The Benefits Of Partnering With Suppliers
At OSBOS we know that if there’s one thing that plagues product manufacturers and retailers, it’s supplier issues. In fast-moving operations you can’t be delayed by underperforming suppliers, and if something goes wrong, it’s not just an unhappy client you’ll be dealing with. However, although it might seem counter-intuitive, there are numerous and robust benefits of partnering with suppliers that you may not have considered. It’s time to take a fresh look.
Amongst the nightmare suppliers there will be some businesses you work with that consistently perform and could add great value to your company, be it by providing an enhanced service to your customers or making life easier for you – saving you time, resources and of course, cash! Here are three benefits of partnering with suppliers.
Tailored delivery for added value
One of the key benefits of developing a trusted supplier-buyer relationship by way of partnership approach is that once a strong baseline is built, it may be possible to tailor the products you order and services you benefit from to your exact needs. Not only will this allow you to pass on a better service to your own customers – be it precision or cost – but through a close supplier arrangement that streamlines your supply chain it may be possible for your business to lower its spend too. Less wastage or unnecessary “standard” items can be eliminated from your orders, and your supplier can identify ways to improve the product you receive, making it more fit for your purpose.
Personalised customer care
Any reputable supplier will be able to follow your journey as a customer from the very first phone call right through to the final use of their product. If in the event your expectations are not met, having a supplier who you can rely on to resolve the issue is invaluable. This is where the benefits of partnering with suppliers come into their own; you’re much more likely to enjoy a priority service if you’re in a formal relationship. A good supplier can help maximise the lifespan of your product or raw material, recommend upgrades or cost-saving measures that are tailored to your needs (having got to know you now), adapt their services to make your supply chain or cash flow more efficient or even reduce lead times between resupply.
Transparent and proactive communication
The benefits of regular business communications are not to be underestimated. In building a trusted relationship with a supplier, it may be possible to transfer some of the responsibilities of your internal team to an added-value partner. For example, critical tasks such as stock auditing could be picked up by your supplier as they become better acquainted with your needs, freeing up your resource whilst ensuring an integral element of purchasing control is taken good care of. When you’re in a closer relationship with a supplier, you can also commonly benefit from more favourable contract renewal costs and quicker, more efficient communications which may not be afforded when switching between competitors.
As a servicer of product manufacturers and retailers, OSBOS understands the benefits of partnering with suppliers and we support our clients with establishing a “what good looks like” model and best-practice approach. We know how taking a partnership approach to business relationships can really enhance the service you deliver and also put you in a stronger negotiating position with suppliers when it comes to investments.
The services we provide as an outsourced sales and marketing agency from our Cheshire offices cover everything from seeking out partnership opportunities, estimating growth trajectory potential, devising a strategy of approach and roll out, the critical elevator pitch or corporate presentation and finally, sealing the deal that could transform your business.
OSBOS works with clients across locations including Cheshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Birmingham from our Gadbrook Park, Northwich offices with low-risk, scalable outsourced sales and outsourced marketing. To find out how we can help you and to share your supplier experiences, just call + 44 (0) 1606 822606 or email .
