We often talk about optimization and improvement internally in a company. However, in doing so, we forget how important it is to work together with our partners. In this article from L’Actualité alimentaire signed by Inno-centre that was published in January 2023, we discuss best practices for optimal collaboration between partners.

"In the heat of the moment, everyday operations become automatic. We repeat the same processes out of habit, then we live with obstacles which we come to forget. But they affect our efficiency. This is a situation that we observe too often in SMEs. When we share our processes with our partners, these obstacles can become irritants and harm a healthy relationship", observes Éric Waterman, vice-president at Inno-centre and responsible for the agri-food sector.

Mylène Drainville, for her part, has helped dozens of companies review their operational processes to increase their productivity.

"In companies, I often notice that the ways of doing things between partners are not clear and not enough detailed. Discussions have not taken place or have not taken place with the right stakeholders, which leads to working according to the perceptions we have of the partners’ needs or internal departments. Sometimes, activities are carried out that are simply of no value to the company or to the partners," denounce this expert.

– Mylène Drainville, Senior business advisor

"For managers, it becomes essential to ask themselves some questions. What do they expect from their suppliers or subcontractors? Are these expectations written down somewhere? Have they been discussed and communicated to everyone involved? Is the partner experiencing difficulties? If so, what are they, and how can we develop an optimal way to collaborate?"

"When we take the time to review upstream production processes, even those that appear simple, it's about making sure we have thoughtful processes in place that work for all parties involved. It also ensures stability over time, regardless of shift changes or staff turnover."

Of course, optimizing all processes of a company can seem like a huge task. Therefore, Mylène Drainville recommends reviewing everything... one process at a time and, in so doing, create a culture of continuous improvement.

These processes are all those that involve an exchange between your company and another. Here are some examples:

• Order raw materials or packaging products from a supplier;
• Subcontract part of the production to another company;
  
• Entrust the packaging of its products to another company.

Through the revision of the processes, it is a question of foreseeing all the communications and exchanges that must take place between the two companies as well as the way to do it.

Here are the steps to follow so you don't forget anything:

1^st step: Understand, improve and document in writing each process;

2^nd step: Validate the processes with the different departments and external partners;

3^rd step: Communicate the final process to the entire team;

4^th step: Have processes evolve.

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