The basic ideas in Partnering are not complicated. They work because they are the same ideas that have always made relationships between people work. PARTNERING. is based upon the establishment of 8 principles between supplier and customer. Namely: Trust, Open Communication, Flexibility, Integrity, Confidentiality, Commitment, Understanding, and Fair Play. It results in the elimination of wasted time and energy as adversaries.

Trust
As part of a True Partnership, a bond of trust must exist between supplier and customer. This is necessary to avoid excessive paper work, legal issues, and to maintain on-going cooperation and effective communication. However, this confidence in one another must be built over a period of time, and must be based upon what each party does and how they do it.

Open Communication
Communication must be open and two-way. We need to understand each other's business requirements. Facts should be stated without exaggeration or embellishment. At the bottom line, we believe that the lack of, or ineffective communication is the basic cause of most of the problems which may occur in the Buyer/Seller relationship.

Flexibility
A True Partnership is flexible in meeting each other's business needs,. When conditions warrant, we as the supplier are willing to give every consideration to push schedules out to a later delivery date due to changes in demand. Conversely. we would hope that every consideration will be given to us when shipment dates slip on our end due to unforeseen circumstances. The bottom line is mutually beneficial cooperation.

Integrity
Integrity is another important facet of a True Partnership. First of all everything possible should be done to meet a commitment, But if a problem does arise. we should honestly advise the other of the true nature of the problem. then work together to resolve the difficulties. Simply stated, let us both say what we mean and do what we say.

Confidentiality
Within a True Partnership. Confidentiality on both sides must be maintained. The confidentiality not only includes items which are specifically identified within an agreement, but such privileged information as the Buyer's build rates, price quotations, new product plans, and other information which, if disclosed, could be detrimental to the Buyer.

Commitment
Commitment is also an integral part of a True Partnership. The commitment must be maintained through both good and bad times. Should there be a business down turn, the same level of service and dependability should be maintained. The true nature of a partnership is a long term commitment which should not be affected by business circumstances.

Understanding
We should all understand that many times honest mistakes happen within both our companies. This is not to say that poor performance should be acceptable. Being a sole supplier carries the added responsibility of doing everything humanly possible to correct problems as rapidly as possibly. New systems and procedures should be implemented to prevent them from recurring. Examples would be The Seller missing a delivery date or developing an unforeseen quality problem. The Buyer, on the other hand, might provide inaccurate forecasting information or specifications might be in error In either case. When these situations develop, they should be viewed as a learning opportunity, the object being to make sure that they do not happen again.

Fair Play
Last of all, a partnership should be based on fair play. Short term profit opportunities, such as the Buyer requiring price concessions in a buyer's market or the Seller raising prices unreasonably in a seller's market, undermine a long term relationship.

TRUE PARTNERING RESULTS IN A WIN-WIN RELATIONSHIP