537: How To Ask Better Questions and Drive Project Success, with Brecham Group

In this episode of Let's Talk Supply Chain, host Sarah Barnes-Humphrey sits down with Chris Hamley, co-founder and CEO of the Breckham Group, to explore how asking better questions can drive project success in supply chain operations. The conversation centers on the critical role of communication, alignment, and continuous improvement in technology implementations and organizational change. Chris shares personal anecdotes, including a pivotal early-career moment where a simple yes-or-no question about ASN handling led to project misalignment, underscoring the need for deeper, exploratory dialogue. The episode emphasizes that project failure is often not due to technology but to poor communication, unmet expectations, and a lack of clarity around success metrics. By reframing 'stupid questions' as 'exploratory questions' and fostering uncomfortable but honest conversations, teams can build shared understanding and avoid costly missteps. The discussion also highlights the importance of ongoing feedback loops post-implementation, with Chris advocating for regular check-ins and course correction rather than waiting for perfection. He introduces the concept of '80% plan violently executed today' as a more effective alternative to over-planning. The episode concludes with a teaser for an upcoming interactive platform designed to help supply chain professionals experience technology firsthand before making purchasing decisions. A key takeaway is that effective communication can boost productivity by 25% and prevent losses exceeding $2 trillion annually due to poor communication in U.S. firms.