137 replies to this topic

[Schlep]

Today in a post I was told that many distributors feel that the end user belongs to both the supplier and to the distributor.

I feel that the distributor did the work and spent the money to get the customer so the end user is the customer of the distributor. The fact that the supplier feels it is his customer is why the triangle is being broken by suppliers going direct and direct marketing to the end user.

How do you feel?

[Stanley]

CHRIS MILLER closed the distributor talk exposed because too many threads dealing with the same issue are opening.

Please pose this question to the thread

WHY ARE SUPPLIERS FLIRTING WITH OUR CLIENTS.
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[Chris Miller]

Stanley said:

CHRIS MILLER closed the distributor talk exposed because too many threads dealing with the same issue are opening.

Please pose this question to the thread

WHY ARE SUPPLIERS FLIRTING WITH OUR CLIENTS.
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Stanley,


Let me be clear -

EVERY THREAD WILL NOT BE TURNED INTO THIS SAME CONVERSATION.

You've started your threads, and they are in place and getting plenty of action. DO NOT keep turning every other thread into the same thing, or your posts will be removed. You've crossed the line and now you're SPAMMING the site.

If you haven't already met Al Kernan, I recommend you look him up. It's not really easy to wear out your welcome around here, but you seem to be headed down that path. It's a lot easier to just play by the rules.

I will look into your posts tomorrow, and see about which ones can be combined into ONE. I really don't like to have to babysit like this though.

[tmertz]

Suppliers have to be in the mindset that we have to focus on keeping the end customer happy because Distributors make too many errors.

Too often we see event dates on artwork that the Distributor missed and have to call to check on shipping or call the Distributor to move faster on getting a proof approved.

Many times the shipping address that the Distributor gives us is not a valid address and we have to call to get it corrected.

Sometimes the Distributor sells one of our products for a particular application when another product would work better.

In general if TradeNet only focused on what the Distributor provided us without looking at orders on behalf of the end user we would have a lot more reworks.

I teach TradeNet employees that we only get paid once for an order and that the Distributor and TradeNet are not going to get paid until the End User is happy.

I don't post on DistributorTalk much because there is too much bashing of each other. Distributors and Suppliers MUST work together as a team to be successful. I took a call from a Distributor yesterday and even though our team had done everything requested all the Distributor wanted to do was yell into the phone.

Fortunately TradeNet is not so desperate for business that we need to do business with every Distributor in the industry. There are some out there that are real jerks and despite the tough times I encourage our Customer Service staff to encourage those jerks to take their business elsewhere. There are plenty of Suppliers that manufacture the same products that TradeNet manufactures. Our competitors can enjoy the pleasure of their antics.

But by the same token our TradeNet team will bend over backwards and jump through hoops for Distributors that treat us with respect.

If you as a Distributor think it is a battle of Supplier vs. Distributor then don't bother sending orders to TradeNet. If you are looking for a Supplier partner that will look out for your best interests and give you the tools to be successful then give us a call.

Distributors, look in the mirror and honestly determine what type of Distributor you are.

[jimknecht]

Tom, my thoughts exactly. Even though we don't have contact with the enduser, we are printing their product. We are fighting the distributor to either give us proper art or pay to have it created. We bust our but to get their product to them well ahead of their event.

I couldn't agree more than many distributors simply don't give their clients enough attention. Yes, we would be correct in printing the crappy art that was submitted. Yes, we would be correct in printing in a stupid imprint color/item color combination. Yes, we would be correct in simply pushing back the ship date when the distributor ignores our requests for say prepayment or proof approval.

We would be correct, but the enduser would be pissed. So we too consider the enduser, even if they aren't our client. If the order gets screwed up, for no fault of ours, we then have to fight to get paid for the order. We then maybe have to run the job over at a discount. Then we consider the possibility of the enduser not being happy with our product or service, when we did nothing wrong.

I want repeat business, so we focus on servicing both the distributor & the enduser. I could care less that the client "belongs" to the distributor.

Edited by jimknecht, 17 February 2010 - 07:06 AM.

[DSubasa]

This brings up an interesting conversation I was having a few years ago with other suppliers and distributors over lunch at PPAI...

Its almost as if the distributor/supplier title needs to be thrown out the window, as it really isnt true. (A distributor would normally be a person who stocks, sells and ships goods from their facility, etc..)

The more appropriate titles would be Distributor (currently supplier) and Sales Rep (currently distributor), with there being loyalty to the "Sales Rep" that they wont cut them out of the equation or share their customer (the end user) with other Sales Reps...

In either way of looking at the titles, the end user is ultimately a shared customer, especially when you consider how much reliability is posed upon the supplier to fulfill the order. If the end user is unhappy with the product the supplier ships, or it isnt on time, etc, then the end user is unhappy with the distributor AND the supplier (even if they dont realize that a supplier exists)... and the Distributor is unhappy with the supplier. In fact, everyone gets unhappy with the supplier!

Im not saying change the way things are done, etc. But ultimately, it is everone's interest in the triangle to treat the end user as if they were their own customer.

[FindingPromo]

Some many think that there is only one customer, whoever wants to take or share credit for making the sale go ahead. . . but there many times are dozens and dozens of people involved to make a happy customer . . . . .

The Supplier Designer that Designs the Product
The Product Development assistant that sources materials for thethe Designer
The Material Source that provide the materials
The Receptionist that fields the phone calls
The Receiving Clerk who receives in the materials
The Shipping Clerk that ships the design to the Factory for production
The Receiving Clerk at the Factory that receives the Designer Sample
The Factory Engineer that Engineers the machines to make the product
The Factory Production staff
The Factory Production Manager
The Factory Quality Assurance Manager
The Factory Custodian who ensures a clean and Safe Workplace
The Factory Safety Manager
The Factory General Manager
The Factory Shipping Manager
The Factory Transportation Export Manager
The Factory Compliance Manager
The Factory Documentation Clerk
The Supplier Receiving Clerk
The Supplier Warehouse person
The Supplier Warehouse Manager
The Supplier Production Manager
The Supplier Customer Service Team
The Supplier Key Account Team
The Supplier Customer Service Manager
The Supplier Key Account Outside Sales Manager
The Supplier Multi line Rep
The Supplier Sales Manager
The Supplier VP Sales
The Supplier Marketing Manager
The Supplier VP Marketing
The Supplier General Manager
The Supplier Compliance Manager
The Supplier A/R Clerk
The Supplier Credit Clerk
The Supplier A/R Manager
The Supplier Credit Manager
The Supplier Controller
The Supplier Finance Manager
The Supplier VP Finance
The Supplier Marketing Assistant
The Supplier Trade Show Manager
The Supplier Artist
The Supplier Art Dept. Manager
The Supplier Web Designer
The Supplier Social Media Manager
The Supplier Warehouse staff that pulls the Blanks
The Supplier Production Team member that set the screens
The Supplier Production Team member the runs the decorating maching
The Supplier Customer Service person that ships the pre-pro to the Distributor
The Supplier Customer Service person that waits patiently til the Pre-pro App'd
The Supplier Production Team that pick and pulls and decorates the order
The Supplier Shipping Clerk that ships the boxes (see other thread RE: Boxes)
The Promotional Consultant that sell the order
The Distributor team member who enters the order
The Distributor Vendor Relations Manager
The Distributor Regional Sales Manager
The Distributor Artist
The Distributor Web Designer
The Distributor Receiving Clerk who receives the Pre-Pro
The Distributor Receiving Clerk who receives the order / schedules delivery
The End Buyer
The End Buyer Marketing Manager
The End Buyer Sale Manager
The End Buyer HR Manager
The End Buyer Receiving Clerk
The End Buyer Warehouse Manager
The End Buyer Shipping Manager
The End Buyer Regional Sales Manager
The End Buyer Trade Show Manager
The End Buyer Trade Show Staff

The End Buyer Marketing Staff that marketed the Trade Show Promotion to have show prospects come on down and learn about their products with an opportunity to receive this custom designed Promotional Product that is functional and useful, while they also consider purchasing the product or Service the End Buyer is selling.

The guy or gal at the show that gets this cool item, and buys a gagillion of the products the end user is selling.

The guy or gals kid who takes this cool item off to college and eventually wants to work in the Promotional Products industry because of this cool item and the power it holds to promote businesses.

That's only about 75, if I had any more that these few minutes, I'd find the 100 that I came up with a few years ago, these are just off the top of my head.

It's very clear that we all have customers, internal and external to satisfy all along the way, in order to have the ultimate customer satisfied.

When the Supplier CEO, the PC and the Custodian on the Factory Floor all feel like they are an important part of the process, the system works even better.

Edited by FindingPromo, 17 February 2010 - 11:56 AM.

[Schlep]

FindingPromo said:

Some many think that there is only one customer, whoever wants to take or share credit for making the sale go ahead. . . but there many times are dozens and dozens of people involved to make a happy customer . . . . .

The Supplier Designer that Designs the Product
The Product Development assistant that sources materials for thethe Designer
The Material Source that provide the materials
The Receptionist that fields the phone calls
The Receiving Clerk who receives in the materials
The Shipping Clerk that ships the design to the Factory for production
The Receiving Clerk at the Factory that receives the Designer Sample
The Factory Engineer that Engineers the machines to make the product
The Factory Production staff
The Factory Production Manager
The Factory Quality Assurance Manager
The Factory Custodian who ensures a clean and Safe Workplace
The Factory Safety Manager
The Factory General Manager
The Factory Shipping Manager
The Factory Transportation Export Manager
The Factory Compliance Manager
The Factory Documentation Clerk
The Supplier Receiving Clerk
The Supplier Warehouse person
The Supplier Warehouse Manager
The Supplier Production Manager
The Supplier Customer Service Team
The Supplier Key Account Team
The Supplier Customer Service Manager
The Supplier Key Account Outside Sales Manager
The Supplier Multi line Rep
The Supplier Sales Manager
The Supplier VP Sales
The Supplier Marketing Manager
The Supplier VP Marketing
The Supplier General Manager
The Supplier Compliance Manager
The Supplier A/R Clerk
The Supplier Credit Clerk
The Supplier A/R Manager
The Supplier Credit Manager
The Supplier Controller
The Supplier Finance Manager
The Supplier VP Finance
The Supplier Marketing Assistant
The Supplier Trade Show Manager
The Supplier Artist
The Supplier Art Dept. Manager
The Supplier Web Designer
The Supplier Social Media Manager
The Supplier Warehouse staff that pulls the Blanks
The Supplier Production Team member that set the screens
The Supplier Production Team member the runs the decorating maching
The Supplier Customer Service person that ships the pre-pro to the Distributor
The Supplier Customer Service person that waits patiently til the Pre-pro App'd
The Supplier Production Team that pick and pulls and decorates the order
The Supplier Shipping Clerk that ships the boxes (see other thread RE: Boxes)
The Promotional Consultant that sell the order
The Distributor team member who enters the order
The Distributor Vendor Relations Manager
The Distributor Regional Sales Manager
The Distributor Artist
The Distributor Web Designer
The Distributor Receiving Clerk who receives the Pre-Pro
The Distributor Receiving Clerk who receives the order / schedules delivery
The End Buyer
The End Buyer Marketing Manager
The End Buyer Sale Manager
The End Buyer HR Manager
The End Buyer Receiving Clerk
The End Buyer Warehouse Manager
The End Buyer Shipping Manager
The End Buyer Regional Sales Manager
The End Buyer Trade Show Manager
The End Buyer Trade Show Staff

The End Buyer Marketing Staff that marketed the Trade Show Promotion to have show prospects come on down and learn about their products with an opportunity to receive this custom designed Promotional Product that is functional and useful, while they also consider purchasing the product or Service the End Buyer is selling.

The guy or gal at the show that gets this cool item, and buys a gagillion of the products the end user is selling.

The guy or gals kid who takes this cool item off to college and eventually wants to work in the Promotional Products industry because of this cool item and the power it holds to promote businesses.

That's only about 75, if I had any more that these few minutes, I'd find the 100 that I came up with a few years ago, these are just off the top of my head.

It's very clear that we all have customers, internal and external to satisfy all along the way, in order to have the ultimate customer satisfied.

When the Supplier CEO, the PC and the Custodian on the Factory Floor all feel like they are an important part of the process, the system works even better.

Sorry Mark when you open a company is that not called cost of sales?

[FindingPromo]

Schlep said:

Sorry Mark when you open a company is that not called cost of sales?

You can call it whatever you want. And yes, every one of these probably has a cost associated with the time spent on the project.

When partnership and collaboration works, is when organizations and supply chain partners understand that they have internal customers and clients . . . and not just one of each, all along the way to satisfy.

When everyone treats everyone just as important as they are, then the magic works. If any individual along the way, begins to feel slighted/treated simply as you say cost of sales/a number . . . .. like a paper clip, light bulb, a door knob or door mat, well it begins to show in the efficiency of the process.

Edited by FindingPromo, 17 February 2010 - 02:09 PM.

[royhill]

Even though I've treated my distributorship as a part time endeavor over the last 6 yrs (changing that this year) here's my 2¢s . . .

Very simply put, if an end user does not pay the distributor the distributor still owes the supplier. Thus the end user is the distributor's customer and the distributor is the supplier's customer.

While I believe the end user is the distributor's customer it is in everyones best interest to be "partners" in the job. Happy end users usually reorders from same distributor and distributors usually reorders from the same supplier.

If a glaring mistake is noticed by the supplier it is reasonable that they bring it to the distributors attention. However if it is not caught it is UNreasonable for the distributor to blame the supplier. Yes I understand there are Unreasonable distributors just as there are unreasonable end users who would blame the distributor for not catching mistakes the the end user made.

Not to say I would be happy with a supplier who imprinted white on white because of a typo I made but I'd still pay them because in the end it was my typo. That is why in many cases I ask my suppliers if the font, color, design or what ever I submitted will reproduce on thier item favorably or if they had suggestions on how to make it better. After all the supplier is the expert on thier product and should be aware of what works well on it. Example: a small font might reproduce great on some media while "filling in" on others. The decoration process can also make a difference of what would work and what would not. Thus I try to ask for the suppliers guidance, just as my customers appreciate my guidance.

If I catch a mistake sent by my customer I consider it part of my customer service and if a supplier catches a mistake or suggest tweaking of the art to make for a better finished product I consider that part of thier customer service.

If I needed a rerun due to my (or my customers) mistake it would be unreasonable for me to expect it at no cost. Would I appreciate it if a discounted price was offered - absolutely! Would that move that vendor up on my "preferred" vendor list - absolutely!

I'm truly amazed by what suppliers have said is sent in for orders (not to say I've haven't screwed up:D) but like some end users, some distributors will be higher maintenance than others.

But just like many distributors handle the same products many suppliers offer the same items. So just like in many industries the difference in customer service is sometimes the only difference.

It is a little like when I was fry cooking, there was a mentality of the servers against the cooks, which never made sense to me so I worked hard at everybody realizing that it was in everyones best interest to work together to ensure that the customer was happy.

Sorry for going on and on, anyway while I feel we are partners on the job itself the end user should be considered the distributors customer.

[cathydoe]

Don't forget a lot of those folks have spouses or significant others! Lots'o people involved!

This is well said in my opinion:

When everyone treats everyone just as important as they are, then the magic works. If any individual along the way, begins to feel slighted/treated simply as you say cost of sales/a number . . . .. like a paper clip, light bulb, a door knob or door mat, well it begins to show in the efficiency of the process.

[Stanley]

Very simply put, if an end user does not pay the distributor the distributor still owes the supplier. Thus the end user is the distributor's customer and the distributor is the supplier's customer.

This was said by Roy Hill and is perfect.

[rosec]

Stanley said:

Very simply put, if an end user does not pay the distributor the distributor still owes the supplier. Thus the end user is the distributor's customer and the distributor is the supplier's customer.

This was said by Roy Hill and is perfect.

Sorry I can not abide by this statment. The PPD is taking the financial risk when you extend any kind of terms to your end user. This statement implies that your risk is also the suppliers risk. This is so far fetched I can not believe it. I guess this really drives the point home for me. The end user is your client. i do not know your end user and do not want my payment for the job to hinge on his paying you. Crack out your credit card - pay me for the job done and delivered as agreed upon and you collect from your client. I have had this crop up many times. "I have not gotten paid by my client, you will get your money when I get my money." I am not a credit instituition giving credit blindly to someone I know nothing of. For a PPD to assume that the supplier should not get paid because the PPD has extended credit and does not collect is absurd.

That being said - I at times and I am sure that most suppliers have had the same thing happen....produced a job a few years in a row for a PPD only to get a p.o. from another PPD same job.... I'll tell you it is a hard thing to see. We do not know what happened out there. Did the PPD not service the account. Did they charge a little too much for the product. Did the buyer change for the end user and they just found another PPD. Did the end user stiff the PPD for this job. We have no way of knowing what is going on out there.
I do not think that the word own or the concept is the right thing. I think I feel more of an obligation to a PPD that sells my product. I would hope they feel obligated to push my product at every oppertunity they have. When it comes to branding. There are PPD'S, suppliers and End users of both sides of the fence. Branding is ingrained in our culture, some suppliers are very successful creating a brand - so be it. Buy it or don't. I have the oppertunity to sell sought after retail brands into this market. I see every day that many end users want to co-brand their name with a national brand. It is all different marketing stratagies. To each their own. There is more than enough product and options out there.
Who owns who is not a question. No one owns anyone!

as always, Rose

not going to edit...need more coffee....just put up witht ym tpyos otayd.:tongue:

[Schlep]

rosec said:

Sorry I can not abide by this statment. The PPD is taking the financial risk when you extend any kind of terms to your end user. This statement implies that your risk is also the suppliers risk. This is so far fetched I can not believe it. I guess this really drives the point home for me. The end user is your client. i do not know your end user and do not want my payment for the job to hinge on his paying you. Crack out your credit card - pay me for the job done and delivered as agreed upon and you collect from your client. I have had this crop up many times. "I have not gotten paid by my client, you will get your money when I get my money." I am not a credit instituition giving credit blindly to someone I know nothing of. For a PPD to assume that the supplier should not get paid because the PPD has extended credit and does not collect is absurd.

That being said - I at times and I am sure that most suppliers have had the same thing happen....produced a job a few years in a row for a PPD only to get a p.o. from another PPD same job.... I'll tell you it is a hard thing to see. We do not know what happened out there. Did the PPD not service the account. Did they charge a little too much for the product. Did the buyer change for the end user and they just found another PPD. Did the end user stiff the PPD for this job. We have no way of knowing what is going on out there.
I do not think that the word own or the concept is the right thing. I think I feel more of an obligation to a PPD that sells my product. I would hope they feel obligated to push my product at every oppertunity they have. When it comes to branding. There are PPD'S, suppliers and End users of both sides of the fence. Branding is ingrained in our culture, some suppliers are very successful creating a brand - so be it. Buy it or don't. I have the oppertunity to sell sought after retail brands into this market. I see every day that many end users want to co-brand their name with a national brand. It is all different marketing stratagies. To each their own. There is more than enough product and options out there.
Who owns who is not a question. No one owns anyone!

as always, Rose

not going to edit...need more coffee....just put up witht ym tpyos otayd.:tongue:

Rose sorry if I misunderstand your post but I think you are agreeing with what Stanley says.:confused:

[rosec]

In alot of respects I am. I maybe think that this whole conversation is a little off whack. No owns anyone. The end user is free to order from who he/she wants to. The PPD is free to take his work to another supplier. There are too many things happening with regards to the relationships the both the PPD and the supplier are not privy to to make such blanket statements.

I am a firm believer in relationship marketing. I also know that those relationships change over time.

My main comment was to the issue of money.....I will take a firm stance. I get paid for my work. When I deliver the product correctly and on time and the PPD is not getting paid by his end user that is his problem. I am not here to finance his decision to give someone I do not know terms. I did not take the risk.

Thanks, Rose



I do not do what you guys do to get that order. You put your own blood - sweat - tears and monies into this. You rely on me to make you look good.

[royhill]

Rose, I think you may have misinterpreted my or Stanley's stance. I believe we are saying the same thing and Stanley stated he agreed. Between the supplier and distributor the end-user is the distributors customer. If the end-user does not pay the distributor that is of no "real' concern to the supplier and the distributor STILL owes (if not already paid) the supplier.

End user is the distributors customer / distributor is the suppliers customer.

But I also belive we are "partners in the job" as it is in both of our best interest to deliver the best finished product we can.

BTW - while no longer there I was born & raised in WI (land of 3 seasons - shovel, sweat & swat:D) I love your signature and ONE of your logos.

[rosec]

Thanks Roy...I just saw the $$$ thing and went from there. I have actually had to take an account off of n-30 for that reason. They were not getting paid by the end user and were not going to pay me until they got paid. Sore spot.

I had a basketball order for four years in a row with the same PPD. The last two I have the same order with aother PPD. I know I am the one that did the job for both PPD's the new PPD has no idea that I did the job for four years. I do not know what happened. Do I go searching for what happened ---is the PPD still in business? Is the end user not happy with the PPD. Has the end users way of purchasing changed? Do I take the time to look into it? Or do I do my job and look forward to bringing more business in for my owners.

Of course I do my job...and try to make more business happen...or sit here and B.S. with you'all for a while.....

They are your customers and I will do what I do so you keep me in mind when it comes to sports!!!

P.S Thanks for the purple support!!!! And I'm a Michigan gal born and raised. I've been disowned by more than one family member for that green G!!!! But I will bleed green and gold no matter what!!!:D:)!!!!
What a segway- The Packers (lets say they are the PPD)are owned by the end-user (people of Green Bay)and the Management is the Supplier- Supplier gives bad product - Packers change managenent - end used gets better product....who owns who....the control is all in the end users hands......

[Schlep]

royhill said:

Rose, I think you may have misinterpreted my or Stanley's stance. I believe we are saying the same thing and Stanley stated he agreed. Between the supplier and distributor the end-user is the distributors customer. If the end-user does not pay the distributor that is of no "real' concern to the supplier and the distributor STILL owes (if not already paid) the supplier.

End user is the distributors customer / distributor is the suppliers customer.

But I also belive we are "partners in the job" as it is in both of our best interest to deliver the best finished product we can.

BTW - while no longer there I was born & raised in WI (land of 3 seasons - shovel, sweat & swat:D) I love your signature and ONE of your logos.

Agree

[royhill]

I'd do what I do upon occasion and call client's I haven't heard from in a while. So if you're curious you could call the old PPD and just say "Haven't heard from you in a while and was wondering what we could do to change that" or something to that effect.

And for that PPD who is holding your payment up because his client is not paying . . . that certaintly wouldn't hold up in any court but it just comes down to the fact it isn't right. He owes you no matter what. Good luck!

Hmm maybe it should be Green Fridays. . . money - Packers - God's green earth - the "Grin" . . .:D

[Schlep]

FindingPromo said:

Some many think that there is only one customer, whoever wants to take or share credit for making the sale go ahead. . . but there many times are dozens and dozens of people involved to make a happy customer . . . . .

The Supplier Designer that Designs the Product
The Product Development assistant that sources materials for thethe Designer
The Material Source that provide the materials
The Receptionist that fields the phone calls
The Receiving Clerk who receives in the materials
The Shipping Clerk that ships the design to the Factory for production
The Receiving Clerk at the Factory that receives the Designer Sample
The Factory Engineer that Engineers the machines to make the product
The Factory Production staff
The Factory Production Manager
The Factory Quality Assurance Manager
The Factory Custodian who ensures a clean and Safe Workplace
The Factory Safety Manager
The Factory General Manager
The Factory Shipping Manager
The Factory Transportation Export Manager
The Factory Compliance Manager
The Factory Documentation Clerk
The Supplier Receiving Clerk
The Supplier Warehouse person
The Supplier Warehouse Manager
The Supplier Production Manager
The Supplier Customer Service Team
The Supplier Key Account Team
The Supplier Customer Service Manager
The Supplier Key Account Outside Sales Manager
The Supplier Multi line Rep
The Supplier Sales Manager
The Supplier VP Sales
The Supplier Marketing Manager
The Supplier VP Marketing
The Supplier General Manager
The Supplier Compliance Manager
The Supplier A/R Clerk
The Supplier Credit Clerk
The Supplier A/R Manager
The Supplier Credit Manager
The Supplier Controller
The Supplier Finance Manager
The Supplier VP Finance
The Supplier Marketing Assistant
The Supplier Trade Show Manager
The Supplier Artist
The Supplier Art Dept. Manager
The Supplier Web Designer
The Supplier Social Media Manager
The Supplier Warehouse staff that pulls the Blanks
The Supplier Production Team member that set the screens
The Supplier Production Team member the runs the decorating maching
The Supplier Customer Service person that ships the pre-pro to the Distributor
The Supplier Customer Service person that waits patiently til the Pre-pro App'd
The Supplier Production Team that pick and pulls and decorates the order
The Supplier Shipping Clerk that ships the boxes (see other thread RE: Boxes)
The Promotional Consultant that sell the order
The Distributor team member who enters the order
The Distributor Vendor Relations Manager
The Distributor Regional Sales Manager
The Distributor Artist
The Distributor Web Designer
The Distributor Receiving Clerk who receives the Pre-Pro
The Distributor Receiving Clerk who receives the order / schedules delivery
The End Buyer
The End Buyer Marketing Manager
The End Buyer Sale Manager
The End Buyer HR Manager
The End Buyer Receiving Clerk
The End Buyer Warehouse Manager
The End Buyer Shipping Manager
The End Buyer Regional Sales Manager
The End Buyer Trade Show Manager
The End Buyer Trade Show Staff

The End Buyer Marketing Staff that marketed the Trade Show Promotion to have show prospects come on down and learn about their products with an opportunity to receive this custom designed Promotional Product that is functional and useful, while they also consider purchasing the product or Service the End Buyer is selling.

The guy or gal at the show that gets this cool item, and buys a gagillion of the products the end user is selling.

The guy or gals kid who takes this cool item off to college and eventually wants to work in the Promotional Products industry because of this cool item and the power it holds to promote businesses.

That's only about 75, if I had any more that these few minutes, I'd find the 100 that I came up with a few years ago, these are just off the top of my head.

It's very clear that we all have customers, internal and external to satisfy all along the way, in order to have the ultimate customer satisfied.

When the Supplier CEO, the PC and the Custodian on the Factory Floor all feel like they are an important part of the process, the system works even better.

Your mechanic fixes your car and between the two of you, you keep it running like a top. The mechanic does not have any claim to your car once he has been paid for his work.

And yes he has expenses like paying for his garage, buying his tools, paying a mechanic but all this does not give him a claim on your car.