1 Consider the use of partnerships with customers to improve competitiveness. Discuss this within a group scenario using the following guidelines:

a Make a list of companies in your chosen company’s industry known to undertake supplier development. This should include all its customers and other companies that are potential customers.

b Make a list of all the types of development and improvement that your chosen company would like help with.

c Assemble these lists along the two sides of a grid, following the example shown in Figure 9.10. Mark on the grid where each of the companies is able to provide the necessary help.

d Examine the grid you have constructed and identify the following:

● issues requiring help that current customers provide;

● issues requiring help that only potential customers provide;

● issues requiring help that no one provides;

● customers (current or potential) that provide a great deal of help;

● customers (current or potential) that provide little or no help.

e Use these five criteria as the basis for identifying companies that should be valuable in ensuring your company’s long-term success. These companies are the ones that should be considered as likely partners.
f Having identified the likely partners, identify the difficulties in establishing partnerships and the problems in maintaining them.
g Conclude with the actions that you would undertake to overcome the problems associated with partnerships in order to gain their advantages.

Transcribed Image Text:

Improvement help required ISO 9000 Companies that help suppliers Company A Company B Company C Company D Process improvement Communication systems Environmental legislation Key Strong positive link Figure 9.10 A supplier development grid Weak positive link