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Being a Good Client

By Jacqueline Drew
START Marketing Inc.
www.startmarketing.com

Almost all businesses know it's important to keep their clients happy, and be the best vendors they can be.  But when it comes to dealing with their own suppliers, they let all their flaws hang out.  Payments are late. Demands are high. Instructions are sloppy. And generosity comes in the form of numerous….complaints!

Now, in dealing with hundreds of businesses over the years, I have never once seen a business that was completely dependent on one client.  And if they ever were semi-dependent, they were actively working on changing that situation.  That means when push comes to shove, you as a client do not have absolute power over the supplier. So maybe it's time to fine tune your “being the client” skills.  Here's what I mean:

1. The “We haven't paid because we're not really happy”  scenario. Come on! If there's an issue with quality, get in touch with the supplier immediately and tell them what's wrong.  Letting the issue slide until the invoice is overdue only makes you the client look unprofessional, not the supplier.
2. The “We can't pay you until the client pays us” line.   Well, thanks for now announcing what the real payment terms were. It's your job as a client to have sufficient credit that you can pay your supplier no matter what.  Your slow paying client is your problem, not your suppliers'.
3. If ever a job is late, or screwed up, because of poor communication, acknowledge your part in it, instead of blaming it all on the supplier.   If you won't do that, that supplier is going to question everything you do in the future, and not necessarily in the kindest manner.
4. Finally, the “schmoozing the clients, abusing the suppliers” scenario.  Why not include a thank you note with your cheques ? Or if you've been a real pain in the ass, send over a card or a gift basket.  The supplier will feel proud they stuck by you, instead of feeling like the doormat under your feet.  And it makes it A LOT easier next time you have to push them hard.

Remember, just because you're the one handing out the cheques doesn't mean you have absolute power.  Be kind to your suppliers, and they'll be kind to you.