What makes a good supply chain?
Try the Supply Chain quiz to see if you know what makes a good supply chain or whether you need help to get collaborating.
1. In your business, if you were thinking of expanding or trying a new product
a) You would be aware that your choice of customers is limited and that you can only call on a restricted range of suppliers so may need to look around
b) You take it for granted that you have lots of customers and that you can call on lots of other suppliers
c) You don't really think about expanding or about your customers or suppliers - you just ship it out
2. When talking to a possible supplier
a) You take other things into consideration like reliability and consistency of quality, rather than just cost
b) You focus on the price as the bottom line is all that matters
c) You feel that you don't have much room for negotiation so you take what the supplier has to offer
3. When negotiating a deal with a supplier or customer
a) You try to look past this deal, and create a relationship which means you have a better chance of doing more business with them
b) You try to get the best deal for you, regardless of whether it will lead to more business
c) You just want to get the deal done and get back to the business so you don't negotiate
4. When looking ahead
a) you talk to other companies, like suppliers and customers, to find out what their plans are
b) You talk to colleagues and partners inside the business
c) You talk to the bank about how long they'll allow you an overdraft facility
5. When looking at cash flow and profits
a) You are keen to make sure that you can get the best profit but want it to be long-term and sustainable
b) You just want to keep the wheels turning and make as much as you can quarter by quarter
c) You are simply trying to keep your head above water and service the overdraft
6. A good supplier is keen to work with you exclusively, but needs some cash support to develop
a) You want to keep them as an exclusive supplier because they are reliable and you are open to the idea of supporting them as this will mean good business for you
b) You would like to keep them as a supplier but are not interested in exclusivity or helping them - if they go elsewhere, so be it
c) No-one has asked you for an exclusive deal in the past and you don't expect it to happen in the future
7. You are in with a chance of a big order but the customer wants to carry out an audit of the premises
a) You are confident and you make sure all of your quality assurance documents are in order
b) You rush back and order your staff to get stuck into making the place look the part
c) You don't do anything as you think things are OK as they are
8. You lose the order
a) You react by looking closely at your processes and addressing the issues you find
b) You react by making sure you don't tell any other potential customers
c) This is a common occurrence for you so you don't react much at all
Key
Mostly A - You understand that there is much to be gained for your business by:
- being open-minded
- taking a longer term view
- maintaining good suppliers for your business
- ensuring quality and consistency
- learning from setbacks
Mostly B - You may need some help in understanding why collaboration makes good business sense by:
- Being too focussed on the short-term
- Being reluctant to keep good suppliers and customers
- Being prepared to put up with lack of quality and consistency
- Being unwilling to deal with setbacks as they arise
Mostly C - You may need some advice to deal with some basic business issues - perhaps you should contact your local Business Gateway
