​As travel restrictions are causing flights and trains to be cancelled and social distancing measures are bringing regular life as we know it to a halt in many regions, some industries are hit particularly hard by the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus. Travel and tourism, hospitality and producers of luxury goods and non-essential items are facing tough times. Demand in many...

​It’s not news that supply chain has a diversity problem. What makes it all the more pressing is the compound impact caused by a mounting talent crisis. Though increased attention has been drawn to both issues, our recently published study reveals that the need for progress remains. When companies go to market to recruit, their processes are turning off many female candidate...

​90% of CEOs report that diversity is a top business priority, yet the dial towards progress has hardly moved in recent years. A 2017 survey by Supply Chain Insights found that 72% of respondents identified as male and 57% identified as Caucasian.In this guide, we explore the current ‘state of the union’ for women in colour in STEM-related fields and the underlying processes...

​Women only fill 15% of senior positions in end-to-end supply chain despite making up 37% of the workforce, according to a report from Gartner. How we can we address this imbalance and drive diversity forwards? By demonstrating that gender diversity a commercial imperative - and business leaders agree. A report by McKinsey & Company found that 90% of CEOs said they prior...

​As the web of global procurement continues to expand and evolve, so too are the methods used to obtain parts, supplies, and services at optimal price points. Gone are the days of instinct or precedent that made the job somewhat predictable and stable; today’s sourcing specialists must have skills, both tangible and intangible, to help their companies improve their bottom li...

​As the life sciences industry transitions towards complex biopharmaceuticals and highly customized devices and treatments for patients, supply chain operations is also becoming increasingly complex. In the recent report, Dare To Be Different: It’s time to revamp collaboration in life sciences contract manufacturing[1], Accenture describes how life sciences companies and con...

​​In 2018, China’s corporate spending on research and development (R&D) surged by 20%. While PwC reported that Chinese companies spend on R&D grew the most globally in the 12 months to June 2018, at an increase of 34%. However it’s being measured, one thing is clear: Chinese firms are investing heavily in R&D and are almost to the point of parity (in terms of spe...

​This article is continually updated as changes occur during the trade war.The supply chain and procurement industry in 2019 has so far been marked by the escalating trade war between the world’s two largest economies, the US and China, with each country imposing escalating tariffs on the other. Despite a 90-day ceasefire reached at the G20 summit, stakeholders all along the...

​The automotive industry is on the cusp of major disruption. On the horizon are mass-produced electric vehicles fully connected to the Internet of Things, perhaps even ones that drive themselves. On-demand vehicles could change the way people own or rent cars, much in the same way streaming services disrupted audio and video. Therefore, many argue it is crucial auto industry...

​Artificial Intelligence is becoming more commonplace in people’s daily lives than ever before. From ‘smart replies’ in email at the click of a button (‘Thanks!’, ‘Let’s do it!’) in response to your email content, chatbots so accurate you think you’re speaking with a real person, to Google’s algorithm of course, using machine learning from previous searches to show you the ‘...

​AI/IoT integrationThe digital transformation is well underway and AI/IoT seems poised to bring revolutionary change to procurement. However, the road will not be easy as the technology is still in its early stages of use; according to Harvard Business Review, just 7% of manufacturers are using it to automate production activities and AI has not been widely adapted in SCM. T...

​What is blockchain technology?Invented in 2008, blockchain technology is a distributed database which contains records of digital information that is very difficult to tamper with. It’s a permanent, public record of a chain of transactions, linked using cryptography, accessible to many users who can view and add data. Considered secure by design, it is resistant to modifica...

​The introduction of the Sugar Tax is affecting the way the food and beverage and related industries operate in many ways. From marketing to sourcing, companies are taking new approaches to cut costs and stay competitive.​The Impact of Sugar Tax on the Consumer SectorSignificantly, the new tax has caused the industry to reexamine the amount of sugar they include in every ser...

​Boston is not afraid to do things differently. An open-minded approach to innovation is a key factor behind the region’s phenomenal growth; between 2010 and 2014, the city grew at twice the national rate and added 45,000 new jobs.[1]The willingness to break with convention is also seen in the region’s approach to procuring technology and all related sub-categories. Previous...

​​Procurement is fast becoming a more dynamic area for the life sciences industry, with innovations such as blockchain, machine learning and digitization shifting it from a back-office function to a board-level, strategic discipline. Professionals with the skills to drive improved procurement performance are in short supply. A recent CPO survey from Deloitte[1] found that al...

​Almost two thirds (63%) of procurement leaders identify automation as a key priority, according to a recent poll by SAP Ariba. Yet, while automation is an important part of digital transformation efforts, it’s not always clear what is meant by the term, or what it means for sourcing talent.​How can automation benefit procurement?Automation is a general term for a range of ...

​Supply chains are built on trust. It used to be possible to build personal relationships with the various links in a supply chain, but as trade becomes global and more complex, this is harder and harder to achieve.A weak link in the supply chain, such as a corrupt, unethical or incompetent partner, can rapidly cause reputational damage, compromised quality to the consumer, ...

​​Lean and Six Sigma may have been on the radar of supply chain managers for some time, but there has been a certain amount of skepticism surrounding its role in sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes. However, even though these methodologies have fallen in and out of favor with supply chain managers, the value of aligning Lean and Six Sigma within S&OP proce...

​Every business wants to improve operational efficiency, but in healthcare, there is also a focus on improving patient safety.Healthcare organizations are facing a growing pressure to increase the efficiency of care delivery, and quality improvement initiatives offer a solution. Promising to boost performance outcomes, these methodologies can help organizations meet expectat...

​It is no secret that the pharma industry faces a myriad of challenges. From aggressive competition on generics pricing and expensive clinical trials, to slow drug approval processes and growing expectations of patients, it is clear that life sciences and pharmaceutical companies have to allocate their resources strategically.For many of these companies, efforts are focused ...