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BLUE LABEL INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2016
50
Stakeholder relations
continued
Stakeholder
group
Nature of engagement
Method of engagement
Dialogue process and
outcomes
Business
partners and
suppliers
– we
collaborate to
enhance the
end
customer’s
experience
The relationships with
business partners such as
Vodacom, MTN, Cell C,
Telkom, Eskom,
municipalities, utilities,
parastatals, event, concert
and sport organisers,
transport providers,
commercial banks and
merchant acquirers, as well
as service providers are
managed in terms of written
distributor and/or dealer
agreements. The nature of
agreements are generally
long term.
Relationship managers are
appointed to each partner to
provide a single and
dedicated point of contact.
Suppliers are managed in a
formal procurement process,
during which issues such as
quality of product,
creditworthiness and B-BBEE
status are confirmed, prior to
their appointment. Suppliers
of services are, if appropriate,
initially engaged through a
tender process and, where
successful, agreements are
concluded. The majority of
the Group’s goods and
services are procured from
locally based suppliers.
Engaging this group of
stakeholders also provides
a platform for product
innovation, as well as line of
sight into indicative market
supply and demand trends.
Existing trading relationships
with the network operators
afford the Group a clear line
of sight into cross- and
up-selling opportunities.
Written distributor and/or
dealer agreements.
Formal and informal
meetings.
Site visits are held on request.
Supplier relationships may
transform into customer
service arrangements.
We recognise the need to work
co-operatively in order to ensure
quality and value for money in
products and services.
Adherence to contract terms
and conditions and full payment
for goods delivered and services
rendered, are key to maintaining
sound relationships with this
stakeholder group. Matters
raised pertain mostly to
technical and operational issues,
which are resolved timeously
thereby ensuring a smooth
service delivery.
Supplier relationships may
transform into customer service
arrangements.