So your warehouse is bulging – why? Because product demand is high and you’re holding buffer-stock to protect your customer service, like all well-trained inventory managers do. But are you holding the right stock? Are you actually protecting the brands you know because your ear to the market is too far removed? And suppliers, maybe you’re dictating what brands you push to retailers, funding poor demand info with rebates to keep retail buyers happy. But what about me, the guy who buys the stuff?

Empowered consumers, consumer bodies and increased regulatory pressure are driving the move to a much more tightly controlled industry.  Even with all of the regulations, it is inevitable that sooner or later there will be some type of food incident requiring removal of that product.  One of the key requirements is a full traceability system. Without an ERP system, a full product recall will be impossible to achieve in the expected timelines.

Every business leader understands the importance of a sound strategy to take their business to the next level. Developing this strategy requires a close analysis of the business and a keen understanding of the key drivers. But knowing what to analyse is sometimes tricky.

There is no doubt that the packaging industry is a complex spider’s web of intertwined uses across a broad spectrum of subsections. However, environmental issues and new material developments are becoming big drivers of growth right across this complicated industry.

Apple Bottoms, Levis, Lee, GAP. Yours may not be one of the aforementioned brands, but I’d hedge all my bets that you own a pair of jeans. I do, and I love my all-year-round, many-occasion apparel. I am sure you have heard of Levis and Lee, but have you heard of MUD Jeans? No, not the dirty brown stuff, the brand.

Are you a supply chain guy or gal focusing end-to-end rather than on one area like distribution or manufacturing? Or did you start in manufacturing caring only what happens in your plant and focusing with a narrower perspective? If so how does this affect our application of Business IT like ERP?

Many decisions involve yes or no. They appear clear-cut, simple. A head politician survives a motion of no confidence yet again. For the eighth time. This was an opportunity to give politicians the chance to regroup - restore values, their brand and deliver more than just hope to supporters. All behind closed doors. This was the optimal time to deeply reflect and use the many signs of discontent to act! But again, short term vested interests rather than long term sustainability won the day at the expense of a nation.

It’s an exciting time to work in the field of supply chain. There’s a sense of change in the air – an awareness of the future unfolding. There are thought leaders who think we’re headed for a ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’, an era of sustainable, socially conscious enterprises, underpinned by the intelligent interconnection of software and machines. For decision makers along the supply chain, it’s time for research – and for vision.  In many instances, the adoption (or non-adoption) of today’s technologies will determine who thrives and who dies along the supply chains of tomorrow.

Planning before a journey starts is recommended and typically done. But once the trip’s underway realization can dawn too late that without the right support, beyond our own effort and MacGyver-like initiatives, our odyssey could be extremely hazardous.