Hi Liz

Your right about having to identify qualities and I would like to add a thing about standards: you have to build them into your team, making sure they work/behave on the same set of standard as you do.
Wrote about it in one of my book reviews:
http://www.thekissbusiness.co.uk/2007/01/book_review_fir.html

Hi Liz

Your right about having to identify qualities and I would like to add a thing about standards: you have to build them into your team, making sure they work/behave on the same set of standard as you do.
Wrote about it in one of my book reviews:
http://www.thekissbusiness.co.uk/2007/01/book_review_fir.html

Excellent post! I had the same topic on my list for January. There are a few very basic qualities I would add to your list. They seem obvious enough, but I’m continually amazed by how often vendors come up short.
1. Return phone calls and e-mails promptly.
2. Be on time for appointments.
3. Follow-up thoroughly.
Also, I think there will always be times when the interests of the vendor and customer differ. But that’s ok, as long as the vendor is honest about what his/her interests are.

Excellent post! I had the same topic on my list for January. There are a few very basic qualities I would add to your list. They seem obvious enough, but I’m continually amazed by how often vendors come up short.
1. Return phone calls and e-mails promptly.
2. Be on time for appointments.
3. Follow-up thoroughly.
Also, I think there will always be times when the interests of the vendor and customer differ. But that’s ok, as long as the vendor is honest about what his/her interests are.

Hi Brad!
Thanks for adding to the list. Those all things that I value too! Yes, I’m amazed at how often that vendors endow me with the ability to read their minds.

I also came up with one other — the ability to know my customer and not do things just for my approval.

You’re insightful to point that a vendor and a buyer can have conflictings or parallel interests. Those can be dealt with, as you said, if they are kept in plain sight.

Hi Brad!
Thanks for adding to the list. Those all things that I value too! Yes, I’m amazed at how often that vendors endow me with the ability to read their minds.

I also came up with one other — the ability to know my customer and not do things just for my approval.

You’re insightful to point that a vendor and a buyer can have conflictings or parallel interests. Those can be dealt with, as you said, if they are kept in plain sight.

Hi Karin,
I was over reading your book review. You wrote a wonderful piece there. I so enjoyed reading. Excellent insights and all.

Hi Karin,
I was over reading your book review. You wrote a wonderful piece there. I so enjoyed reading. Excellent insights and all.

Thanks Liz, I’m really pleased with your comment

Thanks Liz, I’m really pleased with your comment

Brad, I fully agree with your point 1: it is really annoying when you don’t get any respons. But you must make sure that you as a ‘vendor’ yourself (in the eye of your customers) don’t fall foul to the same mistake.
You can create an edge over your competitors if you do reply as quick as possible (even if it is just to say/write: sorry, we don’t know the answer just yet, we will keep looking and come back to you a.s.a.p.)

Brad, I fully agree with your point 1: it is really annoying when you don’t get any respons. But you must make sure that you as a ‘vendor’ yourself (in the eye of your customers) don’t fall foul to the same mistake.
You can create an edge over your competitors if you do reply as quick as possible (even if it is just to say/write: sorry, we don’t know the answer just yet, we will keep looking and come back to you a.s.a.p.)

Karin, you make an interesting point. We’re always wearing multiple hats in business. Fast response is usually appreciated because it is seldom experienced! But not always…This old post of mine might interest you–it’s somewhat relevant to the discussion.

http://tinyurl.com/yszsw5

Karin, you make an interesting point. We’re always wearing multiple hats in business. Fast response is usually appreciated because it is seldom experienced! But not always…This old post of mine might interest you–it’s somewhat relevant to the discussion.

http://tinyurl.com/yszsw5

Yeah Brad and Karin,
I remember when I realized that I had to go slower — that’s when I learned that quality counts. Ah and the planning up front you can do when you slow down. It makes the work go so much smoother.

Yeah Brad and Karin,
I remember when I realized that I had to go slower — that’s when I learned that quality counts. Ah and the planning up front you can do when you slow down. It makes the work go so much smoother.

Hi Brad

Loved your post, reminds me of ‘forum-types’.

As ‘foreigner’ in a country (UK) where we personally experienced no replies, slow replies or half replies to request for quotes when we started business (and went wiht those companies who did reply fast and adequate). We decided there and then that we would reply as fast as possible to any enquiry made to our company to ‘get the edge’. And it works very well.

Hi Brad

Loved your post, reminds me of ‘forum-types’.

As ‘foreigner’ in a country (UK) where we personally experienced no replies, slow replies or half replies to request for quotes when we started business (and went wiht those companies who did reply fast and adequate). We decided there and then that we would reply as fast as possible to any enquiry made to our company to ‘get the edge’. And it works very well.

Karin,
What a great example of responding to your clients unexpressed needs and desires! I want you on my team.

Karin,
What a great example of responding to your clients unexpressed needs and desires! I want you on my team.

Hi Liz, thanks

Realised another quality I want/get from – select a vendor on (perhaps only significant for wholesale – retail or B-2-B transactions):
my qualiry vendor understands that I add value to his product/service and therefore:
a) doesn’t sell his porducts/service to just any one
b) recommends buyers who can’t buy direct to me
One of my quality vendors did just that today. Great, very, very much on target this month – if things keep going like this we go way over it

(So in answer to your last question Liz, sorry, my partner doesn’t want to get rid of me – yet )

Hi Liz, thanks

Realised another quality I want/get from – select a vendor on (perhaps only significant for wholesale – retail or B-2-B transactions):
my qualiry vendor understands that I add value to his product/service and therefore:
a) doesn’t sell his porducts/service to just any one
b) recommends buyers who can’t buy direct to me
One of my quality vendors did just that today. Great, very, very much on target this month – if things keep going like this we go way over it

(So in answer to your last question Liz, sorry, my partner doesn’t want to get rid of me – yet )

Very sorry for the typo’s ;-(

Very sorry for the typo’s ;-(

Karin,
Typos are free here.

Sounds like you value a vendor who looks for opportunities that make sense and fit the individual situation best for each of his/her own customers. So do I. Smart people like that are fun to do business with.

I want your partner on my team too!

Karin,
Typos are free here.

Sounds like you value a vendor who looks for opportunities that make sense and fit the individual situation best for each of his/her own customers. So do I. Smart people like that are fun to do business with.

I want your partner on my team too!

[...] Liz Strauss on vendor expections. You get what you pay for. [...]

[...] Liz Strauss on vendor expections. You get what you pay for. [...]