It would be hard to overstate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on organizations of practically every type. Industries that were prospering until last year are in bankruptcy now. Customer demand for a wide range of consumer goods has abruptly shifted. Countless public institutions and nonprofit organizations which had been viable until the beginning of…
For the moment, at least, it seems as though the course of the Covid-19 contagion is winding down. Even where its spread seems to be contained, the prospect of a second wave is very much on the minds of both public officials and private business leaders. So how does an organization plan ahead and position…
When China sneezes, the world catches cold. The uncontained outbreak of coronavirus in China is having ripple effects all around the globe. Not only has it has had a disruptive impact on personal travel plans and social relationships, it has also upended the supply chains in just about every type of industry. That had not…
Supply chains, more than ever, play an important role in defining competitiveness. However, emerging strategies for better managing spend and supplier relationships are helping to strengthen supply chain resilience and drive business growth. There’s no going back. We don’t visualize any situation where supply chain organizations can begin taking their foot off the pedal. Economic…
Back in the day, when factories served as the templates for developing business processes, the distinction between direct and indirect procurement spending was pretty straightforward: direct spend was focused on the things that went into your product – raw materials, components, subcontracted manufacturing services, and so on. Indirect spend, which some have leeringly referred to…