Tammi's World

Like a Bad Penny

I don't know, maybe it's the anticipation of watching that jerk hang himself at work, but I'm having a pretty good week!

I've got some issues. (work issues damnit) We're seriously behind on deliveries and my one customer is especially angry. They have the power to take over our plant until we produce their parts and I'm working very hard to avoid that. I'd be up shit creek for sure if that happens.

Another customer has got everyone shaking in their shoes. They are real professionals and demand the same from their vendors. Things are kinda screwed up with their deliveries and they are just a bit upset. I inherited the account because 1) no one else wanted it 2) I was hired to handle the icky ones 3) I'm the low man on the todem pole.

So - first thing I do is build a spreadsheet. 6 tabs with every bit of information I could find. Forecasts, orders, outsourcing, deliveries - you name it, I included it. Once I got a feel for the situation I met with my cohort in crime at the plant and we started formulating a plan.

Then I picked up the phone and introduced myself to the customer. Imagine their surprise. They didn't know about the changes.

To say I got a cool reaction is putting it mildly. OK - not the first time, won't be the last.

So I asked question, made note of concerns and then let them know what I was going to do.

Silence. Through that silence I could hear them thinking "yeah, right....we'll believe it when we see it."

HA! Joke was on them. By noon today I had the buyer calling me to tell me jokes. Not 24 hours after the introduction.

At 4:30 an email was sent from their VP of purchasing telling our VP - we LOVE Tammi! When is she coming to the plant? Do Not Lose Her!!

Hehehe. I think I'm back!

Posted by Tammi at July 13, 2005 07:28 PM