Conference Call with Supplier - What points/issues should we keep in mind?

[qbwu1]

Hi,
Our most of the suppliers are outshore and we are starting conference call with them first time. What points/issues should we keep in mind to talk them before the meeting, during the meeting and after the meeting?
Thanks,

 

[Jim Wynne]

Re: Conference Call with Supplier

Hi,
Our most of the suppliers are outshore and we are starting conference call with them first time. What points/issues should we keep in mind to talk them before the meeting, during the meeting and after the meeting?
Thanks,

Welcome to the Cove, qbwu1.

What you discuss with any supplier over the phone should be no different from what you'd discuss in person. Each meeting should have a purpose and an agenda that should be shared with suppliers in advance. What the agenda includes depends on the issues at hand, and the supplier should be allowed to add agenda items as he sees fit. There might be product development progress reports, technical issues such as helping the supplier to understand the requirements, invoicing/payment issues, and any number of other things to talk about. The main thing should be to have a plan for what the teleconference is supposed to accomplish, and have someone on your end who keeps things on track.

 

[Phil Fields]

Other items to keep in mind:
• Time difference (one of the companies will be in early or stay late)
• Language barrier
o Caution using slang
o Terms may be different (flashlight in USA = Torch in England)
• National Holiday schedule (good to know for recurring meeting)
• One of the companies should be the scribe and distribute the meeting minutes to both companies
• These are just a few, I am sure there will be others.

Phil

 

[qbwu1]

Thanks Jim and Paul, It helped.
Rey

 

[Ajit Basrur]

Hi,
Our most of the suppliers are outshore and we are starting conference call with them first time. What points/issues should we keep in mind to talk them before the meeting, during the meeting and after the meeting?
Thanks,

We have identified some of our key suppliers for meetings called as "Quarterly Business Review" by conducting video conferencing and discuss issues to track quality, delivery and other performance measures.

A typical QBR includes:

1. Customer Input — future trends, new product development.
2. Quality performance— Supplier CARs, Defects ppm rate etc.
3. Delivery performance and any issues affecting deliveries
4. Cost reduction initiatives
5. Any Production related issues.
6. Any Other Business (AOB)

These are some of the examples. You could probably consider some of the points that made up think of initiating these teleconferences with your suppliers.

I like the points suggested by Phil to take care of the "soft" part of the teleconference.

Let us know if you need any additional information.