Supplier Pet Peeves

MSAE's Allied Networking Group met to discuss supplier pet peeves.  Here are the top takeaways:

• Never assume. Get clarification and ask questions. Its important to meet your client/customer needs and protect your organization.  
• Times are changing. The economy is getting better and it's no longer a planner's market.   
• If you give once, you may need to keep on giving. When the economy wasn't doing well, suppliers were giving a lot of concessions to get business. Now that the economy is getting better, suppliers can't offer the same discounts. There is no such thing as a free lunch and if suppliers give in one area, another area has to go up.

Customer/client relationships are key to success and need to be mutually beneficial. As a supplier, it's always good to under promise and over deliver.

Times Are Tough

There is no doubt about it - times are tough. Everyone is feeling the pinch. However, I have found that my day starts out better if I don't listen to the doom and gloom on the news each morning. The negativity of it all can wear one's ability to focus on what matters right now, and that's our members and our members wants and needs. I do believe that if we all continue to provide value, excellent customer service, and new ideas, we will weather the storm. Try it. How about no doom and gloom for one whole week?

The economy

The economy is not in a good way. We all know that. So how to move forward? It's all about getting creative, adding value, generating new ideas, and harnessing the power of your members to help your organization grow and move into the future. Have you asked you members lately what they need and want? Scrap those projects that are struggling or don't provide any benefit. Throw your time, energy and resources on something that can make a difference. Show how your association does make THE difference.

Finally, Recession

Finally, it's called a recession. Most of us common folk knew that all along. Strange that it takes the government a year to figure it out. Makes one wonder doesn't it? It also makes me think, so what? Now that it has a name, what difference does it make? I attended a session this week to hear an economist from the Federal Reserve. His predictions for the upcoming year: increasing unemployment, decreasing housing starts, decreasing output of goods and services. Somber thoughts. Associations need to connect with their members and be certain they know what they want and need in these difficult times. Is there added value that can be worthwhile? Ask how you can help and then just do it.