Many times, when I get together with Presidents and CEOs, I like to ask them a very direct question: Can you tell me three things you're doing today in your supply chain area that are different from what you used to be doing three years ago? Now if the answer to that question is either "I don't know" or "Not much", then there is often a giant opportunity for improvement and significant cost savings.
Why is this so important? Because the world around you—especially in the supply chain area—is changing faster than you may know. For example, several large transportation carriers are changing their networks and the way they do business to ensure that they're successful. So when UPS announces that they have created the Advanced Technology Group and combined all technology and engineering functions into one organization under the leadership of a Chief Information and Engineering Officer, you may not be looking at these things, but trust me, some of your competitors may be looking at how they can take advantage of these changes.
With that thought in mind, here is another question to ask yourself: Is my company positioned to take advantage of the changes that are occurring in the transportation marketplace? One of my customers recently told me that managing freight costs is a data driven game and today, the carriers have a wealth of information about your business. So don't just look at what you're willing to change, but also look at the quality of data you're using to manage your supply chain.
One easy way to evaluate your position is to get help from those with experience. At TranzAct, you can give us a call at 630-833-0890 or send us an email and ask us to conduct a rapid assessment process. This process will help you understand where you're at today and where you need to be in the future.
The rapid assessment process doesn't take a lot of time, but it yields a wealth of information that will help you run your business better. We hope to hear from you because we’re on your team, we're here to help, and we're passionate about seeing you be successful.
Mike Regan
