Butler Merchandising Solutions, Inc.’s Post

Discover best practices for #supplieridentification and management, ensuring successful partnerships that align with your business goals. Learn how EDS International can support your vendor #sourcing needs. https://lnkd.in/dFaE9hFp

Had this recently: Client: "We want to use X data to do Y." Me: "Here you go." Two weeks later: Client: "Well, we actually want to be able to modify parts G and F." Me: "So, what if I build all the possible modification options in this medium, so you can use X to do Y while modifying G and F and several options that may come up in the future?" Client: "Yeah, that's great!" Six weeks later: Me: "Here you go, as requested." Client: "Well, we actually want the original medium (that doesn't support the calculation), not the medium you used, and it's no longer just use X to do Y, it's use X to do Y with a completely different calculation than we originally told you. Oh, and add the ability to add on R as needed." Me: 👀

Customers: Do you struggle to clearly communicate your needs to vendors? Vendors: Do you find yourself on the sixth iteration of a project that seemed simple at the start? Effective communication is a two-way street. Whether you're a client seeking the right vendor or a vendor delivering on a project, clear communication is essential. Clients need to articulate their needs and expectations, while vendors must actively listen and respond accordingly. A straightforward approach can help both parties align better: Mandatory Requirements: What must the solution accomplish? If it doesn’t meet these criteria, it’s a dealbreaker. Preferred Requirements: What would be nice to have? These are features you’d appreciate but can live without, or find a workaround for. Optional/Not Needed: Everything else. For clients, write down these requirements and review them regularly. For vendors, check off these requirements as you meet them. If, after meeting the original objectives, additional features are requested, it’s important to acknowledge that scope creep may occur—and this often requires additional budget or time. Consider this perspective: Would you rather hear from a client, "Well, we thought it was going to do X," or "Thank you for meeting all the requirements. After further consideration, we’d like to explore making feature Y a mandatory objective. Can this be accommodated within our current budget?" Remember, 95% of people are doing their best to satisfy their clients while maintaining fair compensation. Overcommunication is always better than undercommunication. Hyper-organization is better than chaos. It’s easier to dial back from overcommunication and hyper-organization than to piece things together when issues arise without clear records. Start strong and find the right balance as you go.

Vendor Relations In today’s competitive business environment, strong Vendor Relations are crucial for ensuring operational efficiency and long-term success. Vendor Relations refer to the ongoing management of relationships between a business and its suppliers or service providers. These relationships are essential for securing quality products, timely deliveries, and favorable terms. By prioritizing the relationship a company has with its vendors, the company can foster partnerships that contribute to growth, innovation, and a competitive edge in the market. https://lnkd.in/eKrmxqhx #VendorRelations #BusinessGrowth #SupplyChain #Partnerships #VendorManagement #BusinessEnterprising

Vendor Relations In today’s competitive business environment, strong Vendor Relations are crucial for ensuring operational efficiency and long-term success. Vendor Relations refer to the ongoing management of relationships between a business and its suppliers or service providers. These relationships are essential for securing quality products, timely deliveries, and favorable terms. By prioritizing the relationship a company has with its vendors, the company can foster partnerships that contribute to growth, innovation, and a competitive edge in the market. https://lnkd.in/eyhXS_Ce #VendorRelations #BusinessGrowth #SupplyChain #Partnerships #VendorManagement #BusinessEnterprising

Struggling to keep up with vendor management? 🌪️ Tangled in a web of emails, spreadsheets, and phone calls while managing vendors? 🕸️ Our blog explores modern, technology-driven strategies that'll streamline your processes, boost efficiency, and save you money. Embrace the power of #technology and revolutionize your approach today! Read more: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g_5Rj9WX #vendors #proptech #propertymanagement #vendormanagement #efficiencytips #businessinnovation #digitaltransformation

#crowdsourcing What would you do if you learned you were only included as an extra vendor to satisfy the company's multi-vendor rule during a project bid, but they sort of already picked their winning vendor? For large project bids, it is resource-intensive for start-ups to meet all the by-the-book documentary and other petty requirements (document should be stapled on this angle only, etc.) and the timeline for the bid from the letter of intent to phase 1, 2, 3, etc. usually take months. After several iterations, you realize that this vendor (Vendor A) always knows what the Customer wants, even submitting requirements very early, knowing that the instructions are vague and need clarification. The Customer will respond to you and Vendor B after 3 or 4 follow-ups, but bulletins are provided when Vendor A asks a question. And the list goes on. Lastly, even the Customer's employees say it is an open secret that Vendor A is always preferred because of its after-sales perks and management relationship. Now, the Customer is asking for financial projections and more resource-intensive related work. Will you continue to participate or drop it?

How should you choose your supplier? 😕 Our new blog post gives you a step-by-step instruction 😁 From problem definition to supplier short-list --> check out this useful article: https://lnkd.in/epwTPVvs Stay tuned and subscribe to our expert blog: https://congruous.ai/blog/ #SoftwareSearch #vendors #problemsolving #SupplierSelection #b2bsoftware #vendors #procurement #procurementstrategy #AIinBusiness #supplychain

#procurement_Alert: "Single Source Vendors" Single source vendor sourcing, where only one vendor is selected without competitive bidding, is appropriate in the following circumstances: 1. Urgent or emergency situations: When time is critical, and there's no time for a competitive bidding process. 2. Sole source: When only one vendor can provide the required product or service, due to unique capabilities or intellectual property. 3. Continuation of existing contract: When renewing a contract with an incumbent vendor, and the terms and conditions are already established. 4. Proprietary or patented products: When a vendor has exclusive rights to a product or technology. 5. Specialized or custom solutions: When a vendor has developed a tailored solution for the organization, and switching vendors would be impractical. 6. Long-term partnership: When building a strategic partnership with a vendor, and the relationship is valued over competitive pricing. 7. Small value purchases: For low-value or insignificant purchases, where the administrative burden of competitive bidding outweighs the potential benefits. 8. Emergency replacement: When replacing a failed or damaged product, and time is of the essence. 9. Compatibility and integration: When a vendor's product or service is already integrated into the organization's systems, and switching vendors would be disruptive. 10. National security or sensitive information: When dealing with sensitive or classified information, and only one trusted vendor can meet the necessary security requirements. It's essential to document the justification and rationale for single source vendor sourcing and ensure appropriate approvals are obtained to maintain transparency and accountability.

In the competitive realm of business, the astute selection of vendors is paramount, as effective supplier management is pivotal for success. Vendor analysis, an integral part of the procurement process, entails the assessment of vendors to pinpoint those who can truly align with and fulfil your business requirements. By meticulously evaluating a supplier's adaptability, promptness, and risk profile, companies can establish robust, reciprocal partnerships. This practice not only maintains your company's nimbleness in the face of fluctuating market dynamics but also enhances vendor relations and reduces potential risks. #vendoranalysis #procurementstrategies #outsourcing https://lnkd.in/e_gEVf5z