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?”
Tag Archives: supply chain
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”
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 in the Midst of Crises
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”
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”
Thirteen (13) Do’s & Don’ts in Supply Chain Envisioning
Before we change, improve, or build our supply chains, we must first have a vision. We must first agree with our partners what we want our supply chains to become. Envisioning is not an activity of a single individual or enterprise when it comes to transforming our supply chains. It requires consensus between stakeholders ofContinue reading “Thirteen (13) Do’s & Don’ts in Supply Chain Envisioning”
Engaging Engineers in Supply Chain Envisioning
Engineers are accustomed to working with tangible things like machines, electrical circuits, infrastructure (e.g., roads, bridges), plumbing, and information & automated technologies. They don’t quite get involved with intangibles like supply chains. Nevertheless, there is a need for supply chain engineers. Supply chain engineers (SCEs) study the input & output of activities occurring within andContinue reading “Engaging Engineers in Supply Chain Envisioning”
Why We Need to Collaborate & Not Accommodate in Improving Supply Chains
We formalise our supply chain relationships via agreements we forge with our partners, who are our vendors, 3rd party service providers, & customers. We manage our supply chain operations to ensure we perform to the agreed expectations of our partners. Most supply chains have existing infrastructure in place when we negotiate with our partners. OurContinue reading “Why We Need to Collaborate & Not Accommodate in Improving Supply Chains”
The Three (3) Supply Chain Cycles
Supply chains span from sources to users, passing from one enterprise to the next. And we cannot manage supply chains on our own. We need to work together with vendors, customers, and service providers in procuring, producing, and delivering the goods & services. We, perhaps, see supply chains and our individual place in them likeContinue reading “The Three (3) Supply Chain Cycles”
Ellery's Essays 