This blog has closed comments for some time being deluged by spammers whose primary purpose is to try and get their link to appear in the comments section. This is the infamous part of the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) industry that is able to post comments from IP addresses originating in interesting places like RussiaContinue reading “Google Rankings: more about being true to the searcher than popularity”
Category Archives: Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
Innovation in the B2B and supply chain: you are less locked-in than you think
Most supply chain managers feel locked in by the the users stated needs. The user might be in manufacturing who is responding to the B2B market and the sales forecast put out by the sales folks. Frequently in many parts of the developed world the supply manager deals directly with marketing as the whole productContinue reading “Innovation in the B2B and supply chain: you are less locked-in than you think”
What is the most important attribute in GE Jack Welch’s 4E and 1P?
Previous posts on GE Jack Welch’s 4E’s and 1P on the StratoServe blog are very popular. Sort of leads you to think about which of the four E’s and one P really matter? But first a quick recap, although they appear in earlier posts. We’ll talk about 3E’s and the the one P first andContinue reading “What is the most important attribute in GE Jack Welch’s 4E and 1P?”
Why do organizations find it so hard to update websites?
Ask small or large organizations- for profit, non-profit or government ones – and top managers will admit that their website could be better in both content and looks. Understanding why organizations find it so hard to update websites is useful. Here are five thoughts: "Bricks" organization legacy: Remember that any business that existed before 2000Continue reading “Why do organizations find it so hard to update websites?”
Diamond Foods: Pringles fiasco- a farmer co-operative supply chain implodes as corporation
When Diamond Foods announced its plans to acquire Pringles from P&G it seemed like a great move to this blog. So it comes as quite a shock that the deal is off and Kellogg's is acquiring Pringles , trying to expand its snacking line for salted foods in emerging markets as P&G , the PringlesContinue reading “Diamond Foods: Pringles fiasco- a farmer co-operative supply chain implodes as corporation”
Supply Chain CSR: tracing child labor in growing cocoa beans for chocolates
Just as we get into the holiday mood and enjoy chocolates the focus is on where the cocoa beans come from that go into making chocolate that brings so much holiday cheer to the affluent- worldwide. The BBC Story highlights Nestle's efforts in trying to bring traceability to the labor aspects of the cocoa beanContinue reading “Supply Chain CSR: tracing child labor in growing cocoa beans for chocolates”
Without execution leadership is meaningless
Peter Drucker is credited with having said: Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. The emphasis on doing is from this blog post because for reasons unknown the world of organizations (whether for-profit,non-profit or government) seem to worship "leadership" and treat execution as mundane and "tactical." Somehow beneath the dignity ofContinue reading “Without execution leadership is meaningless”
Hurricane Irene: understanding risk management and supply chains for the uninterested
Even if you are professionally uninterested in supply chains or risk management you should have heard of Hurricane Irene hitting the US East Coast including New York. The very unusual prospect of New York tunnels being flooded (with animation being shown on several TV stations ) has cancelled trains,airplanes and closed colleges and there isContinue reading “Hurricane Irene: understanding risk management and supply chains for the uninterested”
Feedback is really important in the ICT Model of input-process-output
Given the interest of blog readers on the ICT model based on a past post, it’s important to emphasize the value of feedback to the inputs and process part of the ICT model. To recall the ICT (or Information Communication Technology) model is depicted as input—> process—> output with a feedback loop to input from the quality of the output as depicted in the ICT diagram above. The feedback is really important.
What has Oprah’s last show got to do with B2B/Supply Chain Relationships? : Validation
Humor aside, one has to give it to Oprah: 25 years, over 4000 shows, millions of fans for a black woman who would have been at the maximum a “school teacher in a segregated school”(by her own words today) has a huge message for business. Oprah said that every one of her thousands of guests over 25 years had only one need. That was a need to be heard,understood and where possible appreciated or validated. This need irrespective of whether they were weak or strong, rich or poor.