Three steps supply chain companies should take right now during the pandemic
Authored by SMC³ on August 3, 2020
SMC³ President and CEO Andrew Slusher recently participated in a podcast sponsored by Innovecs, discussing how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the supply chain. During the conversation, Slusher presented three main ideas that supply chain company leaders need to keep in the front of their minds when confronting unique challenges like the coronavirus pandemic.
Increase communication:
Communication is key, no matter the circumstance. SMC³ supports carriers, shippers, 3PLs and other transportation users throughout the supply chain, so when the company transitioned to remote work, leadership needed to make sure the lines of communication among employees and customers remained strong.
Slusher suggested that logistics and supply chain stakeholders should practice constant and unfettered communication to make sure all aspects of their businesses keep running without a hitch. This communication is internal as well as external.
“If your employees are healthy and they have all the resources they need, they’re going to be in a position to support customers,” he added.
Foster reliability:
Slusher told podcast listeners that it is important to assure customers that your company is in good financial shape. Customers need to know companies have a plan to weather the pandemic and other coming challenges.
Keeping customers at the center of the business, and responding to their needs with proven and dependable support, is key to success.
Embrace adaptability:
The temporary pain many companies are experiencing due to the pandemic might make investing in new technology difficult right now, but companies should make a plan to invest when they can.
“If you’re in a position where you can afford to invest, you’ve got to move rapidly,” Slusher said. “The environment is changing at such a quick pace.”
In addition to having an investment plan, supply chain companies should work smarter with what they already have. Carriers, Slusher said, should focus on adaptability and unique utilization of assets.
“As the freight flows have changed, as they have over the last few months, efficient asset utilization becomes very, very challenging,” he said. “So they’re having to take traditional systems and really build extensions onto those to navigate through the unchartered territory that we’re in today.”
For more of the discussion, listen to the Innovecs podcast “Supply Chain Tech Trends.”