FAQs and Answers

1. What is relationship auditing?

Relationship auditing is a management discipline, involving the rigorous and regular assessment of all significant aspects of key stakeholder commercial relationships. As the old adage goes, 'what gets measured gets done'.

2. Isn't it just research by another name?

Relationship Auditing is more than just research for three reasons:

a. Unlike standard research the focus is upon generating actionable intelligence which can yield immediate benefits, rather than passive findings which merely identify the key issues.
b. RAM's specialist expertise is executed by experienced professionals who know how to ask the right questions in the right way. This is the only way to generate the right answers.
c. RAM's independence has the effect of encouraging respondents to be more candid, specific and expansive, temporarily removed as they are from the cut and thrust of their day-to-day tasks.

3. What does it cost?

Cost is rarely an impediment to working with RAM. Most assignments begin with a Pilot which enables both parties to explore the potential and refine the methodology. Typically, the more customisation that is required, the greater the potential impact on cost - but RAM's aim is to deliver value whatever the assignment. All methodologies can either be ready-made, or tailored to fit.

4. How long does it take to do?

The key determinant of timeframe relates to what our clients want to achieve, how the solution will be delivered (e.g. web-enabled or consultant-led) and, where face-to-face interviews are concerned, the availability of the protagonists. This can vary from days to weeks - but typically, a stand-alone project can be turned round in four to six weeks. Anything urgent can be delivered more quickly, in line with requirements.

5. Can RAM's products be customised?

Yes. While RAM has developed and honed highly effective question sets, it is a key part of the offer that the programme for each client is tailored to its specific sector, market, cultural and corporate needs.

6. Who conducts the interviews?

RAM's interviews are conducted by experienced professionals, who have successfully managed business relationships at all levels. This vital interface is never delegated to the uninitiated in the interests of cost or expediency.

7. Why do I need to use a third party?

While all smart companies maintain a regular dialogue with key stakeholders, RAM's feedback from its clients gives testament to the added value derived from third party intervention. The respondents feel able to divulge more to an independent audience, and RAM is able to place these comments into the wider context which its expertise and experience has created over the years.

8. Doesn't this process just focus on problems?

On the contrary, RAM's methodologies simply seek the truth, and what can be learnt from it. If a company is performing brilliantly, RAM will say so. Equally, RAM will not shrink from delivering bad news - but it does not look for ambulances to chase.

9. Is it relevant across different business sectors?

Yes. RAM has discovered that despite differences in market/sector dynamics, practices and vocabulary, business relationships are more characterised by their similarities. After all, businesses do not have relationships with other businesses; people have relationships with other people.

10. With which industries, professions and companies does RAM work?

RAM works with service providers in the marketing services, professional and business services and automotive fields. RAM also works with companies who buy from service providers in the confectionery, governmental, pharmaceutical, telecoms and toiletries fields. See our client list for more details on the companies with whom RAM works.

11. Does RAM work internationally?

With offices in Europe, the USA and Australia, RAM is equipped to operate muti-country assignments, and has done so for service buyers and service providers in both web-enabled and consultant-led assignments.