How to Find Suppliers for Your Business
- 1). Obtain referrals from business colleagues and associates. By getting recommendations from trusted associates, a business manager can be confident that the supplier has done a good job for them. Referrals are a great way to connect with reliable suppliers and can save valuable time for the business manager.
- 2). Shop the ads in trade magazines. Ads can tell you a lot about a supplier's image and perceived competitive advantage. The information learned while shopping and reading ads educates a business manager about the issues that should be considered when selecting a supplier of that item. Use information gained from the ads to help decide on the best supplier, even when other referrals are being considered.
- 3). Consider local vendors first. Saving money on shipping by using local vendors is a good reason for shopping locally. It also is convenient to be geographically close enough to meet an important vendor in person. Face-to-face meetings are a preferred way to bond with a new important supplier.
- 4). Check references. Always check references using preplanned questions. Even referrals' references should be called. Just because a vendor is referred by someone you know does not mean the vendor is the best choice. There could be another agenda that caused the vendor to be referred. The referral could be a family member, or someone who owes the referrer money. The referrer might simply be looking out for his or her own interest by sending some business to a debtor. You also can check out the Better Business Bureau rating to see how suppliers handle complaints.
- 5). Utilize the Internet. Reviewing a supplier's website can save valuable time and circumvent a lengthy phone call with a sales representative. You can often find out what you need to know on a company website to determine if a phone call may be needed to move forward.
- 6). Check the credit of the supplier you decide to hire. By verifying the company has good credit, you can be sure the supplier won't go out of business and suddenly leave your company in a bad situation.
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