Know Your Supplier - Rubber & Tyre Machinery World May 2016 Special

| INSIGHT |
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7. Consistency
How will this supplier ensure that it
consistently provides high quality goods or
services?
No one can be perfect all of the time.
However, the supplier should have
processes or procedures in place to ensure
consistency. Ask your supplier about its
approach, and get a demonstration and a
test product, if possible.
Does your supplier guarantee a consistent
product time and time again?
8. Culture
This is an interesting point. Carter felt that
the supplier should be one that has the
same values and ways of operating as the
customer. In a sense this is almost about
compatibility, but it makes sense for the
supplier and the customer to have some
shared values and practices, otherwise the
relationship could be strained in the
future, simply due to the clash in different
cultures.
shares similar values and attitudes to
avoid strains in the future relationship?
9. Clean
This is a reflection of increased
environmental awareness and refers to
your supplier’s commitment to
sustainability, and its adherence to
environmental laws and best practices.
So in a sense, suppliers are asked to
demonstrate their ‘green credentials’. What
is it doing to lighten its environmental
footprint? Ask to see evidence of any green
credentials that it’s earned.
Also, does this supplier treat its people (and
the people around it) well? Does it have a
reputation for doing business ethically? Does
your supplier have an appropriate
sustainability policy?
10. Communication
Although it may seem obvious, query how
the supplier plans to keep in touch with you.
Will it be by fax, email or telephone?
The best business relationships are based
on closely matching workplace values. For
example, what if your organization’s most
important value is quality and your main
supplier cares more about meeting
deadlines? This mismatch could mean that
it’s willing to cut corners in a way that
could prove to be unacceptable to you.
So evaluate, does the supplier share the
same cultural values as your organization?
Does it make sense that your supplier
Communication also covers the ICT software
and applications that the supplier has. What
tools will you utilize to communicate with
your supplier? Will its proposed
communication approaches align with your
preferred methods? And who will be your
contact person at this firm?
It’s also important to find out how the
supplier will handle communications in the
event of a crisis. For example consider how
you will manage problem resolution and
Know Your Supplier | MAY 2016