Supply Chain Sustainability - Take Responsibility to Ensure Your Future

A return to normal?

As we complete this edition of the now monthly release of KNOWledge, I am encouraged on the recent shift in the world economic conditions. With the DOW hovering around 9500, Dell and Intel sharing predictions on the bottoming of the PC market, consumer confidence continuing to rise, housing in most parts of the world also seemingly on a recovery trajectory – the signs are nearly all – dare I say, positive. We have all experienced the shockwave impacts of this crisis albeit to varying degrees and different companies have responded in dramatically different ways; but all of us are left wondering: ‘what lies in the road ahead? What is the new normal?’

My innate optimism continues, but the frustration that this question creates is that we are asking the question with the naïve hope of some semblance of a return to normal – whatever that is? My advice: forget ‘normal’! Focus solely on Supply Chain Sustainability and accept that normal is gone, lost forever and will not return. The focus of companies today must be on building a robust enough supply chain which:

• Delivers the economic (profit & revenue) mandate of the stakeholders
• Exceeds ecological regulations of both environmental and social responsibilities
• Migrates rapidly towards a risk mitigating service model that is positioned to ‘sense & respond’
  
• SIMULTANEOUSLY!

Innovation is at the core of this strategy. We must be innovative enough to make this aspiration viable. Our new eLuminate™ Supply Chain Sustainability service offering helps companies first identify the opportunity that exists and builds a defined roadmap to achieving greater supply chain sustainability across their entire ecosystem.

The six-phased approach provides companies a structured methodology to building a roadmap that will transport their supply chain from its current-state to a future-state. A future-state where innovation is respected and rewarded only when it strikes the crucial balance of economic viability, ecological respect, and delivers service without risk is on the horizon but only as a result of a dedicated effort led from the top of the organization, a solid methodology, and expert professional service.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter’s recent book, Supercorp – How Vanguard Companies Create Innovation, Profits, Growth and Social Good actually provides further insight to this topic albeit not addressed specifically as Supply Chain Sustainability. A recognized expert whose credentials are not in doubt, Kanter has spent three years researching this, her 18th book, and states her view on Vanguard companies as those that are “big but human, efficient but innovative, global but concerned about local communities”. Kanter hit the nail on the head!

Celebrate that the crisis is showing signs of improvement but don’t rest until you can honestly say that your company’s supply chain strategy includes a definitive approach to sustainability. Until then, the eKNOWtion team dedicate ourselves to the achievement of this goal for our clients. This is however a journey so commit yourself to the cause and you will reap the rewards along the way. For more information on Supply Chain Sustainability contact us .