{"id":8948,"date":"2021-12-27T15:12:34","date_gmt":"2021-12-27T22:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.englandlogistics.com\/?p=8948"},"modified":"2022-04-04T14:14:19","modified_gmt":"2022-04-04T20:14:19","slug":"3-keys-navigating-supply-chain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.englandlogistics.com\/3-keys-navigating-supply-chain\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Supply Chain Keys Heading Into 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

The effects of the pandemic on the supply chain revealed that manufacturers cannot overprepare for the unexpected. Most manufacturers struggled with material shortages while freight carriers grappled with increased demand. With so much happening at once, it\u2019s time for manufacturers to have a plan that controls for the variable of supply chain disruption.<\/p>\n

Pre-pandemic supply chain assessment relied on cost and performance. However, the pandemic highlighted the importance of a resilient and agile framework. According to a report from Gartner<\/a>, 87% of the supply chain leaders plan to invest in resilience in the coming two years. Here are other critical actions that supply chain leaders need to consider going forward.<\/p>\n

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1. Stay Educated<\/h4>\n

Supply chains have been more reluctant to adopt digital transformation compared to other industries. However, this reluctance exposed many in the supply chain to the widespread disruption of the effects of the pandemic. It also revealed the need for transformation to enable the supply chain to respond to dynamic situations accordingly.<\/p>\n

Manufacturers need to adopt management strategies that optimize operations and control costs. Staying updated on consumer behavior, market trends and supply network performance are essential for efficient planning.<\/p>\n

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Operational strategies should also draw from real-time data.<\/h3>\n

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The pandemic also disrupted delivery schedules and caused unprecedented delays, leading to customer dissatisfaction. It shifted customer preference to real-time tracking of their shipment to avoid inconveniences. Shipment tracking also gives the manufacturers valuable insights into the supply chain\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n

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2. Plan Ahead<\/h4>\n

To navigate these challenging times, manufacturers need to adjust their planning strategies. The earlier businesses discover that pre-covid forecasting models cannot work anymore, the better. Additionally, the current situation will have a lasting effect on customer behavior and supply chain mechanisms.<\/p>\n

The surest way ahead is to adopt market forecasting plans based on real-time data. There is also the need for increased supply chain visibility to enable quick decision-making. Still, customer behavior fluctuations and additional disruptions may make forecasting even harder. Therefore, flexibility will be a critical factor in planning moving forward.<\/p>\n

More than ever, relationships with other players in the supply chain are crucial in a manufacturing business environment. Exchange of data with carriers and vendors can bring a lot of insights into the market and allow manufacturers time to adjust. Involving the whole supply chain in decision-making also enhances services that could benefit all parties.<\/p>\n

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3. Stay Calm and Budget Accordingly<\/h4>\n

One of the main effects of the pandemic on the supply chain was increased online shopping. A Price Waterhouse Cooper report indicated that 86% of consumers who pivoted to online shopping are planning to continue to do so after the pandemic. The numbers also point to three things not changing following the pandemic:<\/p>\n