Does anybody read anything these days?
Hey everyone,
I’ve noticed a bit of a trend lately and I’m wondering if others in the construction game have seen the same thing. Whenever we send purchase orders (POs) through to big companies, we try to include everything they’ll need upfront. All the details, specs, and paperwork are there. But 9 times out of 10, we’ll get a reply-all email back asking, “Can you send me XYZ?” – which was already in the original email.
It makes you wonder:
Are people just too busy to read?
Are they lazy, careless, or just doing the bare minimum because they’re underpaid or overworked?
Or is this just the new normal, and we should lower our expectations and simplify our communication to match it?
Some people suggest it’s better to send everything upfront – even over-explain – so when things go sideways later on, you’ve got proof you supplied the info. On the other hand, some say we should just keep it super simple and spoon-feed people the info they specifically ask for, even if that feels like dumbing things down.
I’m torn. Do we:
Keep the high standard, even if it seems like no one’s paying attention?
Or adjust to the “lowest common denominator” approach just to make sure things get done?
How are you all handling this? Have you noticed the same thing with big builders, suppliers, or subcontractors? How do you balance clarity and accountability with the reality of the industry today?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Other contents