They're Still There, Doc!

The Kid attended his annual physical last week, and is at a stage at which having a female pediatrician is a blessing that generates increasing reservations. Examinations of the reproductive machinery do little to mitigate the tension.

At the moment of truth, The Kid acreamed out, "You don't have to do that! They're still there, Doc! I'd tell you if they weren't!"

In our world, the equivalent of The Kid's pediatrician might be a 25-year old savant masquerading as a big time consultant for one of the mega-firms. In any examination, our first impulse might well to shout out that they're still there, and that no touching, let alone probing, would be required.

Sensitivity is understandable, to be sure. But, it is all too easy for us to rationalize that things are okay, that those mysterious twinges are random quirks of the organizational anatomy, that everything that worked last year is both still in place, and still working just fine, thank you very much.

But, that unwelcome intrusion by a fresh set of eyes and a different view of the supply chain universe - not to mention familiarity with new technology and emerging best practices - might just be what nips a fatal condition in the budding early stages.

That's as true in pediatrics, geriatrics, and pulmonary or cardiac realms as it is in supply chain management. Be smart, starting now, and check in with your supply chain doctor.