The Top 10 Supply Chain Management Issues

In recent times, global economic worries, most prevalent in the eurozone, have had one significant effect for companies operating in cold chain management , as they have had to adapt and analyse their supply service to make sure it works efficiently. This has led to ten main concerns over the sector.

1. Reliable visibility in transportation

It has often been the case in the past that many vaccines and other supplies can arrive at their destinations degraded, so it is vital to ensure that visibility of data is reliable and available to couriers at all time. This ensures that they have knowledge of conditions required, and means a reduction in the number of shipments ruined, which can affect profits.

2. Controlling relationships within the cold chain network

Having a good working relationship with other companies in a network will allow the process to work far smoother. With all people in each network knowing how others operate, it can let everyone work through the cold chain process like a well oiled machine, improving efficiency along the way.

3. Controlling brand reputation through innovation

In this day and age, the reputation of brands is won and lost online, so a good web presence is vital. Social media can allow companies to interact with customers, and let other potential clients see how a current customer feels about a company and how well they completed a task, which can have an effect on the brand's reputation.

4. Improving customer services while keeping costs low

Customer service and resolution is all important in any business, and making sure to keep costs low while doing this is difficult. An efficient email and FAQ service can handle this, while making use of free services like Facebook and Twitter to have open and honest chats with customers can tick both boxes.

5. Training the workforce effectively

Making sure that staff are always aware of the latest changes in regulation and company policies is vital to aiding the quality of work. Organising short and regular training sessions can help staff feel that they are learning what they need to know while ensuring they are engaged by not boring them with long sessions.

6. A more integrated approach to sales and operations planning

A study carried out by Aberdeen Group discovered that 56 per cent of companies integrate these services to make savings financially. In times of economic hardship, making two departments into one can be a great way to streamline staff and make an effect on the bottom line.

7. Developing an end to end supply chain approach

End to end supply chain approaches involve asking numerous questions about each stage of the process to make decisions regarding costs and expenditure. Roland Berger Strategy Consultants said it is vital to ask yourself; what is the total cost of my supply chain? What are the most efficient routes for each customer? How much warehouse space do I need? And what is the cost of tying up capital in additional stock?

8. Welcome partners into discussions to develop a win/win model

A win/win business model involves making sure that both customer and company get out at least what they expected from any transaction and leave the process happy. By inviting partners into these discussions, you will have people who work at the top of the firm, and understand its needs best to help outline strategies.

9. How to speed up responsiveness across an operation

Considering ways in which to improve how quick your company is to respond is important to any process, particularly when you are dealing with perishable products which can end with problems and the reduction of your profits. If you have better options for communication, this can be a key way to make sure the process runs well.

10. Access to more detailed and clearer data of related market events

Making sure that people working in your firm have good levels of access to events and the data coming from them can be a good way to ensure that those who need to know the latest happenings and changes in regulation in your firm have all the information necessary to them; this can reduce loss further down the line.