Computer Hardware’s Post

When looking for a vendor pay close attention to the ones that tell you your project is difficult & challenge your ideas and assumptions. Immediately dismiss those that will say yes to anything you ask / think of.

IT leaders: When you think about companies you’ve purchased products or services from, and are very happy with your relationship with that vendor, what are the things that make that relationship a happy one?

What do you want from your suppliers? Guaranteed quality and collaboration. What do you get from working with multiple vendors? No guarantees and a transactional relationship. The best relationships are built through focus, trust and consistency.

A vendor who acts as a true partner, not just a seller of goods and services, can offer value in helping CIOs identify and achieve strategic outcomes.

If you are not thinking about strategy, you should be. What are your offerings? What is your footprint? How do you expand both? Do my vendors support my efforts to grow? Capacity? Cost? What happens if my vendor suffers a breach? Am I prepared? Let Skyline Title Support help answer these questions and more. Let’s Talk!! Brian.h@skylinetitlesupport.com

Now you know the 15 things you should never tell a vendor. There are many other topics that should not be discussed. What would you add to the list of things you should never tell a vendor?

The final three are here! But I have to comment on #13. This is just a part of their divide and conquer strategy. Chances are they were initially engaged by the person who is looking for the solution, so they already know them, and that is enough. The reason they want all the names is for their future sales opportunities and to push for approvals, outside of your internal processes.

Not all vendor contracts are created equal! 🚩 Spotting red flags early can save your portfolio companies from costly mistakes. Here are 5 Red Flags to watch for: 1️⃣ Ambiguous terms around deliverables. 2️⃣ Unexpected costs in fine print. 3️⃣ Renewal traps locking you in. 4️⃣ Vendor-biased terms. 5️⃣ No exit strategies. At Proven, we simplify this process with done-for-you vendor deals that are easy to manage and designed for success! Learn more about the strategies to negotiate better vendor contracts: https://buff.ly/40PViuR #VCPlatforms #BusinessGrowth

Especially if you’re running a large operation, it can be a good idea to have multiple (competitive) vendors supporting you side-by-side. This will keep your pricing honest... And protect you against a vendor taking advantage of their “leverage” over you. There are many, many instances where this has saved companies from vendors' harsh negotiating tactics.

Part 5: Stop Overlooking Vendor Relationships! Let’s be real: if you don’t have strong vendor relationships, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Vendors aren’t just suppliers— they’re partners who should have your back when the pressure is on. If you’re only calling when there’s a problem, don’t expect them to rush for you next time. Build trust. Show appreciation. Your vendors will go the extra mile for you—if you invest in that relationship first. Agree? Disagree?