Contractors can benefit greatly from building solid, long-term relationships with their fence and shutter suppliers. Here’s a look at how to do this.
As a leading fence and shutter supplier, we work closely with many of the top aluminum fencing contractors and general contractors in Florida. One of the best parts of our job is building long-lasting relationships with our customers, which not only makes our work more enjoyable but also makes good business sense for all involved. Over the years we have learned how to foster a long-term relationship with your fence and shutter supplier and wanted to share the highlights with you.
Give & Receive Clarity in Communication
A little communication goes a long way. Even if there’s something neutral or negative that needs to be shared, it’s always best to get it out in the open in order to find a way forward.
On your side of the relationship, this might look like telling your fence and shutter supplier about some particular terms you need for an order that they don’t usually approve. On your supplier’s part, they should be willing to hear your request, whether they can grant it or not. If they don’t, they should give you information about why that wasn’t possible, along with making some effort to help you out in a different way.
Giving and receiving clear communication is a must in any long-term relationship. This should include your supplier setting expectations around delivery times, updating you when something changes and going out of their way to check in to make sure you’re happy with the service and products they’re providing. Make sure you also regularly give feedback, and get back to your supplier when they’ve reached out, to keep the flow of communication open from your end as well.
Look For Trustworthiness
Trust is critical in any enduring relationship, and it’s no different in a business partnership. When you’re trying to find a fence and shutter supplier you can count on for years to come, this should be a top priority. Of course, it can be challenging to determine trustworthiness early on, but there are still ways to do so.
To start, get a feel for your fence and shutter supplier’s reputation in the industry. How do other customers talk about them? What reviews do they have? What industry recognition have they received? Each of these gives you an instance that points toward trustworthiness.
Additionally, how dedicated are they to safety – and how do they demonstrate that? You need to feel confident that your supplier puts safety first and has also proven to be reliable for many years for many customers before putting your trust in them, too.
Seek Out Support
While you understand the nuances of fencing and shutters, you still need a supplier with great expertise that you can lean on. Before engaging with a partner, ask them to walk you through the products you might buy from them, including an overview of how they’re installed. This will give you a glimpse into how the company handles technical information.
Do they make it easy to understand, or are you more confused after speaking with them? Do they take their time with you, or do you feel like they’re rushing, impatient to move on to the next meeting? Is their installation approach in line with what you expect, or more cumbersome? It’s important to be on the same page in terms of the support you’ll get once you pair up with a supplier, because you’ll need it throughout the duration of your relationship. You deserve the best.
If you’re among the top aluminum fencing contractors and general contractors in Florida, AMD Supply could be a great fit for your next long-lasting business partnership. Let’s talk!
