Ghosting should be left to Charles Dickens - The Essence of Communication in the Supply Chain: A Festive Reflection


Communication is the holy grail in our industry. So, it’s natural that ghosting really grinds my gears.?

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In the midst of the festive season, where warmth and generosity are all around us, it feels the perfect moment to focus some attention on communication within the supply chain (stay with me!) ...

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Picture yourself in a shop or store; you approach the shopkeeper or store assistant and enquire about the blue jumper with yellow dots that caught your eye on their website. It's something you REALLY need. The store assistant kindly brings you the requested item, presenting it for your inspection. However, without acknowledging the gesture, you walk out without saying a word.

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It's probably doubtful many of you would respond in this way in person. We've likely consoled friends who've experienced similar ghosting behaviour in personal relationships, expressing our disbelief at the lack of respect; ‘how could they BE so rude?!’.?

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Interestingly, this ghosting behaviour is increasingly prevalent in the business world, especially in the delicate dance of virtual interactions between clients and suppliers.?

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The historical excuse of a high volume of responses no longer holds water. Ghosting persists even when clients actively engage suppliers for services or pitch requests.?

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But ultimately, communication helps us all to grow, and it helps us to understand each other.?

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  • It’s ok if we are too expensive - we might be able to work with your budget to find you the solution. If you share, we can support.?

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  • It’s ok if you want to use an internal person - we can support with training so your people can shine.?

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  • It’s ok if you have found someone else - feedback good or bad allows us to understand ways and means to do better next time.?

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  • It’s ok to not have had a decision from a client - If you tell us when your timelines for decisions are, we can hold back from nagging you.?

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What isn’t okay is to ignore the supplier you've requested support from.?

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No one should ghost anyone, personally or professionally. We can all do and be better.

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So, this festive season, and as we venture into 2024, let's make a collective resolution to foster better communication with our supply chain. Taking a mere 30 seconds to respond to a supplier can make a HUGE impact.?

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Now, after an extremely exciting 2023 launching atex to the world, it’s time to take a break until the New Year. Wishing you all a relaxing festive break, however you’re choosing to enjoy it!?

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Gemma Wiggins

I pick up the phone and make the sales calls you don't have time for | Small Business Support | Done-For-You strategic sales support | Freelance and Flexible | Packages available or PAYG

11 个月

Absolutely Samme! Regardless of the response - whether it's a yes or a no - maintaining communication is key. If it didn't work out, sharing the reasons helps us understand and move on.

Richard John

C.O.O. Realise.Me.UK, Meetings and Events Author, Speaker & Guru, Coach, Mentor and Consultant

11 个月
Ruby Sweeney

B2B Conference & Events Expert and Founder of The Events Hub ?Events for Tech, Innovation & Scale-Ups? Mum to 2 Girls ?Collaborator & Champion for Female Entrepreneurship & Empowerment

11 个月

Wow so true, Samme! I’m seeing so much of this right now ?? Communication really is key - as you say, whatever the outcome, we can work with it so long as we get some sort of response back! Wishing you a lovely festive break ???.x

Robert Nunn

Senior People Search & Selection and Building High Performing People Teams for high growth companies

11 个月

So true, and no matter the industry, ghosting is a major issue. It’s too easy to block, reject or ignore comms nowadays and we shouldn’t retreat behind a wall. The parallels are obvious in recruitment, but the sentiment remains - feedback helps the receiver and could very well lead to more informed decisions for the person giving the feedback. Great post Samme

Sarthak Sikdar

Scaling Global Events & Exhibitions | Slashing Branding & Dev Costs by 60%+ for Event Companies

11 个月

Liked the insights you shared Samme. Ghosting is common now a days due to tight busy schedules.

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