Ellery

The Supply Chain Problem Many Don’t See

The escalator at the shopping mall was out of order for four (4) weeks. The mall managers perhaps didn’t think it was a big deal. Mall customers could still walk down the broken escalator from the ground floor to the lower level or take a nearby elevator. Never mind that any elderly person or parentsContinue reading “The Supply Chain Problem Many Don’t See”

Banks Have Supply Chains, Too

I went to the bank to cash a check. The teller said there was no cash available. She also said the automatic teller machine (ATM) also had no cash and was off-line. The teller, however, told me to wait. She then left the bank, went next door to a rival bank, and withdrew cash fromContinue reading “Banks Have Supply Chains, Too”

‘Who You Gonna Call?’

There is no such thing as ghosts. But there is such a thing as unexpected problems. And when unexpected problems do arise, whom do you call to solve them? The 1984 hit film, Ghostbusters had the hilarious premise of ghosts haunting New York City. But it also was about wacky scientists inventing devices to captureContinue reading “‘Who You Gonna Call?’”

All in the Mind

My dad would tell us that any difficulty was “all in the mind.” When I and my siblings were kids and we found anything hard, he’d tell us it was “all in the mind.” It could be whenever we’re sick, we’re stuck in homework, or we’re just not feeling like eating or drinking. He’d justContinue reading “All in the Mind”

The Four Types of Supply Chain Relationships

How do you want your supply chain relationships to be like? Supply chain relationships consist of the connections between enterprises such as those between enterprises and their vendors, service providers, and customers. They also include the interactions between internal operating groups within enterprises, such as purchasing, inbound & outbound logistics, manufacturing, and planning. There areContinue reading “The Four Types of Supply Chain Relationships”

The First Step is Always the Hardest

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” In building a supply chain, that single first step can be a doozy. When we construct a home or facility, the first thing we think we of doing is plan. Seek a site. Draft a layout. Determine our budget. Schedule the construction. But thatContinue reading “The First Step is Always the Hardest”

The Changing & Un-Changing Supply Chain

Since Keith Oliver and a Mr. Van ’t Hoff coined the phrase in the 1980s, supply chain management has evolved from an obscure middle-management responsibility to a high-echelon business priority. Supply chains had become hot topics in executive suites and business school lecture halls. At the same time, operations managers face endless enigmatic problems asContinue reading “The Changing & Un-Changing Supply Chain”

What’s the Big Deal About 300?

People celebrate milestones; I’m no exception. Birthdays, anniversaries, victories. We celebrate sentimental times and achievements. Sometimes, we play down some these things because whatever we’re celebrating doesn’t stand up to what others had done or had been awarded with. We compare notes; we look small; we decide not to make a big deal. I onceContinue reading “What’s the Big Deal About 300?”

Why the Yellow Line?

The yellow median on the street means traffic is two-way. When it’s white, traffic is one-way. It’s one of many standards written in land transportation manuals and taught in driving schools. In Philippine roads, however, white or yellow lines divide two-way highways. Motorists just know the lines divide the roads; it’s up to you toContinue reading “Why the Yellow Line?”