Brain researchers have definitive proof that working together in teams and collaborating onprojects actually makes us smarter asa species. The very act of solving problems, coming up with newideas and facing challenges causes our brains to grow. What all this science means is we should seek out ways to partner with others because we are better working together than we are apart.
A natural partner to seek out is your sign vendor. By working more closely with your vendor, you develop a partnership that is stronger and leads to better quality signage, more consistency in your facility branding, and innovative solutions to problems at your site.
Quality Signage
Developing a partnership with a vendor is a lot like having a regular restaurant you visit a lot. There, the wait-staff knows you and goes out of their way to make your experience great each and every time you visit. It feels good to be known and you can expect a better experience because of those relationships.
By partnering with your sign vendor, you will end up with higher quality signage for your facility because the partnership is based on a relationship. The sign company will want to make your experience as a "regular" great each and every time out of respect for that relationship.
Through the partnership, the vendor becomes part of the team, visiting sites, making decisions to benefit your facility and generally looking out for your interests, all of which translates to higher quality signs.
Partnership For Consistency
A marker of quality is consistency. A problem many facility managers encounter with sign vendors is a lack of consistency. Different sign companies use different materials and processes that can affect signage. Additionally, the staff members at one sign company may interpret your brand guidelines differently than another, or insist upon certain designs.
Anytime you switch companies, you run the risk of watering down sign consistency. And consistency matters for facility signage. It helps visitors navigate a facility and contributes to overall brand strength.
By thinking of your sign company as a partner rather than just a vendor, you will be less likely to switch vendors because of promotions or other factors. Your sign partner is also more likely to invest in your overall signage plan knowing they are building a long term relationship instead of one or two signs.
Innovative Solutions
Bringing on a sign vendor as a partner will also result in finding better solutions to meet complex problems. Treating a vendor as just a service provider means the vendor isn't likely to go to the trouble to solve your facility problems.
But partners want to work together and help each other because of the established relationship. A sign vendor working as a partner is more likely to visit your sites, meet with departments and look for ways to solve your problems that work for you.
Working together as teams is what has helped humans move ahead, innovate and create throughout history. It makes sense we should continue to apply those principles in business models, looking for ways to forge partnerships. By extending your team to include your sign vendor, you will end up with better signs, consistent branding, and new and creative solutions for your toughest problems.
If you would like to view some of the thoughts we offer to help our partners download the free 5 Step guide below with no obligation. It just may help you save some money.
