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Future-proof your firm's supply chains with a renewed focus on resilience
In Strong Supply Chains Through Resilient Operations: Five Principles for Leaders to Win in a Volatile World, a team of dedicated, veteran operations strategists delivers a practical and hands-on discussion of how to future-proof your company's supply chains through a relentless focus on resilience. In the book, you'll discover how to shift your firm's emphasis from "low-cost" to "low volatility" as you protect your company against the supply and demand shocks associated pandemics, wars, labor disputes, and trade conflicts.
You'll also learn about:
* Real-world examples of companies realizing long-term competitive advantage by implementing the shifts advocated by the authors
* Why seeking to build mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with dependable suppliers is preferable to always choosing the cheapest option
* How a renewed focus on diversity and new ways of working can create resilient operations teams that pass on value to your customers
An effective and essential discussion of one of the most prominent challenges facing contemporary companies around the world, Strong Supply Chains Through Resilient Operations is a need-to-read book for managers, executives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, operations and supply chain professionals, and anyone else with a stake in the smooth operation of their firm.
List of contents
Preface: Building Strong Supply Chains to Profit Despite Disruptions ix
Part I Five Principles to Transform Your Operations Strategy 1
Chapter 1 Strong Operations Drive Growth and Profits by Adjusting to an Ever-Changing World 3
Chapter 2 Principle 1: Build Resilience Against Supply Shocks by Empowering Your Supply Base 17
Chapter 3 Principle 2: Build Resilience Against Demand Shocks by Using Your Operations to Create Customer Value 29
Chapter 4 Principle 3: Create Resilient Teams by Leaning into New Ways of Working and the Benefits of Diversity 43
Chapter 5 Principle 4: Enable Resilience Through Technology by Combining Human Judgment with Artificial Intelligence
Chapter 6 Principle 5: Ensure Long-Term Resilience by Embracing Sustainability 69
Chapter 7 Fit the Principles to Your Situation and Strategy 85
Part II From Strategy To Action: Implementing the Five Principles 91
Chapter 8 Build Resilience Against Supply Shocks by Working with Supplier Ecosystems 93
Chapter 9 Build Resilience Against Demand Shocks by Operating for the Customer 107
Chapter 10 Create Resilient Teams by Combining Expertise into Economies of Skill 125
Chapter 11 Combine Human and Artificial Intelligence to Build Resilience Through Constant Learning 137
Chapter 12 Ensure Long-Term Resilience by Embracing Sustainability 153
Part III Outlook: Using Resilience Principles to Adapt to Future Scenarios 169
Chapter 13 Potential Scenarios of the Future Economy 171
Chapter 14 Industry Case Studies on How the Principles Can Help in Future Scenarios 181
Chapter 15 Common Themes We See in All Transformations 195
Chapter 16 Some Questions to Ask Yourself About the Future of Your Operations 197
Notes 201
Acknowledgments 219
About Us 223
About the Authors 227
Index 231
About the author
SUKETU GANDHI is a Global Co-Lead of Kearney Strategic Operations. He's a recognized industry leader and subject matter expert on a wide range of operations and digital topics, including end-to-end supply chains.
MICHAEL F. STROHMER is a Global Co-Lead of Kearney Strategic Operations. He's an internationally recognized expert in strategic end-to-end operations, procurement transformations, and sustainability.
MARC LAKNER is Kearney's Managing Director for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Marc is an expert in digital manufacturing, Industry 4.0, supply chain management, and innovative cost-reduction initiatives.
TIFFANY HICKERSON is a Partner in Kearney's Strategic Operations practice. As one of Kearney's leading operations experts, she helps clients execute large-scale operations transformations focusing on a range of topics, including rapid cost savings, organizational redesign, and capability building.
SHERRI HE is the Managing Director of Kearney's Greater China Unit and leads the Consumer and Retail practice in Kearney Greater China. She is an expert in strategy, digital transformation, e-commerce, new retail, sales and marketing, operations improvement, and more.
