Inflation is rising faster than at any time in recent memory. Businesses must deal with rapid cost increases by managing cash flow efficiently and communicating effectively with customers and suppliers. The benefits of inventory reduction must be balanced against the need to maintain critical stock for top customers.
"Proactively managing cash flow is critical right now," says Lisa Anderson, president of LMA Consulting Group, Claremont, Calif. This can be done by running periodic forecasts.
Lisa Anderson, manufacturing and supply chain expert and president of LMA Consulting Group discusses practical insights on how to unlock operating capital and fuel growth.
As executives continue to navigate these volatile economic conditions, the focus on inventory management increases. It is especially tough to determine what to do if you don't know if sales opportunities will dramatically increase as the competition falters and consumers drive demand or if sales will tank as recession fears increase and business optimism falters.
Manufacturers are experiencing continued inflationary pressures threatening customer service and profit margins with record-breaking price increases and lack of material availability. To add fuel to the fire, they are also starting to worry about preparing for a potential recession.
Lisa Anderson, a supply-chain management expert and the president of LMA Consulting Group, says if you’ve got the cash on hand now,"it’s not a bad idea to start your holiday shopping early this year."
The successful companies will not only strive to be the strongest link in your supply chain, but they will ensure that the weakest link doesn't send their customers to the competition. You have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure your position as a market leader and thrive for years to come, if you choose to take advantage of the opportunity and start to act NOW.
Improved supplier data will give your supply chain the competitive advantage to drive customer loyalty.
Since the pandemic, it has been a constant battle to ensure material availability, let alone to proactively manage cost and service. Even the most proactive and successful clients have experienced brief shortages of key materials and extended lead-times. The rest have been plagued with these issues.
As our long-term newsletter subscribers and ProVisors (trusted advisor network) colleagues are aware, we have used the Strongest Link in Your Supply Chain” as our tag line for a decade or longer. However, it has never been more relevant than it is today! As has been proven through the pandemic and continuing supply chain disruptions, any company’s performance is only as strong as the weakest link in their supply chain.
