Reinventing your supply chain: It can sound like a huge undertaking. And I’m certainly not going to tell you that it’s a simple process. However, you can’t let the size of a task deter you from something that will greatly benefit your organization.
Just start with the strategy and go from there. Once you break it all down – and set the right goals for your organization – it should seem a little more manageable. And it could even be exciting.
When I talk about reinventing, I mean creating a new or remade version of your current supply chain. You will be changing the appearance, form and presentation. Once the changes are in place, your supply chain operations will perform in ways that will require change management in terms of process, people and technology.
Start with a strategic plan, aligned with your business objectives. Only then can you begin to build a supply chain that efficiently meets the needs of all stakeholders. Strategy must precede structure. Know what you need before you take any action, or you may end up with the wrong facilities or design aspects.
Making this level of change requires a sound strategic plan and execution. The magnitude of the changes required to match the shifts in the marketplace cannot be underestimated.
Why? Because the demands placed on today’s supply chains are huge compared to those of just a few years ago. The level of change is similar to taking an old Chevy Impala and making it into a race car. (And even worse is turning me into a competitive race car driver.)
Reinvented supply chains must operate with speed, agility and visibility, while making use of all the resources available.
And the most important resource you will have this year is the 2013 Supply Chain Leadership Forum, which focuses on “Reinventing Supply Chains” as its main theme. The sessions and keynotes will show you how to achieve this goal through the powerful combination of supply chain strategy, organization/people, processes, technology and performance.
I hope to see you at the forum, August 26-28 in Atlanta.
Jim
More Resources
Supply Chain Leadership Forum Overview
Photo Credit: Hugo90
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