Are your suppliers clueless as to your company’s objectives and needs?
Today’s post is by Shelly Hayre a COE account manager at SafeSourcing.
I was recently following up with a Supplier from a past SafeSourcing eRFX event. He told me he loved the eRFP process as it seemed so seamless. The Supplier then went on to describe the standard RFPs he is used to; submitting hundreds of page documents and proposals, sending multiple hard copies, clueless on the company’s objectives and needs.
An RFI/RFP allows you to qualify a supplier for your company’s needs. Why give yourself more work than necessary? The following tips will bring your company more useful and painless information through the eRFX process, specifically eRFI’s and eRFP’s.
1. Be Specific!: When you are setting up your RFI/RFP questions try to keep as many questions as possible closed. If you are searching for a specific answer then make sure you are asking the right questions to receive the correct response. I have seen RFI/RFP’s that ask such broad questions that every supplier interprets them differently and it is hard to do a true comparison between the answers.
2. Share with the suppliers: Know what your company’s needs and values are. If having a national supplier and covering all locations is important, then provide suppliers with a list of locations to verify they can cover all those locations. If this is a deal breaker, then it is as simple as a yes or no question. Providing suppliers with all the needs and values of the company will provide you with the best answers.
3. Pricing Model: Instead of asking for their pricing model, determine a standard direction for your RFI/RFP in order to steer the gathering of pricing in that direction. If you let the vendor provide you a general pricing model there could be many hidden fees not required. This will make comparing pricing between suppliers difficult.
Successful RFI/RFPs may require some extra effort and time at the beginning, but it will save you more time at the end. SafeSourcing prides ourselves on creating successful RFI/RFPs that will bring value to your company.
For more information on how we can help you with your procurement needs or on our “Risk Free” trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative. We have an entire customer services team waiting to assist you today.
We look forward to and appreciate your comments.
