ChainLink Research CEO Ann Grackin will discuss how innovative companies are using excellence in B2B integration as a competitive advantage, particularly in service-based industries, in a webinar scheduled for 12 p.m. EST, Dec. 11, 2012.
In an environment of increasingly global competition, companies are depending on their supply chains to differentiate themselves in key markets, says Michael Woore, former program director of IT services with Technicolor.
A resilient mind-set can transform scarcity into opportunity by combining limited resources with inventiveness and a never-say-die attitude. This approach "” whether it is aimed at creating a product, service or business model "” is called jugaad innovation. Jugaad is a colloquial Hindi word that roughly translates as "an innovative fix for your business; an improvised solution born from ingenuity and cleverness."
A survey that examines manufacturer and consumer perceptions about how products are made, sold, bought and consumed reveals a focus on quality, supply chains that are more transparent than ever but a decline in overall optimism, according to Underwriters Laboratories.
In today's rapidly changing market, companies are increasingly competing on the efficiency, effectiveness and agility of their supply chains. Much has been written about the agility of Apple's supply chain - a recent article in The New York Times highlighted this when they described how Apple switched from plastic to glass screen six weeks before the launch - and in that time-frame they had to find a new supplier, perfect the fabrication of samples, and get to production-level volume. In a recent Gartner survey Apple was at the top of the list in key metrics, including inventory turns (Samsung's inventory turn was 17.1, while Apple's was 74.1).
Projected cost modeling can help supply management organizations reduce procurement costs and generate information that could improve cost performance throughout the supply chain. Supply management professionals are aware that cost is often an important factor in making an informed business decision. And cost models can turn cost data into cost information, which can help organizations make better business decisions.