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How does your organization treat its suppliers? Do you pay invoices on time or do you make them wait forever? Do you treat them as partners or do you think they’re a nuisance? Well, treating them like dog doo-doo isn’t the best word-of-mouth marketing tactic!

Most organizations focus on marketing to their current and prospective customers. If they’re smart, they realize how valuable these relationships are and steward them accordingly—with kid-glove customer service.

Yet, how many organizations think about their suppliers when it comes to brand reputation? Word of mouth works on both sides of the fence. Treat suppliers poorly, and they will talk negatively. Treat them with respect, like the partners they are, and they will talk positively.

5 Ways to Honor Your Suppliers (& Turn Them Into Brand Ambassadors)

1. Pay your invoices on time. Pay your invoices before the due date, and watch your suppliers jump through hoops for you.
2. Treat your best suppliers as part of your team. Invite them to your holiday parties, and have lunch together periodically.
3. Communicate with your suppliers. If cash flow is tight, give them a heads up. If something isn’t to your complete satisfaction, let them know so they can make it right. Cut them some slack if errors are very infrequent.
4. Send them referrals, and they will reciprocate. The old “scratch my back” philosophy works wonders with good supplier relationships.
5. Send a thank you note when they’ve gone out of their way for you. Appreciation goes a long way in solidifying these relationships.

Your suppliers can be your organization’s best brand ambassadors. How does your organization rate in its supplier relationships? Got any good tips to add to my list?

Tags: brand reputation, business, Customer Relationships, customer service, Marketing and Advertising, referral marketing, supplier relations, Word of Mouth Marketing