Frustration Preparation
Today I am getting ready to do business in my nameless but dysfunctional FMCG business. For “FMCG” you could substitute ANY business sector you wish.
A full body suit made from flexible Kevlar with all the usual macho, combat-style zips, loops and pockets plus the necessary reinforced backside padding. I tie up my rugged walking boots that are perfect for climbing and dealing with any unexpected water hazards. A pair of bite-proof padded gloves at least the size of those worn by modern-day goal keepers. Lastly, a light-weight but high impact crash helmet with visor and chin guard. Almost ready.
Tools of the trade
Necessary reusable equipment includes a grappling hook, rope ladder and megaphone. On the IT front I have my laptop – must think about one of those tablets which are lighter and made for an easier climb. The mail function of the laptop includes a direct wireless link that automatically forwards email delivery and read receipts directly to an offline hard drive stored in a fireproof cabinet. That’s the equipment sorted and now for the necessary consumable materials I need to carry. This includes 5 litres of cooking oil to help people slip-up, 5 kg of small but sharp pins to make the landing painful plus at least 5kg of male bovine manure........
Yes, I am now ready to do business. I am ready for Silo & Obstruction Practices (S&OP).
FMCG Departmental silos are very deep and surrounded by heavily fortified defences. Using the grappling hook, I am able to secure a pulley to the top of the wall and hoist up the rope ladder. The climb is tough with such a lot to carry yet slowly but surely, I reach the top without alerting any of the people with whom I work – 'colleagues' is not really an appropriate descriptor.
Once stabilised at the top of the silo I make my move. In quick succession I pour over the cooking oil, scatter the pins and widely disperse the manure. Almost within the same second I press 'send' on my laptop and a buck-passing, backside-protection digital message speeds its way through the ether. With only seconds to spare I use the megaphone to warn those in the silo of what is coming yet still have enough time to store the 'I told you in advance' delivery receipt evidence in the fireproof cabinet and close the PC for the weekend so nobody can do the same to me.
That Friday 5pm Feeling
Job done! Backside well and truly protected with that Friday at 5 silo-bomb email sent and a deeply satisfied feeling flows through me as I think of the chaos and confusion in the adjacent department silo. “I feel good, de de de de de de de, I knew that I would!”
Does this sound familiar? While this might well be quite an exaggeration it is a fact that some or all of these behaviours and tactics will be seen in many companies day after day, month after month, year after year. When you operate in such deeply established and defended silos the only guaranteed business result is failure.
If you recognise you are operating in a Silo & Obstruction Practices environment rather than classic S&OP then you need to break the silo walls down, and keep them down before you can implement real S&OP and start climbing the ladder to success.
The sooner you start that journey, the better!
Help! I need somebody!
If you have any Supply Chain or Route to Market problems or opportunities you would like to discuss - like S&OP - then please reach out to Enchange.com via telephone, email, or live chat.