Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 12, 2020

On a cold Boston winter day, I slipped into my seat on a back row in a packed conference room at AMR Research. As I squeezed into the middle seat of a crowded conference room, I got the stare. The research project analyzed 1200 combinations of 180 metrics for four hundred companies for the period of 2010-2012. The result?

Gartner 243

Gartner Supply Chain Software Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement 243

Talking Logistics

DECEMBER 4, 2017

Last month, I attended and spoke at the Command Alkon ELEVATE 2017 conference , where I learned many things about the Heavy Building Materials (HBM) industry. The elevation journey actually began the day before the conference officially started. Streamline, automate, and compress Order-to-Cash and Procure-to-Pay processes.

Material Savings 0

Material Savings Conference Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software 0

Talking Logistics

MAY 8, 2013

Coincidentally, at the Ariba LIVE 2013 conference yesterday, I attended a presentation by Justin Dillon, Founder and CEO of Made in a Free World , a nonprofit group that is “building a coalition of consumers, businesses, and governments to disrupt the system of slavery.”

Supply Chain Planning Software 268

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Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 9, 2014

In contrast, we find in our research that companies with procurement and manufacturing reporting to the supply chain organization have stronger, and more reliable results on inventory, operating margin and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC). When all functions are jointly focused on improving these metrics, then we can have one team.

Manufacturing Procurement 286

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Benchmarking Supply Chain Design Software 286

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 13, 2022

I love the stories but question the fit of the metaphor(s) for a supply chain conference. The larger the organization, the more tension with conflicting functional metrics making decisions more difficult. The gap between logistics and procurement; and logistics and customer service increases process latency. The reason?

Supply Chain Planning Software 221

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply and Demand Supply Chain Software 221

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 21, 2013

I also had the opportunity to speak at the GHX conference and facilitate a leadership workshop on the required changes for implantable devices. Generalize procurement of materials. Some helpful reports include: Supply Chain Metrics That Matter: The Cash-to-Cash Cycle. Supply Chain Metrics That Matter: A Focus on Hospitals.

Modeling 240

Modeling Modeling Software Pharmaceutical Procurement Analytics 240

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 30, 2022

” (The use of the term “basics” is usually code for the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to improve order-to-cash and procure-to-pay.). End-to-End Definition Implementation of enterprise data architectures to improve order-to-cash and procure-to-pay. Background. Investment in control towers.

Supply Chain Design Software 195

Supply Chain Design Software Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Data 195

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 29, 2020

If the word collaboration was listed on a card as a drinking game at supply chain conferences, we would be drunk at many. Cash-to-Cash Metrics. Cash-to-cash is a compound metric: (Days of Receivables+Days of Inventory)-Days of Payables=Cash Conversion Cycle. Here I share perspective on cash-to-cash abuse.

Optimal Sourcing 236

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction 236

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 8, 2019

Next year’s conference will be on September 8th-11th in Franklin, TN, south of Nashville, TN. The design of the conference includes tours of several modern warehouses and centers of excellence. To maximize value—price to tangible book, functional metrics need to be reset to focus on reliability. Apparel is an example.

Supply Chain Design Software 189

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Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 16, 2014

I have learned that supply chain systems are more complex than I originally thought, and that the relationships between supply chain metrics are nonlinear. They also enable the evaluation of networks for both sales and procurement relationships to optimize the flows upstream and downstream. Is it coincidence? I don’t think so.

Supply Chain Design Software 287

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Talking Logistics

JANUARY 5, 2014

You have to equate the value proposition to metrics the CFO understands and cares about, such as working capital, cash flow, and other items linked to the company’s P&L and balance sheet. What steps can you take to learn the language of the CFO? Use them to your advantage. Choose trust: walk the talk on collaboration.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 213

Logistics Network Optimization Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Strategy Cost Reduction Strategies 213

Procurement Academy

OCTOBER 25, 2021

This wider focus is known as ESG , environmental, social, and governance, and for procurement and supply chain functions, ESG’s wider focus brings challenges. How should a procurement function regard a supplier with fewer green credentials, but a better performance when it comes to social responsibility? Choices, choices, choices.

Price Reduction 98

Price Reduction Inventory Reduction Buyer Training Procurement 98

Supply Chain View from the Field

APRIL 10, 2013

At the Coupa INSPIRE procurement conference in San Francisco this week, the Chief Procurement Officer of Coca Cola Consolidated, Patrick Hopkins, shared his views on the “4 Truths of Procurement”, and how he has operationalized his views through the deployment of Coupa procure to pay software. Data must be right.

Procurement 83

Procurement Material Savings San Francisco SAP 83

Supply Chain Movement

FEBRUARY 2, 2016

eWorld Procurement & Supply. The Leading Bi-Annual Event for Procurement Innovation. Hot topics covered in the complimentary conference programme include: Embracing Change in a Volatile World. Procurement Automation. Internet of Things (the impact on procurement). Internet of Things (the impact on procurement).

Procurement 60

Procurement Internet of things Supply Chain Software Risk Management 60

Talking Logistics

NOVEMBER 10, 2014

That was my opening question to the executives attending last month’s Elemica reveal 2014 Conference in Frankfurt. Specifically, the company deployed a Vendor Interaction Portal (VIP) powered by Elemica to exchange documents like purchase orders and invoices with suppliers (for direct procurement).

Optimal Sourcing 202

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Network Software Optimization Software 202

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 14, 2022

When my flight canceled, I was en route to the annual AMR conference in Phoenix. Organizations can align to drive value despite the allegiance to functional metrics. As long as companies are motivated by functional metrics, inventory management will be an enigma. Transition functional metrics to focus on reliability.

S&OP 195

S&OP Supply and Demand Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement 195

Supply Chain Movement

AUGUST 31, 2016

The procurement Summit 2016. Building on the huge success of eWorld Procurement & Supply – which has been running bi-annually in London since 2001 – the new Procurement Summit will bring together 150 purchasing and finance professionals from across the commercial, public and third sectors. Procurement Automation.

Procurement Analytics 60

Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Procurement Internet of things 60

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 20, 2015

During the year, I go to a lot of conferences. I find that in this world of the global multi-national that procurement processes have become convoluted and increasingly complex. (In In my opinion, we have made procurement increasingly complex without adding value. Source: Dictionary.com. This makes me yawn.

Inventory Reduction 150

Inventory Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Sourcing Strategies Supply Chain Strategy 150

Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 23, 2024

Throughout the conference I met with several software and hardware providers to get a glimpse into what they were showcasing. The data is all anonymous, but retailers can look at metrics such as time to fulfill, pack time, conversions, and ship versus pick-up, to name a few, across hundreds of Active Omni customers.

Supply Chain Planning Software 246

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning Modeling 246

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 21, 2016

The metrics reward functional thinking. The focus of APICS is manufacturing, CSCMP’s foundation is in logistics, and ISM serves the procurement organization. The conference will be live-streamed as we discuss five themes: Supply Chains to Admire. This is also true of many of the organizations within supply chain.

Supply Chain Design Software 162

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Network Design Software Modeling 162

Talking Logistics

JANUARY 8, 2018

Supplier viability is a major concern of supply chain leaders and procurement professionals today when committing their direct materials to specific trading partners,” said David Cahn, Director of Product Marketing at Elemica , in a recent episode of Talking Logistics. Do we have the right Service Level Agreement metrics in place?

Supply Chain 139

Supply Chain Logistics Network Optimization Software Real-time Visibility Sourcing Strategies 139

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 21, 2016

Excited that he could follow the Global Summit through the livestream conference broadcast and follow the twitter feed for the event using the hashtag #imagine2030, I expect to see him online on September 7th-9th. He wanted to come to the event, but the trip was just too far for him to justify. We agreed to meet on my next trip to Europe.

S&OP 150

S&OP Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Price Reduction 150

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 6, 2013

When this happens, there is greater balance between metric trade-offs and resiliency in year-over-year improvements in corporate performance. I do not think that this will happen through the repurposing of indirect procurement networks (e.g., After answering the questions in the white boxes, companies can then define the process.

Supply Chain Network Software 225

Supply Chain Network Software Course Supply and Demand Supply Chain Design Software 225

GlobalTranz

OCTOBER 21, 2015

Editor's Note: As of late you may have noticed we have written a lot about procurement and the future of procurement. A large part of procurement is finalizing the contract and then the follow through of the determined deliverables in that agreement. All KPIS have metrics to measure.

KPI 120

KPI Negotiating Skills 3PL Optimal Sourcing 120

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 18, 2015

In discrete industries, the early supply chain organizations reported to procurement. When there is a common reporting strategy, progress in metrics performance at the intersection of operating margin and inventory turns is faster. In the beginning, the emerging supply chain concepts focused on functional excellence.

Sourcing Strategies 150

Sourcing Strategies Agile and Lean Supply Chain Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Design 150

The Logistics & Supply Chain Management Society

APRIL 26, 2022

According to the Conference Board, despite lockdowns and COVID-19 related restrictions, consumer confidence in Asia rose in the last quarter of 2021 to 128 points from 126 points. Supermarkets, retailers and importers are beginning to lift prices in response to the crises, essentially passing the costs onto their customers.

Supply Chain Planning Software 246

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Software 246

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 11, 2014

We have found that supply chain metrics are gnarly and complicated.During In our program, cost avoidance, while desirable, does not count towards the metric. We would not have succeeded without a team effort across R&D, the business leaders, and SC disciplines of engineering, procurement, and manufacturing.

Case Study 286

Case Study Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 286

Supply Chain View from the Field

OCTOBER 4, 2015

I am speaking at the Zycus Horizons conference this week, being held at the Reynolds Plantation in Georgia. As part of the conference, I’m delivering a talk on five predictions that every procurement professional should consider. Prediction 1 – Spend Analytics Will Become More Predictive (Not Backward Looking).

Procurement Analytics 60

Procurement Analytics Predictive Analytics Predictive Analytics Software Optimal Sourcing 60

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

Cycle stock is the management of stock required to cycle through production runs and procurement buys effectively. Join the Debate… Twelve bloggers will cover this year’s conference, and we will push all of the videos live the week after the conference. However, it is worth it.

Waste Reduction 150

Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction Inventory Optimal Sourcing 150

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 29, 2015

Four years ago, I was in Europe attending a conference. In our research for the book Supply Chain Metrics That Matter , we find that this is the case for 90% of companies. Over the last decade the average company has dramatically improved employee productivity, and driven reductions in cash-to-cash metrics. You are not alone.

Supply Chain Design Software 150

Supply Chain Design Software Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Planning Software S&OP 150

Supply Chain Movement

JUNE 29, 2015

The first UK conference to present an holistic view of sustainable procurement and the role of the supply chain in more responsible business and government. Morning (10am-1pm): What’s New in Sustainable Procurement? The Latest Thinking on Metrics, Reporting & Compliance. With speakers from: Pepsico. The Hackett Group.

Procurement Analytics 60

Procurement Analytics Sustainability Conference Supply Chain Strategy 60

Oracle SCM

AUGUST 1, 2018

One of the Supply Chain Management trends apparent at the Gartner Supply Chain Executive Conference in May was highlighted by several vendor/customer presentations focused on the value of Collaboration and Visibility projects. Gather global commodity prices and planned global procurement to drive procurement to best prices.

Supply Chain Planning Software 104

Supply Chain Planning Software Inventory Management Software Gartner Demand Planning Software 104

Precoro

MAY 22, 2023

This process, known as IT procurement, requires comprehensive steps with clear objectives and vendor selection criteria to ensure that technology investments align with business goals and yield a return on investment (ROI). This article encompasses the best practices for planning and executing successful IT procurement strategies.

Procurement Solutions 52

Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Pricing Training Purchasing Skills 52

Precoro

JULY 16, 2023

These goals can be expressed as key performance indicators (KPIs) – relevant functional metrics that can be tracked regularly to make sure that the business makes purchases in an efficient way. We have selected 5 fundamental KPIs that purchasing managers should consider.

Pricing Training 73

Pricing Training Purchasing Skills Procurement Analytics Purchasing Training 73

ToolsGroup

MARCH 1, 2016

The reading audience is global, and spans a wide variety of roles: procurement, supply chain strategy and planning, product management, logistics and transportation, customer service, and others. We talked to Bob to see what we might learn from that experience. What is the makeup of your blog audience? Oh, by the way, I do not own a Ferrari.

Supply Chain Planning Software 120

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Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

The conference is always a lot of fun. At the conference I encouraged the attendees to network with each other, to build a guiding coalition, to redesign supply chain processes for the Supply Chain of 2025. At the conference the remarks of Anthony Volpe from Lenovo struck a chord. We are starting to plan for next year.

Prescriptive Analytics Software 150

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EcoVadis

NOVEMBER 14, 2010

Since the failure of the Copenhagen conference, to agree on a real regulation of carbon emissions last December, it is becoming increasingly clear that governments are struggling to reach agreements on Sustainability issues.

Government 40

Government Sustainability Optimal Sourcing Procurement 40