During a year of global supply‑chain disruptions, the retailer Summit Gear relied heavily on a cybersecurity provider who safeguarded their e‑commerce platform against fraud. This vendor acted as a “Guardian,” constantly monitoring systems to ensure customer data stayed safe . Acknowledging that this behind‑the‑scenes work often goes unnoticed, Summit’s procurement team decided to formally thank the vendor at the end of the peak holiday season. In addition to a heartfelt note, they sent a referral to another retailer, wrote to the vendor’s executive leadership praising their team, and presented a “Security Partner of the Year” award at a vendor summit—gestures recommended in Venminder’s guide to appreciating trusted vendors .
“We know our job is to quietly keep bad actors at bay, so hearing that our efforts mattered to Summit Gear was incredibly meaningful. The letter to our CEO and the referral helped elevate our team internally, and the award displayed in our office reminds us that integrity and vigilance are valued. The gratitude created a sense of partnership rather than a transactional supplier relationship."
By publicly recognizing the vendor’s role and offering referrals, Summit strengthened the relationship and secured priority support during future product launches. According to Venminder, vendors who feel appreciated are more likely to provide high‑quality service and collaborate on innovative solutions . The award and referrals also enhanced the vendor’s reputation, ensuring they remain motivated to deliver exceptional security. Investing time to say thank you pays off in resilience and reliability across the supply chain.
