Managing Performance

We as supply chain managers typically oversee the following: It’s all part of our job to be perfect in serving customers and productive in meeting the standards of our superiors. We manage demand to synchronise supply. We manage inventories to make available products & services and make sure we don’t have too much (or tooContinue reading “Managing Performance”

We’re Expected to be Perfect & Productive in Demand Fulfilment

Supply chains encompass most, if not all, of what we use in our daily lives.  And for those of us who work in them, the supply chain professionals, we only have one basic task: Fulfil Demand And when we do that task: They expect nothing less.  We can’t afford to be less than perfect andContinue reading “We’re Expected to be Perfect & Productive in Demand Fulfilment”

Three (3) Real-Life Cases of Demand Fulfilment

We fulfil demand in different ways.  For instance, we make products available such as at store shelves.  Another example is we customise and deliver based on what our customers order.  We encounter challenges in fulfilling demand, however.  And we sometimes don’t know we do.      I went to a newly opened convenience store one SundayContinue reading “Three (3) Real-Life Cases of Demand Fulfilment”

Demand Fulfilment Begins Before the Order, Not After

As managers of our enterprises. we entice our customers to select our products & services.  Once our customers show interest in the items we are selling, the demand creation process comes closer to ending, and the demand fulfilment comes closer to beginning.  Hence, we don’t wait for customers to order when we start the fulfilmentContinue reading “Demand Fulfilment Begins Before the Order, Not After”

Developing the Right Demand Fulfilment Strategy

A large fast-food chain hired executives from a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) multinational.   The owners of the fast-food chain wanted the best and the brightest and they thought that the former executives from the multinational FMCG would best meet their expectations.  They were almost right. The former executives spent a lot of time revamping theContinue reading “Developing the Right Demand Fulfilment Strategy”

Three (3) Questions Supply Chain Managers Always Need to Answer

When it comes right down to it, supply chain managers have three (3) questions to answer: How do we get what we need when we need it? How do we make available what whoever needs them at when they need them? How do we deliver to whomever wants them when they need them? When supplyContinue reading “Three (3) Questions Supply Chain Managers Always Need to Answer”

The Importance of Making Available What We Promise

I ordered a box of latex gloves from a 3rd party seller on a popular e-commerce website.  The seller confirmed my order by email and after 24 hours, the order status on the website was that the box of gloves was being prepared for shipment.  One week later, the order status said it was atContinue reading “The Importance of Making Available What We Promise”

What is the Right Way to Serve Customers?

A manufacturer of metal parts hires a management consultant to help stimulate sales.  The consultant at once suggests the manufacturer prioritise production of its top twenty (20) best-selling items.  The manufacturer thus makes one month’s worth of stock of each of the twenty (20) top-selling items.  Three (3) months later, the stock is hardly selling. Continue reading “What is the Right Way to Serve Customers?”