Tuesday, April 7, 2009

What does it mean to be a partner with your printer?


Is your sales rep a "slick rick" or does he really have your best interests at heart? How many of you out there have had a printer come to you and say, "I want to be a partner to you"? Do you turn around and ask them what that means to them? Or, how they could provide a so-called "partnership" to you?

You should. Isn't the term parnter played out? I mean isn't that what your vendor should be doing already? Or any one that wants your business, for that matter?

Shouldn't those people be looking for ways to help you? I do. How you ask?

Well instead of selling you on printing, I learn about your business first. How do you get product to your end consumer? Who is your most valuable customer, what are their demographics? Why is it that particular demographic is your best client? What are the complications you face on a daily basis? How will your margins and bottom line be affected by the next project you put out, or the next product you put on the shelf? How can you communicate to your employees and consumers better?

Aren't those questions that should be asked? Not only asked, but listened to and heard. How many of you out there have a sales rep that just sees you as a commission? How many of you are just a quota for the next rep?

If that's how you feel about your current rep; if he/she isn't going the extra mile for you day in and day out, maybe it's time for you to find one that does. Maybe it's time to find a rep that listens and hears your day to day challenges. One that will educate you, one that goes to bat for you, one that brings solutions to the table that make you look good.