Tips & Best Practice When Developing Products Directly with Suppliers

This episode explores the benefits of working directly with manufacturers to develop apparel products from concept to delivery. There are many advantages of bypassing agencies and buying houses, such as cost efficiency, direct communication, and enhanced customization. However, direct relationships also come with potential pitfalls, including quality control challenges, risk management issues, and logistical complexities.Elisabeth shares valuable insights into anticipating and managing these challenges through strategies like thorough due diligence, clear agreements, and regular communication. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of building strong, mutually beneficial partnerships with suppliers, focusing on trust, collaboration, support, and fair business practices.Whether you're a seasoned buyer or just starting in the industry, this episode offers practical advice and actionable strategies to help you navigate the complexities of supplier relationships and ensure successful product development.Links & Resources:Take the free Buyer-Ready Assessment: ⁠https://designdirectiveme.com/buyer-ready-assessment⁠Online Buying Course: ⁠Thrive in Fashion Buying⁠Connect with Elisabeth:Podcast: Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ and You Tube or wherever you listen to your podcastsInstagram: ⁠@designdirectivedubai⁠LinkedIn: ⁠Elisabeth Mac Hale⁠Website : ⁠The Design Directive⁠ If this episode was useful, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps the show reach more buyers who need it. And share it with someone who has a review coming up.