Forecasts are always wrong For any forecast, always attach probabilities of them occurring. A current forecast is the threat to increase tariffs on all goods entering the US and for very high tariffs on goods from China. This was mentioned many times in the recent US election campaign speeches and has received much coverage in the media. As a repeated … Read More
Supply Chains group, Networks and Cyber Security
Digitalization and Cyber Security Commentators have made many promises that Digitalization – the conversion of work processes into digital flows, will improve visibility through supply chains, both within and between organisations. Much less has been said about the risks to supply chains. As more digital connectivity is implemented through supply chains, the higher is each organisation’s vulnerability to cyber-attacks. Cyber Security … Read More
Implement Supply Chains Planning systems that may fail
A familiar situation What is your response to risk in business? Would you buy an IT system with a high risk of failure? An article by the consulting firm McKinsey considered that more than 60 percent of supply chain planning IT transformation implementations do not achieve anticipated business outcomes and take more time and/or money than expected. This figure may … Read More
Supply Chains data accuracy and new technology purchase
‘New’ technologies in 2025 One skill that technologists have in abundance is promoting terminology that potential users will hopefully accept and use. Technology products promoted as a ‘must have’ for supply chains in 2025 include ‘agentic AI’ (or AI agents) and ‘AI-powered decision intelligence data platform (DIDP)’. What are they and are they needed? A brochure states that “AI agents … Read More
Procurement Category Management for smaller businesses
Analysis of supply markets is needed Disruptions to supply markets can occur at any time and not always with warning signs. It is likely there will be increasing supply disruptions due to climate change events and heightened geopolitical tensions, and these are less likely to be one-off events. With the global trading situation containing multiple risks, Procurement professionals must be … Read More