| Becoming a member of a group purchasing | | | | 2) FREE Membership |
| organization (GPO) provides opportunities to purchase | | | | Not all group purchasing organizations provide free |
| products and services needed to operate your | | | | membership, so finding one that does offer free |
| practice every day at discounted rates. Saving money | | | | membership is an advantage. If the GPO you are |
| on quality products and services is the bottom line, but | | | | considering has free membership, a broad range of |
| there are other reasons to join a GPO. Our Top 5 | | | | vendors and the buying power you would ideally like - |
| reasons include: | | | | join quickly. |
| 5) Networking | | | | 1) Savings |
| Becoming a member of a GPO allows you access to | | | | Increased buying power means vendor discounts. |
| the organization's list of product and service providers. | | | | Saving money should be a priority for your practice. |
| Forming relationships with these vendors will give you | | | | Joining a group purchasing organization with many |
| an opportunity to attend events and other informal | | | | members gives you a greater chance at saving |
| networking gatherings they provide. | | | | money on these products and services you need |
| 4) Lower Purchasing Risks | | | | every day. There are also several GPOs that award |
| Most GPO's subject potential vendors to a full vetting | | | | qualifying members rebates based on specific sales, |
| process to help ensure the credibility and value of the | | | | further increasing the value of membership |
| vendor. GPO members are often a good source of | | | | As your practice searches for a credible group |
| potential vendors - companies they have worked with | | | | purchasing organization, remember to ask a lot of |
| successfully. | | | | questions such as finding out the number of members |
| 3) Quality Purchasing | | | | in the organization. Understand what agreements are in |
| Because the GPO has prescreened and "vetted" | | | | place for the members and the terms for accessing |
| vendors the risk of working with substandard | | | | these agreements. And lastly, find out what type of |
| companies is significantly reduced. In addition, the GPO | | | | savings you can expect by becoming a member of |
| member saves time by not having to perform the | | | | the organization. Doing your homework early on can |
| screening work for each and every vendor they want | | | | potentially save thousands of dollars and hours of time |
| to consider working with. | | | | annually for your practice. |