In another blog we’ve discussed how suppliers can ruin the all-important factor or workforce take-up. 

However, they can also be a powerful force for improving workforce take-up. 

By following the below steps, you can involve your supplier in the process of actively improving your product selection. 

• Ensure that you’re working with a company with a proven track record in your industry and of collaborating with their customers. 
• Arrange a site visit for a representative of the company to do a walkthrough of the tasks and areas you are looking at in person 

• Arrange workshops with your employees to allow the supplier to gain an understanding of the attitudes of your operatives 
• Ask the suppliers to recommend their 3 suggested products for your application and ask them why they’ve recommended them. 
• Perform trials and gather user feedback (you could use this feedback form as a start). 
• Share the feedback and any following steps with the supplier. 

By following these steps, you should gain the following from your suppliers: 

• Increased understanding of exactly what it is you and your operatives need. 
• Engagement with the actual users and understanding of the impact product choices make in your operation. 
• A choice of product options instead of a limited “best product” route to catalogue selection. 
• The opportunity to refine and adjust product selections based on feedback