At LampShop we’ve pulled a few plugs speaking to our Sparks and Listed 5 Frustrations when it comes to their Lighting needs.
Lampshop has dealt with many electrical contractors throughout the years and whilst in conversation, we dived between the circuit board and found some relatable pain points. Depending on the scale of the project and specific industry (Hospitality, Retail, Facility Management Lighting), their main challenges are similar across projects.
Here are the 5 biggest frustrations Electrical Contractors face on the job site, that will continue to persist in 2021.
1. Suppliers with Limited or No Stock inventory.
When it comes to the unanimous winner as the biggest pain point associated with a Spark it has to be chasing around suppliers for stock. With the recent pandemic, it’s left many suppliers still recovering with the adversary of supply chain management.
“69% are reporting difficulties in obtaining raw materials or components with late deliveries, shortage of shipping capacity and slow return to manufacturing capacity post-pandemic.”
Lighting Industry Association, 2021
The pandemic has left a fork in the middle of the lighting supply chain. Shortages of supplies, delayed shipments and irregular deadlines have given little or no hope in completing projects on time.
So, we suggest you consider these points before investing into your supplier :
- Do the products come from a reliable manufacturer?
- Are you dealing directly with the manufacturer or an appointed agent in the UK?
- Do you know where you are ordering from and is stock available in the UK?
- Are you able to get friendly, helpful advice, guidance and technical support when you need it?
Like Lampshop, a reputable supplier will have professional, transparent and easy-to-use service with trade account and credit card ordering options. Look for our specialist called “BrightSparks” they can give you assistance on this matter.
2. Delayed Deliveries.
Obviously, without the proper materials on site, you can’t get their work done on time, Sparks usually must have enough wiggle room in their schedule to quickly accommodate delivery delays. If you often experience delayed deliveries, are constantly waiting on backorders, or receive the wrong order altogether, it won’t take long for them to find a new place to do business.
Lampshop are combating Delivery Delays by focusing on 2 flexible shipping alternatives:
- Delivering Direct to Site – cutting down the time taken for material/products to reach the site, increasing efficiency by eliminating the need to pick up and drop off supplies.
- Timed Deliveries – gives you the ability to choose when shipments are sent for delivery with Live Updates. This way suppliers can work around Electrical Contractor suitability and deliver goods without disturbing the workflow schedule.
3. Complicated Invoices.
The ultimate headache for any Spark is the pile-up of invoice paperwork, a time-consuming task that takes up the majority of the morning. If you aren’t well organized with your invoices, you might lose both time and money. Suppliers should always make sure that their invoices are clear and user friendly. Clear invoicing helps avoid complaints and disputes, whilst helping you manage costs and expenditure.
Many suppliers are now opting for a simple and electronic invoicing experience. With an online business account, Sparks can check credit limits, invoicing and have a backup of documentation, ensuring that you have a convenient source of records.
4. Latest Product Information.
For over 100 years, incandescent, fluorescent and halogen ruled the roost. Components were standardized, so electricians could solve any problem using generic replacement parts. But the lighting world has changed dramatically, particularly in the past three years, with LEDs. Manufacturers have vastly increased the efficiency, life expectancy and colour rendition of these light sources, all while driving prices down.
A Spark needs to know the latest product developments so they can stay ahead in their business. Many Lighting suppliers do not offer convenient support channel for Sparks leaving many with outdated product knowledge. With the LSO Support Hub, you receive updated Product Specification, Downloadable Data Sheets and the ability to speak to a profession through many touchpoints because no two problems are the same.
5. Easier Communication with Suppliers.
Customer service is a large part of the buying process for the Spark. Without a cohesive structure for retaining, responding and acting on customer feedback, it’s difficult to provide high levels of customer satisfaction and make improvements for the future. Even where the product is compliant, poor communication with suppliers that results in delivery delays puts additional time pressure on the work.
The key for overcoming communication issues is to provide a single gateway where customer orders, delivery information and order details can be instantly transmitted to people all over the business. State-of-the-art technology, fully integrated, offers the ability to give visibility and control across the supply chain, while also the option of continually considering feedback.
