APQC

In today’s episode, Marisa Brown explains why organizations must balance efficiency with adaptability, flexibility and effectiveness

In today’s episode, Marisa Brown explains why organizations must balance efficiency with adaptability, flexibility and effectiveness.

Developing and executing the right kind of supplier relationship based on the right kind of sourcing business model moves an organization from traditional supplier relationship management to the next generation.

Automating order processing can shorten cycle times and reduce errors that affect the supply chain.

This research paper from SCMR, APICS and APQC finds the next generation is focused, engaged, enthused and committed when it comes to working in supply chain management, indeed, supply chain represents a sought-after, dynamic and rewarding long-term career choice for professionals in their 20s and 30s.

Despite millennial stereotypes, a new report from APICS finds focus, purpose, and commitment are the hallmarks of this critical segment of the supply chain workforce.

Based on stories in the business media over the last week or so, I expect four specific trends to dictate supply chain, logistics, and materials handling development in 2016.

Before you decide to outsource routine procurement activities, consider what your organization values most.

Large, global organizations have, over the past decade, made clear strides in reducing the cost of financial management operations by adopting a shared services operating model.

For real results, organizations should implement supply chain risk management practices, especially risks presented by Information Technology disruptions.

Supply chain planning is a proactive approach to preparing for and marshalling resources in anticipation of future demand, however, a problem with most planning efforts is that they assume no uncertainty in demand or supply.

Results from an APQC survey reveal that there are skills gaps among candidates, but organizations are adopting ways to develop current and future employees.

Organizations should consider how the costs of managing risk balance out with potential lost revenue and damage to reputation that can result from a disruption to operations caused by a natural disaster or political instability in key supplier regions. To be a global business, supply chain risk management is a necessity. The key is to determine how to do it efficiently and effectively.

Sustainability initiatives with suppliers and service providers in areas like energy emissions and carbon management can have mixed effects on supply chain performance. But they do have one overarching benefit: the potential to create closer relationships with these key partners

In order to determine whether centralized logistics structures also improve logistics performance, APQC compared the quality of deliveries, inventory management, and logistics costs of organizations using a centralized structure with those using a decentralized structure.