Marketing is a battlefield. You spend countless hours agonizing over the right message to send to consumers to win over their hearts and dollars. But while you’re planning to make your move, your message execution can end up a bit neglected. The connection you make with consumers must happen with the right materials, at the right time, and the right place or your pick-up line could fall flat, and your message could be lost on the consumer entirely.

Having a true marketing fulfillment partner, someone you can always rely on—through new product promotions, social media sampling frenzies and even recalls—is another one of the most critical relationships in the crazy game of marketing. Are you and your partner destined to partner together forever? Take our compatibility quiz below to find out:

True or False:

1. Your fulfillment partner helps you plan for important future events-- your next program or promotion-- and gives helpful recommendations.

2. Your fulfillment partner has a good reputation in the industry.

3. Your fulfillment partner makes you feel prepared and confident about your next promotion.

4. Your fulfillment partner spends time with you to understand your needs, and always calls you back when
        they say they will.

5. Your fulfillment partner listens to you.

6. You’ve talked to your friends about your fulfillment partner and would recommend them to others.

7. Your fulfillment partner can scale production up or down depending on your timeline.

8. Your fulfillment partner wants you to save money, and has suggested a few ways for you to reduce costs.

9. Your fulfillment partner can respond to last minute changes and won’t stand you up.

10. Your fulfillment partner doesn’t break promises and meets all service level agreements.

11. Your fulfillment partner doesn’t make things overly complicated for you, and provides you with easy to use technology tools.

How Did You Score?

Answer mostly True: Congratulations! It looks like you’ve found the right match! It is important to find that special fulfillment expert who is a strategic partner, not just a commodity vendor. It sounds like your partner helps you with your upcoming promotions and is a trusted source of support and advice in your industry. However, be sure not to let a good relationship turn sour. Keep the lines of communication open, and help your partner help you.

Answer mostly False: Though it may not seem like such a bad arrangement, don’t settle. You want your marketing fulfillment partner to stick up for you, respect your timelines and find ways to optimize the marketing supply chain, not just put a Band-Aid on it. It might be tough, but remember-- there are plenty of other fulfillment houses in the sea. Be sure you look for a fulfillment partner who aligns their strengths to work toward your business objectives and has a breadth of services to fill the gaps in your marketing mix.