Continuous Improvement Training Program
A Continuous Improvement Program
Featuring 8-Training Modules by Bill Gaw

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Lean Manufacturing Training Program
Lean Manufacturing Simulation Game 

Identify Suppliers

During this step in the process, suppliers which your company would like to consider for developing partner­ships need to be identified. Current suppliers are excellent candidates for becoming partners. Other sources for iden­tifying suppliers include:

• Industry trade journals and magazines
• Professional organizations
• Other companies buying similar materials
• Procurement sourcing registers (e.g.,Thomas Register)
• Competitor's products
• Past suppliers.

Communicate with Suppliers

Your supplier partnership program needs to be shared with suppliers you have identified. A supplier symposium is an excellent means of communicating with your prospec­tive partners.

The overall objective of the symposium is to explain your company's supplier partnership program to your prospec­tive partners and to give the attendees the opportunity to learn more about your company.

The symposium location is normally a major hotel near the closest airport to your company. Such a location will make it more convenient for your out-of-town guests. A first step, then, is to reserve a hotel. You should expect the sympo­sium to last an entire day.

A letter which is signed by your president should be sent to all individuals you plan on inviting to the symposium. The letter should cover the following topics:

• Brief company introduction
• Reasons for launching a supplier partnership program
• Notice that supplier has officially been chosen for consideration in the program
• Notice that the supplier will be receiving an invitation to the upcoming supplier symposium
• Reference to the proposal package each supplier will be sent.

The next step is to send out a formal invitation. The invitation should include the date, time, and location of the symposium. A name and phone number should be included for the partici­pant to R.S.V.P.. It is helpful to attach a registration form which the supplier can fax back to your company.

Someone in your company should make follow-up calls for invitees who haven't confirmed their attendance at the symposium.

A letter should be sent to all suppliers who have confirmed their attendance to the symposium. The letter should thank the supplier for accepting the invitation, and restate the date, time, and location. An agenda for the symposium should be attached.

At the beginning of the symposium, a "package" should be placed in front of each attendee. The package might contain the following items:

• Agenda
• Your company's mission/vision/strategy statement
« A list of your company's buyers for each commodity
• Business cards of your company's management
• A supplier symposium critique and comments form
• A symposium proceedings request form
• A small souvenir personalized with your company's logo which shows your company's appreciation for attending the symposium.

An agenda which supports the objectives of your supplier partnership program might include:

• Company overview
• Strategic direction
• Company capabilities
• Description of the supplier partnership process
• Criteria for evaluating and selecting partners
• Explanation of the proposal package
• Testimonial by a current supplier
• Testimonial by a customer.

Presentations should be made by your company's manage­ment. Ideally, you will also have one of your suppliers and one of your customers make a presentation.
After the symposium is over, a letter should be sent to suppliers thanking them for attending the symposium. Additionally, letters of appreciation should be sent to those who made presentations at the symposium.

Written communication in the form of a proposal package should be sent to suppliers who you would like to consider for a partnership. The package should include: A volume purchase agreement form Engineering documentation as required A supplier questionnaire Instructions for submit­ting the proposal.
The completed proposal package will be used by your company to evaluate prospective partners.

To be Continued