SMEs need a lot of things to survive, not least luck. However, probably the main tool along with employees is suppliers. Without the right materials and equipment, there is no way to offer a quality product or service. The selling process depends on the people you choose to provide the resources.

 

There are plenty on the market, so finding a handful isn’t tricky. What is challenging is locating the companies that are the perfect fit. In fact, the contracts you have now might not be effective.

 

To figure out what is right and wrong, take a look at the following questions.

 

Is It Money-Based?

 

Almost every agreement will center on money for a simple reason: small businesses don’t have much of it. You need to keep the budget as close to your chest as possible, which is why there’s a chance the supplier is cheap and cheerful. The problem with this method is the lack of quality. You’re substituting a high standard for a price reduction, and it shows in the final product. As a rule, a better option is to find the middle ground. Yes, you should haggle but you also need to factor in the quality of the materials and services.

 

Do They Promise The World?

 

Suppliers that promise the world don’t tend to deliver. This is especially true if the firm isn’t a big corporation with limitless resources. Usually, it’s a bluff which they use to entice clients to invest in their brand, and it’s something to be wary of. Overpromising tends to result in missed deadlines and chasing up suppliers asking them why they didn’t deliver. The knock-on effect harms everything from your bottom line to the company’s reputation. Practical and pragmatic suppliers are the quiet ones that get the job done. If you do get burned once, make sure you don’t stay around for the second time.

 

Are They Faceless?

 

No business has a face, but it does have an aura. Facebook, for example, is a huge, multinational conglomerate with thousands of employees. The odds are that this type of business isn’t going to fit into your SME ethos. Instead, what you want are managed IT services with a homely attitude. A company on the same level tends to have the same morals, such as putting the customer first. Plus, they will always be there to answer questions and queries. Faceless companies can’t offer the same service as a family-based business.

 

Are They Effective?

 

The final question to answer regards results. Do they do what they say or are they off the mark? A supplier might fit the criteria above and then fail to deliver at the final hurdle. Even though they seem like a good fit, they will bring you down with their lack of quality. Results aren’t everything, but they mean a hell of a lot in a results-driven industry. Monitor their progress and success with analytics and decide for yourself.

 

So, how’s the fit? Is it snug or is their room to wiggle your toes?