Your customers expect that each time you make a product that
it will look and taste the same way as when they purchased it the last time.
Your product is just as good as the ingredients you use to make it. Therefore,
this week’s tip is to require your suppliers to be consistent with their own
products.
Many times we hear from small businesses that they don’t
feel they have the ‘clout’ to demand anything from their suppliers because of
their size. However, we always remind those businesses that their own
livelihood and success is dependent on the quality of their raw materials.
Therefore, as a paying customer they have just as much right as any other
business to require a consistent product from their suppliers.
As part of requiring consistency of your suppliers, be sure
to regularly test each supplier shipment for consistency in characteristics
such as taste, size and odor. Remember, if your raw materials and suppliers are
dependable, you increase the chances of your finished product being consistent
as well. And a consistently delicious product will keep your customers coming
back for more!