Today’s post is by Alyson Usserman; Account Manager at SafeSourcing.

In the modern business world of 2014, employee benefits play a huge factor when it comes to potential employment candidates, hiring, firing, and the overall company bottom line.

Potential employment candidates, as well as other established employees, are always looking to further themselves. You want your employees to maintain the “go getter” attitude that keeps them motivated and working for your company, but what drives this attitude? Of course ambition; that is a given, but if you offer incentive to keep learning, will they do so? If your employees continue their education, does it benefit your company as a whole? The answer is yes. Having employees that have multiple degrees can benefit the company greatly because, in theory, the employees should then take their learning from the classroom to the workplace and improve the company.

Educational benefits are becoming more common across the United States, but what are the potential ramifications? One of the largest issues that Forbes discusses is the fact that the employer puts monetary value on their employees, they invest in them. When the company makes an investment in their employees they are looking to reap the benefits of that investment. Many companies are offering educational benefits with “strings attached,” Basically forcing the employee to sign a contract that says, “if we, the company, pay for your education, you cannot take that knowledge elsewhere.” Many companies put minimum grade point average expectations, service requirements, and any other “strings” they can because they want to protect that investment from leaving to go to a different company.

SafeSourcing can help you lower your overall company spend so that way you are able to offer more employee benefits to attract more employees and can grow 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 your comments.

Today’s post is by Mark Davis; Sr. Vice President of Operations and COO at SafeSourcing.

Last month Twitter announced that its 270+ million users would be introduced in a limited rollout to their newest “buy” button feature allowing them to buy merchandise or donate money directly from a Tweet.  Users would have the capability to enter their payment information with Twitter before purchases allowing them a quick “one button” purchase that, once confirmed, will notify the merchant of the purchase for shipping or a donation for an automated email receipt.  With a base of more than a quarter of a billion potential customers actively using this channel it begs the question “What are you doing in your business to tap into new opportunities such as this?”

Talk to the experts – One of the best steps forward in exploring new sales channels and technologies is to speak with the experts.  The industry is full of social media and new technology marketing experts who are ready to assist companies.  They can help with developing strategies and explaining the new options companies have to go after markets they never thought were possible.  Beginning this exploration with a simple Request For Information project will allow you to look at who the leaders and niche players are and who can provide the best fit for your company.

Stay focused – Once there is an understanding of the options and strategies available the next step is to narrow down where to focus time, attention and money to get the best results.  For some companies, selling via Twitter would not make sense, but connecting to or starting a specialized group on LinkedIn to allow your customers to share their experiences with each other and their peers might.  The key at this stage is to remain focused and not chase every possible channel.  Some will fit, others will not, and some will fit better once the plan of action is under way.  Mini RFIs to understand each new option at this stage can also be an effective next step.

Coordinate efforts – One of the biggest killers to companies changing or expanding their marketing and sales approach is to send mixed messages about who the company is.  This happens frequently with companies attempting to employ new technologies that contain messages and imaging that not only do not parallel previously established branding, but in some cases directly conflict with it.   Make sure the team working with these new channels and technologies are engaged and managed just like any other marketing media and are telling the same story.  This may be the time to change that story to reflect a more current offering as long as it is consistent so as not to confuse customers of who the company is.

At SafeSourcing we have a vast amount of experience helping companies with their search for new marketing services and partners and have led many successful projects for our customers in this area.  For more information on this process 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 your comments.

Today?s post is by Mark Davis; Sr. Vice President of Operations and COO at SafeSourcing.

Last month Twitter announced that its 270+ million users would be introduced in a limited rollout to their newest ?buy? button feature allowing them to buy merchandise or donate money directly from a Tweet.? Users would have the capability to enter their payment information with Twitter before purchases allowing them a quick ?one button? purchase that, once confirmed, will notify the merchant of the purchase for shipping or a donation for an automated email receipt.? With a base of more than a quarter of a billion potential customers actively using this channel it begs the question ?What are you doing in your business to tap into new opportunities such as this??

Talk to the experts ? One of the best steps forward in exploring new sales channels and technologies is to speak with the experts.? The industry is full of social media and new technology marketing experts who are ready to assist companies.? They can help with developing strategies and explaining the new options companies have to go after markets they never thought were possible.? Beginning this exploration with a simple Request For Information project will allow you to look at who the leaders and niche players are and who can provide the best fit for your company.

Stay focused ? Once there is an understanding of the options and strategies available the next step is to narrow down where to focus time, attention and money to get the best results.? For some companies, selling via Twitter would not make sense, but connecting to or starting a specialized group on LinkedIn to allow your customers to share their experiences with each other and their peers might.? The key at this stage is to remain focused and not chase every possible channel.? Some will fit, others will not, and some will fit better once the plan of action is under way.? Mini RFIs to understand each new option at this stage can also be an effective next step.

Coordinate efforts ? One of the biggest killers to companies changing or expanding their marketing and sales approach is to send mixed messages about who the company is.? This happens frequently with companies attempting to employ new technologies that contain messages and imaging that not only do not parallel previously established branding, but in some cases directly conflict with it.?? Make sure the team working with these new channels and technologies are engaged and managed just like any other marketing media and are telling the same story.? This may be the time to change that story to reflect a more current offering as long as it is consistent so as not to confuse customers of who the company is.

At SafeSourcing we have a vast amount of experience helping companies with their search for new marketing services and partners and have led many successful projects for our customers in this area.? For more information on this process 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 your comments.

Today, Ryan Melowic Director of Special Projects at SafeSourcing

Why companies need to add protection language in their agreements when purchasing new refrigeration cases for their stores.

I was at my favorite grocery store around four weeks back and noticed they had replaced all their refrigeration cases in their bakery.? It looked very nice and allowed all their bakery products to be displayed to customers when they walked in the door.? In fact, it made me want to purchase some fresh baked cookies.? When I returned back to work with the cookies I reached in the bag to grab one and it cwas a soggy mess.? Boy was I disappointed!? I had been purchasing these same cookies from this grocery store for years and never had an experience like this before.? It really made me think.? Here, this grocery store was attempting to replace their old equipment with newer and better equipment and? it back fires on them.?

Being concerned, I called the store and communicated my issues with the cookies.? They expressed to me that they were having issues with their new equipment and were sorry.? The grocery store said they would replace the cookies.? When I went back to the store a week or so later to get the replacements I asked the worker to please be sure that the cookies weren?t soggy.? The worker then went to the case to? and said oh my goodness these? cookies are? soggy too.? I felt really bad for this grocery store because they serve fine foods and I?d never had an issue like this before.?

Looking at the circumstances I knew what caused the issue, it was the new equipment cycling off during some period of time causing condensation to saturate the cookies.? Can you imagine if I were a new customer who had never purchased their cookies before?? This grocery store could well have lost a new customer.

The reason I share this story was with you is that when working with SafeSourcing, we are experienced with this category as well as hundreds of others.? We would have written protection language into the? statement of work agreement for the new refrigeration equipment.? The manufacturer and the installer would be responsible for insuring that the equipment was setup correctly.? There would not have been weeks of wasted bakery goods and any dissatisfied customers because of it.

For more information on how SafeSourcing can help you with your store equipment needs, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative.

Today’s post is written by Heather Powell, Manager of the COE Department & Project Manager at SafeSourcing Inc.

Are you prepared for falling leaves? Will you rake the leaves or mulch them? If you rake them will you bag them or rake them to the curb?

If you bag the leaves, does your solid waste removal company take them? Is there an extra charge? Does your solid waste company provide bags?

Who knew there were so many choices regarding leaf disposal?

Many waste removal companies will take leaves, but it is best to call them and ask things like if there is an additional fee, if can they provide bags, if is there a maximum number of bags you are allowed, etc.

In Ohio for example, many of the waste removal companies partner with local grocery store chains and sell yard waste bags for $4.00-$5.00 each or a bundle deal of 5 bags for $20.00. By choosing this option there will not be an additional haul rate and that waste management company will pick it up regardless if you use them for your regular waste removal.

Another option to research would be to find out if your city has scheduled pick up days for the leaves to be “vacuumed” from the curb.  Usually they are held on certain days and have strict specifications about what they are picking up from your curb. Typically this service fee is included in your city taxes or HOA. You do not have to participate, but know that you are more than likely paying for a service hidden in your taxes or HOA fees.

Peak season is for much of the country is in a couple of weeks, and I intend to watch the leaves change their brilliant colors and then mulch them. However you dispose of your leaves, do so safely and smartly.

For more information on how SafeSourcing can assist you in exploring your procurement solutions for your business 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 your comments.