| Frequently Asked Questions
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Selecting An Experiential Training Vendor
How Should You Select an Experiential Training Vendor?
We frequently get requests from potential clients seeking
information on our company (by the way, all our information is on this
site). In talking to these clients we find out that many perspective clients
are concerned about finding the right vendor, and in the process end up
seeking information from as many as 15+ providers. This presents the client
with the task of sorting through a lot of information and they must still
select someone from all the candidates.
In the interest in helping the potential clients solve this
problem, Here is one view on how to choose an experiential training vendor:
There are currently a lot of vendors offering team building
programs. Some internet search engines list as many as 300 vendors under
the heading "Team Building". Most of these companies have very
similar product offerings or the ability to partner with an organization
that has what you want. With all this to choose from, how can you ensure
that your company finds the right vendor. From our perspective (and we
are not promoting our own company) there are four major considerations
in selecting a vendor:
- Experience: Many team building
companies are relatively new operations and the providers come from
many walks of life. Check with potential providers on their overall
level of experience and be wary of new entrants to the field. Look for
vendors with a wide range of experience, not just outdoor programs.
Look for membership in professional organizations and for professional
certifications. Does the vendor adhere to any professional code of ethics?
Does the vendor have the ability to provide a thorough assessment of
your needs? Does the vendor have the ability to provide follow-up programs
and to program at several levels, not just experiential activities?
- References: Ask for a client
list and for the names and contact persons from their most recent client
program. Eliminate vendors who refuse to do this or have no current
references.
- Relationship: Although
this is a subjective category, it is one of the most important considerations.
Does the potential vendor answer all your questions and provide value
added information in the process? Is the vendor genuinely interested
in your business or are they trying to sell you a product? Does the
vendor exhibit the flexibility necessary to meet your organization's
needs? Try to have several members of your team interact with the vendor
and be sure the vendor has contact with the ultimate decision makers.
Make a decision based on the vendors ability to connect with all team
members. Be sure you talk to the actual programmers, not just the sales
person.
- Proposals: When you
have made a commitment to actually run a team building, select no more
than 3 vendors using the above criteria. Do not ask for proposals if
you are just searching for information. Have each vendor submit a proposal
based on your organizations specific needs. Eliminate program cost as
an initial factor in assessing proposals. Look for thoroughness and
quality in the proposals as well as the vendors program deliverables,
program goals and objectives and a complete description of the program
curriculum. Make an initial selection of a vendor based on relationship
and ask the vendor to negotiate on your specific needs, including program
cost. Eliminate a vendor who refuses to negotiate.
Location is not listed as a criteria in this list. It is
our contention that there is no cost benefit to the client in using a
local provider. Most vendors have the ability to program globally using
low cost airfares and local program sites. Your cost for using an out
of town vendor should be no different than using a local provider.
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