Collaboration with Vendors Can Yield Much More than Cost Savings

Building a strong collaborative relationship with your vendors can deliver a lot more than cost savings.

In my experience, every organization has vendors that it depends on.

The best relationships can provide:

• Critical supply chain information on availability and other market issues
• Insight about new or alternative products and services
• Product design and service enhancements
• Competitive intelligence
• Co-marketing and branding
• Joint venture opportunities

Vendors that are providing resources that go beyond price concessions will provide your organization with a decided competitive advantage.

If they don’t, the reverse is also true.

If you want to enhance your bottom line, I believe that it starts with a hard evaluation of your vendor pool.

It shouldn’t be necessary to look at every vendor to improve your position. It is likely that the 80/20 rule will apply but it may not in every spend category. You could group similar vendors to manage non-critical spend categories.

The hard choices will center on vendors that have been with you for a long time but may not be delivering the quality products or services they once did. We all appreciate loyalty and they may just need a jolt to get back on track.

Consolidation can have many benefits. Vendors that can get a larger share of your business will typically be motivated to deliver more benefits. A smaller vendor pool can yield nice gains in administrative and support efficiencies.

Several weeks ago, I provided some ideas on supplier management and vendor onboarding. If your system allows vendors to perform most of the onboarding steps, the evaluation process for new vendors will take a lot less time.

Your evaluation will be much easier If you can automatically collect information on products and services provided, delivery terms, geographic service areas, references, insurance and financial statements.

I would suggest that you have an open discussion with new vendors so they understand your collaboration goals. This should lead to a more rewarding relationship.

If you don’t think you have enough time to do this then consider that a lot of people take vacation in August and some that don’t take a mental vacation.

This is an important task will help your staff stay focused and productive so why not get started?

If you want to explore a purchasing or procurement topic in greater detail, I invite you to request 30-minute discovery conversation. In my experience the next step will be apparent at the end of the call. I never assume that my recommendations will be right for everyone, so don’t expect a sales pitch. You can reach me at 973-936-9672.

Organizations of all sizes are reducing costs and increasing efficiency, without changing the way they conduct business. If you would like to know how, simply give me a call or send me an email with your contact information and the best time to reach you.

 

You Won’t Drift to Success©

Think about it.

Until Next Time, I Wish You Great Success in Your Business and in Your Life

Mike Jeffries