There’s a version of vendor relationships where you know their name, phone number, and roughly what they do. And then there’s a version where you actually know what you’re working with.

This week, Matt Hall of Hierank Marketing Solutions made a case for the second version — by putting a quiz together.

Rather than walking through a typical capabilities deck, Matt built a fifteen-question game around Hierank Marketing Solutions’ services, trade knowledge, and day-to-day operations. Teams formed, scoring rules were introduced with genuine ambition, and then — in true small-business-meeting fashion — everyone agreed to skip the formalities and just dig in, to enjoy getting through all the questions.

What followed was an honest, engaged back-and-forth that covered more ground than a standard presentation often would have. The group held its own on most questions, with a healthy spread of quick right answers, incorrect guesses, and at least one question Matt had to give the answer for. Which is the point — you don’t know what you don’t know until someone asks.

The content itself was a working tour of what Hierank actually does, from questions about specific service areas to references from Matt’s own professional life and career otherwise, it made for a great summary.

The takeaway wasn’t just becoming familiar with Matt’s one business. It was a reminder that knowing your vendors at this level — what they can actually do, how they work, where their edges are — makes you a sharper buyer and a better collaborator.

If your business needs print, apparel, signage, promotional products, or marketing support, Matt Hall and the team at Hierank Marketing Solutions are worth a real conversation. Learn more or connect with them at hierankmarketingsolutions.com.

And if you’re not yet part of Border2Border Business Connections, this is exactly the kind of meeting that makes membership worthwhile. Come see what the group is about — we’d love to have you join us.