Supply Chain Therapy
Welcome to Supply Chain Therapy Saturday. Have a seat. No, not that seat - like over-allocated inventory - it's taken.
You are in a safe space - go ahead open up. Please share. Because in supply chain, we don’t process emotions - we optimize them.
“Tell me about your relationship with the sales team.”
Of course, they promised another rush order? And you found out after they emailed the customer?
That's sounds like their normal process. How does that make you feel?
Bzzzzzzzz! Incorrect. “Fine” is not a feeling.
“And how’s the relationship between Demand, Supply, and the Warehouse?”
Ahhh inventory is either overstocked, understocked, in-transit or in the process of being relocated?
Very normal. Very healthy.
"How's it going with Traffic?"
I see - lots of tension with carriers and brokers. You don’t trust ETAs anymore?
You shouldn’t. They’ve hurt you too many times.
“Tell me about forecasting.”
hmmmm. Sales forecasted a number they made up in the parking lot but wants a 100% fill rate while finance wants you reducing inventory by 30%?
Deep breath. This is what we call emotional damage!
“How does I.T. make you feel?”
Don’t cry. It’s okay. Get up off the floor and uncurl from the fetal position.
The WMS crashing wasn’t your fault. And no, the ERP isn’t broken. Did you restart your computer?
Wait - Wait - Don't leave.
“Let’s talk order fulfillment.”
You shipped 5,000 orders flawlessly, but the one that was missing was the CEO's friend's dog groomer who is also an influencer?
Your feelings of rage are valid.
“Tell me about organizational communication.”
Marketing launched a surprise promo? Of course they did.
IT pushed an update mid-day? We love those guys.
Leadership wants everything faster with fewer resources?
Sounds like a typical Tuesday.
Thanks for sharing. But please remember - you are the glue holding this circus together. You prevent chaos from becoming catastrophe. You make the impossible look routine. And you do it while repeatedly explaining why lead times are not optional.
Didn't make you feel better? Okay - how about a coffee run?
That's the smile that I was hoping for.
