"HOW I CUT $5,500 IN COSTS - FROM SINGLE VENDOR TO MULTI-VENDOR MARKETPLACE"

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to work as a Business Analyst with a client who was ready to take their e-commerce business to the next level.

They had successfully run a single-vendor store, but the time had come to expand and welcome multiple vendors to their platform. It was an exciting prospect, but also a daunting one, especially when the numbers showed that $5,500 could easily be spent in the blink of an eye if things weren’t handled carefully.

I had to bring Emmanuel N. Akamagune onboard, the ever-dedicated Project Manager, ready to face the challenge with me. We both knew that expanding to a multi-vendor marketplace was no small feat, but I was confident that with the right strategy and some good old-fashioned problem-solving skill, we could make it happen without breaking the bank.

First, the challenge: The client was nervous, and who could blame them? Shifting from a single-vendor model to a multi-vendor marketplace meant not only scaling the platform but also addressing multiple business needs at once. We had to make sure that the tech could handle the load, that vendors could onboard seamlessly, and that the system could deliver the customer experience their brand was known for.

Oh, and we had to do it all on a tight budget.

Where Emmanuel came in was essential. His ability to keep the project on track, while managing stakeholder expectations, was invaluable. At every step, he was there to ensure the team was aligned and that we weren’t veering off course, even when things got a bit tense. And trust me, they did.

There were moments where it felt like the tech was rebelling against us funny how that happens right when you think you’ve got it all under control.

Now, you might be wondering, how on earth did we manage to save $5,500 on this project?

Very simple…

Instead of overhauling the entire system and tossing out tools that still had some life in them, I suggested strategic upgrades.

We didn’t need a shiny new system, what we needed was for the existing one to work harder and smarter.

By integrating vendor management modules and updating existing customer-facing features, we avoided unnecessary costs.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. One of the biggest challenges I faced was getting everyone on the same page.

You see, in any project of this nature, there’s always a bit of resistance to change. Some team members were concerned that the multi-vendor model would complicate things, while others worried about the new technology being too complex to manage.

And of course, there’s always that one person who feels like the new system might take their job.

The trick was in listening, really listening and making sure everyone knew that this transformation was going to benefit not just the business, but them too.

I have to give Emmanuel a shout-out here because his diplomacy and patience in navigating these concerns were key to keeping the project on track.

I didn’t make mistake bringing him onboard.

He didn’t shy away from difficult conversations, and his calm approach helped ease tensions when things got heated especially during some of the standup meetings.

The result? Within a few months, the client’s e-commerce business had transformed into a fully functional multi-vendor marketplace. Vendors were thrilled with how easy the onboarding process was, and customers appreciated the broader product selection and improved shopping experience. The client saw an increase in revenue, with a 15% rise in sales during the first quarter post-launch, and most importantly, we did it all while saving them $5,500 in unnecessary costs.

I won’t lie, it wasn’t easy. There were moments when it felt like everything was about to fall apart, but through perseverance, strategic thinking, and solid teamwork, we turned the challenge into a success story.

How do you approach resistance from difficult team members or stakeholders who are concerned about job security or fear that new systems may complicate their workflow?

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