Elksourcing

For being successful in China sourcing, you should have clear understandings about the sourcing process and realistic expectations. Here, the most common mistakes for sourcing products from China are listed.  1). Absence strategic management in case of China sourcing: The companies, just after starting sourcing from China, usually make a lot of mistakes. Some of the most common mistakes, made by these companies include- lack of adequate research, the right strategy, and benchmarking process. It restricts businesses from setting the right product quality targets. Usually, the businesses source products from the Chinese market, mainly because of the cost benefits. However, according to the professionals, involved with sourcing, it shifts the focus from purchasing quality products to saving money. The commonly made mistakes of other businesses for sourcing Chinese products can be broadly classified into the following categories- A.  Not having a proper strategy B.  Not having any properly defined standard for the suppliers C.  Lack…

Nowadays, product packaging is proven more and more important, especially for retail. However, it’s always uneasy to create a unique and attractive packaging. Are there any good practices? The answer is yes. The followings are what I’ve learned from my 20-year experience in sourcing business. 1. Think of your brand The packaging is a great way to let your brand speak. You can create a positive association with your brand by developing customized boxes and packages. It would offer a special experience for the customers to unbox the orders and find their purchased item. You have to think of your brand, business value, your target customer of your brand, etc. 2. Understand your customer When you plan to design your product packaging, you have to understand your target customer, know what they expect from your business. After all, they are the ones who are ready to invest in your business….

Are you interesting in finding a Chinese company to help with manufacturing your product? Doing so requires choosing a good Chinese sourcing partner to facilitate the expansion. As you begin to source internationally, here are some things you need to keep in mind. 1. Product Quality No matter what materials or goods you’re sourcing, the quality of the product must always be at the forefront of any decision you make. When you expand into the international market, you will face issues related to time zone difference, geographical differences, and cultural miscommunication. Each of these 3 factors has the potential to affect the quality of your product and sourcing. Poor product quality ultimately leads to dissatisfied customers. Therefore, when searching for a manufacturing sourcing partner it’s critical to choose a sourcing agent that consistently meets or exceeds your expectations in order to build a sustainable long-term relationship delivering quality goods. 2. Logistic Capabilities How…

Quality control is essential to build a successful business, as the delivered products should meet or exceed customers’ expectations. A quality control system based on a recognized standard provides a strong foundation for achieving a wide range of marketing and operational benefits. 1. Competitiveness The ability to offer customers quality products provides a strong competitive advantage. Quality helps you to win business from competitors who are not able to match your standards and gives you the opportunity to charge premium prices for a superior product. It can also open new business opportunities in market sectors where quality is critical. 2. Customer Loyalty Providing the market with quality products helps to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. Satisfied customers have confidence that your products will continue to provide reliable performance in the future, and that increases the likelihood that they will buy from you again. Satisfied customers may also recommend your products to other companies, either directly…

The world of business has become a global marketplace nowadays. To be effective in today’s competitive landscape, businesses often have factory partners across the globe. It’s an exciting time, but it can also be a challenging time for businesses just getting started in global sourcing of products.    1. Find a Global Sourcing Partner Entrepreneurs have a streak of independence. That’s why they are in business for themselves. But a good business person will also know when to seek expertise from a partner. Global sourcing is one of those times when it’s wise to seek out a good partner because there are many unknowns. A sourcing company will steer you toward opportunities and away from pitfalls. It’s better to benefit from someone else’s experience than to make mistakes by trial and error. 2. Don’t Make Decisions on Price Alone Lower prices are a primary reason to seek out global factory partners, but…

A Factory Audit is a comprehensive yet cost-effective way to make sure your vendor is reliable and offers quality products whether you’re just beginning to work with a factory or want to assess an existing supplier. A common factory audit includes many additional benchmarks, giving you robust insights to the way the factory is managed. Before you place any order, learn why a factoryaudit can save you from making a huge mistake by choosing the wrong factory. 1. Verify Supplier Legitimacy Working with suppliers in China comes with risk, but a factory audit from a reputable quality control firm minimizes uncertainties. It’s difficult to verify a supplier’s claims from a distance, in particular without having industry knowledge. A factory audit can ensure that the factory is legal and has all the necessary certification and licenses to be able to sell and export goods. 2. Confirm Supplier’s Product Expertise A factory audit gives you an inside look at the factory’s showroom…

Sourcing from China is with full of opportunities, however, with every opportunity there is always an element of risk and China is no exception. Much of the risk can be managed and here we will outline some of the most common mistakes that people make when sourcing products, so that you can avoid making them. (1) Not defining specs This may sound obvious, but a clear definition of your product is absolutely critical. Whether the product is cardboard packaging, homewares or sports equipment, a comprehensive product specification is the first step in ensuring you end up with a supplier and product that you are happy with. The more detail you provide a supplier with, the more accurate the end product will be. (2) Not doing enough due diligence Many people don’t investigate potential suppliers in enough detail. This can be a costly mistake as trade fairs, emails and phone calls can…

China presents an excellent opportunity when it comes to sourcing products. In order to succeed, the most import thing is to find a good factory in China. However, this is uneasy. Below are some basic steps to follow: Step 1: Know your product If you don’t know the specifications (input materials, dimensions, components, packaging requirements), the compliance requirements to sell into your country, along with the quality demands of your market, then it is very hard to determine which manufacturer is right for you. Price should never be your only concern! Step 2: Research Trade websites are a great tool for finding factories. However, many professional manufacturers will not advertise through these portals and are instead found through Google, Baidu (the Chinese equivalent) or through industry specific trade shows. Keep up to date as to when and where specific trade shows are held, both in China and in your own country. Step…