In this episode...

Many importers are new to sourcing from China so we've been creating a mini-series of episodes that explores the sourcing process with advice and best practices from Sofeast's CEO Renaud Anjoran.

Up until now, we have discussed hard skills in parts 1-4 (links below) such as how to identify suitable suppliers, arrange backups, negotiate terms, create your quality standard, manage your project, and inspect product quality.

But dealing with suppliers takes soft skills, too, and this is the area that Renaud and Adrian explore today as they discuss how to build rapport and relationships with Chinese suppliers and the benefits of doing so.

 

Show Sections

00:00 - Greetings & introduction

02:48 - Examples of 3 types of typical customer/supplier relationships

07:25 - Reciprocity for favors between suppliers and customers

10:18 - What are the inner and outer circles in Chinese relationships? 

13:30 - Is it worth befriending your Chinese supplier to break into the inner circle? 

16:04 - What is the concept of 'face?'

23:13 - Tips for how to build relationships with suppliers in China.

26:20 - How to be seen as a 'good customer?'

28:15 - Risks facing customers without a good relationship

31:31 - How to get better results from email communication?

33:22 - Wrapping up. 

 

Related content...

Part 1: Good Fit, Sourcing, Vetting, & Backups [Podcast]

Part 2: Negotiations, Terms, Leverage, & Quality Standards [Podcast]

Part 3: Project Management & Checking Quality Early [Podcast]

Part 4: Final Inspections [Podcast]

These resources will also help you understand how to build relationships with suppliers or improve (or end) those that you already have:

Get help to find a good manufacturer in China with this free eBook

When a relationship turns sour with a Chinese supplier

Relationships with Chinese suppliers: be clean!

Bad relationship with a Chinese supplier: just end it!

And, if all else fails and you need to ditch your current supplier and switch to a new one...

How To Switch To A Newer, Better Chinese Manufacturer? [eBook]

 

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