Common Mistakes When Dealing with Suppliers in Asia

Today on the International Trade Resources Podcast, Kim Kirkendall is joined by two of her team members to discuss mistakes companies make when dealing with suppliers in Asia. This is a behind the scenes discussion with people who have boots-on-the-ground in China and Vietnam. See below - if you liked this episode you can buy us a coffee to say thanks. 

To begin the podcast, Kim and her team dive into the importance of understanding not only the product but also the broader context of what other products the supplier is involved in and whether similar issues exist in other industrial processes.

They also examine the challenges inherent to the relationship between customers and suppliers, especially the conflict between customers seeking low costs and extended payment terms versus suppliers striving to maintain cash flow and quality. They touch upon the limitations of quality control inspectors and the need for a specialized team to identify and rectify issues in the production process.

Lastly, Kim and her team lend some advice for customers on being the best partners to their suppliers. This includes giving long-term commitments, clear communication, and timely payments. They stress the significance of a strong relationship with the factory's management and ownership, going beyond dealing only with export sales managers. 

Successful international trade in Asia relies heavily on building and maintaining effective communication. Listen now and start integrating these customer-supplier best practices into your dealings today. 

Things you’ll learn: 

• Understanding production problems beyond the obvious issues
• Challenges in the customer-supplier dynamic
• Advice for building stronger supplier outcomes

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Episode Sponsors:

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Corporate Services and full Accounting/CPA/Tax for China.

Website: www.intltraderesources.com

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