Why do successful entrepreneurs negotiate payment terms even when they have millions in the bank—and what does it reveal about building lasting supplier partnerships?Negotiating with suppliers isn't about winning—it's about creating partnerships where both sides thrive. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Lyden Smithers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyden-smithers/?originalSubdomain=au), President and Co-Founder of Titan Network (https://discover.titannetwork.com/) and founder of China Mag...
Why do successful entrepreneurs negotiate payment terms even when they have millions in the bank—and what does it reveal about building lasting supplier partnerships?
Negotiating with suppliers isn't about winning—it's about creating partnerships where both sides thrive. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Lyden Smithers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyden-smithers/?originalSubdomain=au), President and Co-Founder of Titan Network (https://discover.titannetwork.com/) and founder of China Magic (https://www.chinamagictrip.com), about transforming supplier relationships from transactions into strategic partnerships. Learn how asking the right questions, building face-to-face relationships, and focusing on cash flow can unlock better payment terms, pricing, and long-term growth. Whether you're sourcing your first product or scaling to seven figures, Lyden shares practical strategies for negotiating like a pro and building supplier relationships that weather any challenge.
Lyden Smithers is the President and Co-Founder of Titan Network, overseeing over $150 million in annual sales on Amazon. With deep expertise in global sourcing, manufacturing partnerships, and production optimization, Lyden has helped countless entrepreneurs streamline their supply chains and negotiate game-changing terms with suppliers. As founder of China Magic, he leads sourcing trips to Canton Fair twice yearly, teaching 50-100 students how to find reliable suppliers, negotiate better payment terms, pricing, and MOQs, and build lasting factory relationships. An international speaker for SellerCon, Helium10, and Global Sources, Lyden is known for his six-step process for securing extended payment terms and his philosophy of turning negotiations into partnerships.
Tune in to learn:
- (00:00) Practical Negotiation Advice That Works
- (02:06) The Win-Win Negotiation Mindset
- (03:04) Green Flags: Asking the Right Questions
- (08:20) What Suppliers Look for in Business Partners
- (15:52) Axio AI Sourcing Advertisement
- (21:55) Success Story: Landing 180-Day Payment Terms
- (28:48) Why Payment Terms Matter Even When You Have Capital
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Previous guests include Rudy Mawer, CEO of Mawer Capital; Tony Parker, four-time NBA champion and Founder and President of Infinity Nine Group; Mike McClary...
Chapters
- (00:00:00) - Leiden Smithers on The Titan Network
- (00:01:37) - The Importance of Negotiation in Finding a Supplier
- (00:07:58) - What am I looking for in a supplier negotiation?
- (00:11:16) - How to Negotiate Margin as Your Business Grows
- (00:15:51) - What is a Sign That Your Supplier Is Gonna Move?
- (00:18:00) - How to Negotiate with a Company in China
- (00:20:32) - How to Negotiate Payment Terms
- (00:24:58) - The Key to Negotiating Business Terms
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