You might be thinking of making an investment to update and improve your grain business.  Before you talk with a vendor, it’s smart to do your homework.  Wait, do homework about your own business?  Yes.  Honest vendors will need to know certain information so they can make smart recommendations tailored to your needs, instead of throwing a one-size-fits-all “solution” at you.  So it’s up to you to do a high-level assessment.  Be able to answer these questions:

Find out which companies offer what you need.  Do a little research (or delegate it to an employee).  Once you know who is out there, you can do more digging.  Does the company have longevity in the industry?  Are there testimonials on their website, and are those businesses like yours?  Is there a mention of service that supports the products?After you answer these questions, you’re ready to consider your choices.  You’re essentially looking for a partner.  Keep that in mind as you take the next steps.

  • Ask for recommendations.  Remember that guy you met at the last industry conference who runs a co-op in another state?  Or the new employee who used to work at a grain facility nearby?  Ask connections like these which solutions work for them and what their experiences have been with the companies they bought from.
  • After you’ve gathered a list of possibilities, make some calls.  Tell the potential vendors what your needs are.  Now is when your homework will start to pay off.  The ones that want to really serve your needs are going to ask you many – if not all – the questions in the “discovery curve.”  They’re doing their own fact-finding, just like you did.

When a reputable vendor rounds the “discovery curve” for your business, they take what they learn and craft a meaningful discussion about improvement.  Having this information ahead of time gives the subject matter experts a basis on which to identify components to fit your setup (so don’t be put off if they ask to give you a call back).  SMEs begin envisioning solutions and devise options for you to consider. Having a foundation of relevant knowledge makes meetings much more productive and efficient.

That’s how Cultura’s SMEs roll.  Their crackerjack expertise kicks into high gear when they know the details about your facility.  They can cut to the chase and create a customized demo, driving to a single point of contact. This process gives you the most complete information, which equips you to make the best decisions for automation.

Don’t miss our next blog.  It will give you concrete ideas on what automation can do for your business.