Types of Client Relationships
Are you a vendor, resource, or partner?
By: Sydney Richter
Take a moment to examine your business relationships. If you’re not satisfied, maybe you’re paying for a partner and receiving vendor services. Or maybe you are looking for a deeper, lasting relationship.
At BWJ, our philosophy is not to simply sell something, but to help solve problems.
Client relationships differ for a variety of reasons, depending on the client’s needs and resources. These relationships can be loosely categorized into three types: vendor, resource, and partner.
Vendor
A vendor-client relationship focuses on a specific resource, or service, rather than in-depth expertise or strategy. A vendor is simply based on selling something or achieving a goal within a certain amount of time. The main objective of a vendor is to sell a product, service, or technology, typically described in a contract.
As a client, you are often responsible for monitoring your own performance, and communication with a vendor is often very limited. A vendor constricts conversations to business exchanges and does not allow for exploration. Being a vendor often leaves talent and expertise unused.
Maybe a vendor relationship is all you want, but here is why this type of relationship might not be your path to growth.
Resource
If you’re looking to get the full value of expertise and knowledge, you need a resource or partner.
Hiring a resource allows for a deeper connection than hiring a vendor. When working with a resource, we offer our expertise and marketing skills and lay out a long-term plan of action.
When working with a resource, you gain access to their experience and industry insights. Resources help obtain long-term objectives by setting overarching goals. These types of relationships can be very valuable.
If you are looking to receive the full value of your marketing provider, look no further.
Like a resource, a partner brings all their knowledge and talent, and more. A partnership means that each company benefits from the others’ successes and is fully invested in their growth.
At BWJ, we don’t confine our relationships to a certain category; we are here to provide a solution for whatever your needs may be.
Our experience extends beyond creative and business services… we produce real, meaningful results. Deeply invested in our clients’ success, we’ll set your business up for growth. Reach out to us and we will compile a team of experts to create the perfect solution for you!
