Where to start. Most of us inherit the supply chains we work within. Not so long ago, to review and redesign a complex supply network was considered a big task, only be considered every five years or so and be undertaken by teams from large consultancies. As business and economic cycles became less obvious, affected by M&A activity, global procurement, … Read More
Make management decisions that mean something
The culture of your business and accepting responsibility. In your organisation, do managers make (and continue to own) decisions, or do tough challenges go through committees? This week the culture of General Motors has been discussed at the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee in Washington. This hearing is in reference to safety problems with a component used in vehicles; a … Read More
Resources - the new challenge in your supply chains
Using less resources in your business. Reducing the amount and value of non-renewable resources through your supply chains will be the coming challenge for management and will require the skills and knowledge of procurement and logistics professionals. For more than a century, until the early 2000’s, the price of hard commodities (except oil) and energy had trended down, but since … Read More
Seasonal products and their inventory is a challenge
Retailers feel a chill in warm weather. It is only one week away from the start of the ski season in south east Australia and there is not a sign of snow on the mountains. Retailers selling fashion garments and sporting goods are feeling very chilly – there is warm weather at the start of winter! Winter fashions are in … Read More
How well should you know your supply chains?
Expecting Procurement to know it all. How much should a business with a brand name know about suppliers along all of its many supply chains? This is the challenge that Baptist World Aid at http://www.behindthebarcode.org.au/ has asked of 39 electronic companies. The charity found that none of the enterprises achieved its definition of supply chain knowledge and action for improvement … Read More