Trends and Innovation
How Investing in Supply Chain Agility Pays Off
Understanding and Valuing the Impact of Agility in Your Supply Chain
Everyone remembers the extreme toilet paper shortages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even today, shortages of new vehicles, supplies for home renovations, or baby formula are explained away as supply chain issues. Frustrating and all too common, these supply chain issues affect consumers and companies alike. So how can organizations and supply chain leaders nimbly navigate these disruptions? This white paper has the answer.
A Framework for Sustainable Procurement and Supply Chain Management
Unlocking Value Through Sustainable Procurement
Over the years, corporate sustainability has become increasingly important. In addition to being a competitive necessity due to rising consumer demand, corporate sustainability can be a valuable recruitment tool for talent-seeking, purpose-driven corporate cultures, as well as a business practice that boosts innovation and reduces costs. But how can companies achieve sustainability when synchronization and collaboration across the supply chain can be so difficult? This white paper provides a seven-pillar framework for sustainable procurement and supply chain management and guidance on how procurement executives can be successful, in-house sustainability catalysts.
Blockchain 101: When Is(n’t) Blockchain Right?
A Decision Guide for Supply Chain Professionals
Blockchain has become an industry buzzword, with blockchain for supply chain touted as a game-changer for business operations. Estimates suggest blockchain technology will generate over $3.1 trillion in new business by 2030. But, if the mention of blockchain leaves you scratching your head (or your colleagues rolling their eyes), you’re not alone. Challenging enough to understand its own, Blockchain ROI is even harder to determine. This white paper explains blockchain 101 technology, its potential ROI, and the costs and benefits of application. Authors also present lessons from blockchain pioneers, like Amazon, Mondelez International, and Pfizer. Provided with the paper is a toolkit for effectively determining if blockchain for supply chain is feasible for your company.
Diversity and Inclusion in Supply Chain Management
Young Professional Women’s Perspectives on Supply Chain Diversity and Inclusion
More than ever before, supply chain management is center stage. The increased scrutiny and complexities of global supply chains highlights the need for organizations to onboard, develop, and maintain fantastic talent. Research shows that companies with more diverse management teams have 19% higher revenue due to innovation. Yet only 15% of supply chain organizations are led by female executives. This white paper shares the experiences of new female supply chain professionals to illustrate opportunities for supporting women in the workplace. It also provides a framework for building more gender-equitable workplaces.
Supply Chain Best Practices for Building a High Performance Organization (HPO)
Tips for Leaders and Teams
Both early career supply chain professionals and senior supply chain leaders understand that their work is directly linked to company success. People are the heart of the supply chain. So how do you build a high performance organization (HPO) where every member of the supply chain team meets and exceeds their goals? In this paper, we explore supply chain management best practices that answer that question.
Supply Chain Best Practices: A Guide to Evaluating & Improving Your End-To-End Supply Chain Integration Strategy
Supply Chain Integration Strategy Best Practices: Redefining the Value Derived from End-to-End, Integrated Supply Chains
When supply chain best practices are in place, end-to-end supply chain integration strategies greatly benefit companies. Integrated supply chain structures create a common strategy, vision, and culture focused on increased value and improved performance. Despite the benefits of an end to end supply chain integration strategy, some supply chain leaders have yet to adopt this strategy and the supply chain best practices that come with it. And, even if they are, there remain ways to expand and further optimize their approach. Authors of this white paper interviewed people from inside 16 leading companies across eight industries to answer those exact questions. They also provide helpful definitions and concepts, integration benefits, supply chain best practices, an integration toolkit, case study, and answer six key questions supply chain leaders should be asking themselves.
Best Practices for End-to-End Supply Chain Collaboration
Today supply chain professionals are busier than ever. Their attention is pulled in every direction they’re challenged to multi-task to achieve results. One means of lightening the load to drive innovation is supply chain collaboration. In this white paper, sponsored by SGS Maine Pointe, we share end to end supply chain collaboration best practices to help leaders improve corporate culture, value, and results.
A Savvy Guide to the Digital Supply Chain
How to Navigate Technology in Supply Chain Management
Today’s supply chain leaders must be able to adapt and thrive in the face of new and constant disruptions to their organization’s supply chains. Recently, technology has been developed to mitigate the impact of these challenges. But adapting to new technologies and processes, on top of the daily tasks associated with your role, can be daunting. This white paper considers research that suggests supply chains, and the organizations that support them, are in the early stages of a digital transformation. It can serve as a guide for professionals who are evaluating and leveraging technology to build a supply chain that’s ready for the digital age.
New Product Initiative (NPI) Best Practices
Addressing Complexity & Enhancing Value through Proactive Supply Chain Leadership
The role of supply chain professionals has evolved significantly over the past two decades. With increasing complexity, leaders have emphasized the importance of proactively influencing and leading multifunctional processes and decisions. This shift is particularly evident in new product initiative (NPI) processes. In this white paper, a research team with UT’s Global Supply Chain Institute surveys and interviews industry executives, confirming the critical involvement of supply chain leadership in multifunctional NPI processes. It also defines the ideal of a modern-day supply chain leader and highlights supply chain best practices for enhancing value creation through NPI initiatives.
New Supply Chain Technology Best Practices
The Application of New Technology in the Physical Supply Chain
Keeping up with the latest supply chain technologies can feel like a full-time job. Understanding, adopting, and integrating the growing list of modern supply chain innovations is an even greater challenge. This white paper illustrates supply chain best practices for applying new technology advances to your physical supply chain and organizational strategy. In an era of unprecedented advances, Paul Dittmann outlines an easy-to-follow, well-researched guide for navigating innovation.