Supplier management
Three reasons why print buyers should challenge supplier choice
My daughter was about to burst into tears
I had asked her what flavor of ice cream she would like. She gave me the same answer that she always did. “I want chocolate please, Daddy” she had said. But the shop had sold out of chocolate. In her eyes this was a major crisis.
Using my best powers of persuasion, I managed to get her to accept a strawberry ice cream instead.
The response was amazing! The tears vanished. A massive smile crossed her face. She was in love with strawberry ice cream. Now chocolate is forgotten, and she always chooses strawberry instead.
My daughter’s reluctance to try new flavours before this meant that she had missed many opportunities to enjoy strawberry ice cream. It can be the same with print buyers. Sometimes we stay in our comfort zones. That means we miss out on the opportunity to try new and better solutions.
That’s why print buyers should always challenge their supplier base
Why being nice to your print supplier can get great results for buyers
Do you have the image of a “bad guy”?
This is how I hear many printers think of buyers these days. Buyers are there solely to beat print companies down on price. The needs of a supplier are always the least of a buyer’s worries.
Don’t get me wrong, price is always going to be important. But that doesn’t mean that a good supplier relationship cannot be created.
It’s time for buyers to be nice to their suppliers!
The three questions all print customers should ask at a supplier review meeting
Do you ever play charades?
In case any of you do not know the game, one person has to act out a book or a film or a character. Everyone else has to guess who they are. The actor can only signal yes or no.
If you want to win this game, you need to choose your questions carefully. The right questions can get you swift results. The wrong questions can leave you wondering was on earth was being acted.
Questioning is a vital skill for print buyers too.
Continue reading →
Three reasons why review meetings get the best from your print suppliers
Can you imagine having an operation without any follow-up?
Can you imagine having a job without an annual review?
Will you appoint a supplier and not review the performance?
I am always surprised at the amount of buyers who do not run supplier reviews
How to avoid the Abba effect with your print suppliers
Do you like Abba?
Personally, I can’t stand them! However, I know that many people disagree with me. My wife thinks that Abba are great.
I, of course, think that she is wrong! But that is just my subjective opinion. I have no way of proving this. Proving one’s opinions can be a big issue when measuring suppliers.
Continue reading →
Client Testimonial
I have worked with Matthew for just over a year now and he has delivered a number of highly successful training events for the IPIA during that time. He is very organised and produces seminars which are full of
Read the testimonial from Andrew PearceClient Testimonial
Matthew provided an excellent “Print Processes” training session for myself and some of my colleagues. The feature that I liked most about the training, was that the day itself was very interactive – which not only
Read the testimonial from Rhoda DayClient Testimonial
If you think you are on top of your print buying you might be in for a surprise! We asked Print & Procurement to undertake a print audit. Matthew said ‘’If we do not find savings sufficient to earn back our fee
Read the testimonial from Rod FletcherClient Testimonial
Matthew is a consultant who is totally committed to his clients and to delivering on his promises. He has an excellent understanding of both the challenges of the print channel and the opportunities it presents. As a
Read the full testimonial from Jacky MorganClient Testimonial
Apart from being a thoroughly decent chap Matthew is scrupulously professional, ruthlessly efficient and always delivers excellent results.
I genuinely have no hesitation whatever in recommending Matthew. He
Client Testimonial
In an industry renowned for its pressure, Matthew Parker delivers a very gentle but insightful intelligence about the ways of print. Somewhere between art and science there is a place that defines the balance of what
Read the full testimonial from Andy DowenRecent Posts
Do you struggle to find enough hours in the day? Whether you’re a full-time purchaser or managing a more general administration role, the pressure on your [more]
Why beating printing companies down on price is not the best way to reduce costs
For me, few things are better than standing on the summit of a mountain The route up a mountain is hard. There’s a lot of work [more]
Three reasons why print buyers should challenge supplier choice
My daughter was about to burst into tears I had asked her what flavor of ice cream she would like. She gave me the same answer [more]
Why print buyers who stick to cost-cutting are failing to do their job
Wouldn't a garden look bare without anything in the flowerbeds? My wife is a keen gardener. One of her most regular jobs is the weeding. It's [more]
Three specification questions that can reduce the cost of printed items by over 30%
The print industry is dying There are huge amounts of overcapacity. Printing companies are tendering suicidal prices. So all a print buyer has to do is to [more]
Three questions print buyers must use to challenge process and prevent 30-address syndrome
Can you imagine writing the same address over 30 times? Wouldn’t it be a complete waste of your time? Aren't there are so many better things [more]
Recent Blog Comments
- Rebecca Gardner on How eight simple questions can prevent you choosing the wrong print supplier
- Kannan K on Three reasons why print buyers should challenge supplier choice
- Blanca San German on How supplier evaluation forms prevent wasted meetings with print sales people
- Nomi on Three reasons why print buyers should challenge supplier choice
Blog Archives
- August 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
Follow Us!