How do you work with external partners and vendors?

2 Establish trust and transparency

Trust and transparency are essential for any successful partnership or vendor relationship. You need to build trust and credibility with your external partners and vendors by being honest, respectful, and consistent. You also need to be transparent about your goals, challenges, and feedback, and encourage the same from them. Trust and transparency will help you avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and disputes, and foster a collaborative and cooperative atmosphere.

3 Communicate effectively

Communication is the key to working with external partners and vendors. You need to communicate frequently, clearly, and respectfully with your external partners and vendors, and ensure that they do the same with you. You need to establish regular channels and methods of communication, such as emails, calls, meetings, or reports, and use them to share information, updates, feedback, and concerns. You also need to listen actively, ask questions, and acknowledge their perspectives and inputs. Effective communication will help you maintain a positive and productive relationship, and resolve any issues or problems that may arise.

4 Manage risks and expectations

Working with external partners and vendors involves certain risks and uncertainties, such as delays, quality issues, cost overruns, or contractual disputes. You need to manage these risks and expectations by conducting due diligence, setting clear and realistic expectations, defining roles and responsibilities, and monitoring performance and progress. You also need to have contingency plans, mitigation strategies, and escalation procedures in case of any unforeseen events or challenges. Managing risks and expectations will help you minimize potential losses, protect your reputation, and ensure the delivery of the desired results.

5 Provide feedback and recognition

Feedback and recognition are important for working with external partners and vendors. You need to provide constructive and timely feedback to your external partners and vendors, and solicit their feedback as well. You need to acknowledge their achievements, contributions, and improvements, and celebrate their successes. You also need to address any issues, concerns, or complaints promptly and professionally, and seek solutions that are mutually beneficial. Providing feedback and recognition will help you improve the quality and efficiency of the partnership or vendor relationship, and motivate them to perform better.

6 Evaluate and improve

Finally, you need to evaluate and improve your partnership or vendor relationship on a regular basis. You need to measure the performance and outcomes of the partnership or vendor relationship against your objectives, expectations, and standards. You need to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the partnership or vendor relationship, and use them to inform your decisions and actions. You also need to seek feedback from your stakeholders, customers, and employees on the impact and value of the partnership or vendor relationship. Evaluating and improving your partnership or vendor relationship will help you optimize your resources, enhance your competitive advantage, and achieve your strategic goals.