Supply chain performance is a real issue, not just to the customer, but also to the supplier. In fact the supply chain performance can be critical for companies to manage to survive; without a good supply chain that is performing well, businesses can feel as if they are trying to do business with one hand tied behind them.
One of the most important things that can be done to ensure that the supply chain is operating at its peak, is to train staff in all aspects of the supply chain!
Staff Are Key To Success
Within any organisation it is often said that the most important asset is the workforce. They can hold the key to success and failure and this is certainly the case within the supply chain.
Staff need to be trained to see the ‘bigger picture’. There is often a feeling that staff involved in the supply chain only need to know the exact duties that they need to perform. So if a member of staff is involved in working on a conveyor belt, checking that items are finished to a certain size, then that is all they need to know, isn’t it?
Well in fact it is really helpful if those staff know exactly why the components need to be a certain size. If they are too small they will not be of use to the customer, but if they are too big they will get stuck in the customer’s machinery, so again they are of no use.
Thus the components have to be a specific size and care needs to be taken to ensure that staff within the supply chain know how vital their role is and how they fit into the process.
Knowledge Is Valued
Staff who are well informed and well trained will be more useful within the supply chain because they feel more valued; they are no longer viewed as the cogs in the wheel; they are valuable members of the team.
It is hardly rocket science to assert that staff who feel valued and more part of a team are more dedicated and diligent staff; so the training is well worth the effort in terms of productivity.
Knowledge Offers No Excuses
Staff training can eradicate the excuse of ‘I didn’t know’ or ‘No one told me’. These excuses are often offered by staff who have not performed well and a problem has occurred. Within the context of a supply chain this can lead to significant problems.
If staff are trained then they will have to accept responsibility because they DID know and they WERE told, so there is no room for any excuses.
This can help to improve productivity within the supply chain because staff become more accountable within their own individual roles.
Customer’s Staff Should Be Trained As Well
In order to promote a good working relationship between the customer and supplier, it can be helpful to have the customer’s staff also trained in supply chain issues, so that they can be aware of the exact nature of the supply chain and the issues that the suppliers face.
In some instances, the customer’s staff can be sent to the supplier to train the supplier’s staff how to make improvements, but this ends up being a mutually beneficial experience as the customer’s staff receive some ‘on site’ training simply by being on the supplier’s shop floor for a period.
Staff training is therefore very important if the supply chain is to perform well and be improved!