Jul
20
De-Risking Your Supply Chain – Should You Just Give In To Your Suppliers To Retain Continuity Of Supply?
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When there are problems within the supply chain it can feel as if the pressure is mounting and being applied from all sides. This means that you can feel as if you have to take drastic action to ensure that you consolidate and stabilise the supply chain. So if your suppliers are suddenly treating you as if they have the ‘upper hand’, what do you do? Do you give in to them and ensure that you can retain continuity of supply, or do you simply cut the ties and get new suppliers?
It can be tempting to give in to your suppliers, but to do so is to change the dynamics of the relationship. The relationship between the supplier and the customer needs to be a mutually beneficial one. It should be of benefit to both parties and both parties should treat each other with respect. So if your suppliers are suddenly in revolt against you and are saying that you have to change the terms of your contracts, but you think that the contracts are fair, then you cannot really be held to ransom because this is not a mutually beneficial relationship.
So if your suppliers are pushing you into a corner and you feel that you only have two choices; cut the ties or give in, then this is not a good place to be. However before you cut the ties with suppliers, it is important to fully investigate why they are putting pressure on you!
Are there any problems with regard to the supplier? For example, if they are supplying you with certain commodities has the price of these commodities risen and they are struggling with the price that has been agreed?
Is the supplier being subject to global problems? So if there is a global problem with transport, as happened with the volcanic ash being blown from Iceland in 2010? If a situation such as this has occurred then it is very likely that the supplier is not able to meet their requirements. You will also find that even if you take on new suppliers, then they would also be unable to come up with the goods.
It may also be worth trying to re-negotiate with the supplier. The supplier may be keen to retain your custom, but may financially be under pressure and so they are having to pass that pressure on to you.
However, it is still important that you do not simply roll over and let suppliers walk all over you. Business is highly competitive since the recession and as a result there is a lot riding on contracts, so you cannot let your customers down, but this does not mean that the suppliers can dictate to you.
If your suppliers are putting pressure on you, then it is likely that you have not adopted a strategic approach to managing the supply chain and the problems that you are experiencing may have been avoided if you had adopted a strategic approach.
So if you do feel that you need to cut the ties and secure new suppliers, then you should ensure that the new suppliers are managed in a strategic fashion and work with them at all stages to try and minimise any problems and sort them out before they escalate.
But ultimately remember that your suppliers do not have the right to hold you to ransom and sometimes they need to be reminded that it is a 2 way relationship or no relationship at all!
Jul
20
Does Getting A Supply Chain Certification Improve Your Career Prospects?
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Undoubtedly there are many courses and certificates that are of little benefit in terms of career prospects, but this certainly is not the case when it comes to supply chain certification! Getting certification in supply chain management is certainly a way of turbo charging your career, so that you stand out from other candidates.
There are so many courses on offer, simply because the jobs market is so competitive that courses have grown to meet demand. For example it is now possible to undertake a post graduate course in supply management or you can even specialise in issues such as marine supply management or sustainable supply management.
So no matter where you think your career in supply chain management will go, it will undoubtedly go further if you have some sort of recognised diploma/NVQ or degree certificate with your name on it.
However, it is important to thoroughly research the type of course that you are applying for. If a course looks incredibly easy and requires little in the form of effort or application, then the course is probably not very good and more to the point, the certificate you will be awarded at the end will not be valued by employers.
Instead you should consider applying to courses that will offer a recognised certificate. It is now possible, for example, to undertake a Masters in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at various institutions within the UK.
Or you should consider thinking about undertaking a course that is offered by the CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport) or CIPS (Chartered Institue of Purchasing and Supply) which are the professional bodies that represents those involved in the supply chain. The courses offered by this body range from introductory courses to post-graduate diplomas.
The fact that there is now a professional body representing those who work in the supply chain field demonstrates that it is a professional area to work in and as with any profession, you need qualification to carve out a career.
Times have changed
Although traditionally the role of a warehouse manager used to be regarded as a fairly menial role within an organisation, it is now vital that a warehouse manager has skills to use technology and that they can order stock, deal with customers and generally juggle several balls in the air at the same time, so varied is their role.
Thus the role of a warehouse manager is now seen more in terms of being a career and most will have a degree or at least a diploma, so no matter where you want to start within the supply chain, you need to ensure that you are able to show that you have knowledge and the intellect to be able to undertake the role and what better way of doing this than through having undertaken certification?
Certification or bust!
It is certainly true that the recession has really hit the jobs market and now more than ever, skilled professionals with years of experience are often unemployed. So in a sense, there is no choice when it comes to supply chain certification ; if you want a job in this profession then you need to ensure that you have the necessary qualifications to make sure that you are employable.
If you don’t have the certification then you can bet that other candidates applying for any jobs that you are will have it, which will give them the edge over you every time. Your only real option is to ensure that you enrol on a supply chain certificate course as soon as possible, so that you have the edge over the other candidates who haven’t bothered.