Many businesses don’t actively manage their supply chain risks.

Instead of planning ahead, they react to problems as they occur. Which leads to inefficiencies and vulnerabilities, potentially resulting in a supply chain which is slow and inconsistent. And a lot of firefighting…

This is why I call it “Reliability Roulette”.

As a buyer, knowing the journey of our raw materials from production to delivery should be an absolute minimum. This ensures quality, reduces risk, and promotes ethical practices at the very least.

Transparency builds trust, and ensures we are part of a supply chain that values honesty and openness above all.

It’s crucial to get it right as we need reliable supply chains, competitive pricing, and access to the latest innovations & real-time market intelligence.

I call this the NURTURE step of the CLEAN framework, the final step. I like to break it down as follows:

1. Communication

2. Understanding

3. Long-term commitments

4. Win-win mindset

Understanding how to manage inventory properly, is crucial. To put it really simply, it helps you avoid unnecessary costs, improves cash flow, and ensures you have the right products available, when you need them.

At a high level, a good supplier ensures we get what we need, when we need it, for a fair price.

Choosing the right LSP is an important decision, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult one. Focusing on what YOU need, focusing on the strengths of a particular LSP and backing that up with testimony and reviews, you should be able to find the right partner for your business.

The five fundamental steps I use to create a reliable, and predictable supply chain, for long term success.

Having a plan B, and plan C when it comes to our supply chain allows us to capitalise when others can’t, reduces any potential down time, and helps us to be a lot more consistent and reliable.

"Sustainability is not about the quick fix or the cheap solution. Generally, it means finding the way that nature and humans can coexist." - David Suzuki