5 Things to Consider Before You Commit
When you’re in the market for a new phone service, internet provider, or caterer for your office lunchroom, how do you decide which company makes the cut? If your instinct was to say, “I go with the lowest price,” you’re not alone! However, that’s not the only deciding factor.
As a service provider, we have an inside track on this issue here at Sklar Technology Partners. Not only have we heard from our clients about the issues they’ve had with other services, but we’ve also hired plenty of service providers ourselves. To ensure we make the right choices, we’ve developed a list of five things to ask about a company before contracting with them.
1. Responsiveness
How responsive will they be to your requests? We have a two-ring or less answering policy. We do our best to direct connect to a support engineer every time immediately. If we call you back, we do it in 15 min or faster. Our clients require fast, friendly, and accurate support. When your system, internet, or food order is goofed for a large group, how long are you going to want to wait?
2. Quality
Is their product or service high quality? This question is extremely important, particularly if the service provider you’re researching will be a big part of your dayto- day business. Before you hire someone new, ask for and call five to seven of their references. Then consider this: How much will it cost you if your phones go out? Or if your printer jams regularly? If the answer is “a lot,” you don’t want to sacrifice quality for price. Remember, you get what you pay for.
3. Availability
Are the products on the company’s website often listed “out of stock”? Do they have unusually long shipping windows? This could indicate supply chain problems and mean trouble for you down the line when you need a product quickly.
4. Personal Relationship
Is a personal relationship possible? According to the Temkin Group, “lack of speed in interaction with their suppliers is the number one pain point” for businesses. This communication problem comes up twice as often as complaints about price. For this reason among others, it’s smart to partner with companies with whom you can create a personal connection, either with the business owner, a particular representative, or both.
5. Affordability
Finally, it’s time to look at the price. Consider what you can afford and whether the products and services offered are worth the cost. If they are (and the other four boxes are checked), you may have a winner!
If you’re debating on a service provider in a field adjacent to ours, we’re happy to provide advice and referrals. Reach out to us today at 804-730-2628.
-Randy Sklar
