Supplier Enablement

Supplier Enablement – OPT IN or OPT OUT?

I was explaining to a customer some of the things that matter to a supplier when confronted with the decision to commit to trading electronically with a customer.

Usually the request (sometimes demand) comes from the customer and the expectation is that the supplier is gonna say; “Yes, I’ll do it”.

I was explaining that you need to have the view that some suppliers will OPT IN and some will OPT OUT. It is perfectly alright if the supplier chooses to Opt Out. Gulp!

Surprise, the suggestion that a supplier would Opt Out just hadn’t occurred to the customer. Accept it!

You have got to accept a supplier has a choice.

Here is a really useful piece of help if you have the task of taking a P2P, eProcurement or eInvoicing initiative to your supplier base:

The lesson that IMPAQ has learned is; supplier enablement results in suppliers electing to either to ‘opt in’ or ‘opt out’, getting to that point as quickly as possible is your primary objective.

Qualify your supplier early

Your purpose is to know if a supplier is going to work with you. By offering a choice – Opt In or Opt Out - you have a call to action on the supplier.
I need you by dd/mm to confirm your ‘opt in’ or ‘opt out’.

Focus resources on Opt In

Then you can focus time and attention on those that want to participate rather than wasting time with those that can’t or won’t give you a decision.
Click here if you need some help?

posted by FrankB @ Tuesday, June 27, 2006