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Technology is a tricky topic. On one hand, almost everyone has put technology and ERP implementations on hold due to concerns about COVID impacts and to conserve cash. On the other hand, it is the best time to gain employees' attention and focus to upgrade technology to scale the business, create a superior customer experience and deliver bottom line results.
While leading a panel "Building Resiliency in the Supply Chain" with gurus from Georgia Tech, the leading experts in global logistics and associated research, several intriguing concepts arose.
COVID has disrupted every business. Some are growing far faster than supply can keep up while others have dropped like a rocket. Still others have almost identical dollar volume yet double the number of orders at half the order size, creating significant disruption in warehousing, shipping and transportation. And still others might have less severe changes in volume yet certain customers are thriving while others are dormant creating mix disruption. The supply side is no different. Previously reliable suppliers can be suspect at best, previously high-quality, low-cost suppliers have skyrocketing costs as airfreight is required to keep customers' satisfied, [...]
CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA – July 31, 2020 – Manufacturing and Supply Chain Expert, Lisa Anderson, MBA, CSCP, CLTD, president of LMA Consulting Group Inc., recommends that manufacturers and distributors increase the focus on stabilizing supply chains. LMA Consulting Group works with manufacturers and distributors on strategy and end-to-end supply chain transformation to maximize the customer experience and enable profitable, scalable, dramatic business growth. “During the last six months, manufacturers and distributors have experienced unprecedented volatility of both demand and supply. Risks that were not fully considered have resulted in supply chain disruptions, extra costs and/or customer service challenges,” stated Ms. Anderson. [...]
As I participate with the California DEC (district export council) meeting as part of the Inland Empire DEC, I am reminded of the vast opportunity of export. This is especially true during the pandemic as manufacturers innovate to be able to support critical needs in the U.S. and throughout the globe. For example, many Southern CA and Inland Empire companies pivoted in response to PPE needs as well as other critical industries' changing requirements. On a similar vein, the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles talked up the opportunities of export on the Southern California Supply Chain Summit [...]
July 24, 2020 According to Forbes, COVID-19 accelerated e-commerce growth by 4-6 years. Smart players are taking advantage of the opportunity. Only Amazon takes in more money than Shopify's websites, and analysts are predicting a 75% annual rise in the next five years. The ONLY item in common across all clients and colleagues across the board is the rise in e-commerce during COVID-19. In fact, it has been the only bright spot in many cases. Thus, there is an increasing interest in B2C AND B2B software to support improved customer satisfaction and efficient order processing and fulfillment. You do NOT [...]
As my long-term newsletter subscribers know, I enjoy traveling. Of course, during lockdown, I haven't even gone to visit my Mom in Arizona since you never know what unintended germs you might bring along for the ride. Thus, I thought I'd go back to my favorite recent (within the last few years) travel destination. What do you think about Taormina, Sicily? What's not to like? The smell of citrus trees, cobblestone streets, beautiful seascapes, Mt. Etna serving as a backdrop, and excellent food... I was fortunate to stay both on the hilltop at the edge of town and on the [...]
July 19, 2020 The most recent webinar in our APICS Inland Empire webinar series featured Frank Moullet from Shamrock Foods talking about distribution, food service and how they've navigated through COVID-19. We had an engaging discussion on how they made a sharp right turn pivot early on and why people remain critical to success. The world is changing rapidly. E-commerce is rising rapidly as consumers gain comfort ordering for home delivery instead of venturing out to the store. Of course, this is creating ripples throughout the supply chain. Distributors are re-thinking inventory strategy. Almost every executive is realizing [...]
Do You See People as Assets or Costs? Your people know what you really think. Do you value them? Even though there has been a sharp spike in unemployment, good talent isn't easy to keep! Multiple clients have lost talent to better opportunities since COVID-19 started. People are on the move. Are You Attractive to Potential Employees? Top talent will not sit idle. A colleague and former client who is an excellent find for any manufacturer found a new job in a matter of a few weeks when downsized during COVID-19. It was an exciting opportunity, and she was attracted [...]
