Complete reference for SupplierGateway affiliate partners

SUPPLIERGATEWAY

Affiliate Partner Knowledge Base

Complete reference for SupplierGateway affiliate partners — 34 articles across 7 clusters

How Aria uses this document Every article opens with an ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — the core facts Aria needs to answer accurately without reading the full article. Aria scans summaries first, reads the full article when deeper detail is needed. The document is structured so any affiliate question maps to at least one article — and usually to a cluster of related ones.

Article contents

A  Programme Fundamentals
A-01	How the affiliate programme works
A-02	The two-sided ecosystem
A-03	Your two audiences
A-04	What counts as a qualified buying organisation
A-05	How affiliate compensation works
P  Product Knowledge
P-01	SRM overview for affiliates
P-02	Onboarding Readiness deep dive
P-03	What Onboarding Readiness is NOT
P-04	How SRM and Onboarding Readiness work together
P-05	What affiliates should never promise
S  Supplier Motion
S-01	How to start a supplier conversation
S-02	What Onboarding Readiness is — for supplier conversations
S-03	Converting a registered supplier to a subscriber
S-04	Supplier objection handling
S-05	Badges — what they are and why they matter
S-06	Supplier registration walkthrough
B  Buyer Motion
B-01	How to introduce SRM to a corporate buyer
B-02	Buyer objection handling
B-03	What buyers see inside SRM
B-04	How SRM activation benefits suppliers
B-05	Getting a buyer live on SRM
O  Operational & Programme Admin
O-01	Using your affiliate tracking link
O-02	Tracking registrations and conversions
O-03	Your onboarding checklist
O-04	Who to contact and when
O-05	Programme rules and compliance
C  Conversations & Scripts
C-01	Outreach scripts for suppliers
C-02	Outreach scripts for buyers
C-03	Email and message templates
C-04	Difficult conversation scenarios
E  Escalation & Edge Cases
E-01	Questions Aria will escalate to a human
E-02	When a supplier registers but does not convert
E-03	Disputes, missing attribution, and tracking issues
E-04	Sensitive situations

CLUSTER A

Programme Fundamentals

Articles A-01 through A-05 — the commercial model, two audiences, and compensation. Read these before any other cluster.

Cluster purpose These five articles underpin everything else in the KB. An affiliate who knows this cluster can answer 'what is my role?', 'how do I earn?', and 'who am I talking to?' with confidence. Aria draws on this cluster for any question about programme basics.

A-01  |  PROGRAMME FUNDAMENTALS

How the affiliate programme works

Answers: What is my role as an affiliate? How does the programme make money? What am I actually trying to achieve?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Affiliates have one job: make introductions. Introduce suppliers to the platform, introduce buyers to free SRM. SupplierGateway handles everything after the handoff.

→  Revenue is generated when a supplier subscribes to Onboarding Readiness. That subscription conversion — not the registration — is what earns an affiliate their rebate.

→  Affiliates earn via the Rebate Console, which shows revenue from confirmed Onboarding Readiness conversions attributed to their link.

→  SRM is given away free to qualified buying organisations. There is nothing to sell to buyers — the affiliate simply makes the introduction.

→  The two motions reinforce each other: more buyers on SRM increases the pressure on suppliers to have a complete, verified profile — which drives subscriptions.

What the programme is

SupplierGateway's affiliate programme exists to grow two things simultaneously: the number of suppliers on the platform, and the number of corporate buying organisations using SRM. Affiliates drive both.

The programme is built on a simple commercial truth: SupplierGateway generates revenue from supplier subscriptions, not from buyers. SRM is free because a large, active buyer base makes supplier profiles more valuable — which makes Onboarding Readiness subscriptions easier to sell.

The affiliate's role in one sentence Make the introduction, share your link, and let SupplierGateway take it from there.

The two motions

Motion	What it involves
Supplier motion	Introduce suppliers in your network to the SupplierGateway platform. Share your affiliate link. Supplier registers. SupplierGateway takes over and works to convert them to an Onboarding Readiness subscription.
Buyer motion	Introduce qualified corporate buying organisations to free SRM. Share your affiliate link. Buyer activates. SupplierGateway handles everything from that point.

Where the affiliate's role ends

The affiliate's responsibility ends at the handoff. Once a supplier has registered via your link, or a buyer has activated SRM via your link, SupplierGateway owns the relationship from that point. Affiliates do not follow up, nurture, or chase conversions. SupplierGateway has its own engagement sequences for both.

Do not over-manage post-handoff Following up with suppliers or buyers after they have registered can create confusion, duplicate outreach, and undermine the experience SupplierGateway is building. Introduce, hand off, move on.

How affiliates earn

Affiliate rebates are tracked and displayed in the Rebate Console. The console shows revenue from confirmed Onboarding Readiness subscription conversions attributed to the affiliate's link. Registration alone does not generate a rebate. The rebate is triggered when a supplier who registered via the affiliate's link converts to a paying Onboarding Readiness subscriber.

Rebate Console — current state The Rebate Console currently shows Onboarding Readiness conversion revenue. SRM sign-up data is not yet visible but will be added in a future update. For specific compensation rates and terms, refer to your affiliate agreement.

A-02  |  PROGRAMME FUNDAMENTALS

The two-sided ecosystem

Answers: Why is SRM free? Why do suppliers pay? How does the platform create value for both sides?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  SupplierGateway runs a two-sided marketplace. Suppliers build verified profiles. Buyers use those profiles to vet and manage their supply base.

→  SRM is free for qualified buyers by design — not as a promotion. A large active buyer base makes a verified supplier profile commercially valuable, which drives Onboarding Readiness subscriptions.

→  Revenue comes entirely from supplier subscriptions. Buyers never pay for SRM.

→  Every buyer an affiliate brings onto SRM increases the urgency for suppliers to have a complete, verified profile. The two motions reinforce each other.

→  Affiliates should understand this flywheel because it explains why both motions matter — and why the buyer introduction is never 'just a freebie'.

How the platform works

SupplierGateway operates a two-sided marketplace. On one side, suppliers use the platform to build verified profiles — completing their credentials, earning badges, and demonstrating commercial readiness. On the other side, corporate buying organisations use SRM to discover, vet, and manage their supplier relationships.

The flywheel More buyers on SRM → supplier profiles become more valuable → more suppliers subscribe to Onboarding Readiness → better data for buyers → SRM becomes more useful → more buyers adopt it. Affiliates accelerate both sides of this loop.

Why SRM is free

SRM is free for qualified buying organisations not as a promotional offer, but as a deliberate commercial strategy. The more buyers actively using SRM, the more valuable a complete, verified supplier profile becomes. A supplier who knows their potential customers are checking SupplierGateway has a strong reason to invest in Onboarding Readiness.

Never imply buyers will eventually be charged for SRM SRM is free for qualified buying organisations. There is no paid tier for buyers coming in the future. Do not position it as a free trial or suggest a cost will apply later.

Why buyer introductions matter even though they generate no direct rebate

Every corporate buyer an affiliate brings onto SRM immediately increases the commercial pressure on suppliers to have a complete, verified profile. Affiliates who work both motions create a more powerful pipeline than those who focus on suppliers alone. The buyer introduction is what makes the supplier conversation urgent rather than theoretical.

A-03  |  PROGRAMME FUNDAMENTALS

Your two audiences

Answers: Who are suppliers? Who are buyers? What motivates each of them? How do the conversations differ?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Suppliers are businesses that sell goods or services to other organisations. They want to win new buyer relationships and reduce the friction of procurement onboarding.

→  Buyers are corporate organisations with active procurement or supply chain functions. They want verified supplier data, faster onboarding, and reduced compliance risk — at no cost.

→  The conversations are completely different. With suppliers, the affiliate is making a case for investment. With buyers, the affiliate is removing friction from a free offer.

→  The key test for a buyer: do they genuinely manage a supplier base? If yes, they qualify. If they are a supplier, an intermediary, or have no buying function, they do not.

→  Affiliates should qualify buyers before sharing the SRM link. Sending the link to a non-qualifying organisation wastes attribution and creates noise in the pipeline.

Suppliers

Who they are

Any business that sells goods or services to other organisations. What they share is a desire to win business from the kinds of buyers who use SupplierGateway.

What motivates them

• Visibility with buyers who are actively looking for suppliers
• Standing out from competitors with verified credentials and badges
• Reducing the friction of procurement onboarding
• Keeping compliance documentation current without manual effort

The supplier conversation

With suppliers, the affiliate is asking them to take a step — register, and ultimately invest in Onboarding Readiness. The conversation starts with the supplier's goal (winning more business) and works back to the platform as the means. Registration is free. Onboarding Readiness is the paid step. The affiliate drives registration — SupplierGateway converts to subscription.

Buyers

Who they are

Companies and institutions with active procurement or supply chain functions that genuinely manage a supplier base. Size and sector are irrelevant. Function is everything.

Who does not qualify

• Suppliers — even large ones with their own procurement teams
• Intermediaries, consultants, and brokers without a direct buying function
• Organisations with procurement teams that do not actively manage an external supplier base

The buyer conversation

With buyers, the affiliate is not selling. SRM is free, the value is immediate, and there is no decision other than whether to activate. The affiliate's job is to qualify, introduce, and share the link.

Qualify before you share the link Sending the SRM link to a supplier, an intermediary, or an organisation without a buying function wastes your attribution. Confirm they genuinely manage a supplier base before sharing.

A-04  |  PROGRAMME FUNDAMENTALS

What counts as a qualified buying organisation

Answers: Who qualifies for free SRM? How does an affiliate check? What happens if the wrong person gets the link?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  A qualified buying organisation is a bona fide company or institution with an active procurement or supply chain function that genuinely manages an external supplier base.

→  The test is function, not job title. A Head of Procurement at a supplier business does not qualify. A supply chain manager at a manufacturing company does.

→  Suppliers, intermediaries, consultants, and organisations without a genuine buying role do not qualify — regardless of size.

→  Affiliates should qualify contacts verbally before sharing the SRM link. One question is usually enough: 'Does your organisation manage an external supplier base?'

→  Sending the link to a non-qualifying contact does not cause a platform problem, but it wastes attribution and may result in an activation that does not count toward affiliate metrics.

The qualification test

A qualified buying organisation is one that is a bona fide legal entity, has an active procurement or supply chain function, and genuinely manages an external supplier base as part of its operations. All three conditions apply.

Who does not qualify

Contact type	Why they don't qualify
A supplier business	Their primary commercial role is as a seller, not a buyer. Even if they have their own procurement function, they are not the intended audience for SRM.
A procurement consultant	They advise buying organisations but do not manage supplier relationships themselves.
An intermediary or broker	They facilitate transactions but do not hold the buyer relationship SRM is designed to support.
An organisation with no external suppliers	SRM only creates value where there are real supplier relationships to manage.

How to qualify a contact quickly

The qualification question "Does your organisation manage an external supplier base — vendors, contractors, or service providers that you procure from directly?" A yes answer is sufficient to proceed.

What happens if a non-qualifying contact activates

Sending the link to a non-qualifying contact does not cause a platform error — the registration will complete. However, the activation will not represent a genuine buyer relationship, may not count toward affiliate metrics, and will result in a poor platform experience for the contact. Qualify first.

A-05  |  PROGRAMME FUNDAMENTALS

How affiliate compensation works

Answers: How do I earn? What triggers a rebate? Where do I see my earnings? What counts and what does not?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Rebates are earned when a supplier who registered via the affiliate's link converts to a paid Onboarding Readiness subscription.

→  Registration alone does not trigger a rebate. The rebate is triggered by the subscription conversion.

→  Earnings are visible in the Rebate Console. The console currently shows Onboarding Readiness conversion revenue attributed to the affiliate's link.

→  SRM buyer sign-up data is not yet visible in the Rebate Console but will be added in a future update.

→  Attribution depends on the affiliate's link being used. If a supplier registers via a different route, the attribution will not register. Always share your own link.

→  For specific rates, payment terms, and agreement details, refer to the affiliate agreement or contact your SupplierGateway partner manager.

What generates a rebate

Event	Generates a rebate?
Supplier clicks the affiliate link	No
Supplier completes registration	No — registration is free and does not trigger a rebate
Supplier converts to Onboarding Readiness subscription	Yes — this is the rebate trigger
Buyer activates SRM via the affiliate link	Not currently visible in the Rebate Console — coming in a future update

The Rebate Console

The Rebate Console is the affiliate's view of their earnings. It shows confirmed revenue from Onboarding Readiness subscription conversions attributed to the affiliate's link. SRM buyer sign-up data is not yet visible — this will be added in a future platform update.

How attribution works

Attribution is link-based. When a supplier or buyer uses the affiliate's unique link to register or activate, that action is tracked and attributed to the affiliate. If a prospect reaches SupplierGateway via any other route, the attribution will not register.

Attribution is not retroactive If a supplier registers without using your link and later subscribes to Onboarding Readiness, that conversion cannot be reassigned to your account after the fact. Always ensure the link is used at the point of registration.

CLUSTER P

Product Knowledge

Articles P-01 through P-05 — platform accuracy before any prospect conversation. P-03 is the most critical article in the KB.

Cluster purpose These five articles give affiliates the product accuracy they need before any conversation with a supplier or buyer. P-03 — What Onboarding Readiness is NOT — contains distinctions that must never be misrepresented. Read this cluster before S and B clusters.

P-01  |  PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE

SRM overview for affiliates

Answers: What is SRM? What does it do? What does it not do? How should affiliates describe it?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  SRM — Supplier Relationship Management — is SupplierGateway's free tool for qualified buying organisations.

→  It gives buyers a live view of their supplier relationships: health status, assurance scores, badge data, and onboarding readiness — all in one place.

→  SRM is free for qualified buyers. There is no cost, no contract, no trial period. A buying organisation can be live within a day.

→  SRM does not replace existing supplier management systems — it adds a layer of verified assurance data that most internal systems do not have.

→  Affiliates introduce SRM. They do not sell it, configure it, or support it. SupplierGateway handles everything after the buyer activates.

What SRM is

Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) is SupplierGateway's free platform for corporate buying organisations. It provides a single, live view of every supplier relationship — showing health status, assurance scores, badge data, and onboarding readiness in one place. It replaces fragmented supplier tracking across spreadsheets and email, works from day one with no integration required, and scales from a handful of suppliers to a full supply base.

What SRM is not

• Not a paid product for buyers — free for all qualified buying organisations, no trial period
• Not a replacement for existing procurement systems — it complements them
• Not an IT project — no integration, no implementation required
• Not a supplier product — suppliers do not use SRM; they appear in it via their SupplierGateway profile

Never describe SRM as a trial or freemium product SRM is free as a permanent commercial model, not a promotional offer. Do not imply buyers will be charged later.

How to describe SRM accurately

Accurate description "SRM gives your procurement team a live view of your supplier base — who's compliant, who has gaps, and how ready each supplier is for a new relationship. It's free for qualified buying organisations, requires no IT project, and most teams are up and running within a day."

P-02  |  PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE

Onboarding Readiness deep dive

Answers: What is Onboarding Readiness? What do suppliers get? How should affiliates position it?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Onboarding Readiness is SupplierGateway's paid subscription for suppliers. It is the primary commercial product that generates affiliate rebates.

→  It helps suppliers build a complete, verified profile — earning badges, improving their readiness score, and staying current on credentials buyers require.

→  Buyers see Onboarding Readiness data inside SRM — readiness scores and badge status. They do not subscribe to it. It is entirely a supplier product.

→  Position Onboarding Readiness as a commercial investment: it makes a supplier more visible, more competitive, and easier to onboard for new buyers.

→  The affiliate's role is to drive supplier registration. SupplierGateway converts registered suppliers to Onboarding Readiness subscribers.

What Onboarding Readiness is

Onboarding Readiness is SupplierGateway's paid subscription product for suppliers. It is a structured programme that helps suppliers build and maintain a complete, verified profile on the platform — earning credential badges, improving their readiness score, and ensuring their documentation stays current. It is not a software licence — it is an investment in commercial readiness.

How to position it with suppliers

• Visibility. Buyers using SRM can see readiness scores and badge status. A complete, verified profile stands out immediately from an incomplete one.
• Efficiency. Every new buyer relationship typically involves the same documentation requests. Onboarding Readiness builds this into the profile once, permanently.
• Compliance assurance. Verified badges and current documentation reduce the risk of being excluded from procurement processes due to missing credentials.

Key message for suppliers "Buyers are already checking your profile on SupplierGateway. Onboarding Readiness makes sure what they find gives them the confidence to move forward."

The conversion is SupplierGateway's responsibility

Affiliates drive registrations. The conversion from a registered supplier to an Onboarding Readiness subscriber is handled entirely by SupplierGateway. Affiliates do not pitch, follow up on, or close Onboarding Readiness subscriptions. The rebate is earned by driving a quality registration.

P-03  |  PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE

What Onboarding Readiness is NOT

Answers: What are the critical distinctions affiliates must never get wrong?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Onboarding Readiness is a supplier product. Suppliers subscribe to it. This must never be described as something a buyer purchases, uses, or subscribes to.

→  Buyers see Onboarding Readiness data inside SRM — readiness scores and badge status. That is the extent of buyer interaction with it.

→  Onboarding Readiness is not a requirement for suppliers to appear on the platform. Registration is free. Onboarding Readiness is an upgrade, not a gate.

→  Not all badges are third-party verified. Some are earned through structured questionnaires and best-practice evaluation. Affiliates must never claim all badges are independently verified.

→  Onboarding Readiness does not guarantee a supplier will win business. It improves visibility and signals readiness — it cannot promise commercial outcomes.

Why this article exists Misrepresenting Onboarding Readiness — even accidentally — damages trust with suppliers, creates compliance risk for the affiliate programme, and undermines the SupplierGateway brand. These distinctions are not fine print.

It is not a buyer product

This is the single most important distinction in the entire KB. Onboarding Readiness is a supplier product. Suppliers subscribe to it. Buyers consume the data it generates — they see readiness scores and badge status inside SRM. Buyers do not purchase, subscribe to, or use Onboarding Readiness.

Correct	Incorrect
"Buyers see your readiness score inside SRM"	"Buyers subscribe to Onboarding Readiness"
"Onboarding Readiness is a supplier subscription"	"Both buyers and suppliers use Onboarding Readiness"
"Your readiness data is visible to buyers in SRM"	"Buyers get access to Onboarding Readiness as part of SRM"

It is not a requirement for suppliers to register

Registration on the SupplierGateway platform is free. Onboarding Readiness is an upgrade — the step that transforms an incomplete profile into a verified, competitive one. It is never a gate. Do not imply that a supplier must pay to appear on the platform.

Not all badges are third-party verified

SupplierGateway's badge system includes credentials verified through different methods. Some involve third-party verification. Others are earned through structured questionnaires, self-attestation with documentation review, or best-practice evaluation. Affiliates must never claim that all badges are independently or third-party verified.

Safe language on badges "SupplierGateway badges cover a range of credentials — identity, tax, legal entity, business licences, and sector-specific certifications. Verification methods vary by badge type. The platform gives full detail on what each badge requires."

It does not guarantee commercial outcomes

Onboarding Readiness improves a supplier's visibility and signals readiness. It does not guarantee that a supplier will be shortlisted, awarded a contract, or entered into a buyer's supply chain. The correct framing is improved probability and reduced friction — not a guarantee.

P-04  |  PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE

How SRM and Onboarding Readiness work together

Answers: How does data flow from a supplier's profile to what a buyer sees in SRM?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Suppliers build their profile and earn badges through Onboarding Readiness. That profile data flows directly into what buyers see inside SRM.

→  When a buyer monitors suppliers in SRM, they see each supplier's readiness score and badge status — data generated by the supplier's Onboarding Readiness activity.

→  A supplier without Onboarding Readiness will appear in SRM but with an incomplete profile and no verified badges — a visible gap compared to a subscribed competitor.

→  The two products create a closed loop: suppliers invest in readiness, buyers act on readiness data, suppliers with strong profiles win more visibility.

→  Affiliates can use this loop to make the case for both motions — the more buyers using SRM, the more urgently suppliers need a complete profile.

The data flow

Onboarding Readiness (supplier side)	SRM (buyer side)
Supplier completes profile and verifies credentials	Buyer sees supplier's profile completeness score
Supplier earns credential badges	Buyer sees which badges the supplier holds
Supplier's readiness score is calculated	Buyer sees readiness score in their supplier dashboard
Supplier's documentation is kept current	Buyer sees up-to-date compliance status in real time

What a buyer sees for a subscribed vs unsubscribed supplier

Supplier with Onboarding Readiness	Supplier without Onboarding Readiness
Complete or near-complete profile	Incomplete profile — visible gaps
Verified credential badges	No verified badges
Strong readiness score	Low or absent readiness score
Meets buyer assurance criteria	Likely flagged as non-compliant or unverified

P-05  |  PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE

What affiliates should never promise

Answers: What claims, guarantees, and commitments are off-limits?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Affiliates must never make claims about third-party verification of specific badges — verification methods vary and only SupplierGateway can speak to them.

→  Affiliates must never quote specific pricing for Onboarding Readiness or any other SupplierGateway product.

→  Affiliates must never promise commercial outcomes — winning contracts, being shortlisted, or guaranteed buyer introductions.

→  Affiliates must never comment on SupplierGateway's product roadmap.

→  When in doubt: 'I'll get SupplierGateway to speak to that directly.' Escalation is always the right move for anything outside the KB.

The guiding principle Affiliates represent SupplierGateway. Anything an affiliate says in the course of introducing the platform reflects on the brand. If you are not certain something is accurate, do not say it — escalate to SupplierGateway.

Specific badge verification methods

Do not claim individual badges are verified by specific third parties. Verification methods vary. Direct detailed badge questions to SupplierGateway.

Specific pricing

Affiliates do not quote prices. The answer is: 'SupplierGateway will walk you through the pricing once you're registered — I can't quote specific figures.'

Commercial outcomes

Do not promise or strongly imply that subscribing to Onboarding Readiness will result in winning contracts or guaranteed commercial introductions. The correct framing is improved visibility and reduced friction — never a guaranteed outcome.

Product roadmap

Do not speculate about upcoming features, new modules, or platform changes. If asked: 'I'd point you to SupplierGateway directly for anything on the roadmap.'

Safe escalation language "That's a great question — I want to make sure you get an accurate answer, so let me connect you with SupplierGateway directly. They'll be able to give you the full picture on that."

CLUSTER S

Supplier Motion

Articles S-01 through S-06 — supplier conversations, objection handling, badges, and registration. Affiliate role ends at registration.

Cluster purpose Six articles covering everything an affiliate needs for supplier-facing conversations — from the first approach through to registration handoff. SupplierGateway handles all post-registration engagement and Onboarding Readiness conversion.

S-01  |  SUPPLIER MOTION

How to start a supplier conversation

Answers: How does an affiliate approach a supplier? What is the right arc?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Start with the supplier's goal — winning new business — not with the platform. Lead with their problem before introducing the solution.

→  The conversation has four steps: establish relevance, introduce SupplierGateway, drive registration, hand off. The affiliate's role ends at step three.

→  Registration is the only outcome the affiliate is working toward. Onboarding Readiness conversion is SupplierGateway's responsibility after handoff.

→  Use your attributed affiliate link for every registration. Attribution requires the link to be used at the point of registration.

→  Do not over-explain the platform in the first conversation. The goal is registration, not a product demo.

The four-step arc

Step	What the affiliate does
1. Establish relevance	Ask about the supplier's goals. Who are their ideal buyers? Are they struggling to get visibility with procurement teams? Let the supplier articulate the problem before the solution is introduced.
2. Introduce SupplierGateway	Position the platform as where qualified buying organisations search for and vet suppliers. Keep it brief — context-setting, not a pitch.
3. Drive registration	Share the affiliate link. Walk them through it if needed. A completed registration with real profile data is the goal.
4. Hand off	Once registered, the affiliate's role is complete. SupplierGateway's engagement sequences take over.

Opening questions that work "Who are the types of buyers you're most trying to reach right now?"  "Have you found it difficult to get visibility with larger procurement teams?"  "How do you currently manage the documentation requests that come with new buyer relationships?"

Accurate and effective introduction "SupplierGateway is the platform where procurement teams at corporate organisations search for and vet suppliers. Having a verified profile there means they can find you, assess your credentials, and move to onboarding faster. Registration is free and takes a few minutes."

Always use your affiliate link Attribution requires the link to be used at the point of registration. If a supplier registers via any other route, the conversion will not be attributed to you.

S-02  |  SUPPLIER MOTION

What Onboarding Readiness is — for supplier conversations

Answers: How should affiliates describe Onboarding Readiness to a supplier?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Onboarding Readiness is a paid subscription that transforms a basic supplier registration into a complete, verified, competitive profile.

→  Position it as a commercial investment — not a platform fee. The return is faster, more confident buyer relationships.

→  The best moment to introduce it is after registration, when the supplier can see their own incomplete profile.

→  Affiliates do not sell or close Onboarding Readiness. They introduce the concept at registration. SupplierGateway converts subscribers.

→  Three positioning angles work best: visibility, efficiency, and compliance assurance.

Three angles that work

Visibility

Buyers using SRM can see a supplier's readiness score and badge status. A complete, verified profile stands out immediately from an incomplete one.

Efficiency

Every new buyer relationship typically involves the same documentation requests. Onboarding Readiness builds all of this into the profile once, permanently.

Compliance assurance

Buyers set assurance criteria in SRM — the minimum credentials a supplier needs to meet their requirements. Onboarding Readiness closes those gaps proactively, before the buyer flags them.

Simple handoff language "Now that you're registered, SupplierGateway will be in touch about how to get your profile fully verified and visible to buyers. There's a programme called Onboarding Readiness that handles all of that — they'll walk you through it."

S-03  |  SUPPLIER MOTION

Converting a registered supplier to a subscriber

Answers: Who converts registered suppliers? What is the affiliate's role after handoff?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Converting a registered supplier to an Onboarding Readiness subscriber is entirely SupplierGateway's responsibility. Affiliates do not do this.

→  The affiliate's role ends when the supplier has registered via the affiliate's link. SupplierGateway's engagement sequences take over from that point.

→  Affiliates should not follow up with registered suppliers to chase conversion. This can create confusion and conflict with SupplierGateway's own outreach.

→  The rebate is earned when a conversion happens — and the conversion is driven by SupplierGateway, not the affiliate.

→  If an affiliate hears that a referred supplier has had a negative experience, flag it to the partner contact — do not attempt to resolve it.

The clean handoff model Affiliate introduces → supplier registers via affiliate link → SupplierGateway takes over → supplier converts to Onboarding Readiness → rebate appears in Rebate Console. The affiliate's active involvement ends at step two.

Why the affiliate does not convert

SupplierGateway has purpose-built engagement sequences for registered suppliers. An affiliate who follows up independently to push a subscription risks duplicating outreach, sending mixed messages, or contradicting SupplierGateway's own positioning.

Do not chase conversion Once a supplier has registered, move on. The conversion is SupplierGateway's. The affiliate's value is in the quality and volume of registrations — not in managing what happens after.

S-04  |  SUPPLIER MOTION

Supplier objection handling

Answers: What objections do suppliers raise and what is the right response?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  The most common objections are: already on another platform, no time, not sure it's relevant, and why pay.

→  Most objections are resolved by reframing — SupplierGateway is not a replacement for existing platforms; it is where a specific set of buyers looks.

→  The 'why pay' question is about Onboarding Readiness, not registration. Registration is free. Onboarding Readiness is an optional upgrade.

→  Never promise specific commercial outcomes in response to an objection.

→  If an objection cannot be resolved with the responses here, escalate to SupplierGateway rather than improvising.

"We're already on another supplier platform."

SupplierGateway is a separate platform with its own buyer network. Being on another platform does not create a presence here. Buyers using SRM specifically check SupplierGateway — a supplier without a profile is invisible to that buyer pool regardless of what other platforms they are on.

"We don't have time to manage another platform."

Registration is a one-time process. A complete profile works in the background with no ongoing management required. Onboarding Readiness handles credential maintenance automatically for subscribers.

"I'm not sure this is relevant for our sector."

SupplierGateway serves buying organisations across multiple sectors. The most accurate response: register and see which buyers are already searching for suppliers like them — the platform will make that visible.

"Why would we pay for Onboarding Readiness?"

Registration is free — there is no cost to have a profile. Onboarding Readiness is an optional paid upgrade for suppliers who want a verified, competitive profile. Buyers can see the difference between a verified and unverified profile. For suppliers where winning new buyer relationships matters, Onboarding Readiness is how they signal readiness before a conversation even starts.

"We've never heard of SupplierGateway."

That is precisely why this conversation matters. The buyers who use SRM are actively checking SupplierGateway profiles. A supplier who is not on the platform is invisible to them — and they will not know it.

When an objection cannot be resolved If a supplier raises a question not covered here, do not improvise. The response is: 'That's a fair point — let me get SupplierGateway to speak to that directly.' See article O-04 for escalation.

S-05  |  SUPPLIER MOTION

Badges — what they are and why they matter

Answers: What badges can suppliers earn? Why do buyers care? What can affiliates say?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Badges are verified credentials on a supplier's SupplierGateway profile, visible to buyers in SRM.

→  Badge types cover identity, tax, legal entity, business licences, insurance, operational standards, risk resilience, ownership certifications, and ESG commitments.

→  Verification methods vary — some badges are third-party verified, others earned through questionnaires or documentation review. Affiliates must not claim all badges are third-party verified.

→  For buyers, badges are a shortcut to trust — replacing documentation requests that would otherwise happen during onboarding.

→  Affiliates describe badges in general terms only. For specific badge requirements or verification processes, direct suppliers to SupplierGateway.

Badge categories

SupplierGateway badges are organised into seven categories. Each category addresses a different dimension of supplier credibility:

• Business Identity & Trust — confirms the supplier is a legitimate, verifiable entity
• Government & Compliance — confirms specific regulatory and legal requirements
• Insurance & Protection — confirms appropriate insurance coverage
• Operational Readiness — confirms internationally recognised quality and security standards
• Risk & Resilience — confirms financial stability and operational preparedness
• Supplier Impact — confirms ownership certifications (diversity, veteran, small business)
• Sustainability & ESG — confirms environmental and social commitments

Affiliates can say	Affiliates cannot say
"Badges cover credentials like identity, tax, legal entity, and sector certifications"	"All badges are independently third-party verified"
"Verification methods vary by badge type"	"The [specific] badge is verified by [specific organisation]"
"A supplier with verified badges stands out to buyers compared to one without"	"Once you have all the badges, buyers are required to consider you"

S-06  |  SUPPLIER MOTION

Supplier registration walkthrough

Answers: What does supplier registration look like? Where do suppliers drop off? How can affiliates help?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Supplier registration is free, self-service, and takes a few minutes to complete a basic profile.

→  The most common drop-off point is a partially completed profile — the supplier creates an account but does not complete the profile fully.

→  Affiliates should encourage suppliers to complete a real, substantive profile at registration — not just create an account and stop.

→  Once registered, SupplierGateway handles all follow-up. The affiliate's role at registration is to share the link and encourage full profile completion.

The registration process

1. Create an account — company name, contact details, email, password
2. Enter organisation details — sector, size, location, primary categories
3. Begin profile completion — adding company description, credentials, and documentation

Setting expectations at handoff "Registration takes a few minutes, but to get the real benefit you'll want to put some time into the profile — company description, your key categories, and any credentials you have to hand. The more complete it is, the more visible you are to buyers straight away."

Once the supplier has registered, the affiliate's role is complete. SupplierGateway handles all post-registration engagement, profile coaching, and Onboarding Readiness conversion from this point.

CLUSTER B

Buyer Motion

Articles B-01 through B-05 — buyer conversations, objections, SRM features, and activation. Affiliate role ends at the link share.

Cluster purpose The buyer motion is simpler than the supplier motion — there is nothing to sell. The affiliate qualifies the contact, makes the introduction, shares the link, and hands off. SupplierGateway handles everything from activation onwards.

B-01  |  BUYER MOTION

How to introduce SRM to a corporate buyer

Answers: What is the right framing? What should an affiliate say and not say?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  SRM is introduced, not sold. It is free for qualified buying organisations and requires no budget, contract, or IT project.

→  The best entry point is the buyer's pain — compliance risk, fragmented supplier tracking, slow onboarding. SRM solves all of these at no cost.

→  The affiliate's job is to qualify the contact, make the introduction, share the link, and hand off. SupplierGateway handles activation and everything after.

→  Never describe SRM as a trial, a free tier, or a product with an upcoming cost.

→  The affiliate does not configure, support, or follow up on SRM after handoff.

Step	What the affiliate does
1. Qualify	Confirm the contact genuinely manages an external supplier base. One question: 'Does your organisation manage external suppliers or vendors directly?'
2. Introduce and share	Frame SRM around the buyer's pain. Share your affiliate link. Keep it brief — the product sells itself once they are in the platform.
3. Hand off	Once the link has been shared, the affiliate's role is complete. SupplierGateway handles everything from activation onwards.

Opening questions that work "How do you currently track whether your suppliers have the compliance credentials you require?"  "If an auditor asked you to demonstrate supplier assurance today, what would you show them?"  "How much time does your team spend chasing documentation from new suppliers during onboarding?"

Key messages to land SRM is free — no cost, no contract, no trial period. No IT project required — active within a day. Live view of supplier readiness, credentials, and compliance gaps. Complements existing systems — does not replace them.

B-02  |  BUYER MOTION

Buyer objection handling

Answers: What objections do buyers raise and what is the right response?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  The most common objections are: we already have a system, no budget, no time to evaluate, and not sure it's relevant.

→  Every objection dissolves quickly because SRM costs nothing and requires no commitment.

→  The budget objection is the easiest — there is no budget required. Never let a cost conversation develop before the buyer knows it is free.

→  The 'we already have a system' objection is resolved by positioning SRM as complementary, not competitive.

→  If an objection cannot be resolved with responses here, escalate to SupplierGateway rather than improvising.

"We already have a supplier management system."

SRM is not a replacement — it is a layer of verified assurance data that most internal systems do not have. Most buying organisations use it alongside their existing tools. And it is free, so there is no cost to running both.

"We don't have budget for this."

There is no budget required. SRM is free for qualified buying organisations — no cost, no contract. Budget only becomes a conversation if the organisation later chooses to access additional paid modules.

"We don't have time to evaluate another tool."

There is nothing to evaluate in the traditional sense — no cost, no implementation, no IT project. Activation takes under five minutes. If SRM does not add value, there is no contract to unwind.

"How is this different from what we already use?"

SRM brings verified supplier data — readiness scores and validated credentials — from suppliers who have actively built their profiles. Rather than explaining it abstractly, the simplest answer is: activate and see what it shows for your existing supplier base.

"Our procurement team is already stretched."

SRM reduces workload rather than adding to it. Verified supplier profiles mean fewer documentation requests, faster onboarding, and a live compliance view that does not require manual maintenance.

The underlying answer to almost every buyer objection It costs nothing and takes five minutes to activate. Whatever the concern — budget, time, relevance, existing systems — the downside of trying it is near zero.

B-03  |  BUYER MOTION

What buyers see inside SRM

Answers: What does SRM actually show a buyer? What can an affiliate say about the buyer experience?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Buyers see a dashboard of their supplier relationships — each supplier's readiness score, badge status, and compliance position against the buyer's own criteria.

→  The readiness score and badge data come from the supplier's Onboarding Readiness activity. A supplier without Onboarding Readiness will show up as incomplete or unverified.

→  Buyers can set assurance criteria — the minimum credentials they require from suppliers. SRM flags any suppliers who do not meet those criteria.

→  Understanding the buyer view helps affiliates make a stronger case to suppliers — suppliers can be shown what buyers see when a profile is incomplete.

What buyers see	What it means
Readiness score	An indicator of how complete and verified the supplier's profile is
Badge status	Which credential badges the supplier holds and which are missing or unverified
Assurance criteria compliance	Whether the supplier meets the buyer's own configured minimum requirements
Profile completeness	How much of the supplier's profile information has been filled in and verified

Buyers can configure their own assurance criteria in SRM — defining the minimum credentials and verifications they require from their supply base. SRM automatically flags any supplier who does not meet those criteria. A supplier without Onboarding Readiness may show up as non-compliant against a buyer's criteria — visible to the buyer as a gap, before the supplier even knows it.

B-04  |  BUYER MOTION

How SRM activation benefits suppliers

Answers: Why does introducing buyers to SRM matter for the supplier motion?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Every buyer an affiliate brings onto SRM immediately increases the urgency for suppliers to have a complete, verified profile.

→  Suppliers who know a prospective buyer is using SupplierGateway have a concrete, immediate reason to register and consider Onboarding Readiness.

→  Affiliates who work both motions create a more powerful pipeline than those who focus on suppliers alone.

→  The buyer introduction does not generate a direct rebate today, but it creates the conditions in which supplier conversions happen more readily.

→  Affiliates can use live buyer introductions as a direct lever in supplier conversations.

Using buyer introductions in supplier conversations

Supplier conversation with buyer context "I've just introduced [type of buying organisation] to SupplierGateway's SRM platform — they're actively using it to vet their supply base. If you're not registered, you're not visible to them. That's worth fixing before they start a shortlisting process."

The affiliate does not need to name specific buyers. The message is that active buyers are already checking — and a supplier without a profile is invisible to them by default.

The compounding effect

Affiliates who work both motions build a compounding pipeline. Each buyer introduction makes supplier registrations more urgent. Each supplier registration adds value to SRM for buyers. The two motions reinforce each other in a way that single-motion activity does not.

B-05  |  BUYER MOTION

Getting a buyer live on SRM

Answers: What does activation look like? How long does it take? What is the affiliate's role?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  SRM activation is entirely self-service. The affiliate shares their attributed link, the buyer activates, and SupplierGateway handles everything from that point.

→  Activation takes under five minutes from link click to being inside the platform.

→  The affiliate's role ends at the link share. There is no follow-up, no nurturing, and no post-activation support required from the affiliate.

→  Always use the affiliate's own attributed link. Attribution requires the link to be used at activation.

→  SupplierGateway sends a welcome message immediately on activation. The affiliate does not need to send a separate confirmation.

Stage	What happens
Click	Buyer clicks the affiliate's link and lands on the SRM registration page
Registration	Buyer completes a short form — organisation name, role, contact details
Access	Buyer is live inside SRM — under five minutes from click to active
Welcome	SupplierGateway sends an automated welcome message immediately on activation
Handoff	SupplierGateway's own engagement sequences begin — the affiliate's role is complete

The affiliate's role: qualify the contact, introduce SRM using accurate framing, share the attributed link. That is all. There is no follow-up sequence, no nurturing, and no post-activation support required or expected from the affiliate.

Do not follow up after sharing the link SupplierGateway has its own engagement sequences for activated buyers. An affiliate who sends a separate follow-up risks creating confusion. Share the link and move on.

CLUSTER O

Operational & Programme Admin

Articles O-01 through O-05 — tracking links, Rebate Console, onboarding checklist, escalation contacts, and programme rules.

Cluster purpose Five articles covering programme operations. O-04 is the most important reference for any situation requiring human escalation.

O-01  |  OPERATIONAL

Using your affiliate tracking link

Answers: How does the link work? What are the rules? What happens if a prospect bypasses it?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  The affiliate tracking link is unique to each affiliate. Every registration or activation that uses it is attributed to that affiliate.

→  Always share the affiliate's own link — never a generic SupplierGateway URL. Attribution requires the link to be used at the point of registration or activation.

→  If a prospect registers via a different route, the attribution will not register. This cannot be corrected retroactively.

→  If there is a genuine tracking issue — the link was used but the conversion is not showing — escalate to the SupplierGateway partner contact.

Rules for using the link

• Always use your own attributed link — never a generic SupplierGateway URL
• Share the link at the point of introduction — before the prospect registers or activates
• Do not share the link publicly in a way that could attract unqualified registrations
• Do not use the link for your own registration or activation

If a prospect reaches SupplierGateway via any route other than the affiliate's link, the attribution will not register. There is no way to add attribution retroactively once a registration is complete. If the affiliate believes the link was used correctly but attribution has not registered, escalate — see article O-03.

O-02  |  OPERATIONAL

Tracking registrations and conversions

Answers: Where does an affiliate see their activity? What is visible now? What is coming?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  The Rebate Console is the affiliate's view of their earnings and conversion activity.

→  The console currently shows revenue from confirmed Onboarding Readiness subscription conversions attributed to the affiliate's link.

→  SRM buyer sign-up data is not yet visible in the console — this will be added in a future platform update.

→  A conversion in the console is a confirmed Onboarding Readiness subscription — not a registration.

→  For specific questions about activity not appearing in the console, contact the SupplierGateway partner manager.

What is in the Rebate Console	Status
Onboarding Readiness conversion revenue	Live — visible now
SRM buyer sign-up data	Coming soon — not yet visible
Supplier registration counts (pre-conversion)	Not currently broken out separately
Reseller rebates for other modules	Future — not in scope for current sprint

If expected revenue is not showing If a supplier you introduced has confirmed their Onboarding Readiness subscription but the conversion is not visible in the Rebate Console, contact your SupplierGateway partner manager. See article O-04 for contact details.

O-03  |  OPERATIONAL

Your onboarding checklist

Answers: What must an affiliate complete before their first outreach conversation?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  There are seven steps to complete before starting affiliate outreach. All seven are required.

→  The most common gap is starting outreach before the affiliate link has been received and tested — this loses attribution on early registrations.

→  Completing the onboarding call with the SupplierGateway partner team is not optional — it is where the affiliate link is issued.

→  Affiliates should register a test profile and activate a test SRM account during onboarding.

→  Do not begin supplier or buyer outreach until the checklist is complete.

Do not start outreach before completing this checklist Any registration or activation that happens before the affiliate link is live will not be attributed. Early outreach that precedes the link risks losing credit for those introductions permanently.

4. Read the full KB — at minimum the A-cluster and P-cluster articles before any conversation.
5. Complete the onboarding call with your SupplierGateway partner contact — this is where the affiliate link is issued.
6. Receive and test your affiliate tracking link — follow it yourself to confirm it lands correctly and tracks correctly.
7. Activate your own SRM account — experience the buyer activation flow firsthand.
8. Complete a test supplier registration — go through the supplier registration process to understand the experience.
9. Identify your first 10 supplier targets and 5 buyer targets from your existing network.
10. Confirm your access to the Rebate Console and verify it is displaying correctly.

O-04  |  OPERATIONAL

Who to contact and when

Answers: When does an affiliate escalate? Who do they contact? What can Aria handle vs what needs a human?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  The primary contact for all affiliate operational questions is the SupplierGateway partner manager assigned to the affiliate.

→  Aria can answer questions covered by the KB. For anything outside the KB — pricing, disputes, complaints, platform issues — escalate to the partner manager.

→  The affiliate should never attempt to resolve platform issues, supplier complaints, or tracking disputes themselves.

→  If there is an urgent issue — a platform outage during a live demonstration, a serious complaint — contact the partner manager directly.

Situation	Who to contact
Specific pricing questions from suppliers or buyers	Partner manager — Aria does not quote prices
Tracking disputes or missing attribution	Partner manager — requires system investigation
Supplier complaints about the platform	Partner manager — not for the affiliate to resolve
Questions about the affiliate agreement	Partner manager — Aria does not interpret agreements
Platform outages or technical issues	Partner manager — for urgent issues, contact directly
Product roadmap questions	Partner manager — Aria does not speculate on roadmap
Any situation not covered by the KB	Partner manager — escalate rather than improvise

Safe escalation language "That's a question I want to make sure you get an accurate answer to. Let me connect you with SupplierGateway directly — they'll be the right people to speak to on that."

O-05  |  OPERATIONAL

Programme rules and compliance

Answers: What can and cannot affiliates do? What claims are prohibited?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Affiliates represent SupplierGateway. What they say and do reflects on the brand.

→  Prohibited: quoting specific pricing, roadmap claims, guaranteeing commercial outcomes, misrepresenting verification methods, using a generic URL instead of the affiliate link.

→  Affiliates must not approach SupplierGateway's existing direct customers as if they were new prospects without checking with the partner manager.

→  Breaching programme rules may result in attribution being withheld or the affiliate agreement being reviewed.

What affiliates can do

• Introduce suppliers and buyers using accurate KB-consistent language
• Share their attributed affiliate link through any professional channel
• Describe the products as documented in the P-cluster articles
• Use the scripts and templates in the C-cluster articles
• Escalate questions to the partner manager when outside KB scope

What affiliates cannot do

• Quote specific pricing for any SupplierGateway product
• Make claims about the product roadmap or upcoming features
• Promise or imply guaranteed commercial outcomes from Onboarding Readiness
• Claim all badges are third-party verified
• Use a generic SupplierGateway URL instead of their attributed affiliate link
• Attempt to resolve platform complaints, tracking disputes, or supplier issues themselves
• Represent themselves as SupplierGateway employees or official spokespeople
• Approach SupplierGateway's existing direct customers without checking with the partner manager first

Use this	Not this
"Improved visibility to buyers"	"Guaranteed top placement in buyer searches"
"Reduces friction in supplier onboarding"	"Eliminates all supplier onboarding problems"
"Free for qualified buying organisations"	"Completely free for everyone"
"Verified credentials"	"Fully verified by independent third parties"

CLUSTER C

Conversations & Scripts

Articles C-01 through C-04 — ready-to-use scripts and templates for every affiliate conversation.

Cluster purpose Four articles with scripts and templates for supplier outreach, buyer outreach, message templates, and difficult situations. Scripts are starting points — adapt for your relationship and context.

C-01  |  CONVERSATIONS & SCRIPTS

Outreach scripts for suppliers

Answers: What does an affiliate actually say when approaching a supplier?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Supplier outreach has one goal: drive registration via the affiliate link. The script ends at the handoff.

→  The best opening is a question about the supplier's goals — not a product pitch.

→  Scripts are provided for email/message, phone, and in-person. The arc is the same across all three.

→  All scripts include the affiliate link handoff as the final step.

→  One follow-up after first contact is appropriate. Do not persist beyond this.

Email or written message — first contact

Template: Supplier first contact email Subject: Getting your business visible to procurement teamsHi [Name],I wanted to flag something that might be useful for [Company] — particularly if you're looking to get more visibility with corporate procurement teams.SupplierGateway is the platform where buying organisations search for and vet suppliers. Having a verified profile there means procurement teams can find you, check your credentials, and move to onboarding faster — without the usual back-and-forth on documentation.Registration is free and takes a few minutes. I've got a link that will take you straight to the registration page: [AFFILIATE LINK]Happy to walk you through it if that would help.[Name]

Phone — first contact

Phone script: Supplier first contact Opening: "[Name], I wanted to reach out because I think there's something useful for [Company] — particularly around getting visibility with corporate buyers. Do you have two minutes?"If yes: "I've been working with SupplierGateway — it's the platform where procurement teams at larger organisations search for and assess suppliers. A lot of buying organisations I know are now actively using it to vet their supply base. If [Company] isn't registered, you're not visible to them."Close: "Registration is free and takes a few minutes. I can send you a link right now — would that be useful?"

Follow-up if no response

Follow-up message Hi [Name], just following up on my note about SupplierGateway. Registration is free and takes a few minutes — here's the link if you'd like to take a look: [AFFILIATE LINK]. Happy to answer any questions.

The follow-up is the limit One follow-up after first contact is appropriate. If there is no response after the follow-up, move on.

C-02  |  CONVERSATIONS & SCRIPTS

Outreach scripts for buyers

Answers: What does an affiliate say when introducing SRM to a corporate buying organisation?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Buyer outreach is simpler than supplier outreach — there is nothing to sell. The affiliate qualifies, introduces, shares the link, and hands off.

→  The best opening is a question about how the buyer currently manages supplier compliance.

→  The core message: free, no IT project, active within a day. This should be in every introduction.

→  One follow-up after first contact is appropriate. Do not persist beyond this.

Email or written message — first contact

Template: Buyer first contact email Subject: Free supplier compliance tool — might be useful for your teamHi [Name],I wanted to share something that might be useful for your procurement team — particularly around supplier compliance visibility.SupplierGateway's SRM platform gives buying organisations a live view of their supplier base — readiness scores, verified credentials, and compliance gaps — all in one place. It's free for qualified buying organisations, requires no IT project, and most teams are up and running within a day.There's no contract and no commitment. Here's the link to activate: [AFFILIATE LINK]Happy to answer any questions if helpful.[Name]

Phone — first contact

Phone script: Buyer first contact Opening: "[Name], quick question — how does your team currently track whether your suppliers have the compliance credentials you require?"After they answer: "That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. There's a platform called SupplierGateway SRM — it gives procurement teams a live view of supplier readiness and credential status. It's free for qualified buying organisations and requires no IT project. Most teams are active within a day."Close: "I can send you an activation link right now — it takes under five minutes. Would that be useful?" [Send affiliate link]

Follow-up if no response

Follow-up message Hi [Name], following up on the SupplierGateway SRM note — it's free for qualified buying organisations and takes under five minutes to activate. Here's the link if you'd like to take a look: [AFFILIATE LINK].

C-03  |  CONVERSATIONS & SCRIPTS

Email and message templates

Answers: What copy-ready templates are available for every stage?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Templates are provided for: supplier first contact, buyer first contact, supplier registration handoff, buyer activation handoff, and responses to post-handoff questions.

→  All templates include [AFFILIATE LINK] as a placeholder — replace with the affiliate's actual attributed link before sending.

→  The affiliate's role ends at the handoff. No post-registration or post-activation templates are provided — SupplierGateway handles all follow-up from that point.

→  Do not add promises, pricing, or claims not covered in the KB to any template.

Supplier registration handoff message

Template: Sending the supplier registration link Hi [Name],As discussed — here's your registration link for SupplierGateway: [AFFILIATE LINK]It takes a few minutes to register. When you're filling in your profile, the more complete it is the better — adding your key categories and any credentials you have to hand will make your profile more visible to buyers straight away.SupplierGateway will be in touch after you register with next steps.[Name]

Buyer activation handoff message

Template: Sending the buyer activation link Hi [Name],Here's the activation link for SupplierGateway SRM: [AFFILIATE LINK]It takes under five minutes to get set up. Once you're in, SupplierGateway will walk you through getting your supplier base added.[Name]

If a supplier asks 'what happens after I register?'

Template: Responding to post-registration questions Once you register, SupplierGateway's team will be in touch to help you get the most out of your profile — including guidance on building out your credentials and making your profile as visible as possible to buyers. The registration itself is the starting point — they'll take it from there.

If a buyer asks 'what happens after I activate?'

Template: Responding to post-activation questions Once you activate, SupplierGateway will send you a welcome message and guide you through getting your supplier base set up in the platform. The activation itself takes under five minutes — they handle the onboarding from there.

C-04  |  CONVERSATIONS & SCRIPTS

Difficult conversation scenarios

Answers: What does an affiliate do when a conversation goes wrong?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Difficult conversations fall into three categories: a contact with a negative prior experience, a deeply sceptical contact, and a prospect who has gone cold.

→  For negative prior experiences — acknowledge, do not defend, escalate to the partner manager if serious.

→  For deeply sceptical contacts — one clear response and a graceful exit is better than a prolonged argument.

→  For cold prospects — one follow-up is appropriate. If still no response, move on.

→  Affiliates should never attempt to resolve complaints, disputes, or platform issues themselves.

Scenario 1 — a contact with a negative prior experience

Recommended response "I'm sorry to hear that — that's not the experience you should have had. I want to make sure this gets fed back to SupplierGateway properly. Can I ask what happened? I'll pass it to my contact there directly."

Do not defend the platform, contradict the contact's account, or attempt to resolve the issue yourself. Acknowledge it, take a note, and escalate to your partner manager.

Scenario 2 — a deeply sceptical contact

Recommended response "I hear you — and I'm not going to push. The proof is really in the platform. If you ever want to take a look at what your supplier base looks like on it, the activation is free and takes five minutes. The link is there when you're ready." [Leave the link]

Scenario 3 — a prospect who has gone cold

Cold follow-up — different framing "Hi [Name] — I know you're busy, so I'll keep this short. The SupplierGateway link I sent is still live: [AFFILIATE LINK]. It's free and takes five minutes. If the timing isn't right, no problem — just wanted to make sure it didn't get lost."

If there is still no response after this follow-up, remove the contact from the active pipeline. Do not persist.

CLUSTER E

Escalation & Edge Cases

Articles E-01 through E-04 — escalation boundaries, stalled conversions, tracking disputes, and sensitive situations.

Cluster purpose Four articles covering what Aria escalates, stalled registrations, attribution disputes, and sensitive situations. The guiding principle: affiliates do not resolve difficult situations themselves. They escalate to the SupplierGateway partner manager.

E-01  |  ESCALATION & EDGE CASES

Questions Aria will escalate to a human

Answers: What will Aria not answer? What always requires a human?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Aria answers questions covered by the KB. For anything outside the KB, Aria escalates to the SupplierGateway partner manager.

→  Aria never quotes specific pricing, interprets affiliate agreements, or makes commitments on behalf of SupplierGateway.

→  Aria never speculates about the product roadmap or capabilities not documented in the KB.

→  Aria never attempts to resolve complaints, tracking disputes, or platform issues — these always escalate.

→  When Aria escalates, it provides clear language the affiliate can use to redirect the contact to SupplierGateway.

Question type	Why Aria escalates
Specific pricing for any product	Pricing is set by SupplierGateway and communicated directly — Aria does not quote figures
Interpretation of the affiliate agreement	Agreement terms require a human to interpret and confirm
Product roadmap or upcoming features	Aria does not have roadmap information and will not speculate
Specific badge verification processes	Verification methods vary — only SupplierGateway can speak to individual badge requirements
Tracking disputes or missing attribution	Requires system investigation — not resolvable via Aria
Supplier or buyer complaints	Requires a human to acknowledge, investigate, and respond
Platform outages or technical issues	Operations issue — requires direct contact with SupplierGateway
Anything not covered by the KB	Aria escalates rather than improvising outside its knowledge base

Aria's escalation language "That's a question I want to make sure you get an accurate answer to — it's outside what I can confirm from the knowledge base. I'd recommend speaking to your SupplierGateway partner manager directly. They'll be able to give you the full picture on that. See article O-04 for contact details."

E-02  |  ESCALATION & EDGE CASES

When a supplier registers but does not convert

Answers: What should an affiliate do if a referred supplier does not become an Onboarding Readiness subscriber?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Conversion from registration to Onboarding Readiness subscription is SupplierGateway's responsibility. Affiliates do not chase or manage this.

→  The time between registration and conversion varies. SupplierGateway's engagement sequences run over days or weeks — a gap in the Rebate Console is normal.

→  If a supplier the affiliate referred contacts them directly asking about next steps, the affiliate should redirect to SupplierGateway — not attempt to convert themselves.

→  If a supplier has been registered for a significant period with no visible conversion and no SupplierGateway contact, the affiliate can flag this to the partner manager.

→  The affiliate's value is in driving registrations. Conversion is SupplierGateway's work.

Why conversion takes time

Onboarding Readiness subscription conversion does not happen at the point of registration. SupplierGateway's engagement sequences run over a period of days or weeks after registration. A gap between registration and conversion in the console is normal and expected. Affiliates should not interpret this as a failure or as a reason to re-engage.

If a registered supplier contacts the affiliate "Great that you've registered — SupplierGateway will be your main point of contact from here. They have a team that works with newly registered suppliers on getting the profile set up and looking at the options. Have you heard from them yet? If not, I can flag it to my contact there."

E-03  |  ESCALATION & EDGE CASES

Disputes, missing attribution, and tracking issues

Answers: What should an affiliate do when something goes wrong with tracking or attribution?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Tracking disputes — where the affiliate link was used but attribution is not showing — are escalated to the SupplierGateway partner manager.

→  Attribution cannot be added retroactively if the affiliate link was not used at registration.

→  If a conversion is not showing in the Rebate Console despite the link being used, escalate promptly.

→  Affiliates should keep a record of introductions — date, contact, organisation — so disputed attribution can be investigated accurately.

→  Do not contact the supplier or buyer directly about a tracking dispute.

Situation	What to do
Link was used but attribution is not showing	Escalate to partner manager with contact name, organisation, and approximate registration date
Supplier registered via a different route	Attribution cannot be recovered retroactively — note for future and move on
Conversion showing but amount appears incorrect	Escalate to partner manager for review
Link does not appear to be tracking correctly	Escalate to partner manager immediately — check the link before any further outreach

What to include when escalating

• The contact's name and organisation
• The approximate date of introduction and registration
• The channel through which the link was shared
• A description of the issue — what is missing or incorrect in the console

E-04  |  ESCALATION & EDGE CASES

Sensitive situations

Answers: What does an affiliate do when facing unusual or sensitive situations?

ARIA QUICK SUMMARY — READ THIS FIRST

→  Sensitive situations include: approaching a contact who is a SupplierGateway direct customer or competitor, a formal complaint or legal threat, and a platform outage during a live introduction.

→  All sensitive situations escalate to the SupplierGateway partner manager. Affiliates do not attempt to resolve any of these independently.

→  If a contact is a SupplierGateway direct customer or competitor, stop the conversation and check with the partner manager before proceeding.

→  If a contact makes a formal complaint or legal threat, do not engage further — escalate immediately.

→  Platform outages during a live demonstration should be acknowledged honestly and followed up once the platform is back up.

Scenario 1 — the contact is a SupplierGateway direct customer or competitor

If an affiliate discovers the contact is already a SupplierGateway direct customer, stop the introduction and check with the partner manager before proceeding. If the contact appears to be a competitor of SupplierGateway, do not continue the conversation. Escalate to the partner manager to confirm the correct approach.

Scenario 2 — a formal complaint or legal threat

Response to a formal complaint "I hear you — I want to make sure this gets to the right people at SupplierGateway immediately. I'm going to pass this to my contact there today. Is there a best way for them to reach you directly?"

Scenario 3 — platform outage during a live introduction

Response to a live outage "It looks like there may be a temporary issue with the platform right now — these things happen occasionally. Let me send you the activation link directly and you can try it once it's back up. I'll also flag this to my SupplierGateway contact."

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