Top issues in the minds of supply chain people
Filed in archive General on September 3, 2007
I think some while ago I asked you about the issues which are on the top of the supply chain people's list. After summarizing the results, here comes what you suggested:
- RFID: Invest or not invest?
- How to persuade the partners in the supply chain to share their data so that they can proceed with all types of optimization tools e.g. network design, or simply CPFR.
- Contract management in such a way that working capital becomes minimum (late payment can be one option).
- Lean six sigma: should I go for it?
- Cope with the challenge of globalization in supply chains: (all types of problems from different regulations to standards and visibility issues).
- Supply Chain Risk Management.
Well, do you really think that's all?

Tags: supply chain people professional scm logistics 2007 supply+chain
Vote for Top issues in the minds of supply chain people:
|
Rating: 9.00 out of 7 vote(s) cast.
|
Response from:
Randy Littleson
(09/05/07 7:26am)
Response from:
David C
(09/06/07 3:48pm)
Another issue I think needs to be added as a huge and growing supply chain issue is compliance in a regionalised environment.
Where globalisation looks for uniformity around the world, regionalisation creates fragmented standards to cover essentially the same ground.
The differing (and frequently opaque) RoHS regulations across the EU, China, Norway, California, rest of the US and so on are a good example.
Many customers also have their own, unique standards.
Standardisation will eventually happen, but it is a long way off and a lot of resource is going to be be spent on satisfying what really are going to be dead end requirements.
And get your supply chain compliance validation wrong and you wind up in Mattel's unenviable position.
Where globalisation looks for uniformity around the world, regionalisation creates fragmented standards to cover essentially the same ground.
The differing (and frequently opaque) RoHS regulations across the EU, China, Norway, California, rest of the US and so on are a good example.
Many customers also have their own, unique standards.
Standardisation will eventually happen, but it is a long way off and a lot of resource is going to be be spent on satisfying what really are going to be dead end requirements.
And get your supply chain compliance validation wrong and you wind up in Mattel's unenviable position.
Response from:
Risk Central
[html] Which issues are on the top of the supply chain people's list?.
- RFID: Inve...
- RFID: Inve...
Most Popular
Basics
Best of
Best practice
Book Review
Did you know
Education
Employment
General
Green supply chain
Green supply chains
Guest Column
Implementation
Interviews
Market Overview
merger and acquisition
Misc
News
Partnerships
Point of view
Practical Tips

Most companies have invested in processes and tools that focus on execution - running the business like clockwork. But increasingly the business challenge is dealing with the business when it doesn't run like clockwork. Very few companies have implemented a viable solution to do so - a solution that empowers their people to respond quickly and effectively to change.
While supply chain management has traditionally been very focused on reducing costs, I also find that companies now are trying to also find ways to leverage their supply chain management effectiveness to drive top line revenue growth and customer satisfaction. Again, the need to respond to the unexpected is at the heart of their ability to accomplish this.