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Management Team
We’ve got a lot to say on the subject of supply chain innovation beginning with our mantra, unlocking performance , which reflects the value we place on individual and organization’s ability to achieve breakthrough results. The supply chain challenge to innovate demands an even greater commitment but with exponential return. This issue of KNOWledge contains the following insights:
So we look to a quote from Moliere to motivate you to forward an article and energize colleagues to join you in the next wave of innovation. "The best way to predict the future is to create it." |
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To the surprise of many, the race towards globalization is showing signs of slowing down. We see many companies re-thinking their global sourcing and manufacturing initiatives and are considering a different path other than blindly following the tough road race to the low labor cost countries. Macro factors such as rising oil prices, a drive towards "green" by reducing carbon emissions, a focus on supply chain risk vs. reward, a renewed interest in making informed outsourcing decisions and even rising labor rates in countries like China are all causing companies to reconsider their supply chain strategy and "redesign" their supply chain - localizing rather than globalizing. As they say "hindsight" is 20/20 vision but reflecting on recent experience we are reminded of the value in understanding trends. We decided for this issue of KNOWledge to look "back" and examine again some of these macro factors and associated drivers that relate to the paradigm shift underway. First, only a few months ago when Douglas Kent gave us a sneak preview of the progress the Supply Chain Council has made in recognizing and measuring Supply Chain Risk. Click here to read more about the new metric "Value at Risk" introduced by the Council in the SCOR 9.0 version, which was recently released at the Supply Chain World North America. In early 2006, eKNOWtion partner Technology Forecasters contributed to KNOWledge with their article "Tracking Global Trends in the Evolution of Global Outsourcing" - which is worth re-examining to uncover how much of the predictions have become reality! Click here to read more. Kathleen Geraghty had the chance to interview Dr. Vinod Singhal of Georgia Tech in 2007, who along with Kevin Hendricks quantified the impact of supply chain disruption. In the interview Dr. Singhal provides practical guidance to supply chain managers for managing risk in the supply chains. Click here for the complete interview. "Keeping SCOR of your Supply Chain Design Options" was published in early 2006 and examined the importance of demand and supply uncertainties which increase with globalization. The article discussed the importance of supply chain optimization techniques to fully understand the impact of move to low cost regions. Later that year we discussed the best way to build up supply chain security is through supply chain maturity. Click here to learn about ways to advance your supply chain’s maturity. Technology Forecasters in their study titled "Gauging Environmental Preparedness and Recommendations for Best Practices", published in late 2006, discussed recommendations for supply chains to be prepared for environmental regulations. Click here to read more about steps companies can take to design their supply chains for the environment. In the article "Obsolete Audits Find More Than a Suitable Replacement", we discussed the usability of a Supply Chain Audit to look in deep processes of a company and/or its partners in the wake of a supply chain event. We thank you for your continued interest in KNOWledge and please take the time to tell us what you like and how we can deliver more value in future issues by clicking here for a short survey. We take your inputs seriously and for every survey input eKNOWtion will make a donation to emerging business enterprises that are just starting their supply chains. |
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We will wrap up this year with an issue of KNOWledge dedicated to Supply Chain Risk. Don’t worry - this is not the equivalent of coal in your stocking, but rather great news on a critical topic to all of us. First, our very own Douglas Kent gives us a sneak preview of the progress the Supply Chain Council has made in this field. We think you will be delighted with the work they have done to enable the measurement of Risk Exposure. Kathleen Geraghty had the chance to interview Dr. Vinod Singhal of Georgia Tech before the ink has dried on his most recent study. Once again Vinod and Kevin Hendricks quantify the impact of supply chain disruption so we are better able to prioritize our efforts to mitigate risk - definitely one to pass on to the CFO or anyone interested in valuation volatility, stockholders everywhere. Our third featured article was written by a new colleague and respected professional in the supply chain field - Robert Wm. Dean. Read more on his seasoned view on the relationship between the practitioner’s perspective and supply chain maturity and their approach to risk. The last article in this issue offers insights from our Lean experts. Simon Baxter and Hitesh Attri bring to light Lean techniques that can be directly applied to reducing supply chain risk. Finally, we have two updates on research at eKNOWtion, both in the strategic area of outsourcing. Learn more on the study and process model we created in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde and Scottish Enterprise and don’t miss the chance to participate in a current high tech focused study with Technology Forecasters. We thank you for a year of great thought exchange and real supply chain advances globally. Have a very happy holiday season. Articles |
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| July 2007 Edition Before beginning your beach novel this summer there are six great reasons to read and respond to this issue of eKNOWtion’s KNOWledge newsletter! This quarter we have insights from a number of experts in the field of applied Six Sigma and believe their experience is priceless.
We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer! Articles |
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And the attention getting subject this quarter is... LEAN. We continue to see momentum building across industries and beyond manufacturing around this powerful approach to improvement. So as Lean works its magic on supply chains we not only want to provide our readers insights via this newsletter but subject matter experts and a unique value add offering. We begin by introducing Simon Baxter, Lean Blackbelt and the newest addition to the eKNOWtion team. You can tap into this expertise directly via the blog or through our Lean Supply Chain offering. Consider the Convergence of Lean, Six Sigma and SCOR. Douglas Kent and Hitesh Attri challenge a one track approach to improvement efforts. This article zeros in on the strengths, weaknesses and synergy between the three leading methodologies. Articles |
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We would like to close the year with some timely information from Technology Forecasters Inc (TFI) on the latest RoHS and WEEE research. As many companies contend with compliance issues, you might find an executive summary from Pamela Gordon, TFI President interesting to see how your progress compares with others as well as sound guidance on environmental initiatives. We also invited Bruce Rayner, from our partner TFI to weigh in on the subject of auditing outsourced relationships. Finally, eKNOWtion’s Kathleen Geraghty and Hitesh Attri conclude with our view on audits in general. We offer a somewhat unconventional voice along with a framework you can consider using to update your current approach to this critical task. This year has been successful on many levels as we expanded our service offering and introduced the KNOWledge Academy to many existing and new clients. We are delighted to see our network of partners and supply chain professionals growing and already look forward to a very exciting 2007 together but until then we wish you a very warm holiday season. Articles |
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There is no time like the present to consider the health and security of our supply chains. Dr. Peter Ball and Dr. Umit S Bititci write on a subject we find critical to the vitality of supply chains. Ensuring this vitality begins with a thorough diagnostic followed by a methodical improvement plan adding that crucial competitive edge. Examples are provided within the electronics cluster in Scotland. eKNOWtion participated in the roll-out of the SCPI program referenced in this article and continues to support the Scottish Enterprise commitment to advancing the maturity of high tech supply chains in the region. We offer our powerful eLuminate program to clients globally who are interested in diagnosing their own supply chain vitality. Additionally in this issue we offer our readers an article and an editorial both of which are written to stimulate thought and better yet action to reinforce the security of your supply chains. Be sure to check out our blog and give us your opinions on the subject. Within eKNOWtion we are committed to the health and well being of your supply chains and will continue to support your efforts to reduce risk and secure the future of your business success. As always, we welcome comments or suggestions that might benefit others in the eKNOWtion community. Articles |
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School might be out but the learning continues... This quarter we are taking stock of the valuable lessons that can be transported into your business; improving current performance or circumventing mistakes. This issue of KNOWledge brings forward supply chain lessons and a commitment to continuous learning that provides insights regardless of your industry or size. There is much to learn from mistakes. In fact they might be the most instructive way to educate a company or even an industry. Two high tech icons have provided visible examples in recent years of how even companies at the top of their game can stumble. The measure of these examples doesn’t have to remain focused on write offs or stock devaluations but rather the constructive impact that comes from embracing the errors, recovering and translating big missteps into corporate performance advances. We also turn to industry leading global supply chains as a source for inspiration. They face some of the very same supply chain challenges we do, typically in greater magnitude yet find innovative ways to overcome. Finally, we conclude with an article Dr. Kevin C. Desouza, expert in the field of Knowledge Management and Intelligence, has written with Kathleen Geraghty prescribing five ways to learn from your company and supply chain partners. Imagine an education where tuition is already paid, the lessons reside in systems, process, colleagues and partners that together represent your supply chain. Read on and begin tapping into the brain trust that is already at hand. We look forward to hearing more on your self taught lessons and welcome any case examples from our readership for our readership. Enjoy the summer ahead! Articles |
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As professionals dedicated to supply chain, we share similar aspirations - to find the just the right balance between supply and demand in an ever changing environment. Within this issue, you will find articles to fuel your journey to supply chain advancements - first returning to the importance of metrics across the supply chain enterprise as we extend our view beyond our own four walls. We also examine the intersection of supply chain design and optimization (SCDO) and the SCOR model which together creates a powerful combination to help "unlock performance" and accelerate supply chain maturity. As more of our readers respond to globalization opportunities by extending their reach, the need for factual details on outsourcing offshore is in high demand. Our partner, Technology Forecasters Inc. share the results of their comprehensive study of the evolution of outsourcing including: five year forecasts, business model drivers and new insights on these trends in Asia. We return to the sage insights from Dr. Frank Stegherr - Chair of Information Management in Logistics at the University of Applied Sciences at Ulm, Germany. Douglas had the chance to travel with this respected practitioner and academic to Taiwan recently. Its amazing the supply chain issues you can dissect over sushi - read on for their insights. Finally, take the opportunity to make a step-change in your supply change performance by spending a day with us in May along with other industry leaders in a forum where we explore the Next Generation Supply Chain . We approach this publication much like a supply chain and strive to balance your interests with the best information and knowledge we can access. Please continue weighing in on the issues that matter to you most. Articles |
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We have some news to share and resolutions to make before the year ends. Responding to client needs, eKNOWtion will be devoting the firm and our resources strictly to supply chain operations excellence. While we continue to manage our business based on knowledge management principles and leverage our intellectual assets, we are committing all of our energy to helping our clients on their journey of supply chain transformation, drawing from our deepest experience set. In the spirit of delivering supply chain value, we are launching eKNOWtion's Research Academy to investigate your burning questions and deliver valuable education via seminars and workshops. Our first workshop, focused on Global Supply Chain Design and Optimization and launched in conjunction with our Alliance partners, Technology Forecasters and Avnet is featured below. We are resolved to carrying out research that will inspire solutions for fact-based decision making. Finally, we are proud to introduce our new website and newsletter - "KNOWledge", rich in information and easy to navigate. We welcome feedback and wish you a strong close to the year and a peaceful holiday season ahead. Articles |