Comments on: You and Vendors Stop Groping Each Other — Pass on Swag, Keep Your Integrity

By: AnonyMouse

AnonyMouse — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:48:23 +0000

Great article — thanks for posting it. Many of these practices are not allowed under the NEMA Code of Ethics for member companies that manufacture medical imaging equipment and radiation therapy systems, fyi. You can see NEMA’s announcement of the Code at http://www.nema.org/media/pr/20050104a.cfm, which has a link there the Code itself.

By: Vendor Life

Vendor Life — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:36:39 +0000

Paying for attention seems to be a way of life for HIS vendors. However, I believe that there are legitimate business opportunities to play golf or buy a lunch. Can bringing donuts to a morning meeting really be harmful? I believe this is just thoughtful and shows appreciation for ones time. The real problem is where people expect you to pay. This all starts with Trade Shows and Associations. The HFMA is a classic example of where a vendor “supports” an association yet the members don’t support the vendors. CHIME is another classic example. Here is an organization that originally went from large vendor membership only to offering lower costs for smaller vendors only to decide to raise prices and eliminate the small vendors. But does it really matter? No, because it is still an elite club where vendors pay for a “boon doggle” event, where really everyone treats the vendor like a pariah. The trade publications are no different. Advertise and we will highlight you in our publication. So it should not surprise anyone that Johns Hopkins provides a 4 page value of their brand document with an RFP. Vendors get blamed for gouging customers, but the truth is we are the ones being gouged.

By: BothSides

BothSides — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:01:39 +0000

I have been on both sides of this as a vendor and as a CIO. There is a lot of value in developing a relationship with your vendor. Much of the time this is done over a meal or on the golf course. So, there is value. As a sales guy I appreciated the time I got with the prospect and did not mind paying their way to dinner, lunch or golf. As a CIO i have been astonished at the lavish offers some vendors make. I can see the other side of this as well. Five Star hotel “retreats” and dinners at exclusive clubs all designed to impress and align you with that vendor where you actually spend very little time with the primary contacts or powers that be. Good article, it might be a little over zealous, vendor contact is a good thing…most of the time, it fosters open communication and you can develop invaluable relationships that will help your organization.

By: Programmer

Programmer — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:09:12 +0000

Are you talking about JohnS Hopkins?

By: John Hopkin$

John Hopkin$ — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:16:30 +0000

You and Vendors Stop Groping Each Other — Pass on Swag, Keep Your Integrity..definitely not the John Hopkin$ way. The “value” of the JH name is well worth any investment you make with them. Standard request: NO charge for software, royalty on sales and of course all expenses paid for travel to reference sites.
You must sign an agreement that you “understand” these conditions before responding to RFP’s. I did fail to mention that they dont want to take any risk, so even with all this, they don’t buy.