Is your company one of the many that take a minimalist approach to freight management? Yes… I did say minimalist, not lean…
Rob O'Byrne
Logistics Outsourcing is Like Dating
Outsourcing your logistics is a lot like dating. Treat outsourcing like a long-term relationship. Get your data in order, avoid unnecessary demands, and take your time to find the right partner. With the right 3PL, you’ll build a reliable, lasting partnership…
Top 3 Logistics Outsourcing Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
Logistics outsourcing can be tricky, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the process. Without the right preparation, mistakes are almost inevitable, and these can result in wasted time and resources. The first mistake is failing to provide enough accurate data. Whether you’re outsourcing warehousing or transportation, the 3PL needs precise information to create an efficient solution…
Supplier Performance Management with Trent
Trent explains that many people set KPIs at targets like 98%, but the reality is that we’re paying for—and expecting—100%. For instance, in supply chain management, businesses strive for the perfect order every time. But when we set KPIs below 100%, we’re accepting that 98% or even 95% is good enough. Trent makes an important point: aiming for 100% service level is the right approach, even if we know that not everything will go perfectly…
The Power of Outsourcing for Supply Chain Improvement
If you’re a decision-maker with accountability for your organisation’s entire supply chain, and you’re just starting to think about outsourcing, perhaps to reduce costs or improve service…
Logistics Outsourcing Tender – How Many Suppliers to Invite?
A question I hear all the time is: How many suppliers should you include in a logistics outsourcing tender? It’s not always straightforward. Open tenders, common in government and large corporations, allow any supplier to bid. While this ensures impartiality, it often attracts an overwhelming number of responses, many of which are unsuitable. Closed tenders, where a select group of suppliers is invited to bid, are far more focused and efficient…
Supplier Relationship Management Tips
At its core, SRM is about building meaningful partnerships with suppliers. It’s not just about tracking performance or ensuring deliveries arrive on time. While those are important, SRM goes deeper, aiming to create a relationship where both the company and the supplier benefit…
Logistics Outsourcing: Finding Suitable 3PLs
Selecting the best 3PL for your logistics needs is no small task. What qualities should you prioritize? How can you ensure they’re the right fit for your business? When evaluating potential 3PLs, it’s critical to examine their capabilities and industry experience. The provider you choose must have the resources and expertise to meet your specific logistics needs…
Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) – The Greatest Success Factor
The MD holds the one position in the business with influence over every function and executive. That’s critical because S&OP requires cross-functional alignment. When supply chain leads S&OP, as is often the case, there’s a natural limitation. Supply chain can handle the analysis—demand planning, supply plans, and number crunching—but they can’t enforce changes in other areas like sales, finance, or customer service…
The Big List of Supply Chain KPI Mistakes to Avoid
Who would have thought that measuring the performance of supply chain processes like warehousing, procurement, or logistics could be so troublesome…