Mhmonline Com Images Archive Carol
Mhmonline Com Images Archive Carol
Mhmonline Com Images Archive Carol
Mhmonline Com Images Archive Carol
Mhmonline Com Images Archive Carol

Web Exclusive: Warehouse Christmas Carol

Dec. 1, 2008
It was the night before Christmas, when all through the warehouse, Not a forklift was stirring, not even a mouse; There were no stockings hung, only safety

It was the night before Christmas, when all through the warehouse,
Not a forklift was stirring, not even a mouse;

There were no stockings hung, only safety signs that read,
Pedestrians beware, or you could end up dead;

As I looked around I noticed, the inventory was not nestled where it was supposed to be,
The warehouse was out of space and all the world could see;

The supervisor in his ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down and told me, the consultant, “he was sick of this crap;”

Inaccurate inventory, not enough space,
Constant employee turnover, a pile of returns,
He took a deep breath, and then put his hands on his face;

How did we get here, he asked, what are we doing wrong,
How will we catch up with receiving, I thought to myself,
“This is the same tired song;”

Next comes the dreams of a Warehouse Management System, to save us next year,
But it never comes, because a lack of ROI is what the executives fear;

I tell him the lack of ROI is not because of the software,
But because few organizations address their problems,
Before implementing a solution that big,
They merely end up putting clean clothes on dirty kid;

He says, nothing ever changes and wonders if we will be able to keep our sanity,
How many more customers will we lose and blame on the economy;

What will we do when the customer on the phone asks, “Are you sure you have that in stock,”
Smile like always and say, “Can you hold while I check my receiving dock;”

Just then the CEO enters and asks how is it going,
The supervisor smiles and says, “Its going, as you can see its going;”

The CEO then tells of a simpler time when customers weren’t so demanding,
When inventory levels were low and all he thought about was expanding;

Well expand we have done, with a warehouse bursting at the seams, But is the warehouse too small he asks, or do I need to speak with the Purchasing team;

The supervisor responds no I think we will be okay,
We just need to catch up on the receiving that came in the other day;

Well we definitely need to get those receivers entered so we can close out this year,
So do what you can, to make it disappear;

As he began to stroll away, down the aisle, he stepped over numerous piles of inventory,
He then turned and said, “Merry Christmas you two,” and that is the end of Warehouse Christmas story.

And I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy (Prosperous) New Year.

Rene’ Jones is founder of Total Logistics Solutions, Inc., a national logistics and supply chain consulting organization that focuses on improving your warehouse operations. Rene’ is the author of the acclaimed book, “This Place Sucks (What your warehouse employees think about your company and how to change their perceptions!)” and the book “WMS 101 (Selecting, Implementing and Maintaining a Warehouse Management System”. To learn how TLS can help your organization send an email to [email protected] or visit the company’s website www.logisticsociety.com or give them a call (888) 807-0958