COVER STORY
How to Build a Shockproof Supply Chain Strategy Businesses rely significantly on a reliable supply chain system to manage the entire manufacturing process, from the procurement of raw materials to the distribution of finished goods to customers. Integration, operations, procuring, and distribution are the four elements of the supply chain that collaborate to create a cost-effective and competitive path to competition.
turing sites, and how you relate to larger environmental and social goals. As you look out at the long term, five years from now the strategy you put into place should not only be able to support your company’s projected growth but also ensure that risk mitigation tactics are built in.
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hat are the typical challenges that a channel partner faces in large and medium-sized businesses regarding Supply Chain?
For supply chain leaders, it isn’t a stretch to say it has been a street fight over the last 30 months to execute steadily on cost, quality, and delivery — the three pillars of any top-performing supply chain. And the challenges continue, which makes it more critical than ever to make sure your company’s supply chain is as shockproof as possible. The goal: Seeing your enterprise through immediate needs as well as mid-term and longerterm growth.
How companies can counter the challenges in their e-commerce and supply chain departments? I think companies can think both strategically and tactically to understand where they are now and where they want to go. It encompasses everything from the relationships you have with your partners, the knowledge you have about your manufac-
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What strategies can companies adopt for the effective functioning of their organisational structure? Any 12-month plan is by its nature very tactical with some strategic activities in play. The 12- to 36-month view should become “stra-tactical” — tactical but with a strategy for crossing the chasm in terms of developing more mature processes. Three to five years out is more visionary around where you want to be with foundational tenants in place — consider your must-haves versus nice-to-haves. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key elements for building a shockproof strategy.
What are your thoughts on Supply chain collaboration or the relationship factor? Developing strong relationships with both upstream and downstream partners and with customers is critical. With suppliers, active listening regularly helps facilitate communication and collaboration. Talking to supply chain peers among your customers, meanwhile, can help them understand what you are going through, and help you understand
