In what often feels like an adversarial relationship, developing effective partnerships with suppliers and customers may seem like a difficult exercise. As with most tasks, the key to an effective partnership is developing open lines of communication. Frequent and effective communication with customers as well as suppliers increases the amount of trust needed to become true partners.

Purpose

To set in place open lines of communication to show how a Lean environment will benefit both suppliers and customers.

Who Does It?

Top management, driven primarily by upper management and customer service representatives.

Time Frame

8 to 10 weeks to lay groundwork, ongoing to foster desired relationships.

Tools and Techniques

Meeting and Visitation Schedule used to establish and maintain communication channels throughout supply chain organizations.

A partnership begins with the suppliers relaying their expectations and striving to understand the customers' expectations. Be as honest as possible with the customer regarding desired growth or where the organization would like to be in the future. Communicate as often as possible with members of the customer's organization to form common goals that benefit all parties involved.

In an effort to build relationships, spend time at customers' facilities to understand their products and product needs. By learning as much as possible about their product, solving problems becomes easier and will further the partnership.

Benefits

As a team, define the advantages for the customer when this type of partnership is developed.