Preparations Before the Negotiation
Clarify Requirements: Determine the specific specifications of the required labels, such as size, shape, material, color, quantity, etc.; clarify the information that needs to be included on the labels, such as brand name, product name, specification parameters, usage instructions, barcodes, QR codes, etc.; according to the product’s sales cycle and usage scenarios, determine the delivery time and delivery method. These basic pieces of information are fundamental and should be clearly explained to the manufacturer. For production, understanding the details of the basic information is essential for production cooperation. Defining requirements is the foundation of production and determines the delivery date to avoid delays. Sometimes wholesalers may need early delivery, and the requirements for products should be adjusted according to market demands. For example, when the market demand is large, the production quantity of labels should be adjusted according to the market situation so that products can be put on the shelves as soon as possible.
Understand the Market and Industry: Get to know the basic situation of the label production industry, including the market price range, common production processes, quality standards, etc.; collect relevant information about other manufacturers, including their product features, prices, services, etc., for comparison and reference during the negotiation. Always pay attention to the market trends. When it comes to the price of production materials, try to purchase them when the price is low to obtain a greater premium and a larger profit margin.
Prepare Questions: Prepare questions regarding production capacity, quality control, price, service, etc. For example, ask the manufacturer whether they have the capacity to handle small-batch orders and whether they can complete production within a short time; understand the quality inspection measures taken by the manufacturer and how they ensure the printing clarity, color accuracy, and adhesion firmness of the labels; inquire about the price composition, whether there is a quantity discount, as well as the payment method and settlement cycle. Pay attention to details such as checking for color differences in printing and whether there are defects on the corners of the produced labels. Defective labels should be removed to avoid affecting the overall quality of the labels.
Organize Company Information: Prepare relevant materials of your own company, including company introduction, business scope, product information, etc., to introduce to the manufacturer during the negotiation so that the other party can better understand the background and requirements of the cooperation. The relevant information of the company should be organized because during the negotiation with the manufacturer, the basic information needs to be told to the customer to make the customer trust the manufacturer more and cooperate with them, enhancing the customer’s willingness to cooperate. Organizing the company information clearly also helps the company promote its products externally.
Key Points During the Negotiation
Establish a Good Communication Atmosphere: Start with a friendly and professional attitude, briefly introduce yourself and your company, and explain the purpose of the negotiation to enable both parties to start the dialogue in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. When manufacturers and wholesalers communicate and hand over, they should try their best to establish a good communication atmosphere to increase the possibility of cooperation.
Clearly Express Requirements: Inform the manufacturer of the prepared label requirements in detail and accurately, ensuring that the other party understands every detail; for some special requirements or key information, emphasize them to avoid misunderstandings. Clearly expressing your requirements to the manufacturer can reduce the occurrence of problems in the subsequent production process. For example, if there are color deviations, incorrect sizes, or the production quantity is too small or too large during production, it will have a negative impact on the cooperation between the two parties. For the manufacturer, due to negligence in details and failure to provide good production services to the customer, it is likely to have a negative impact on future cooperation, and the customer may not cooperate with this manufacturer again.
Listen to the Other Party’s Opinions: Give the manufacturer enough time to express their viewpoints and ideas, and carefully listen to their suggestions for label production. For example, they may propose more suitable material or process options based on their experience to achieve better results and cost control.
Discuss Price and Payment Method: When discussing the price, clarify the composition of each expense, such as plate-making fees, printing fees, material fees, etc., and see if there is room for negotiation; depending on the cooperation situation and trust level between the two parties, explore appropriate payment methods, such as the proportion of advance payment and the time for paying the balance.
Determine Cooperation Details: Clarify the time, cost, and quantity of sample production; determine the production cycle and delivery time, taking into account possible unexpected situations, such as raw material supply problems and equipment failures, and negotiate countermeasures; determine the communication methods and contacts of both parties to establish an effective communication channel so that problems can be solved in a timely manner during the cooperation process.
Record Key Information: During the negotiation, carefully record the consensus reached by both parties and key information, including the other party’s commitments and important viewpoints, to avoid forgetting or misunderstanding.
Follow-up After the Negotiation
Organize Negotiation Content: Timely organize the negotiation records, sort out the key points discussed by both parties, the agreements reached, and the matters that need further confirmation to form a clear document.
Send Confirmation Email: Send the negotiation content and confirmation items to the manufacturer in the form of an email to let the other party confirm again, ensuring that both parties have the same understanding and at the same time providing a written basis for subsequent cooperation.
