11 Traits That Your Physician Scheduling Vendor Should Have

As a salesperson and business owner there are several qualities that my prospects are looking for when choosing Call Scheduler as their doctor scheduling software.  Similarly they are the same qualities I am looking for when I choose a partner.  Listed below are 11 traits that every vendor should have.  Although some are more important than others, they are not in any specific order.

1. Knowledge.  Does your vendor spend more time talking about themselves and their company versus your current situation?  If you think about your clinic or hospital, how often does the medical staff spent time telling patients how good or smart they are...never.  Be sure your new partner asks good questions and is knowledgeable about the industry they serve.
2. Experience.  People work with people who make them feel comfortable.  Be sure you have an experienced person trying to solve your problems.  Strike one may be the new person calling on you, strike two may be that the company that wants your business send someone who knows nothing about your business.  No one likes the newbie. 
3. Website.  Although websites are like art, very subjective, it is still a good representation of the company.  Now days most of us never take field-trips to the company headquarters, because of this be sure the website is informative, up-to-date, and has information about more than just what they sell.
4. Insight into the future.  Is the dog wagging the tail or the tail wagging the dog.  As a software vendor our company needs to stay ahead of what is new regarding programming, server technology, smart phones and tablet PC's.  We never dictate to our prospects or customers what new features we should develop, only how to develop them.  Your vendor’s insights should always be curbed with what your business needs.
5. Community involvement.  I think companies that are involved in their communities have smart people behind the wheel.  Business is more than just selling and profits.  As government funding continues to dry-up, local companies must step-up and take care of the people in their community.
6. Financial stability.  Although most privately held companies do not share financial statements with prospects, it is important to do business with companies that will be around to serve you in the future.  I like to work with companies that "proudly" make a profit.
7. Attitude of service.  Don't you just love it when you are talking to someone on the phone who sounds completely disinterested?  Or you go to a store to see a team member with a "mad face".  Demand better.  Be sure that who-ever you are paying to service you does it with a smile on their face and in their voice.
8. Humility.  In the world of software it is easy to unintentionally make someone feel kind of stupid when they need help.  After all they have already been trained.  Who cares, be sure your partners are humble in how they treat your team with questions, even stupid questions.  We all feel stupid enough with technology sometimes without some punk-high school kid making us feel that way when we call for help.
9. Passion.  I love talking with someone who is passionate about what they do.  When choosing a long term vendor be sure that you can see the sparkly in their eyes and hear their enthusiasm no matter what they are trying to sell you.
10. Desire to satisfy.  I like working with someone who is truly trying to help me solve whatever problem I have.  You know how you can tell?  If their solution is not a good fit, they still want to help you.  A good vendor or salesperson is always trying to please, not just sell.
11. Ability to listen.  You can always tell how well someone listens by the questions that they ask.  If you find yourself doing all of the listening as the buyer, beware. 

Choosing a vendor is like hiring an employee, it is so important (and less expensive) to make the correct choice the first time.

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