Hot Take: Vendor or Partner? Up to You (and Them)
A Note to Education Industry Leaders: You want to call yourselves partners. Act like it.
“We would prefer to be called a partner instead of a vendor." I can’t tell you how many times over the years I’ve heard this. Well, now is the time to fulfill your obligation as a partner. Don't mess this up.
Don't let everyone down by being indelicate, tone-deaf, underhanded, or aggressively opportunistic. If you’re jumping on the free for COVID-19 bandwagon, good for you. Just make sure it’s driven by the right reasons. Some of you are clouding those reasons with your motivation to capitalize on a vulnerable sector. For shame. Just do the right thing - make your products free if you can. Charge districts money if the products are worth it. Make sure anything you offer schools right now is accompanied by training and support.
This is your chance to demonstrate what it means to be a partner. Prove that you can.
A Note to Education Leaders: Don't automatically add companies to your sh*tlist.
I started hearing about districts adding companies to their sh*tlist in response to their outreach to you. Don't. Remember that your suppliers are not corporate automatons with no soul. Well, not all of them.They are made up of people for whom, as a general rule, education matters most. That's why they are in this sector.
Hundreds of layoffs are already happening in what is now the peak budgeting and sales season. So don't hold it against providers as they look to stabilize their business and protect their employees. Instead, look for innovation and find the things that will help you, your staff, and your families. Rather than close ranks, now is a great time to seek out companies you may not know or have worked with in the past.
Let those who want to help you, help you. Utilize the myriad free resources available to you. And if a product or service adds real value, get on board with paying for it. Everyone can win here.
Ignore the rest as needed. And yes, if a company or a sales rep is out of line, blast 'em. But don't lose sight of the fact that education providers really do want to be partners. Give them a chance to prove it.
A Note to Readers of this Post.
This is my first “Hot Take” and it occurs to me that nobody has ever used “Jim McVety” and “Hot” in the same sentence. If you want to add your reactions, comments, and advice to other readers, go for it. Just make sure it’s not too hot to handle.