What should supervisors do before purchasing from unfamiliar vendors?

Conducting basic research before purchasing from unfamiliar vendors is essential to ensure informed decision-making. This step involves gathering relevant information about the vendor’s reputation, services, products, and pricing. Research can include looking at online reviews, ratings, industry reports, and seeking information from peers within the industry who might have experience with the vendor. This foundational knowledge helps supervisors understand whether the vendor is credible and meets the organization’s needs and standards.

While seeking approval from higher management, requesting references, and evaluating past performance are important considerations during the vendor selection process, they often rely on having some preliminary information first. Conducting basic research serves as a critical initial step that informs whether further actions, like obtaining references or evaluations, are necessary and valuable. Thus, starting with research allows for a more thorough and informed approach to vendor selection.