Yes, a database or spreadsheet ranking each of your suppliers by the criteria mentioned will show which are expendable and which should be retained. This system can be extended to customers, as well. You will probably find that some customers are more profitable than others. In fact, there is no reason why rankings could not be made to cover all relationships, including your employees, colleagues, friends, neighbors, family members, ex-spouses, and pets. A thorough list will show, for instance, which pets do their business in the most effective manner (taking less of your time for walks, for instance, while at the same time scaring the most burglars away, or maybe catching the most mice). Those pets that do not measure up can be written up and given a warning. If they are unable to explain themselves, then do you want to retain your relationship with them?
Yes, there is only one reason to maintain a relationship, and that is profit, continuously monitored and adjusted for maximum returns.
Mark, I believe you noted correctly the significance of constant monitoring of a supply base by manufacturers and others involved in electronics production. How expensive, though, can this process of ensuring your suppliers are up to date be and what is the likelihood of passing the costs onto customers?
Preferred suppliers are certainly both an investment and an asset that needs to be monitored and maintained. Thanks for the list of questions - this wil be a god basis for a review of our preferred supplier list.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
To save this item to your list of favorite EBN content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
