Pro Tip: Conversations that include concrete data and cold hard facts can lead to solutions.

Oftentimes we try to get a point across or make a request for assistance in the bakery world, and our message or its importance does not come through as intended. It seems that our requests fall on deaf ears. When this happens, nothing gets done.

This problem can and will transcend all departments. This type of miscommunication is usually due to a lack of clarity, uninformed and misleading ideas, or void of proof.

Ultimately there is a sense of belief that all parties need to buy into conversations like this. Some wise person — I think it might be Peter Drucker — once said, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” This can become the basis for almost all business conversations.

The concept also converts to something like, “If you don’t show the proof, you don’t get my attention.” It’s how I think and how these miscommunications can be avoided.

Back in math class we had to show our work as proof of how we got the answer. The same process applies here. When you need to make a request that is intended to improve your world, it’s best to bring a full conversation that includes measurements of where you are in the problem and targets of where you intend to go. A little bit of “make it their idea” also helps.

Demanding that something gets fixed or changed without details and targets simply sounds like a demand. Demands don’t work well anywhere — not in the home, not in the family and certainly not in the workplace.

Here are some thoughts as to where you can change the conversation and become more productive.

First, let’s say that you are the production leader, and you are struggling to hit your targets because you are handicapped by a mechanical problem. You have a choice in how to communicate the need for improvement to the team that is there to fix it.

You can demand something and remain where you are, or you can bring proof such as the performance numbers of where you are, reasons for how this affects the overall success of the bakery and a list of benefits that will come from this restoration of performance.

Without proof you are just a person begging for a fix. When you beg for a fix, the service provider will fail to believe you and fail to improve your circumstances.

Second, let’s say you are the service provider, and you need something from the production leader. It’s a very similar situation. You can say, “I can’t fix it unless you give me the time.” This usually is not received as intended and can once again be seen as a demand and not believable.

If in the same situation, you come to the other side and explain why you need time and what that time will deliver as far as improved performance, and you show that you understand the urgency, they will understand, and all parties will be satisfied.

If you polled every company in every industry about their No. 1 issue across management, a lot of the time they will say communication.

An old proverb says, “You catch more bees with honey than vinegar.” In a bakery conversation, a more positive, data-filled, proof-based delivery of the message will win every time. Be demanding or be a bee catcher. The choice is yours.

Jeff Dearduff is owner of JED Manufacturing Services who provides “Bakery Guy Tips” to those everyday people working in production, maintenance and engineering. Connect with him on LinkedIn.