Supply Chain Consultants Improve Business Performance
Before the COVID-19 crisis emerged, many of the businesses who were satisfied with their performance were failing to realise their full potential and blissfully unaware of their underachievement. Now, in the grip of lockdown restrictions, many find it challenging to come to grips with a business scenario that has been transformed in ways that nobody could have predicted. The good news is that it is possible to optimise a business’ value chain with assistance from a team of supply chain consultants.
In the ongoing series of interactions that begins with manufacturers and suppliers who, jointly with distributors, are tasked with meeting the customer’s needs, there is plenty of room for errors and inefficiencies that can lead to sales lost but unnoticed. As long as those weak links in the chain remain unseen, they will not be rectified, and the impact on the company’s bottom line will persist. Detecting these weak links and implementing the appropriate technology to overcome the challenges, is the speciality of supply chain consultants. To be of help, these specialists must first conduct a thorough analysis to gain sufficient insight into the client’s current operating procedures.
The Consultation Process Explained
The purpose of the initial consultation and analysis is to review the client’s objectives and business requirements. For example, a company’s goals might include speeding up delivery times, prioritising new product development or reducing its operating costs. Once armed with this information, the next step for the supply chain consultants will be to examine the various measures currently in place to achieve these goals.
At this point, it is the consultant’s task to identify any deterrents in the processes supporting these objectives to determine how these may be optimised to change the outcomes. Ensuring that all stakeholders’ goals are in alignment is another crucial area that will need to be investigated. For example, ambitious sales targets are only feasible if production can keep up with the demand. In this case, a supply chain consultant’s role is to determine the most efficient way to achieve company-wide objectives. In many cases, the consultant will recommend a technological solution to address an identified problem.
Does it Work?
Perhaps the best way to answer the question is to list some of the prestigious South African brands that have benefited from the expertise of supply chain consultants. The list includes Clicks, Checkers, Clover and PPC, to name just a few. Join these market leaders and contact Inhance to help you achieve your business goals.
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