Let's face it - pleasing your customers in the auto industry can be difficult. Regulations, quality standards, and fees stack up, making it hard to focus on your business - and easy to write off the importance of cultivating business relationships. Despite the fact that commerce is becoming more automated and less personal, trust is still a major factor in the success of your business. Your customers need to know they can rely on you - and you need to know how best to prove you deserve that confidence. Here's how:
Corporate responsibility shows company legitimacy and customer focus. It's a complex topic encompassing a variety of issues, from improving global working conditions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to sourcing materials throughout the supply chain. You may feel that your business doesn't have time to dig into each of these things individually, but doing so is one of the best ways to actively participate and gain a voice in the automotive industry - plus, your customers need to know that you're not just about producing top quality parts or raw materials, but that you're about top quality client service too. Read up on best practices pertaining to your industry - when a customer asks you how you handle sensitive materials or issues, you'll be glad you did.
2. Adhere to quality standards.
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: quality compliance is essential to your company's success in the automotive industry. Your customers hold themselves to a certain standard, and they'll expect you to do the same. They won't want to waste time reviewing your products to make sure they're compliant with the necessary regulations. Getting certified in the quality tools that apply to your product is the best way to ensure you have a leg up over the competition. A competitor could have a larger operation, but you'll hold more sway if your product is quality compliant.
3. Always be professional.
Quality compliance and corporate responsibility mean nothing if your organization doesn't have the professionalism to back them up. Take some time to train each one of your employees on the important information they'll need to perform to the best of their ability. To make it easy to get the whole company involved, AIAG offers discounted training and document licenses for large groups. We'll even screen your new hires to help you gather a baseline for what they already know and ensure that they're the right fit for your organization. Successful customer relationships start with individuals - so make sure that your employees are representing your company in a positive light.
To positively affect change across the automotive supply chain, stakeholders need a membership association that values open, active discussion. And that's where AIAG comes in. We work alongside our members - the experts - to streamline industry practices for the sake of its sustainable, responsible growth. 
