Business World Has Changed

source

Shaking hands is something we all did on a daily basis and I can literally count on one hand how many hand shakes I have had in the last 18 months. Loads of fist pumps, but they are not quite the same.

Today I was catching up with what will hopefully be new clients and they both mentioned how their businesses has changed. My ears pricked up immediately as this is like doing the hard yards dating someone before you get to first base.

The one mentioned that the relationships with suppliers is weighing more heavily in their decision making as trust is more crucial than ever now. With the upheaval of the lock downs and the violence we have experienced in the last month the ability to supply has outweighed price to some degree.

I mentioned the supplier needs to definitely look after their clients and if they cannot supply need to relay that message as soon as possible as finding what is required may not be possible elsewhere. Shortages of raw materials are the issues we all are facing and not everyone is capable of finding supplies right now or enough to fulfil orders. Relationships are the key and the manufacturers who have no loyalty from where they buy are being short changed which I believe is right as you support those that support you.

The buyers or clients I deal with are under immense pressure right now as not only are they expected to find savings but also reliable suppliers. With this client we will be doing a test run once month end has been completed so possibly as early as next week. Months have gone into getting this far and this is a big move changing supplier considering the busy seasonal period is not far off.

The lockdown period and the unrest that we saw play out last month has actually helped me form stronger relationships which I doubt would have been possible before. We all have something in common and are in this battle together as last year was about survival of the fittest then this year has been in some cases worse than what was expected. Most of my clients are retail based and many have had their warehouses burned down or cleaned out so definitely testing times. One of my clients returned to their office for the first time in 18 months this week which is kind of crazy and shows how whacko things really were.

Being a people person is my game thankfully and making contact by phone and not email has started to pay off as there is a personal connection. When you talk to someone often enough you do tend to get to know them even though you have no clue what they look like. This has been my strategy from day one and it is the long game more about tomorrow and not about right now. I soon realised businesses were reluctant to change suppliers in the middle of a pandemic so there was no rush. The plan was to be ready when they were ready to change and this is where we now find ourselves. Not the quick get rich scheme but one I knew could work if I was patient and we will see if I was right.

Having still taken no salary from the company for the last 18 months things are tight but we cannot complain as we are at least still open for business. I big client will cover any salary loss so having 3 or 4 big clients on the hook is a game changer and I don't plan to lose any of my bounty at this late stage.

This has been a tough and testing 2 years which I wouldn't want to repeat ever again as it is time lost which we can never get back. Money can come and go but we only live one life and that is the sad part for everyone around the world. Staying positive and true to yourself is how I live my life and now hoping clients who have got to know me see exactly just that.

Posted Using LeoFinance ^Beta