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PROVIDER SEARCH

Top 10 Best Practices

Building a robust network of service providers is crucial for every facilities management team. With Provider Search, you can quickly connect with top-performing providers and build higher quality, more cost-effective long–term relationships.* Here’s how to get the most out of this powerful tool.

  • 1

    Find the best providers

    Ditch subjective recommendations and biased internet searches. Use Provider Search to easily discover new providers with a proven track record of high performance. Use Direct Invite to add current providers.

  • 2

    Look for the trends

    Dig into provider scores for speed, quality, engagement, and cost. These are the same metrics you see for your current providers in your Contractor Scorecard and give you better visibility into their past performance.

  • 3

    Review your opportunities

    Subscribers who continually test new providers lower their costs and get better results. Every company has untapped potential and your biggest opportunities to improve are curated for you in Provider Search.

  • 4

    Be specific

    Start with a defined geographic region and focus on individual trades, then expand as needed. Review profiles for nuances to see if they can accommodate any unique needs.

  • 5

    Ask before inviting

    Use the messaging feature to ask if the provider can meet your needs (like faster turn-around times). Monitor for answers and, if yes, then invite them to join your network.

  • 6

    Start strong

    First impressions matter. When reaching out to new providers, communicate clearly and cordially to set the right expectations and foster open dialogue from the start.

  • 7

    Give the details

    Help providers understand the scope and requirements of the job. Edit auto-filled info for accuracy, note where you may be flexible, and include contact info for questions.

  • 8

    Follow up on invitations

    Don’t let invitations go unanswered. Send courteous reminders to reply — and let them know it’s OK to decline, so you get an answer either way. The goal is to get a definitive response.

  • 9

    Keep communication open

    Once the provider has accepted your invitation, maintain contact to swiftly address any inquiries and ensure they can do the work without any unnecessary delays.

  • 10

    Always have a back-up

    Finally, promptly add all providers who’ve accepted to your network. If multiple accept, or you’re not sure you’ll use them, it’s still a great idea to have options ready to go when you need them!

For more tips and tricks to build and maintain a rock-solid network of great providers, be sure to check out the Framework for a Strong Provider Network. 

* Provider Search and network opportunities are available in the U.S. only and will be visible if the Provider Search feature is enabled in your account.