The Top 50 Management Dilemmas

Elusive or unresponsive behaviour

It is difficult to maintain high levels of performance when your supplier or client does not respond as you would expect. If they are late answering your queries via email or voicemail messages, the knock-on effect to you can be big: decisions you need to make will be delayed because the information you require is not forthcoming.

First, think:

• What is the nature of this relationship? Are you a key account for your supplier? Does your supplier provide an important or unique service or product?
• Is this unusual behaviour or is it the norm? If it is unusual, can you identify what might have changed? Do you know of reasons why your supplier might be distracted?
• Are you confident that you have communicated with ...