A Day in the Life: Bridging the Great Divide Between Sales and Production CC5
In my early days at a confectionery firm, consumer complaints were as predictable as the morning tea break. Some days, it was a rogue rubber band in a biscuit pack; other days, wrappers that crumbled faster than the biscuits inside. Like clockwork, this triggered a monthly showdown between the sales team and the factory managers—each side convinced the other had it easier.
The factory folks were sure we, the sales team, were living the high life—traveling to new places, enjoying hotel stays, and generously billing everything to the company. Meanwhile, we sales warriors were equally convinced that factory life meant lounging in air-conditioned bliss while we battled the elements and skeptical shopkeepers.
Our General Manager, caught in the crossfire, was one complaint away from losing his sanity. Then, one day, he had a stroke of genius:
"Why don’t you switch roles for a day?"
And just like that, "A Day in the Life" was born.
Trading Places
The factory team stepped into the field, discovering firsthand the joys of rejection, endless travel, and the soul-draining monotony of hotel rooms. The sales team, on the other hand, was plunged into the relentless precision of production—where ensuring consistency in taste, quality, and hygiene left no room for error.
The transformation was swift. A month later, our usual battle royale of a meeting felt... different. Instead of accusations, there was understanding. Instead of finger-pointing, there was problem-solving. We had all gained a fresh perspective:
As the meeting wrapped up, I glanced at our General Manager. For the first time in months, he wasn’t rubbing his temples. Instead, a slow, satisfied smile spread across his face.
Turns out, walking a mile in someone else’s shoes really can bridge even the widest divides—blisters and all.
Do you have a similar story to share from your workplace?
#SalesAndProduction #WorkplaceCollaboration #EmpathyInAction #TeamBuilding #ConflictResolution #CorporateLessons #RoleSwap #WorkplaceCulture
P.S If you liked this, you might enjoy reading the other articles in these series - https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/mba-meets-sieve-size-lessons-curiosity-from-my-first-day-suri-cfp-s6ikf CC4