By Jeff Gau, Marco CEO – The word “partner” can almost feel like an overused term that is sometimes used interchangeably with “vendor.” I prefer to reserve the word for those vendor relationships that are mutually beneficial.
Hundreds of vendors support Marco as a business, but I’d only consider about a dozen of them “partners.” They’ve become trusted advisors and have a hand in making Marco a better business.
So, what makes a good partner?
- Deep and wide relationships in the organization. Partners do not just have one or two connections in the organization. They build and maintain relationships beyond procurement.
- Show up in unexpected ways. Partners see their role beyond the contracted agreement. They show up when it counts. They care about us personally and support us during both the highs and lows.