Guest Author: Chris Theisen, FlexPAC
Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) was a sports agent working on behalf of Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding). Rod kept making Jerry’s job harder due to his actions and attitude.
Jerry then famously said to Rod, “Help me help you.”
DON’T BE ROD TIDWELL
Rod knew what he wanted, he knew what he liked and he didn’t want anyone to tell him that what to do. Rod knew Rod best, or so he thought. It had worked well for him up until that point so why should he change or listen to others? The problem was Rod was never going to get what he wanted (a new contract) without listening to Jerry.
At FlexPAC, we see this in our travels daily. The old “that’s the way we have always done it” philosophy makes it hard for a business to get out of its own way. The business knows what’s best, has blinders on and just wants you to share your price on what the business already purchases. It’s worked before, so why shouldn’t it keep working, right?
INNOVATE NOT REPLICATE
Are your vendors true partners or nothing more than price quoters? Instead of asking your vendors to replicate your current processes and products, ask them to help you come up with innovative solutions. You can share a problem you are currently facing or you can allow the vendor to come into your facility and evaluate your processes. This technique allows you to see what types of vendors you have. The right vendor will welcome the chance to help you innovate and improve your business. The wrong vendor will shy away from these opportunities.
In large companies, such as John Deere, they even have a program designed to keep their vendors innovating on John Deere’s behalf year in and year out. While you don’t have to go to the extreme of creating a program for your vendors, the framework is a good practice that each company should follow. Find partners that know helping your business is the best way for them to earn and keep long term customers.
At FlexPAC, we have been lucky enough to partner with customers, like Genesis Plastics Welding, who share these same ideas. Whether your company is struggling and needs help, or is doing well, it always makes sense to improve. Look into your current vendor relationships and ask yourself, “Am I helping them help me?”
About the author:
Chris Theisen is the Director of Digital Communication for FlexPAC, a distributor ofindustrial packaging supplies, janitorial products, automation equipment and safety products. While they are based in Indianapolis with locations in Elkhart and Quad Cities, Illinois you can also find them on your favorite social outpost. To interact with Chris wherever the internet takes you, visit his online profile.