Why A Close Relationship With Your Supplier Should Be A Top Priority For Facilities Managers
By Derek Aaronson, CEO of Hart Home Group.
With Brexit looming and the stress Covid19 has put on the supply chain globally, there has never been a more important time to nurture relationships with suppliers. Factories were forced to stop production overnight which has led to a huge backlog in materials and individual parts meaning many jobs have had to be further delayed putting jobs in jeopardy and budgets out the window.
With January 1st fast approaching and delays already at the ports, getting ahead of the curve and creating relationships with UK based suppliers must be at the forefront of all Facilities Managers going forward. Yes, overseas imports have often been the cheaper alternative to UK manufacturers but with the time delays, custom delays and product problems now occurring, more and more UK suppliers are stepping up their game and offering not only great prices, but a level of customer service often missing from overseas transactions.
The key to building relationships with your suppliers is a tight grip on timings, budget, and expectation. And it is vital this works both ways, being a long term committed customer will always ensure your suppliers come to you first with new products, extra savings and alternatives which is crucial when delays over the next year are expected.
For the FM, timing will be key for 2021, building in extra time at the beginning of each project to ensure supplies can be ready to go from day one will ensure the process can still move forward and be completed on time and more importantly, on budget.
In addition to timing, finding a good supplier should also be a top priority for 2021. Where supplier visits in person may be limited for some time yet, Zoom has become the go to for communication and can still offer you the chance to e-meet with your new supplier which is always the starting block for any relationship. Take the time to build these relationships now and test out how things work, what the quality is like and their reliability. If they can perform during a global pandemic and with Brexit on the horizon, you know you are onto a great relationship.
One final point is that price may not actually be king in 2021. Everyone has been starved of relationships in 2020 and those suppliers that can go the extra mile, build relationships, and offer amazing customer service will be the winners of 2021. Great communication, upfront information, and someone on the end of the phone and email will far outweigh a small cost cutting opportunity. These are the relationships which will make 2021 the year of excellent relationships and customer service for facilities managers.
Derek Aaronson is the CEO of Hart Home Group, the umbrella company for three retail websites; NotJustTaps, Lime Kitchen and Bathroom and Hart Plumbing Spares.
