Putting Your Customers' Needs First

certain commodities; however, they normally would like to know which of these businesses has the subject item available for immediate shipment/delivery. Most large retail chains have online inventory systems available on their website. As a manufacturer you can link directly to these retail sites, so the end user can find a store near their location or job site that has material available along with pricing, etc. For end users buying products through a distributor, the solution is usually more complex but still manageable if the manufacturer can handle EDI Inventory Availability transactions from their distributor partners for every catalog number they have in stock at every branch location. By using this data, the manufacturer can construct an application that will allow the end user to key in a catalog number and desired quantity and local zip code to find participating distributors in their area that have stock on hand. This is a terrific selling feature for your distributor partners as they only need to provide the inventory data by catalog number by location so that you can DIRECT end user customers right to their DOOR! Again, this is a Win-Win for both the Distributor and/or Retailer who makes the ultimate sale and for you as the manufacturer for making sure that the sale was made with YOUR item rather than possibly becoming a loss sale if the end customer goes somewhere and is offered a substitute item from a competitor’s brand! Build profitable partnerships with your distributors and/or end customers so that you can reduce the cost of doing business, simplify the transaction process and eliminate the possibility of lost sales to the competition. Regular customer communications can take many forms: online, on-demand, emails, newsletters, special mailings, etc. The key is consistency and sustainability. I never cease to be amazed at the companies who have the “best of intentions” … they launch a major new communication vehicle with their customers only to have it “die out” by the third or fourth issue; often, it is not because the subject vehicle was not effective or good or well-received, but simply that the amount of time, effort, money to produce and maintain the production and distribution of the document was grossly underestimated by the producing company or they simply decided they had other more pressing business priorities! If you are going to have a good relationship or partnership with your customers and/or end users of your products and services, you NEED to be able to communicate with them on a regular basis (preferably when THEY want or need some information) . One good form of communication is the ability to provide ON DEMAND performance data so that your customers can see how well they are performing with you. Here is an example of a typical online report that can be self-service generated on demand by the customer. • Customer Communications