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Recently I was asked the question, “How do I take the steps to become more demand driven?” It prompted this response. Demand-driven value networks sense and shape demand to deliver the profitable demand response. This is a stark contrast to traditional supply chains that match demand with supply, but are blind to profitability and true [...]

In automated distribution there is always a new product that will revolutionize the industry. But most companies are still using fairly standard and traditional distribution tactics. So what will be the tipping point for whole scale automation and product-to-person distribution? Space? As land becomes more expensive and environmental concerns over development increase, will lack of [...]

So far in this series on complex sourcing, we’ve looked at the nascent trend toward collaboration in transportation sourcing and how best practices can accelerate success. In this final entry, I’ll address the use of technology in the collaborative process. Sourcing complex categories is not easy. The volume and sheer variability of the information render [...]

This was one of the few Washington DC events I have attended that fully lived up to its advanced publicity. The attendees, most of whom I found to be from their company’s upper leadership were treated to quite unique insights from an array of expert practitioners within the US military logistics establishment. The summit was [...]

“We have the most powerful distribution mechanism that has been created in a generation,” Mark Zuckerberg, Founder Facebook at the launch of the 2006 Connect Platform It is called the socialgraph: the complex interconnection of social relationships. It is a new type of network. One that has the power to redefine the shopping experience allowing [...]

The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) hosted its Annual Global Conference from September 26–29, 2010 in San Diego, California. The conference brought together supply chain professionals from over 40 countries with an aim to help professionals improve their organizations’ supply chain performance. Damco, the logistics arm of A.P. Moller – Maersk which is [...]

It seems there is never a simple negotiation. The term “negotiation” itself connotes that the parties involved have differences of opinions and are sitting across the table from each other discussing positions and trade-offs. Some even view negotiations as a pejorative euphemism – something that should be approached with suspicion or trepidation. A necessary evil [...]

Yes, sad to say it but this is coming weekend is the last of what has been an absolutely glorious summer! But now it’s time to get back in the saddle and take the world’s supply chains to the next level and what better way to do this than engaging in some professional development! SCN [...]

A 2009 report from Health and Human Services found that 59 percent of the North American food facilities surveyed did not meet the FDA’s requirements to maintain records about their sources, recipients and transporters. On the heels of the largest recall of eggs in FDA history this month and pending legislation in the Senate, food [...]

The Institute for Defense and Government Advancement (IDGA) announces its eighth annual Military Logistics Summit scheduled for September 13-16, 2010 in Vienna, VA. IDGA’s Military Logistics Summit 2010 will present updated DoD mission priorities and cutting edge information to support major deployment, re-deployment, and distribution operations. The event will bring together thought-leaders and decision-makers in [...]

A paradigm shift is required for the acquisition and product support of COTS configured weapon systems. Over the last several years there has been a marked increase in the use of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components in configuring new weapon systems. This initiative has been driven by Commanders in-theater requiring the rapid fielding of new weapon systems [...]

“When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.”, Benjamin Franklin It was a cold winter day in Minneapolis. The security guard at the gate warned me of frost bite walking from the parking lot to the corporate offices of a client. So, I scurried along with snow crunching under my boots. I [...]

I want to share a little secret that has brought a tremendous amount of value to my business. But before I tell you what it is, I want to see if you can find it. It’s hidden in my email signature. Below is a signature I often use. Can you spot what my secret might [...]

We hear and read constantly about the critical need for lean, green, transparent, collaborative, efficient and cost-effective supply chains and logistics partners. But let me ask you this: How have your partnerships fared lately? How have things progressed over the past three or four years? Are your outsourcing and logistics contracts living up to their [...]

Most organizations have a diverse spend portfolio that includes many simple, several moderately simple and a few complex spends. To address each spend appropriately, we need to understand the dynamics that make each event complex. For starters, let’s look to another ‘multi-faceted’ puzzle; the Rubik’s Cube. Invented in 1974 by Erno Rubik, Rubik’s Cube has [...]

Supply Chain Network is taking an active role in assisting companies in their quest to deliver a Carbon Neutral Supply Chain. Check out our Create a Carbon Neutral Supply Chain article to learn more about real actions your organization can take to move toward this lofty goal. Beyond the positive impacts such an action can [...]

Leveraging the data from 209 recently surveyed companies, this report investigates the impact of supply chain intelligence on performance and the use of business intelligence (BI) tools by the top-performing study participants. Specific focus is put on the enablement of supply chain processes by advanced BI technologies that are pervasive and role based, i.e. the [...]

Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), announces the confirmed speaker lineup for its annual Supply Chain Management Summit on April 13-14 in San Francisco, CA. In partnership with Logistics Management, SCM World, and Supply Chain Management Review, the theme of this year’s Summit is Proactive Supply Chain Strategies for 2010 and Beyond. Featuring Aberdeen’s [...]