When is the last time you heard from your banker, your IT support supplier, your insurance agent or your payroll service? The list is endless.

Are you dealing with supplier partners or vendors?

Once we asked a key supplier why they were not more engaged with us and he responded, “Jim, everyone wants that kind of service from us but they are unwilling to pay for it.” We have learned over the years however that when you serve your clients, they are more than willing to pay!

We used to work with an IT service provider that routinely sent “technical zombies” to download server updates and conduct some minor systems checks. The only time we met with their technical strategist was once a year when he was trying to sell us something (I am assuming he was paid on commission). Our current IT supplier meets with me regularly and has added tremendous value aiding our company growth.

Heaven forbid we become a ‘vendor’ to any of our clients. If we are not able to make a real difference in the life of their operations and growth we move on.

So why are so many business services willing to operate in the “me” realm?

Perhaps they are focused on the bottom line rather than a true purpose, a sad way to do business. This can only lead to unworthy revenues and a discontent staff.

Wonder why so many workers are disengaged in today’s companies?

Service partnering extends to customers, suppliers and the internal staff. A true ‘entangled’ staff yearns to help grow the company rather than to just do a job! Hire motivated individuals and self-managing professionals, give them training, tools and autonomy to serve the clients and watch your (service partner) clients roar with approval. Well done partner!