“Price” and “quality” tend to be the two most important factors when considering a relationship with a product-based company. I am not here to tell you any different. As a matter of fact, for the most part, I would agree. However on the flip-side, what good is quality if the product arrives 2 weeks late? Or, what good is cheap if you can’t get a human on the phone to ask questions? What I am saying is that while cost and quality are important, there are certain criteria that, in my opinion, supersede these two. Ultimately, the quality will exist if you are working with a vendor that has these attributes. I can also tell you, they won’t be the cheapest on the block.
1- Big enough to handle any project, small enough to care: Customers come in all different shapes and sizes. With our business, we have sent magnetic strips to a single food truck in Alaska and thousands of menu boards for a nationwide company. The point is, whether you’re that Mom & Pop shop or Fortune 500 company you’re always looking to do more or be better. Working with a company that has “been there before” naturally provides the peace of mind that they have the capacity to grow with you and lend a guiding hand as well as handle any scope of work.
2- Logistics baby! Producing whatever it is to fulfill a specific need is only one piece of the puzzle. No matter what the size of the roll-out there are a number of mitigating factors that have to be taken into consideration. Take a food court in the mall for example. When it comes to these instances, you not only have to cater to the mall’s signage requirements but you also have to coordinate the delivery with whomever is doing the install, submit drawings for approval, schedule the installation during off-hours, and make sure everything arrives in conjunction with the aforementioned. Keep in mind, this is just one example of many… just wait until permits, city halls, townships, etc get involved in other scenarios.
3- They pick up the phone: We’ve all been there. You research, browse, and look around, all the while you’re being pelted with calls and emails from pesky salespeople trying to make their commission (which is fair). Now the time has come, you drop down your credit card, make the leap of faith and place your order. All of a sudden things get awfully quiet. Perhaps you call to get an update on the shipping date, or you’re wondering where your layout is or you’ve received the (digital) system and need some assistance but you can’t get anybody on the phone. I’d like to say that this isn’t commonplace however we cultivate a lot of our business with the “other company’s” disgruntled customer. By design, many companies refer their customers to on-line tutorials or run the meter for service. Ask yourself if that sounds like a mutually beneficial relationship.
4- Product diversity: Most digital signage companies are solely that, digital signage companies. Most printing companies are solely that, printing companies. Most graphic design companies are solely that, graphic design companies. I think you get the point. Even if you aren’t currently in a location that is set up for a drive-thru or digital menu boards don’t flow with your motif, wouldn’t it be nice to know that the company you work with has those capabilities in their back pocket? Shed in another light, I have yet to walk in to a restaurant that has menu boards and NO other signage. Point being, the idea of a “one-stop-shop” isn’t some overblown idea, it has true value when you consider you could get custom fabrication, road side signs, channel letters, menu boards, display fixtures, banners, graphics, window clings, digital signage, drive-thrus, drive-thru accessories, communications, way-finding signage, etc, etc, etc from one place.
5- They are honest: “Over promise, under deliver.” Many-a-time this is what happens. From a customer support perspective you want to say and do whatever you can to appease your customer on the other end of the phone. In the defense of the person conveying these unrealistic expectations, they could very easily be under informed regarding the current lead time in production. A lot of times this is not the flaw of the person you are talking to but the lines of communication, or lack thereof, within the organization. At the end of the day, you want to align yourself with a company you can trust. Trust is built over time as the seeds begin to sprout while you deliver in the manner in which you suggested. Lastly, let us be clear, you may not always like the honesty you receive but at least you’ll know you can plan on it.
Well, there you have it. I have listed 5 and could have probably listed 5 more. The objective was and is to open your mind to the future and not be so fixated on your red hot band-aid solution that you need. If you are able to take a step back and take a look at the “big picture” you’ll probably be more aware of which companies can accommodate both your short term and long terms needs with skill, efficiency and professionalism.
Like I said, I could have listed 5 more… can you? We’d love to hear them. Leave a comment below or call/email us! info@origindisplays.com | 888-235-2579
