Supply chain strategies create competitive advantages for operations in a digital world. Optimized supply chain operating models are strategic differentiators and business process transformations are a major value lever for businesses.
Operational strategy
Operational strategies assist companies to identify the ideal positions of working capital, costs, and service levels. Based on these positions, actions are defined and implemented within processes, people, assets, and information systems to improve the cost-effectiveness and services in a company’s markets.
Outsourcing
Focusing on core competencies reduces efforts for non-core activities and drives efficiency.
Labor and force optimization
Operational locations use performance metrics to plan activities, benchmark internal performance versus other locations, manage staff, and decide on individual compensation. Reviewing how this information is used enables companies to identify ineffective performance metrics.
Network strategy and design
The goal of strategic design and optimization of supply chain networks is to find a balanced and robust structural solution for the tradeoffs of low cost, excellent service, and minimal inventory.
Africa presents unique and evolving challenges for supply chains. Even companies with long track records in the region are being forced to find new and creative ways to maintain growth and extend their reach into new countries and markets. While some of the lessons learned in other emerging regions are also applicable to Africa, it is likely that they will be only part of the solution. The rest will come from unique approaches tailored solutions and adjustments to current supply chain strategy.