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.

In this series of episodes, we’re exploring how to do your own sourcing from China, from finding suppliers for your products to getting them made.

Last time in episode 98 we discussed how to follow up on ongoing production and what it means to be a hands-on or hands-off buyer, and continuing on with soft skills like this we’re now at the point where we’re working with a supplier who’s doing our manufacturing for us in China (or elsewhere in Asia), and the question is: how to develop them for better performance and results, and what sort of results should we be aiming for? This is where implementing a development program comes into it!

 

Show Sections

00:00 - Greetings & Introduction

02:20 - What is supplier development and is it overlooked by buyers?

Next, we'll go into what a supplier development program includes:

08:36 - 1. Selecting suppliers with the right profile.

12:43 - 2. Helping the supplier during product development and new productions.

17:09 - How phases 1 & 2 are connected to being a hands-on buyer and building rapport with the supplier.

18:44 - 3. Ensure your quality standard is met.

27:34 - Proactive approaches. 4. Targeting low-hanging fruits (small projects for quick wins).

33:05 - 5. Reorganizing manufacturing and/or supply chain processes.

38:51 - Summarizing what a supplier development plan is.

40:46 - When is supplier development worthwhile over switching suppliers and starting again?

41:45 - Why we started our own contract manufacturing subsidiary to embody the best practices discussed here.

43:21 - 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]

Part 5: Building Rapport [Podcast]

Part 6: Hands-on or hands-off buyer? [Podcast]

Developing a Chinese Supplier

The Sofeast group's own contract manufacturing subsidiary: Agilian Technology

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

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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