Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) is a broad term used to describe the two-way, mutually beneficial relationship formed between an organization and its supplier or vendor. What many fail to realize is the level of integration and the strategic impact of any decision made by either party. This interdependency sets the conditions for a company’s ability to grow in an increasingly competitive market, requiring them to constantly consider and plan for the needs of the supplier as well as their own.
It is estimated that “in the UK alone, around £13bn is owed to small businesses in overdue refunds and up to 50,000 businesses are at risk of insolvency every year because they lack the reserves of larger organisations to cover such delays”.
Many companies tend to focus on performance without always measuring the full impact of any decision on their suppliers. This is turn can have a negative effect on the working relationship between the two, causing additional difficulties and hampering growth.
One trend is particularly damaging; when companies extend supplier payment periods as a strategy to better cover their own working capital requirements. Obviously, it is essential to have an appropriate level of cash on hand and, in some respects, it seems logical to favor inflows or disbursements. However, few measure the disadvantages of delaying payments to suppliers when in truth this is one of the worst things that a business can do to another business.
Did you know ?
In July 2019, Prompt Payment Code signatory British American Tobacco was one of 18 businesses removed from the list after failing to pay vendors on time. The Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), which administers the Code on behalf of the UK government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, also suspended BT Plc, Centrica, Screwfix, Prudential and various businesses of BAE Systems, among others, for failing to honour their commitment to the Code.
A successful SRM discipline seeks to maximize supplier value in order to gain a competitive advantage in the market. This means that it is critical to develop an understanding of each stage of the invoice process. If you consider that manual accounts payable (AP) process costs account for an average of 60% of turnover for most companies, combined the two offer a strong case for AP automation as a means for how to improve supplier relationship management.
AP automation gives you full control and transparency over your procurement process at any time, from any place. It creates an absolute and accurate association of the various documents that comprise the supplier process including orders, reception, delivery, invoicing, and more. It is possible to access and use each of them in just a few clicks and therefore, possible to answer any question from a manager, customer, or supplier quickly and easily.
Having this type of interaction and communication will help determine the quality of and ensure that the SRM stays positive and healthy so as to meet the business goals of both.
Suppliers have always been key to business success, even before the supply chain impacts in today’s uncertain world. As a result, the value and importance of supplier relationship management (SRM) in accounts payable can’t be stressed enough. In this sense, supplier relationship management software tools have changed the game. Managing supplier relationships has been transformed into a major headache into something which can provide direct benefits and cost savings for the business, as well as making the process of getting paid easier for staff and vendors. Not only do you not have to worry that the suppliers you choose are the best fit for your business, but you can rest assured knowing that you’re paying the best price for the good and services you need thanks to actual data now available for better decision-making.
In today’s fiercely competitive business environment and fluctuating economy, maintaining a strong relationship with suppliers is crucial for success. Here we explore why supplier performance management matters, and highlights five best practices how to improve your supplier performance management processes, prevent supply chain disruptions, and enhance overall business operations.
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Yooz provides the smartest, most powerful,and easiest-to-use cloud-based E-invoicing and Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) automation solution. It delivers unmatched savings, speed, and security with affordable zerorisk subscriptions to more than 5,000 customers and 300,000 users worldwide.
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