Supply Chain Strategy

Jul 15, 2014

Don't Forget Tier 2 Suppliers When Deploying SRM!

Several companies I’ve interviewed recently have been sharing how to structure or “tier” their supply base, based on impact on tier 2 suppliers or commodities. As companies continue to outsource,…

Jun 29, 2014

Structuring Relationships With Suppliers Who Are Also Customers

As organizations go about building supplier relationships using segmentation approaches, several of the companies I’ve met with are also thinking about how to structure such relationships when their supplier also…

Apr 18, 2014

Real Estate: A Massive Working Capital Opportunity in Organizational Supply Chains

I recently had the opportunity to interview a group of individuals who work for a large life sciences company in their facilities management group. Like many such groups, Facilities are…

Mar 29, 2014

Major Trends Impacting the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Ecosystem

As “Obamacare” continues to plow forward, the effects on the healthcare environment are slowly but surely being felt. One of the biggest recipients of this trend is the pharmaceutical environment.…

Feb 21, 2014

What is the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)? Guest Post by Arun Gupta, PhD

Arun Gupta recently went to a conference of the TPP in Washington, and was invited to share some insights on his visit and what he learned in a guest blog.…

Feb 21, 2014

New SCM Videos on Managing Relationships and Complexity in the Global Supply Chain

We have just posted a new set of videos of interviews with executives on establishing and building an integrated supply chain. For example, one of the videos focused on an…

Feb 9, 2014

Look to Your Suppliers to Drive Innovation

As organizations face a challenging market for global growth, the knowledge that innovation is the life blood for market expansion is well understood. As R&D budgets become more constrained or…

Feb 3, 2014

The Origins of Category Management

I was fortunately enough to have a fascinating discussion with Steve Zimmer, who currently leads a team at US Car. For those who may have been around for a few…

Dec 16, 2013

Handfield's Supply Chain Analytics Predictions for 2014

2013 has certainly been an interesting year! I’ve had the good fortune to be presented with opportunities for compelling discussions with a significant group of leading thinkers, senior executives…

Nov 6, 2013

UPS Executive Shares Insights on Total Cost of Ownership in the Electronics Supply Chain

Ken Torok came to my class on Monday evening, and provided a delightful discussion on total cost of ownership. The class was focused on building and developing cost models, both…