Fulfilling customer demand successfully is not as easy as it was prior to this volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. As supply chain disruptions continue to rage, planners jump through hoops, expedite, and are a bit frazzled trying to support customer requirements while meeting operational objectives, pushing back when needed on sales commitments, and addressing cost concerns.
If you follow the stock market, you might think the economy is strong. As consumers, we are frustrated with the price of everyday supplies such as food, gas, and housing.
Customer service has suffered in the last few years. Yet providing a superior customer experience is paramount to success especially during these turbulent times of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA).
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.
Lisa Anderson, manufacturing and supply chain expert and president of LMA Consulting Group states there are operational and supply chain priorities required to be ready to absorb additional sales". One of the most important components is to have planning and scheduling processes required to be ready to absorb capabilities.
You can’t take a magic pill to drive HUGE results in your manufacturing or distribution company, but rather look to the tried and true methods that drive business growth and productivity
Strategy implementation should consider how the organization will have to change and evolve to support the strategy.
Are you planning for failure? I imagine no one thinks they plan for failure; however, I see it happen more than you'd think. Instead, plan for success, and success will follow.
Are you prepared for success? We worry so much about failure that I find most clients are not prepared for success.
