Why You Should Consider Working With a Partner vs. a Vendor

Created: April 6th 2021 By: Clover Imaging

667021A-Clover-US-CA-Blog-Bunch-1-780x280-PR-1

In a market that is experiencing a rate of rapid growth and transformation, it is essential that print and imaging companies differentiate themselves from their competition in order to succeed. To accomplish this feat, many companies turn to third parties in the form of either partners or vendors.

Each of these relationships requires a commitment, but only one results in mutually beneficial terms — the partnership.

Before we delve into the details, let’s look at a definition of each term. A vendor is simply a supplier of goods and services. Their primary business directive is to encourage more companies to purchase these offerings from their catalog of goods. These relationships are not collaborative — a vendor will sell you what you want, even if you do not need it or sell you “up,” encouraging you to invest in technology or services that will not provide a good return on investment.

A partnership, on the other hand, is a relationship that is built over time, with solid investment from both parties. As partners, both entities share a vision that requires proactive engagement and the implementation of long-term strategies that are beneficial to each.

The Benefits of Working with a Partners vs. a Vendor in the Print and Imaging Industry

A vendor/client relationship is built around a sales or service contract or agreement with specifically delineated terms. There is no deviation from these terms, regardless of market shifts, individual business challenges, or other factors that often affect business outcomes.

On the other hand, a business partner will help direct your purchases to help you focus clearly on long-term goals, even if it means giving up fast and easy sales up front. Partners act as coaches, steering you toward technologies and services that are not only best for your current financial and business goals, but will provide support for a stronger future.

Other benefits of partnerships include:

  1. Growing Your Business vs. Growing a Vendor’s Business

Partnerships are long-term relationships, so your partner is laser focused on helping you grow your business knowing that, in the long run, your success will support theirs. In contrast, a vendor’s focus is on their own bottom line. They are committed to making as many — and as large — of sales as they can, regardless of what is best for your business.

This sales-only focus leads many vendors to glean the most value from each client, demanding data and other information in return for access to or discounts on their products or services. This data is valuable, allowing them to fine-tune their sales process and yet you receive no tangible benefit from sharing it.

  1. Providing Support vs. Dictating Terms

A partnership focuses on providing support for both products and services without strings attached, allowing you the freedom you need to concentrate on those sales and business processes that work best for you and your clients.

Working with a vendor often requires adherence to numerous exacting guidelines that restrict the way in which you can promote or offer their products.

  1. Managing Business Through Critical Times

Nothing has brought the benefits of partnership to the forefront more than the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Market shifts, supply chain disruption, and changes in consumer behavior have dealt a harsh blow to many businesses — vendors among them. Since these vendors are focused on their own bottom-line health, they are not inclined to expend the effort or investment to bring added value to your business when you need it most.

A strong partner, however, will often cut costs, extend terms, and provide additional product and marketing support to help your business stay successful, even in difficult times.

Let Clover Imaging Group Be Your Partner for Better Business

At Clover Imaging Group (CIG) we take partnerships seriously because we understand the huge value of a committed, mutually beneficial business relationship.

When you partner with us, you gain access to a team of print and imaging leaders that understand the industry and know how to help you fine-tune your offerings for the best return on investment. To further your success, we provide flexible business terms to support you in growing your business and release you from the burden of minimums and restrictions.

We sell exclusively to our partners to remove the problem of direct-to-consumer sales and we do not require any data sharing to gain access to our entire program offerings. With our lower cost, higher margin focus, and customized marketing and program support, we have you covered through good times and bad.

Recently Clover added an Imaging Savings Calculator to their website that allows dealers to show their customers how much money they can save purchasing from Clover over OEM. This is at no cost to our clients and is a great example of why you want a partner vs. a vendor. Click here to see the calculator https://www.cloverimaging.com/clover-imaging-savings-calculator

 

Rely on a partner that has your bottom line in mind. Contact a Clover Imaging Group representative now and join our family of satisfied, successful partners today.

Author: Clover Imaging

Comments

Loading

Leave a Comment

Your Name is required field.
Comment is required field.
Yield increase
Close
Yield increase

Clover Imaging extended yield remanufactured printer cartridges are designed, engineered, and manufactured to offer superior quality and performance, while surpassing the OEM’s highest page yields. Extended yield cartridges guarantee higher yields and lower cost-per-page without sacrificing density or print quality. Clover Imaging’s extended yield remanufactured printer cartridges are highly sustainable and have been GreenCircle certified as closed-loop products that contain at least 86% recycled content. For businesses looking for high-quality, sustainable printing at an affordable price, the choice is clear.

Recycled Content Certified
Close
Recycled Content Certified

GreenCircle is an independent, third-party ecolabel that recognizes an organization’s commitment to reuse materials to support a circular economy and reduce their reliance on virgin materials. Clover Imaging Group remanufactured toner cartridges are GreenCircle-certified to contain 86% recycled content and inkjet cartridges are certified at 99%.

Low-Emissions Toner
Close
Low-Emissions Toner

Low-emission toners used by Clover Imaging Group have been pre-approved by Nordic Ecolabelling for use in Nordic Swan Ecolabel-certified remanufactured printer cartridges. These toners are specially formulated to ensure that applicable Nordic Swan Ecolabel requirements are met, including criteria placing strict limits on volatile organic compound emissions and prohibiting the presence of certain pollutants and other harmful substances.

Close

Sign Up For More Information

- SIGN UP TODAY! -
Close

Thanks For Signing Up!

Register now to start saving 40% over OEM pricing

2022 Aspire Sustainability Comparative LCA, commissioned by Clover Imaging Group.

Supplies Ordered
Close
We have received your pallet pickup request.
Close
Information
Close
Information
Close
Information
Close
 
Close

 
Close

INFORMATION
Close

Are you sure you want to logout?

INFORMATION
Close

Press OK to switch region to Clover Imaging Group

Multiple choices
Close

This item is available for outright sale or exchange purchase.
Please choose below.

Retrieve account data
Close
To retrieve your login data, enter your email:
 
Please wait...
Information

Thank you for your interest in Clover! Due to the robust functionality on our website, we can only support the most current web browsers. We recommend upgrading your browser to the latest version of Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

Information

Your session will expire in 5 minute(s).


Information

Your session has expired, you are now logged out.


Error retrieving data
Close
Thank you
Close
Video
Close
Video
Close
Video
Close
Video
Close
Video
Close
Web Tutorial
Close
Upload logo
Close

Allowed format: .jpg, .png, .bmp; Max:1024x768px; Min:590x307px.

Shipping Information ()

Close
INFORMATION
Close

Your document is being created. Please wait until the download initiates.


Terms and Conditions
Close
Shipping Address List View all addresses
Close
Click on the address to select it
Add new Ship-To address
Close
* Required Field
Add new Ship-To address
Close
* Required Field
How it works?
Close

Click the green button "Create New User"

Fill out the form fields for your new user. Select which permissions your new user should have and assign a username and password. Click Save. You will receive an e-mail confirming the new user has been set up successfully. Follow this procedure to set up each new user.

After you have created a new user, the new user will receive an automated email with their new user name and password. They will be given instructions on how to change their password if they would like to choose their own. However, as an administrator, you will always have access to delete/edit users, view their profile information (including their password) and change their permissions.

If you need to edit a user, there are links beside each user to edit or delete the user’s profile.

If you delete a user, the user will now appear on the Deleted Users Page and you can Re-Activate at any time if you need to do so.

Clover Video
Close
Information
Close

Alternative Items
Close
Notification
Close
Upload Terms and Conditions
Close

Allowed format: .pdf; Max file size: 5MB.

Upload Customer Logo
Close

Allowed format: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .bmp; Max file size: 5MB.

Resubmit Historical Usage File
Close

Allowed Formats: .xls, .xlsx; Max file size: 5MB.

Warning 
Close

Please note that this is a bid item that's part of the Silver Bullet program. Make sure that you have been approved to ship Silver Bullet items to this customer prior to placing an order. If this customer has not been approved, the order will be cancelled. Thank you.

Warning 
Close

Please note that at least one of selected items is a bid item that's part of the Silver Bullet program. Make sure that you have been approved to ship Silver Bullet items to this customer prior to placing an order. If this customer has not been approved, the order will be cancelled. Thank you.

Warning
Close
Notification
Warning
Email
Close
To download this certificate, please provide your email address. You will receive the requested file within 10 minutes.
 
Collection and use of email address governed by our Privacy Policy
PROMOTION DETAILS
Close
First Warning
Warning: One of your past shipments contained less than the minimum required number of items. If this happens again, your account will be suspended. Please ensure that future shipments meet the minimum requirements per recycling program terms and conditions.
Loader
Payment Information

To use the Clover Recycling Center, you must provide a credit card which may be charged on a monthly basis to offset program costs. Charges will vary depending on the contents of your return shipments.

View program terms and conditions

* Required Field

  • Confirmation

    By adding a new user to your Recycling Center account, you are responsible for the items sent back by this user. If the items sent back are a “Non-Qualifying Item” and incur a recycling fee, your credit card on file will be charged according to our Recycling Program Terms.

    Invite New Users
    Close

    Ready to invite users? Enter their email addresses below, separated by commas or semicolons.