(26) Go to the mattresses.

Following the current situation as explained in post (23), the only sensible response is to go to the mattresses. By this I do not mean to do like the mafia in the godfather and make war, this is the film where you can find the explanation for this title, but read on and you will find the answer.

When disaster strikes, you react. This is the same here.

Like trucks queuing.

When problem arise, you act.

In a quality cheese business, this means “going back” (this was never abandoned in the first place) to the core values: quality of product, and quality of after-sale including communication.

For the quality of product, this is dictated by the existing stock. You can play with similar products and maintain the quality of the offering, or you can use a product specific for another customer when available in quantity allowing it to be used.

For the quality of after-sale, including communication, an important work is to be done from the administrative staff to liaise with customers as to explain the situation first, and then to propose some alternative. This can include earlier orders due to the extra delays incurred due to the Border Force/ Customs mismanagement, and eventually modification of orders as to comply with new rules of quantity demanded by the new rules. Once again this means much extra work, but it is important and necessary, and your customers will appreciate it very much as the situation is general throughout the food and drink industry.

In both cases, this means extra time spent and use of the available workforce meaningfully. On one hand this is a good occasion for maintenance works to be realised, however, staff can be used to help the overworked colleagues in a timely fashion. Resources need to be used well.

So, the situation happened because of the new Brexit regulations in force following negotiations between the UK and the EU. With the many years spent thinking about taking back control, it is evident that reclaiming the border and checking of goods would be necessary (and a good source of income).

The perfect storm was created with a combination involving:

· The original supplier,

· Transporter,

· Paperwork for importing

· Transit documentation

· Border force / Customs checks

· Last leg of transport.

We have since changed and simplified transport, at great cost, and use a highly specialised transported, however, it still takes over 2 extra days for refrigerated goods to go through the border; and this is in the best case. It is still much better and easy to send goods to the other side of the world!

I am wondering what will happen when they complicate the checks being done at present...

Anyway, in case of problem as stated above, go to the mattresses, go back to your core values, use your force, and may it be with you!

And remember, as always, give life to your taste buds, and above all, enjoy real cheese.