Jan 27 2010
Partners vs. Vendors
It’s a fact of business that we cannot do it alone. Tom Peters once said that “if you’re currently doing something internally and not world class at it, outsource it to someone who is.” Sounds easy enough in theory but in reality is very hard to do and at times, costly.
As an optimist I don’t look at the thousands of dollars spent the past few years on trashed websites or failed PR strategies as wasted but instead tuition. And one of the lessons I want to share is the difference between Partners and Vendors.
A Partner is someone who actively works on and oversees your project to completion.
A Vendor replaces the designer you bought into with a younger, cheaper one that sends you endless mock-ups in an effort to wear you down and have you settle for.
A Partner charges a fair price while continuing to look for ways to save time and increase quality.
A Vendor sees only the check and the finish line.
A Partner returns calls or emails within an hour or two of leaving a message.
A Vendor doesn’t return calls or emails for days or sometimes weeks feigning one excuse after another.
A Partner is someone you continue to talk to and brainstorm with long after the check is cashed.
A Vendor is someone to whom you become a non-entity once the check is cashed.
Do you have any other examples? I’d love to hear them.
Dwain – The Biker Guy
As always – This is my opinion and I look forward to yours. So, if you disagree or simply want to pile on, please do so either here on the BLOG or email me directly at Navigator@BikersGuidetoBusiness.Com I look forward to hearing from you.
Stumble it!
Good stuff!!
As usual, right on the money insights!
For my 2 cents worth:
A Partner finds a mistake you made in a design concept and fixes it.
A Vendor makes it wrong from your design, then will charge you again to make it right.
(from personal experience on this one)
Great Article!