult to keep your promises. Once customers don’t trust you any longer, it’s time to pack up and leave as they will bounce to a competitor.
Choosing a supplier is a big responsibility, which is why it’s essential you get it right initially. With that in mind, this post is going to outline a few of the basics so that you have the best chance of striking a great deal. Here are the things to keep in mind.
Check The Products’ Quality
Like a meal at a five-star restaurant, your products are impacted by their parts. They are the ingredients; if they are poor, the result will be the same. Checking the quality of the products they have on offer isn’t a dig. You need to be instantly suspicious of any supplier that sees it this way as they are using offense as an excuse. If they believe in their offerings, they shouldn’t reject a simple quality check request.
Ask For A Trial
Signing on the dotted line means you are committing to a relationship for the long-term. Whether it’s a year or five, it’s a long time to wait to make a change, especially if you’re not happy with the quality. Sometimes, checking the standard of products doesn’t always result in a hit as they need testing under pressure. This is where a trial period comes into play. By using them in a live environment, it’s easier to tell whether they are up to the right standard. All you need is a pre-contract agreement. Https://www.shopify.com/partners/guides/grow-vol-2/%2Fweb-design-contracts has the details if you’re interested in the fine details.
Make Sure Morals Align
It’s hard to work with a person or business that isn’t on the same page morally. For one thing, the relationship will go against everything you stand for as a brand. Secondly, it won’t look good to your customer base if they find out about it. If you’re dedicated to saving the planet, then your suppliers should do too. The same goes for putting the customer over your profits. See https://www.houkconsulting.com/services-solutions/it-for-non-profits/ for more. Never work with an entity that is on the opposite end of the spectrum as you’ll make decisions that aren’t good for the company.
Give Them A Call
This isn’t only because you want to speak about a potential partnership; it’s also about reliability. Communicating with suppliers is essential to ensure the supply chain runs smoothly. When you can’t get in touch with an outsourcer, it causes a hell of a lot of problems, particularly when a problem needs fixing immediately. A simple phone call, email or text message will give you an insight into their levels of communication. If they pick up or get back in touch straight away, it’s a positive sign.
If they don’t, it might be an indicator of the future.
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