Issue - January/February 2024
A Blended Approach to Building Business Relationships
The ability to find reliable partners to handle our customers’ goods is paramount in Vanpac GroupAsia. Being in Asia, a region deeply rooted in the principles of guanxi, we place great importance on relationships and the intricate web of trust and partnerships to ensure the best possible service for our clients.
In Asia, guanxi 关系, meaning “relationships” in Chinese, is the cornerstone of our business philosophy. Over the years, we have cultivated strong, lasting relationships with various partners. These relationships are built on a foundation of trust and a shared commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients. When we work with partners who have previously proven themselves to be reliable and trustworthy, it not only streamlines the decision-making process but also ensures that our customers’ goods are in capable hands.
However, there are instances when we need to send shipments to destinations where we do not have existing relationships. In these cases, we rely on our trusted friends within the industry. These are individuals and organizations who have a wealth of experience and an extensive trusted network of business relations. Their recommendations are invaluable in helping us identify reliable working partners at unfamiliar destinations, giving us the confidence to share with our clients that they would be well taken care of at that location.
Importantly, doing our due diligence is also a top priority for us. It is a fundamental step in our partnership selection process. Regardless of previous relationships or recommendations, we conduct a thorough evaluation of potential partners whom we work with. We scrutinize their track record, financial stability, compliance with regulations, and their capacity to handle our clients’ goods safely and efficiently. This diligent approach serves as an essential filter to ensure that the partners we choose align with our commitment to quality.
Being a part of associations like IAM and FIDI, we have access to a global network of IAMX-Validated, IAMTrusted, and FIDI-accredited partners who are known for meeting rigorous standards and adhering to high expectations. These memberships provide us with an additional layer of assurance when seeking partners for handling our customers’ goods. It allows us to tap into a pool of professionals who have proven their reliability consistently.
Let me also share a story that can help illustrate how our methods, including due diligence, have led to a successful partnership: Last year, we received a request to transport a high-value shipment to The Bahamas, an uncommon destination for shipments from Asia. We reached out to our trusted partner in the USA and he not only recommended a local partner with a stellar reputation, he also helped route the shipment to The Bahamas. This recommendation turned out to be a game-changer, and our due diligence confirmed their excellence. Our clients’ goods arrived on time and in pristine condition, thanks to this newfound partnership.
In conclusion, finding reliable partners to handle our customers’ goods is a blend of traditional values, contemporary strategies, and unwavering due diligence. We have shown how we incorporate the Asian concept of guanxi, seek recommendations from trusted industry peers, and tap into the network of association-vetted partners while maintaining our commitment to thorough due diligence. Through these methods, we have established a track record of dependable partnerships that benefitted both our company and, most importantly, our valued customers. Trust, relationships, and due diligence remain the foundation of our success, and we invite our colleagues to also reached out to us and tap on our “guanxi” when they need a trusted piece of recommendation!