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What time will our shipment arrive at the loading dock?
- Can you hold for a couple of minutes? I need to run back to the warehouse to see if the truck has left yet.
- When did you place the order? Can you give me the confirmation number so that I can pull that order from the file.
- The truck is currently at mile marker 10 on I-405. Estimated arrival is 9:15.
Do you have that item in stock?
- I need to check in the warehouse. Can I call you back?
- That’s not my department. Order fulfillment will send you a backorder notice if we are out.
- Yes, we have 11 currently in stock with an additional 20 due in tomorrow.
We are undergoing an audit. Can you provide a report of our last year purchases by lot and serial numbers?
- I don’t think so. Let me check.
- You’ll need to send that request in writing.
- I will email the report right away.
These questions can provide insight into what today’s clients may be looking for in a supplier, such as do you know if the items your client ordered are in stock, where your client’s order is physically located or providing an order history report? This information is important to you and to your client.
If you can’t answer #3 to all of the above questions, then it may be time to reconsider your business management tools before your client reconsiders their supplier relationship with you.
Changing systems and processes may seem like a daunting task and you should take care when making this decision. With
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