“No, we will not change our sales policy,” the general manager of the consumer goods wholesale trading company tersely said. As I was formerly a logistics manager and land transportation service provider (trucker for short), the wholesaler GM was asking me for advice on how to bring down transportation costs, which had been rising sharply. Continue reading “Embracing Supply Chain Productivity in Strategic Planning”
Author Archives: Ellery
Building the Entrepreneur’s Business via Supply Chains
All businesses begin from entrepreneurship, in which creative individuals turn ideas into profitable realities. There had been many who tried their luck as entrepreneurs. Many failed; some succeeded. It didn’t matter if the products or services entrepreneurs introduced seemed mundane or looked grandiose. What mattered was that entrepreneurs worked hard to develop their ideas intoContinue reading “Building the Entrepreneur’s Business via Supply Chains”
Who’s Responsible for Collections?
It’s a question that bothers many organizations. Who should be responsible for collecting debts from customers? Some people say it should be Sales, because a sale to a customer ends not with an order that is delivered but with an order that is collected. Others say it should be the Supply Chain, particularly Logistics, orContinue reading “Who’s Responsible for Collections?”
What Are We Responsible For?
An old shop proprietor was lying sick on his bed. His wife and children, fearing the worst, were at his bedside. “My dearest wife, are you here?” the proprietor asked weakly. “Yes, I’m here, my husband,” the wife replied. “My dear eldest son, are you here?” the proprietor asked. “Yes, father, I’m right here,” answeredContinue reading “What Are We Responsible For?”
Why Does It Take So Long?
I looked at the bottom of a dog food can at the pet shop to check its expiration date. It said “10/26/2026,” but the production date said “10/27/2023.” I concluded the dog food was safe as I bought the can of dog food on May 25, 2024. I thought, however: why was the production dateContinue reading “Why Does It Take So Long?”
Flagships & Anchors
Every enterprise has a flagship. A flagship is an enterprise’s leading product. It’s the brand that customers identify with the enterprise or it’s the enterprise’s number one item in terms of customer popularity or sales. We know The Coca-Cola Company by its flagship namesake, Coca-Cola. Likewise, we know the Pepsico corporation from its Pepsi lineContinue reading “Flagships & Anchors”
Beware the Balanced Scorecard and Other Buzzwords
Executives of a multinational corporation mandated the roll-out of the Balanced Scorecard (BSc) throughout the organisation. Departments such as Sales, Marketing, Research & Development (R&D), Human Resources, Manufacturing, Logistics, & Purchasing were required to present key performance indices (KPIs) to upper management and show corresponding targets & action plans. Department managers immediately attended BSc seminarsContinue reading “Beware the Balanced Scorecard and Other Buzzwords”
My Car Gets a Day Off; How Come I Don’t?
I work every day of the week. This comes from having several jobs or responsibilities, which is typical not only for myself but also for many Filipino workers, employees, and professionals who eke out what they can for a decent living. True, there are some lucky people who don’t work as much. Many court judges,Continue reading “My Car Gets a Day Off; How Come I Don’t?”
It’s Not Only About ROI
The chief executive officer of a multinational consumer goods corporation handed down an edict: he won’t approve any project unless the proponent presents a justifiable return on investment (ROI). Whether it be an investment in new facilities, hiring of additional staff, or a promotion of a new product, the CEO won’t let an undertaking pushContinue reading “It’s Not Only About ROI”
Solving Problems Before They Become Calamities
Starbucks Corporation had reported lower sales in the second quarter of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. This led to the coffee chain company’s stock price tumbling by as much as 12% on April 30, 2024. Starbucks’ chief executive officer, Laxman Narasimhan, cited customers abandoning their app orders because of very long waiting timesContinue reading “Solving Problems Before They Become Calamities”
Ellery's Essays 