You can’t do everything alone. It’s true in life and true in business: vendor relationships are key to succeed in good business.
Maybe you’re confused about where to start with building vendor relationships or maintaining a client and vendor relationship. Maybe you’re still convinced you can do this all on your own or with only your company.
However, vendors can provide so much to you, like different goods or services. Taking advantage of the chance to collaborate and work with vendors is the right way to go.
Here are a few reasons why vendor relationships are so important.
It Helps in the Long Run
Fostering good vendor relationships now will bring you better business later. Having good vendor relationships opens the door for more to come.
It is more useful to develop good vendor relationships for the long run than a project-by-project basis. Once you develop a good rapport with another company, they are likely to recommend you or your company’s services and turn to you to help them as well.
It’s not just creating relationships either: building vendor relationships takes time and cannot be rushed. Share information with them and allow them to offer their suggestions for business strategies.
Not sure about how to move along with one project or process? Building vendor relationships means having a reciprocal relationship that lasts longer than the needs of a project. Otherwise, if you’re frequently changing vendors, your business quality will be affected in the long run.
That’s Right: Mutual Benefits
Great vendor relationships aren’t just good for you. It is also beneficial to the vendor.
Once you’re working together, it is important to sit down, discuss a breakdown of specific roles and tasks for each party, and create a project team focused on collaboration between your company and the vendor. Sticking to schedules and deadlines will also help keep you, your company, and the vendor accountable and responsible.
Different vendors can also offer you their expertise in various areas. This can be beneficial help to you, and in turn, you can offer your expertise as well. Sharing skills can only be beneficial to both of you.
Communication is Best
It’s true: communication is the most important key in vendor relationship management. Make sure to take time to keep in regular contact with your vendors.
Phone calls are great for this because they add a personal touch. If you take the time to make regular phone calls to extend good will to your vendors and ask about their needs, they will respond positively to that.
Need More Vendor Relationships Information?
If you’re unsure of the next step in client and vendor relationships, follow this link to take a look at a great vendor management service.
Vendor relationship management is not going away. That’s why Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center has ProjectVRM, dedicated to research and development in the vendor relationships market.
Remember: your vendors picked to have an agreement with you. They put their trust in you, and by doing the same for them you’ll keep building vendor relationships that last.
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