tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902001554910776047.post5448266708453934098..comments2024-03-01T07:21:20.686+00:00Comments on GrumpyStorage: Show Me The Money! (information)ianhfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03223784099797393996noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902001554910776047.post-14188441443472931202010-03-06T10:42:19.700+00:002010-03-06T10:42:19.700+00:00I Agree with you in most, but unfortunately it doe...I Agree with you in most, but unfortunately it doesn't apply in every country. In some places vendors are merchants from a street market and customers try to get a bargainHector Servadacnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902001554910776047.post-75253306164954843922009-12-21T18:21:44.016+00:002009-12-21T18:21:44.016+00:00In the debate about the relationships between poin...In the debate about the relationships between points #8 and point #9. Having been on the vendor partner side of this equation for more than 20 years, I strongly suggest that if you do #8, then # 9 will take care of itself - without ever being a central point of discussion. I have found that trusted and therefore productive relationships, when they exist, are bi-directional. When I have built these relationships, my customers wanted me to be successful and they saw that my success better allowed me to serve their interests. The trick is that for the vendor/partner - # 8 ALWAYS trumps # 9 - always.OTIShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06941862854293548870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902001554910776047.post-90921176227535159802009-12-18T21:05:01.918+00:002009-12-18T21:05:01.918+00:00I'm going to come down right in the middle of ...I'm going to come down right in the middle of the argument over #8/#9. On certain KEY things, it can and should be a strong two-way partnership. Quite honestly, many, many IT purchases (even large ticket ones if they are commodity items) are just us wanting something we can spec out ourselves and needing it for a good price.Scott G. Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08451808892528231530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902001554910776047.post-79926049954262947472009-12-15T16:44:56.073+00:002009-12-15T16:44:56.073+00:00Disclosure - EMC employee here.
I agree with all ...Disclosure - EMC employee here.<br /><br />I agree with all the comments in the post. <br /><br />I actually agree with Val's comment - things work best when there is a partnership, and partnerships are a two way (or n-way) street. Don't get me wrong, in the end, the customer is the customer - but those things listed in #9 are real considerations on the other side of the table.<br /><br />16 makes me cringe as the state of industry benchmarks seems to be all over the place, but I think every vendor needs to step up and prove their mettle.Chad Sakachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15751965065354975740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902001554910776047.post-726561245998603582009-12-15T16:43:53.558+00:002009-12-15T16:43:53.558+00:00Fantastic post, a must read, brings back memories ...Fantastic post, a must read, brings back memories of having been in your shoes as a customer of IT solutions. <br /><br />However having also been in Val's shoes as a vendor at one time, I can see his points on #8 and #9.<br /><br />Partnerships should and can be two way, however they need to benefit both parties.<br /><br />For example, if as a customer I can benefit now and in the future by what your sales quota and plan are in terms of mapping to needs, aligning to a forecasted in time buying oppourtunity vs. the whims of a sales manager playing monte hall lets make a deal, then both parties win.<br /><br />On the flip side, the vendor needs the customer to succed so that they are able and ready along with willing to buy again in the future. Likewise, customers should go for the best deal possible however not at the expense of wounding a vendor so much that there wont be any future deals.<br /><br />Bottom line, a vendor who knows of expectations such as those in the list and who is willing to do what is needed to win on those terms, that is, know the playing field and rules, can also expect to be given a fair shot at winning!<br /><br />Cheers gsGregSchulzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08127201334233064352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902001554910776047.post-67179255278055459212009-12-15T16:35:17.419+00:002009-12-15T16:35:17.419+00:00Great post -- should be mandatory reading for anyo...Great post -- should be mandatory reading for anyone working for an IT vendor.<br /><br />-- ChuckAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5902001554910776047.post-9144072315233451052009-12-14T05:01:48.755+00:002009-12-14T05:01:48.755+00:00A very sensible and thorough list Ian. However I r...A very sensible and thorough list Ian. However I respectfully submit that items 8 and 9 are mutually exclusive.<br /><br />A true partnership addresses the needs of both parties to deliver mutual success. Although that doesn't endorse taking each other for granted, there has to be accommodation for deadlines and success criteria on both sides.<br /><br />-Val.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com