Communicating with suppliers

- [Instructor] Everybody buys things. Consumers like you and I buy products from a retail store. Retailers buy stuff from wholesalers and distributors. They buy from manufacturers. And manufacturers, they buy raw materials from farms and mines and petroleum companies. That's why we call it a supply chain. The companies you buy stuff from are your suppliers. And when you really think about it, your suppliers are actually your supply chain partners, because you're depending on each other to keep the supply chain running smoothly. If your suppliers don't deliver the product or service you need when you need it, then you won't be able to sell your products and services to your customers. So here are five tips to help you communicate with your suppliers effectively. First, set clear expectations. Make sure they know exactly what you need and give them a point of contact that they should reach out to if they have questions. The person who manages your relationship with a supplier is usually…