I think vendor and purchaser both are having common goal of having healthy business. If we avoid any personal family reasons or medical urgency then reason for not responding is only that some reason which is hampering vendor’s business. So need to understand reasons (Outstanding payments, quality, raw material availability, etc) in holistic way and I believe across the table dialogues will be giving prompt solution.

Before taking necessary measures it’s imperative to understand potential reasons behind not getting enough attentions from key vendor . If business opportunity given to supplier is not aligned with their internal strategy and not adding value to their overall business than important is to leverage other potential opportunities to make business case strong and sustainable.If business given to supplier is adding lot of risk at supplier end than time to time hand holding is required to mitigate their risk so that their interest remain intact.

Simple yet key aspect of any business is value addition - be it monetary or technological. Identify the potential areas of collaborations and clearly address what value addition it will do the their business and your’s as well. Engaging for long-term partnership strategy formulation and cost benefit analysis will be an advantage.

If he is a key vendor & critical to our business, I don’t struggle as we categorise them as strategic vendors and build relationships accordingly and also will have communication / escalation matrix in place if such situation arise .

1. Research: Understand their needs and priorities. 2. Multi-Channel Communication: Use email, calls, LinkedIn, or visits. 3.Personalize/Customized approach: Tailor your message to them. 4. Add Value: Highlight benefits and past successes with other vendors. 5. Leverage Leadership: Involve senior executives. 6. Referrals: Use mutual connections for introductions. 7. Propose Small Steps: Offer trials or low-risk projects. 8. Follow Up: Be persistent but respectful.