How to establish solid business relationships with suppliers through multiple channels

In the field of foreign trade, supply system, marketing system and customer system constitute the three pillars of enterprise success. This article will combine practical experience to explore how to establish solid business relationships with suppliers through multiple channels.

1. Professionalism wins trust

The professionalism and hard-working attitude of a foreign trade company are crucial. This is not only respect for one’s own profession, but also respect for factory partners. Professionalism can win the trust and support of suppliers and lay a solid foundation for cooperation between the two parties. As a buyer, when communicating with suppliers, we must be neither humble nor overbearing, show professionalism, and let suppliers feel that we are experts.

2. Long-term planning and common development

Foreign trade companies should formulate a long-term development plan for the factory and clarify the goals and direction of cooperation. This includes online promotion, exhibition participation, visiting international customers and many other aspects. Through these plans, the company’s confidence and determination are shown to the factory, and the factory can see the potential and prospects of cooperation. At the same time, both parties should jointly discuss and formulate cooperation plans to ensure that cooperation can proceed smoothly and achieve practical results.

3. Communicate with suppliers through interviews

Face-to-face communication allows you to observe people’s behavior and learn more about suppliers. By participating in events such as professional exhibitions and industry forums, you can gain opportunities to communicate face-to-face with suppliers. After the exhibition, suppliers can be invited to visit the company. After the exchange, the two parties exchanged business cards and took photos to lay a good foundation for further business development in the future.

4. Communicate with suppliers via email

Most people involved in international trade have their first communication with a supplier via email. Many times, if we want to contact potential suppliers to inquire about product prices, we usually choose to contact them by email. Email is a very fast and convenient way to communicate, and sending email costs almost nothing and only requires a computer connected to the Internet.

5. Communicate with suppliers through instant messaging software

It is now easier for us to communicate with customers than in the past because there are many communication software available such as WeChat, Skype, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, etc. It’s much easier to communicate with suppliers via instant messaging software than in person, and you have plenty of time to make sure you’re using the correct vocabulary and grammar before you type in something to ask.

6. Inquire with suppliers by phone

Telephone calls are a very important way of communication. If you plan to cooperate with a large company, it is recommended to communicate with them by phone first to explain your intention. After calling and communicating, tell the supplier when they will send the email and hope they can reply. When making a call, be prepared in advance, know who you are speaking to, and have relevant questions ready.

7. Maintain communication and enhance understanding

Communication is the key to building a strong relationship. Foreign trade companies should keep in touch with the factory regularly to understand the current situation of the factory and business development progress. At the same time, customer feedback and market dynamics are promptly reported to the factory so that the factory can understand the market performance and demand changes of the product. Through continuous communication, both parties can enhance understanding and deepen trust, providing guarantee for the stable development of cooperative relations.

8. Expand the scope of cooperation to achieve win-win results

Foreign trade companies should expand the scope of cooperation with factories as much as possible and provide support to factories from multiple aspects. This can not only increase the business volume and profits of both parties, but also enhance mutual dependence and trust. For example, in the field of machinery, foreign trade companies can proactively inquire about prices from factories and recommend potential customers to help factories expand their markets; at the same time, factories can also provide foreign trade companies with more product choices and technical support to achieve a win-win situation for both parties.

9. Sincere cooperation to overcome difficulties

In the process of cooperating with factories, foreign trade companies should treat them sincerely and avoid false pretenses. Both sides should support and help each other on the basis of equality and respect. When encountering difficulties and challenges, both parties should face and solve them together instead of blaming each other. Through sincere cooperation, both parties can jointly overcome difficulties and achieve common development.

Through strategies such as professionalism, long-term planning, maintaining communication, expanding the scope of cooperation, and sincere cooperation, foreign trade companies can establish close cooperative relationships with factories and achieve win-win development. In the future market competition, this solid cooperative relationship will become one of the core competitiveness of foreign trade companies.