Today’s post is written by Heather Powell, Director of Customer Service & Project Manager at SafeSourcing Inc.

In my first blog, “What is Emotional Intelligence? Why It Should Matter in Any Business?”, I identified what emotional intelligence (EQ) is and how it applies to any business. In my second blog, “Emotional Intelligence in Action”, I explain the What, How, and Why the competencies of EQ work.  In my third blog, “Five Components of Emotional Intelligence and Your Business” I gave the basic definition of the five components of emotional intelligence. In this installation, I will provide a deeper explanation of Self-Awareness and how it applies to you as a leader and your business.

1). Self-awareness. The ability to recognize and understand personal moods and emotions and drives, as well as their effect on others.₁

A self-aware person who knows that tight deadlines bring out the worst in him plans his time carefully and gets his work done well in advance. Another person with high self-awareness will be able to work with a demanding client. They will understand the client’s impact on their moods and the deeper reasons for their frustration. People with high self-awareness are able to speak accurately and openly—although not necessarily effusively or confessional—about their emotions and the impact they have on their work.

An example:₂

Jordan is a negotiator. He has an important position in the procurement division of his company. He has to purchase 30,000 new gizmos for an important piece of equipment his company produces. He has been in negotiations with two key sellers. Seller A sells the gizmos at a unit price of $15.00, Seller B at $13.00. After several meetings with both sellers, Jordan notices that he always feels energized when he has met with Seller A- the meetings just seem to fly by. In contrast, he always comes away from meetings with Seller B feeling drained and with an uncomfortable, nervous feeling in his stomach. After much thought, Jordan persuades himself to ignore the feelings and to the rational thing; go for Seller B with the cheaper unit price: “This is business after all.”

For several weeks after the decision Jordan continued to feel uncomfortable and anxious about the new supplier. After three months of cooperation the supplier stopped replying to Jordan’s calls and, eventually, when Jordan manages to track him down, explained that they were experiencing staffing problems and would not be able to meet the supply of the gizmos for the next two months.

One thing is certain here: Jordan failed to listen to his emotional brain or intuition. Trust is an important value to Jordan and his intuition was telling him that there was something about Seller B he did not trust. Jordan chose to ignore these clear signals and ended up paying the price.

By developing our Emotional Intelligence in the five EQ domains we can become more productive and successful at what we do, and help others to be more productive and successful too. The process and outcomes of Emotional Intelligence development also contain many elements known to reduce stress for individuals and organizations, by decreasing conflict, improving relationships and understanding, and increasing stability, continuity and harmony.₃

Please stay tuned for the next blog on how self- regulation can help you and your business.

We enjoy bringing this blog to you every week and hope you find value in it. 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.

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_References:

1. _{http://inspirebusinesssolutions.com/blog/5-main-components-of-emotional-intelligence}
2. _{Neale, S., Spencer-Arnell, L., & Wilson, L. (2011). Emotional Intelligence Coaching: Improving Performance for Leaders, Coaches, and the Individual. Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page (p 106).}
3. _{http://www.businessballs.com/eq.htm}

Today’s post is by Gayl Southard, Administrative Consultant for SafeSourcing.

Etiquette Rules for Video Conferencing.

In order to save costs, video services such as Skype, Google Hangouts, Join.me , Got to Meeting and WebEx to name a few are available to companies and individuals.  These services really cut down on the need to travel for face-to-face meetings.  There are certain manners that must be adhered to for these meetings.  There are right ways and wrong ways to conduct yourself – don’t let that small screen fool you—others are watching!

1.  Don’t type. The noise of the typing is distracting and also is an indication that you are not listening. Even if you are taking notes, others may think you are working on something else. Experts say it is better to be taking handwritten notes.
2. Make Eye Contact. Making eye contact builds trust and indicates that you are paying attention to what is being said. Moving the video-chat window near the computer’s camera so that you can look into the camera and other people’s faces is beneficial.
3. Don’t Eat.
4. Discourage Interruptions. You can post a sign on your door or cubicle that you are on a video-conference call to discourage interruptions.
5. Don’t Leave Without Telling Someone. If you are the moderator, just indicate that you are taking a quick break. If you are participating in a large meeting, private message a colleague you will be right back.
6. Pay Attention. People can notice your eyes drifting to a keyboard. Don’t look away from the screen.
7. Remember the Outliners.   A video conference call can be between a room full of people or one person in a remote area. Make sure individuals outside the group are included in the conversation and have openings or cues for comments and/or questions.
8. Controlling the Background. A messy background can cause people to focus on the mess rather than your words and ideas. Noise can also be a problem. If your personal space is loud or messy, move to a conference room.
9. Head Off Technical Difficulties. One of the biggest issues is when technical issues prevent a person from joining the call. Make sure your software is up-to-date.   Fumbling to sign-in, joining late as a result, or missing a call completely, can make an individual look unprepared or technologically inept. Join the call early so you can trouble shoot any technical problems. Also, once the call is over, make sure you sign off. Comments made when you think the call has ended and has not, can be very harmful.
10. Act at Home as you Would at the Office. Remember if you do work from home, these same etiquette rules apply. In a survey by Lab42, 7% of respondents have indicated that a participant was on a call while still in bed, or a pet made a cameo appearance in the background. So in short, get out of bed, keep pets or children out of the picture, and get dressed!

Sally French, Wall Street Journal, 3/14/16

There are many video conferencing solutions available to both individuals and companies today. There are also at least as many pricing programs. SafeSourcing hosts thousands of these calls annually and we have also sourced these services for numbers of companies across multiple verticals.

For more information on how the team at SafeSourcing can help your company with video service sourcing, or on our Risk Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

Today’s post is by Dave Wenig, who was recently pleased to find some savings in his mailbox.

This week, I opened my mailbox to find our first check from an online cash back program. You’ve probably heard of these. They promise cash back for the purchases you’re already making. That’s a concept that really hits home for me.

I believe my number one priority is making sure my clients are saving money. It’s an oversimplified statement, but it’s true. In our business, ROI is very much dependent upon the savings that our customers enjoy though the use of our e-Procurement solutions. When a client’s online Request for Quote (RFQ) is a “Grand Slam,” which means they saved over 25%, the excitement is incredible and the effort is a success. Fortunately, this happens often.

If you have a Source-to-Pay or a Procure-to-Pay strategy, but you’re not utilizing e-Procurement as part of that strategy, then you’re missing out on an opportunity to save money on products and services that you’re already buying. Even without a formal strategy in place, e-Procurement will significantly reduce your spend.

Personally, I regret that I didn’t try a cash back program sooner and I don’t want you to have similar regrets. If you’re responsible for reducing spend, consider what an additional 30-40% reduction would mean for you.

Dave Wenig is a Regional Sales Manager at SafeSourcing and is a devoted champion of saving money. As Dave suggests, avoid regret and contact SafeSourcing to see how much adding e-Procurement to your sourcing projects will save your organization. For more information, please contact a SafeSourcing representative.

We look forward to your comments.

Today’s post is from the  SafeSourcing archives.

Have you ever gone to the grocery store to the meat department and noticed that the meats in the cases have clear film on them? This film is typically on the meat in two layers. This blog will discuss the first layer that goes directly onto the meat.

The forming layer of the packaging is sealed directly onto the meat – typically by heat vacuum sealing. After the forming layer is placed on the meat packages, it is clear to allow the consumer to view the product.

The requirements for the film are specific in the USDA and other government regulations. This film is only the first layer to the meat packaging. This process is the same throughout the entire meat industry in the United States.

The meat market is heavily regulated and controlled throughout the suppliers of the film and the meat distributor industry.  The second reason it is heavily controlled is because it is a closed market to the suppliers that can support the business.

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 Troy Lowe; Vice President of Development at SafeSourcing.

Installing a wireless router can be a very simple thing to do to allow internet access throughout your home or business. Depending on the location of your router, the signal may be too weak for your devices to connect reliably.  One solution to this problem would be to move the wireless router to a central location to improve the signal.  In some cases, moving the router is not an option.  If this is the case, there are several devices that can be used to improve the signal within the weak areas.  Below are some devices that can be used to extend and improve the Wi-Fi signal.

Wi-Fi Extender

A Wi-Fi extender is a device that can be plugged into a standard power outlet. It receives your current signal, amplifies it and then transmits the amplified signal.  This allows the existing signal to travel further to allow access to other rooms or floors.  There are also weatherproof extenders so that you can extend your current signal to your outdoor property as well.  More than one extender can be used to amplify your current Wi-Fi signal.  The extenders are easy to setup, they just need to be connected to a computer and authenticated on your network.  Once on the network, disconnect from the computer and plug into an outlet where the signal strength is weak.

Powerline Ethernet Adapter

Powerline adapters allow you to use your current electrical circuits as Ethernet cables. Using this method is faster than the extender because the extenders can experience some speed loss due to the communication between it and the router.  Installing the adapters is quick and easy as well.  To install, plug the first adapter into a wall outlet by the router and connect the adapter to the router with an Ethernet cable. Next, plug the second adapter into a wall outlet next to the device to connect and then connect the device to the adapter using an Ethernet cable.  The device is now connected to your internet connection and ready to use.  Multiple adapters can be used by simply plugging them into additional outlets and attaching the other devices.

If you are having connectivity issues and would like some help finding the right solution, we can gather all the necessary information for you and help you decide which option meets your needs. If you would like more information on how SafeSourcing can help you, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative.  We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

Today’s post is from our SafeSourcing Archives.

As we close out this week’s series on Retail Purchasing Cooperatives we want to focus on one last cooperative that can trace its roots back to the early 20th century; Unified Grocers.

Unified Grocers which is now the combination of three successful west coast cooperatives (United Grocers, Certified Grocers and Associated Grocers) is the largest retailer-owned wholesale grocery cooperative in the western United States.  In an industry where major companies compete fiercely for very small margins, this is a savior for small grocers.

Looking at our final cooperative some of things that Unified Grocers is offering today provide tremendous value to its members.

Store Resources – From schematics & merchandising software and services; to retail pricing consulting; to in-store development, Unified offers a host of valuable services and products to its members.  From a technology standpoint Unified Grocer members have access to Interactive Ordering which is a technology that allows instant access to ordering information from a handheld unit right on the floor.  Some of Unified’s members may not have even had an opportunity to have this type of technology without their ties to the cooperative.

Consumer events – Unified is a huge supporter of public events including 6 major marathons; an Air Show and Women’s Show and the annual Seattle Seafair bringing hundreds of thousands of consumers to a month long celebration.  Through these events the Unified members can get directly involved and benefit from the exposure at a level most members could only dream of on their own.

Professional Services – Being a smaller retailer can make some professional services difficult if not impossible procure.  Unified has the capability with its size to offer significant savings on professional services to its members.  Logistics, Real Estate and Insurance services are key to the Unified members but on of the key services are the financing services where Grocers Capital, a subsidiary of Unified Grocers has provided over $125 million in financing to its members to help grow.

As we have detailed this week there are many great cooperatives out there helping retailers compete in industries that are getting tougher and tougher and to compete in.  Many cooperatives offer tools and services to their members to help leverage the power of the group to procure products and services with some offering specialized benefits and opportunities as we have described over the past week.

For more information on the retail industry’s cooperatives or other ways you can leverage the buying power of a purchasing group, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative. 

We look forward to your comments.

Today’s post is our SafeSourcing  Archive

In this week’s series we have been looking at the retail cooperative and in particular focusing on some of the organizations out there in different market segments and what they are doing to separate themselves from other groups.

One of the most successful retail purchasing cooperatives is one that many people do not even know is a cooperative because of how well they are organized and branded; ACE Hardware.

ACE Hardware, which also includes True Value and Do it Best, represents the purchasing power of over 13,000 independent stores.  Founded in 1924, by a small group of Chicago hardware store owners, the organization has become one of the most successful cooperatives in U.S. Retail history, allowing smaller stores to compete even in landscapes with larger competitors.

Some of the things that have made ACE so successful are the capability to convert your business to an ACE location, the capability of International opportunities and a huge support system for advertising and marketing needs.

Conversion – One of the unique benefits this group offers to companies is the capability to convert your existing business to an ACE, True Value or Do It Best format.  With this benefit comes a slew of professional services that help owners with the transition into the ACE family.  With every conversion a customized plan is developed to ensure the easiest and most efficient transition occurs.

International – With the ACE brand being one of the top 100 most recognized brands in the world, the opportunity for international cooperative services and purchasing power opens doors in a way that would traditionally never be accessible to most retailers.

Advertising/Marketing – As with some other cooperatives, one of the big benefits ACE, True Value and Do It Best bring to its members is a cost effective marketing programs that can drive sales and traffic at a level on pace with the larger national chain hardware stores.

For more information on the retail industry’s cooperatives or other ways you can leverage the buying power of a purchasing group, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative.  

We look forward to your comments.

Today’s post is from our SafeSourcing Archives

In this week’s series we have been looking at the retail cooperative and in particular focusing on some of the organizations out there in different market segments and what they are doing to separate themselves from other groups.

Today we are going to be focusing on the Chain Drug Consortium.  The CDC is a collective group that represents 1150 retail Drug Stores with over $8 billion in revenue.  Its 18 members span the United States and service hundreds of thousands of customers.

Each day the CDC provides its retail members “an innovative savings approach through key purchasing programs and services, which help maximize market opportunities.”  Some of the specialized programs the CDC provides it members are detailed below.

Product Lines – The CDC offers two corporate product lines to its members; Premier Value and Premier Traditions.  With over 1,800 products that span over the counter medicine, HBC and general merchandise, the Premier Value brand provides its members a huge value in alternatives to National brands at a low cost to them.  The Premier Traditions line includes Christmas seasonal items such as lighting and tree products.

Conferences – The larger the cooperative/consortium is the more opportunities to provide members valuable activities such as National Planning Conferences become for the entire group.  The CDC provides its members an annual planning conference which allows all of the member presidents an opportunity to present their business strategy and receive high level executive collaboration to build more successful programs.  This is a valuable benefit the CDC and other cooperatives can bring their members.

Member Chirp – Through the member portal the CDC provides its members a forum for members to access import program information ranging from seasonal program offerings to latest updates of activity within the organization.  This is also a place for the pharmacy members to be able to access national and private brand label pharmaceutical information.

The CDC is just another great example of how a cooperative/consortium can provide great value to members who belong to it and how they can continue to grow with the clients with new and innovative to services and offerings such as aggregated purchases or both product and services.

For more information on the retail industry’s cooperatives, the CDC or how consolidating your purchase activity with other similar companies can benefit you, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative.

We look forward to your comments.