by Jan Malasek | Mar 19, 2020 | Uncategorized
There is no need to explain the impact of the current COVID-19 crisis on the lives of individuals, families, communities and companies around the world. It is, in many ways, unprecedented, and certainly represents a once-in-a-generation challenge to us all. The outbreak has caught companies and some entire industries by surprise with sudden dramatic drops in demand, changes in customer behavior and general uncertainty. Normal demand signals have disappeared, and the effect has rippled through the whole supply chain. While remote work is possible for many, critical manufacturing and service jobs can’t be done “from home”, and even if they could, how would you know what to produce, or order and for how long? As we all look to follow the public health guidelines to protect our families, friends and colleagues, business leaders can and must look to not only recover from this crisis, but to be ready for the next one. We cannot predict the future, but we can learn from every experience and put ourselves in a better position next time. Doing that is the hallmark of a “learning organization”, and the essence of proactive leadership. So, how can businesses position their supply chains to be more flexible and resilient – more ready, if you will? There are several concrete actions businesses can take right now to prepare even as they recover: 1. Conduct a thorough assessment of all aspects of the supply chain – sunlight is the best disinfectant If recent events have taught us anything, it’s that speed + flexibility = resiliency. In planning your assessment, consider all aspects of the supply chain. If there...
