Take a look at this monstrous, global supply chain Alibaba has put together for the Double 11 sales day. The sheer size and complexity is both mindboggling and energizing as you think through the immensity and reach of this extended supply chain. So how can your business enable similar, amazing, extended supply chains? The key… Read More

SupplyChainBrain released an article on optimizing DC performance to handle the increase in small orders that must be rapidly filled and the reoccurring peaks of demand for these small orders. IndustryWeekDaily reported that U.S. manufacturing expanded in Sept. according to ISM’s index (the index shows manufacturing’s Sept. index to be 51.5 indicating growth). ISM’s new… Read More

Just how does a company create a successful ecosystem via modern digital platforms? While there are technical answers and strategic planning answers to this question, this blog will deal with the basic must have’s in your strategic thinking. How you think strategically is critical since that same thinking becomes embedded in your offering, processes, and… Read More

Who would have thought an online search engine company would become a car company? But when you think about it, it makes sense. Google searches the web and provide you with options on how to get to the information you are looking for. A car is a physical search engine that provides you with options… Read More

Uber, AirBnB, Amazon web services These platforms showcase new business models of interconnectedness via digital platforms that allow for unprecedented synergy and dynamic connectedness between suppliers and customers with you, the service/product provider in the middle. The blazing pace at which these platforms perform and surface new demands on your company point to the requirement,… Read More

I’ve attended a lot of presentations and webinars that talk about what Millennials value, how they want to be treated, and what they want to achieve. What I’ve come away is that, with a couple of exceptions, they are no different than any other generation’s 20-35 year olds. We all wanted to change the world,… Read More

While the shock of Brexit passing is wearing off, the confusion remains. This portion of Brexit holds several lessons for our supply chains, both to survive Brexit and survival in general. First you need to know: Cynthia’s Second Rule of Business: Don’t make it confusing for your customers to do business with you. Since it’s… Read More

If your supply chains are like many I see, they were created by great people who do great things. Unfortunately, those supply chains don’t work as well as they used to. You’re probably seeing a lot more spreadsheets created outside ERP or similar systems, functional experts consistently having to band aid processes that used to… Read More

For business owners, the questions we’re asking center around “How do I grow my business next year?” The answer: provide customer value Now, that seems like an easy answer, but getting it right takes practice. When I ask many of those I work with what their customers want from their business, I’m given an instant… Read More

Does this sound like your workplace? We spend so much time trying to satisfy the unique customer requirements we hardly have time to focus on our regular business activity The customer is number one and always right. This thinking may be leading you into a never ending spiral of employee exhaustion and still never quite… Read More