Noticing hot supply chain trends first is a great way to leverage emerging trends and stay ahead of the competition. An often overlooked secret to success is to be a front-runner in identifying and leveraging emerging trends. Since I work with manufacturers and distributors from small to large [...]
Businesses face many hurdles—some we can control and others we cannot. How we manage risk is what determines our success. As this topic came up frequently at the APICS 2013 conference and has affected almost every one of my clients in the last year in some manner, I thought [...]
Collaborating with supply chain partners not only develops stronger partnerships but it also can deliver significant bottom line business results. I've noticed that my strongest clients dedicate time and attention to developing relationships and collaborating with their suppliers, customers, transportation partners, brokers, trusted advisors etc. There are countless options [...]
Engaging your customers creates a customer service edge There has never been a better time to create a customer service edge! Gone are the days of the last decade when we saw examples of 10% sales growth achieved solely by picking up the phone. Customers expect more for less [...]
Being known as the strongest link in your supply chain is the key to success. In today's new normal business environment where sales are no longer easy, talent is in short supply even amidst high unemployment levels, volatility is the new norm and customers want "more for less - [...]
In today's new normal business environment which is characterized by volatility, lackluster sales, customers wanting “more for less – and NOW” and a talent shortage admist high unemployment levels, companies are turning to the supply chain to deliver RESULTS. Our view of the supply chain is from our [...]
Published in "The ACA Group" website, November, 2010 Polling my clients and contacts, I've found there's no exception to the rule that customer loyalty is no longer a nice-to-have; instead, it must be an assumption in today's "new normal" business environment. A perfect storm is brewing - just as [...]
Business managers and entrepreneurs can increase cash flow with already-existing assets through the implementation of innovative supply chain strategies, according to Lisa Anderson, founder and President of LMA Consulting Group, Inc. "In today's new normal business environment, cash is king, yet traditional methods to increase cash flow are not [...]
Published in "The ACA Group" website, March, 2011 As we are emerging from the recession, we are by no means returning to the high growth days of the past. Instead, the new normal is here to stay - slow growth for those who stay ahead of the curve, tight [...]
My procurement mentor exemplifies "profit through people" and can achieve more on a golf course in 2 hours than an entire team of Harvard MBA's could achieve in a year. He took all the complex terminology, confusing pricing indicators, economic trends and world events and turned it into a [...]
