We who are supply chain veterans have encountered many crises in our operations. Over the decades since Keith Oliver (and Mr. Van t’Hoff) coined the term, supply chain management, we have had our share of challenging crises. But even as many enterprises recognise their critical importance, supply chains remained a not well understood branch ofContinue reading “Solving Problems in the Midst of Crises”
Tag Archives: business
Are You Looking for a Problem?
In the 1980’s, Procter & Gamble had a cost improvement program dubbed “Deliberate Change.” The purpose of the program was to tap all levels of the P&G organization to find ways to reduce cost. The Deliberate Change program encouraged P&G employees to look for ways to reduce costs. There were extensive training programs focused onContinue reading “Are You Looking for a Problem?”
Discerning What We Can Change versus What We Cannot
A long time ago I tried to start a business in which I’d deliver basic consumer products to small provincial stores. I’d buy products from major wholesalers and sell them at small profit margins. I’d offer my customers products at close to wholesale prices and I’d deliver items as soon as there were ordered. AsContinue reading “Discerning What We Can Change versus What We Cannot”
Engineering for Versatility, Not Resilience
When we analyse the gaps in our supply chain operations, it isn’t just about how wide the differences are in how we’re performing versus what we’re aiming for. It won’t only be about variances between targeted & actual results, but it will also be about how well we respond to and handle risks now andContinue reading “Engineering for Versatility, Not Resilience”
Resigning to but Reducing Red Tape
We encounter red tape in just about every transaction we undertake. It’s burdensome, annoying, and always a waste of our precious time. Red tape is a scourge, and it should be eradicated. But we don’t and we won’t get rid of it because not only do we resign ourselves to it, we accept it asContinue reading “Resigning to but Reducing Red Tape”
Understanding the Supply Chain Engineering Roadmap
We know what we want, i.e., we have a vision. We know where we’re at versus what we want, i.e., we did our reality check. We see the disparities between our present-state & future-state performances, i.e., we mind the gaps in our supply chain operations. The next step in building our supply chains is toContinue reading “Understanding the Supply Chain Engineering Roadmap”
Mind the Gap
We see the sign in many railway stations around the world: mind the gap. It’s a reminder, if not a warning, for us to watch our step as we cross the space between the train from the platform. As much as we may take it for granted, if we don’t watch our step, we canContinue reading “Mind the Gap”
Transitioning from Yesterday’s Trade Routes to Tomorrow’s Supply Chains
We use maps to guide us to a new destination. If we don’t have one, we’ll end up lost and asking people on the way for directions. We then would remember the route we took in case we’d return to where we went. Thanks to apps like Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps, it’s easyContinue reading “Transitioning from Yesterday’s Trade Routes to Tomorrow’s Supply Chains”
Lessons from an IT & Logistics Mess
A multinational consumer goods corporation initiated a comprehensive information system project for all its departments, manufacturing & logistics operations included. The lead person of the project was Dana, one of the corporation’s up-in-coming IT managers. Dana convened a working group comprised of senior heads of respective departments of the multinational’s various departments, i.e., finance, sales,Continue reading “Lessons from an IT & Logistics Mess”
The Reality Check
It happens all the time. We go to an off-site strategic planning session (or a seminar or workshop), bond with colleagues in teambuilding exercises, creatively come up with new ideas, and commit to action plans to implement them. As soon as we return to our workplaces, we go back to doing what we have alwaysContinue reading “The Reality Check”
Ellery's Essays 