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Embrace awkward suppliers
Good suppliers are vital to your success. When your back’s against the wall and customers are pressuring you to deliver, your reputation is at stake if you don’t have a supplier who’s going to be there for you.
So when evaluating a new supplier, be suspicious of anyone who is too positive.
Overeager salespeople will say anything to win a new customer. But when you’ve got a customer crying for delivery and you phone your supplier, chances are the salesperson will be sunning themselves on a Caribbean beach courtesy of the fat commission cheque they earned from you.
But if you’ve got a supplier who’s moaning, or asking awkward questions about the kind of work you might give them and complaining about delivery schedules, ...
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