Christian Ruf shares an informative article on how to improve supply chain network design.  One of the duties I frequently performed as an operations research analyst in consulting projects was optimizing companies’ supply chain network designs. A supply chain is a network that connects suppliers with customers to procure materials, transform them into final products, and deliver these products to customers. Supply chain management is a key function of most companies and one of the most exciting management areas. Its…

Andrew Seay shares a few indications that help with supply chain management could deliver big benefits for your company. At some point or another, every company will struggle to manage its supply chain. As sales volumes grow, companies face delivery issues with suppliers, customer expectations seem to increase almost daily and new, high-volume orders bring in much-welcomed revenue, but often add significantly higher complexity. Unless your company specializes in distribution and logistics, it’s unlikely that inventory management is the reason…

Christian D. Ruf shares a detailed article on using prescriptive analytics to design a supply chain network.  One of the duties I frequently performed as an operations research analyst in consulting projects was optimizing companies’ supply chain network designs. A supply chain is a network that connects suppliers with customers to procure materials, transform them into final products, and deliver these products to customers. Supply chain management is a key function of most companies and one of the most exciting…

Mohannad H. Gomaa shares a concise and to-the-point  article that summarizes key thoughts and advice that are designed to update your current Supply Chain Continuity Plan (SCCP). Key thoughts and advice to update your current Supply Chain Continuity Plan (SCCP).   Business Impact Analysis:  External Suppliers and Customers:       Send questionnaires to your 1xxx+ suppliers and service providers to see how their operations are adjusting and discuss capacity availability/pricing/contract FM. Conduct meetings on key risk orders/SKUs    …

In this article, Andrew Seay identifies common problems that arrest supply chain efficiency. At some point or another, every company will struggle to manage its supply chain.  As sales volumes grow, companies face delivery issues with suppliers, customer expectations seem to increase almost daily and new, high-volume orders bring in much-welcomed revenue, but often add significantly higher complexity.  Unless your company specializes in distribution and logistics, it’s unlikely that inventory management is the reason you went into business. So, which…

Anubhav Raina shares an evergreen post on building trust using the steps of supply chain management as a guide.  Trust is a vague term & people use it in different contexts. One good definition I’ve come across: “Trust is an individual’s ability to accept risk based on his or her expectations of another person’s behaviour.” (Source: www.ricklindquist.com) Thus, the aim in building trust should be to increase the counterparty’s risk-tolerance. But remember- risk tolerance (by its very nature) is rooted…

  As we move towards the end of the pandemic and a surge in business, Geoff Wilson provides a post for leaders to help navigate the next economic journey. We are in a world of opportunity and hurt.  Demand is high, spirits (and prices) are up, and supply is constrained.  What’s a leader to do? When I was a young man I learned microeconomics on the back of a simple diagram with two lines…one for demand (always downward sloping) and…

  Balaji Padmanabhan shares an article that explains why executives must rethink the goal of cost reduction in supply chain operations to maintain a competitive advantage. With repeated disruptions impacting business in recent years—from the financial crisis to severe weather to Covid-19—ensuring continuity of supply has become a top priority for CEOs and Boards. A survey of S&P 500 annual reports[1] shows Supply Chain capability is a growing concern, with new initiatives underway to boost resilience, efficiency and flexibility. Excellence…

  Mohannad Gomaa shares an article designed to help you manage supply chain resilience by developing a continuity guide.  Supply Chain Continuity Plan (SCCP) Manage your Supply chain resilience and provide the business with a supply chain business continuity plan Business Impact Analysis External Suppliers and Customers: Send questionnaires to your suppliers and service providers to see how their operations are adjusting and discuss capacity availability/pricing/contract FM. Conduct meetings on key risk orders/SKUs Communicate with your customers on key issues…

  With a look ahead to a post pandemic environment, James Black provides nine questions to help you identify the potential possibilities and pitfalls. While all eyes are on navigating the pandemic—and for retailers than also means navigating the critical holiday shopping period—smart manufacturers and retailers are starting to look ahead to envision how they will operate in a Post-Covid world. (This is not to say we are in a Post-Covid environment yet, rather, for how to strategically plan for…

  In this detailed article, Surbhee Grover identifies the decision-making inputs and new market approaches that will be required to survive in the new economy. For entrepreneurs, coming out of COVID-19 isn’t the end of a crisis. It’s the beginning of a new way of thinking about their approach to product-market fit, financing, marketing and go-to-market strategies. And for some, will be a time to reflect on their personal approach to risk. The exponential pace of change to society will…

  Tobias Baer explains why the second-order effects of the disruption caused by the Coronavirus are what should concern risk managers the most. For risk managers, Covid-19 is both scary and a real-life test of our approach to risk management. As we are grappling with the virus and its fall-out, there are three sets of issues: the threat of the virus itself; the panic that it has caused; and lessons for operational risk management. The risk of the virus itself…

Shane Heywood provides an article that reveals how beer manufacturers are collaborating with smallholder farms to get a more secure supply chain, lower the cost of raw materials, and empower more households with income, and all in addition to improving yields from farming that could change lives for the 2 Bn+ smallholder farmers in the world. While interacting with 20+ smallholder farmers in Kenya, I, in addition to charities like One Acre Fund,  had the chance to see first hand how…