As a global mobility professional, managing your vendor network can be one of the biggest challenges. Between ensuring quality service, tracking performance metrics, enabling transparency, and controlling costs — it's a constant juggling act.
But it doesn't have to be overwhelming. By following some vendor management best practices and leveraging the right solutions, you can streamline processes and deliver an exceptional experience for your employees on assignment.
Based on insights from over 150 global mobility leaders in the Benivo Changemakers community, here are some key focuses for mastering vendor management:
When the Changemakers were asked their most important criteria for selecting vendors, quality of service came out as the top priority — even ahead of cost savings. After all, poor service can end up costing more in the long run through disruption, rework, and employee dissatisfaction.
The ability to capture real-time feedback from employees and provide transparency to vendors is critical. This allows you to quickly identify and resolve any service issues before they escalate.
The second most desired feature in a "dream vendor management platform" was enhanced analytics and performance tracking. GM leaders want visibility into vendors' adherence to timelines, completion of deliverables, and overall quality metrics.
Leveraging an integrated platform, like Benivo, with live dashboards and reporting gives mobility teams the insights they need, when they need it — rather than waiting for quarterly business reviews.
A recurring theme was the importance of flexibility to engage different vendors across locations, policies, and populations. Having a diverse, pre-qualified vendor pool allows mobility teams to quickly swap providers if service standards slip.
Look for solutions like Benivo's Supplier Partner Network that streamline onboarding new, specialized vendors while ensuring robust security checks and compliance. The ability to easily mix-and-match providers empowers mobility teams to optimize their program. In addition, you have the option to choose a high-tech, high-touch experience that enables relocation consultants to provide personalized support where it is needed most.
Another major challenge cited was the abundance of communication touchpoints for employees during a move cycle. Having a single point of contact can minimize confusion and burden.
Evaluating relocation consultant support models or leveraging a unified mobility platform with integrated chat functionality can help consolidate voices and provide employees a seamless experience.
Corporate social responsibility is increasingly important for procurement decisions. Ask how potential vendors approach sustainability through carbon footprint measurement, reforestation initiatives, and furniture donation programs.
Fortunately, the latest solutions are making it easier to track and offset environmental impacts while reducing assignment costs through sustainable practices.
While the perfect vendor management strategy will vary for each mobility program's needs, having an experienced solution partner can provide valuable guidance on best practices, KPIs to monitor, and emerging vendor specialties.
Leveraging an integrated, global platform like Benivo, allows mobility teams to consolidate their vendor roster, streamline logistics, access powerful analytics, and deliver a world-class experience for their employees — without the headaches of juggling different systems and providers.
To thrive in today's dynamic environment, mobility teams need flexibility, transparency, and quality assurance from their supply chain. Make vendor management a key priority, and maximize the right technology solution to optimize your mobility ecosystem.
Contact us to learn more about how Benivo delivers on all these priorities.