While vendors do have a job to do and an end goal, I think reducing their role to one that is solely sales-driven is underselling the partnership. Another time, I was in a meeting with a colleague who went out of his way to yell at a vendor, later saying it was his way of “keeping the vendor in line.
All I could do after that meeting was
Wonder how his approach could be construed as anything other than rude. I can tell you firsthand that it is possible to be tough but fair with vendors, treat them kindly, and respect them while holding them accountable. While we as government employees can be more strategic in our partnerships, vendors are far from perfect.
I have seen some very aggressive vendors.
A friend of mine told me the other day that he refuses to answer calls from any Florida area code because he feels a certain vendor gcash phone number is stalking him. To be honest, ignoring vendors isn’t the best approach either. However, vendors should realize that while the sales venue may have changed over time, the concept itself has not.
They may not be selling door to door
The concept is the same. They are still the proverbial “uninvited guest” and should know that contact with a prospect can end at any time, thus preventing any advantages and disadvantages of display ads potential sales. Going back to the idea of the traveling salesman, if you as a salesman knock on doors and no one responds, should you continue knocking?
The same concept applies to phone calls and emails.
To be honest, my own relationships with vendors have not always been the most ideal. But having said that, like everything else in life, an interaction with a vendor is rich data a relationship. It can be contentious and challenging. It can also be very rewarding. But ultimately, a relationship takes two people working together to make it work.