Mentioning “Supply Chain” to us means a developed network of trusted partners with a proven track record of doing their part to bring a major end-user group a product. This means from raw material to specialized delivery resources, everyone has it figured out and has put their experience to use preparing for challenges. This can be a particularly challenging area to break into, especially in Hospitality and Foodservice Distribution, and for good reason.
There are always those challenges you just cannot prepare for, the ones you can only learn as you go through. At this point, those in the Supply Chain are reminded of what may happen when you must rely on new partners and vendors to keep the wheels turning (literally):
And that is hardly even the tip of the iceberg. LinkedIn has becoming a sounding alarm to scammers, fraudulent BUYERS, and dishonest sellers alike. Playing host to an outpouring of tough to read stories and facilities in dire situations, has become way too common of a place for a network usually steaming with energized professionals looking to change the world.
Thankfully “Supply Chain Heroes” were born as well, with major operations moving mountains to migrate into PPE production from hand sanitizers to reusable masks and gowns. This is the ingenious human nature that built the strong base we function on today, but even it was not enough, and shortages persist even now.
Being part of a major supply chain is without a doubt an invaluable asset to most businesses. It is the backbone to the Hospitality, Restaurant, Automotive, Education and Consumer Electronics industries among many others. In history nudging your way into this brotherhood was made exceedingly difficult thanks to relationships and stringent service standards that would send some right out of business.
Recently one could notice a softening of these guidelines and “members only” conditions. The ever more volatile shift in consumer trends and available technology has birthed a more embracing approach to partnerships anew. Looking to offer market leading services and products now means incorporating sometimes less proven or even unproven resources to some.
The point opens here that even partners new to the scene, the same as its legacy seats, serve themselves best to stick to a similar detailed process that created the stewards of their industry. Tempering your groundbreaking moves with real world vision and being self-aware of accountability to others becomes essential. As we start to develop a snapshot of the “new norm” deviation from this mindset, while coming to market with what may be lifesaving solutions, could become a more common yet dangerous common occurrence.
Established and newer organizations both tend to struggle with understanding how rewarding adapting to the needs of another “link” in a mature supply chain is. Relationship leads tend to imagine they know best on both sides of the ball, but without proper exposure to errors which give reason to seemingly pointless guidelines. Only revealing itself after a mess has been created, obviously communication and a respect for the process are the first steps to being a consistent (good) partner.
Plant the seed. Make the investment.
The right relationship leads to a more than measurable jolt of the meter most times. When proper expectations are met, and everyone in the loop is honest about their strengths and WEAKNESSES, a real synergy is born. It presents itself as the base line for any good organization…repeat, high volume, and forecast friendly REVENUE. If you want to know how to get on your first Marriott or Fridays bid, these players are the holy grail.
Of course, none of this applies to those that have gone beyond just “pushing the limits” and ventured into trunk slamming and internet scamming. We will just have to hope enough people get wise and enough whistles are blown before more damage is done.
If you want to stick around, just be careful; ask for references, google everything, and obviously check LinkedIn before making promises to the next “link” in your Supply Chain. Avoid the “too good to be true” situations and reinforce open communication no matter if you are a Manufacturer, Distributor, Reseller, or even End-User. If more “links” in the supply chain are willing to do their part and pay attention to detail, accountability stands a better chance at surviving these times for everyone.
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Original Article – NonTheory Business Services
