As VP, Director of Production Procurement I am some times called upon to mediate "issues" that have developed between a production team and a supplier. My first responsibility is to carefully listen to both sides of an "issue" to truly understand it and then see if I can help lead both sides to a meaningful and equitable solution. All too often I find myself trying to mediate a situation that has formed through poor communications. Emails have been fired back and forth and quick phone conversations have been had and yet nothing has been placed in formal writing and signed by both parties. I'm sure you can see that whatever the "issue" might be it is based in an honest miss-understanding between parties. The fact that there hasn't been anything placed in formal writing which shows the resulting "understanding" means there can't be an "oh, that's what you meant?" moment!

Continue reading "Talk it out, write it down and sign it"

By Sandy Sites VP, Director. Jack Morton Training

This week on July 4th the United States will celebrate its birthday. Do you know exactly what it was that happened on that day 232 years ago? Was it:
A. The completion of The Constitution
B. The Boston Tea Party
C. Samuel Adams opening the first brewery in North America (Now that's cause for celebration!)
D. The convening of the First Continental Congress
E. The signing of the Declaration of Independence

For the correct answer, click on Continue reading below.

Continue reading "Why is this guy writing this?"