Efficient purchases are focused on the needs of your business and what you want to achieve. Good products or services and a good price are not the only factors to consider. For example, if you want to reduce the time needed to serve your customers, suppliers who offer you a fast and reliable delivery service will have a higher price than those who compete only on the price.
It's worth looking at the number of suppliers you really need. Buying from a carefully targeted group could have several benefits,
- it will be easier to control your suppliers
- your business will become more important to them
- you may be able to do business that will give you an additional competitive advantage
It is important to have a choice of sources of supply. Buying from a single supplier can be dangerous. You will encounter problems if they let you down or even stop working. Similarly, if exclusivity can encourage some providers to offer you better service, others may simply become complacent and abandon their criteria.
Focus your efforts on choosing and managing strategic suppliers that provide essential goods or services to your business. A strong relationship will benefit both parties. You want your suppliers to make every effort to provide the best possible service. You are more likely to create this response by showing your suppliers how important they are to your business.
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