Make the most of a multi-tier send
What is multi-tier?
SupplyShift’s multi-tier functionality is designed to provide supply chain transparency where companies typically do not have the ability to engage with indirect suppliers. This means your suppliers will forward your assessment to their suppliers.
Why should I investigate suppliers beyond my first tier?
Understanding your full supply chain allows you to better identify potential risks and vulnerabilities to your business. Investigating beyond your direct suppliers helps you reach your CSR goals sooner.
How do I get started?
The key to sending out any assessment is preparation! Be sure to establish alignment with both your internal team and your direct suppliers.
Some suppliers may not feel comfortable providing data to buyers they do not directly work with; there could be a lack of understanding as to what the data will be used for. Therefore, provide clear guidance to ensure direct suppliers understand what to request of their suppliers.
We suggest publishing anonymized data and ratings after collection. This allows suppliers to review and create analytics to get a sense of their own supply chain progress and risks.
What should I ask?
Start simple. If you have little insight into who and where your upstream operations are, it is highly recommended you use short questions and limit the number of questions to reduce survey fatigue.
For example, ask for information that maps locations and risk. Build your assessment around the most general and expected structure of your supply chain.
Avoid asking for information that can be perceived as competitive information suppliers would not want to disclose to other suppliers.
Most of all, ensure the assessment request is clear, straightforward, and relevant at each tier in the supply chain.
Where can my suppliers find help?
First, you should put yourself in your suppliers’ shoes and consider what they might find helpful.
Adding guidance to your assessment that suppliers will be able to view in the SupplyShift invitation email and while answering your assessment is always recommended. A flow chart or diagram that outlines steps for the different entity types of your upstream suppliers is also helpful.
Set the expectation with direct suppliers that they need to invest time and resources into the forwarding and response process.
Lastly, make sure they’re aware of the SupplyShift Support Center, available 24/7, for additional help.
What else can I do to make sure my suppliers respond?
Although SupplyShift provides technical support, you will be responsible for providing contextual support to suppliers.
Dedicate time and resources to emails and conversations with these suppliers. Offer to connect one-to-one with your supplier contacts. Hosting webinars prior to sending your assessment is a best practice.
To ensure a successful multi-tier supply chain assessment, some of the most important aspects are to have alignment, clarity, relevancy, and to start simple. Your suppliers will thank you and be more responsive to your requests.