A "Request for Quotation" (RFQ) is a part of the project development process that requires the most attention. Before you get started, there are a few things that you need to have solidified before you start production on your next project. Who is going to produce your product, and how much is it going to cost? While you may have narrowed down your budget and vetted your potential suppliers, it's time to determine how much your project will cost and finalize your supplier. RFQ's are an opportunity to seek out competitive bids from qualified suppliers and award the most competitive option for your project. Which leads us to ask the question: What information should you include in your RFQ? What types of details should be asking your potential suppliers for your company to make the most informed decision?

Listening. A vital skill that is often overlooked. As the foundation of many relationships, the skill of listening poses a significant role in your business, customer, and supplier relationships. Is your company looking to strengthen relationships with your suppliers and/or your customers? Through effective listening, you gain the ability to truly appreciate what is being communicated to you by your customer while simultaneously turning around and implementing those thoughts into your business. While you may not believe that "your customer is always right," being able to understand their expectations and demands while ensuring your business needs are being met provides a unique and valuable relationship.

You did it. You've searched, identified, and selected a high-quality supplier. Your new challenge? How do you continue to get quality results and meet your customer's expectations? In today's world, supply chains are heartless and unforgiving. Failing to provide high-quality products on time is unacceptable and expensive. Maybe you've worked with the same supplier for years and have recently noticed a behavior change? Competitiveness? Perhaps a supplier that once provided quality products is now costing you valuable lead times or quality concerns? How can you identify, select, and trust that the supplier you choose to work with will continue to perform and produce high-quality, competitive products and meet your expectations year after year? 

Is your company considering a new supplier? Are you worried that your product isn't being produced at your supplier's highest performance? Do you have concerns about the integrity of your current supplier, or perhaps you're interested in understanding their processes and procedures? These are only a handful of reasons why companies are choosing to conduct routine supplier audits. Audits play a critical role in the success of your company. Whether your supply chain is running smoothly or you're looking to eliminate high-risk concerns, auditing suppliers is an essential process for maintaining relationships with customers, ensuring high-quality products, and protecting your company.

Getting a second chance to make a first impression is rare, and ultimately, whether we're talking about people or products, "do-overs" or "re-dos" seldom exist. A consumer's first interaction with your brand and product are critical moments. How do you ensure that you're communicating everything your customers need in order to make the final decision to buy your product? Essentially these timely decisions come down to one thing - the packaging. Are there secrets to discovering what consumers want? What are the basic building blocks of product packaging? How likely are consumers to use packaging as their final purchasing decision? 

Sustainability: A packaging buzzword that is taking over the world. While sustainable packaging has always been a hot topic to discuss, the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly expedited consumer behaviors and perceptions towards sustainable and eco-friendly packaging options globally. As companies pour money into switching their business models and packaging design to appear more environmentally friendly, are consumers buying it? Is the simple design of a recycled kraft paper tube truly setting companies apart from their competitors? How have consumers' values changed over the past year, or even several years, to ensure your commitment to sustainable packaging is worth the financial investment?