Editor's comment: Making all the right noises

Sometimes I really miss the productive peace and quiet of working from home during the pandemic. What I certainly do not miss is the continuous chirping of smartphone noises that regularly puncture the air at work.

Hunkered over my PC, writing an article and trying to fathom what some aerospace specialist with a brain the size of a planet is talking about, various bleeps, squeaks, whistles and vibrations will disrupt my concentration throughout the day, causing me to pause and wonder why anyone would want to choose such interruptions.

Whilst these ‘always on’ noises are designed to alert us that information is available to act upon, similar demand signals are emitted by the tier ones informing their extended supply chains that new ideas are needed. Reinforcing the ‘joined up’ thinking between the primes and tiers, the hope is that both can prosper within a more consolidated and united industry.

But just how united is it? In an increasingly competitive global environment, now more than ever, the ‘big boys’ have the whip hand, while the ‘little boys’ feel pressured to sign up to Government-led business improvement schemes to gain the prime’s approval.

Meanwhile, the prime and tier relationship remains as adversarial as ever. Sure, these schemes improve the way your business operates - probably better than your prime mentor, but the likelihood is that you’ll never be allowed to talk about this special relationship.

Like our smartphones, it’s as if any notifications enabling the tier supplier to gain some well-earned plaudits have been put in ‘flight’ mode. Sharing this kind of success with the media is good news for all concerned. And as long as it isn’t accompanied by an electronic bleep, squeak or whistle, then I’m just fine with that!

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