Monthly Archives: April 2015

4 Ways to Really Cut Supply Chain Risk

Posted on April 16, 2015 by | Leave a comment

It’s not really about Apple or Walmart, but about British Telecom’s methods to improve supplier compliance, reduce risk, and drive for sustainability

Lessons from Apple and Walmart: 4 Ways to Really Cut Supply Chain Risk – Supply Chain 24/7.

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Posted in Supply Chains

Brightening the black box of R&D

Posted on April 16, 2015 by | Leave a comment

McKinsey’s take on measuring productivity of R&D.  This is a very contentious area, and many have criticized companies for spending too much or too little on R&D.  It’s largely based on hypotheticals however, because it is hard to guess what a project is going to contribute.  And it’s worse at small innovative enterprises, which are mostly R&D, because there is little info on what the impact of new products will be. The formula would seem to work well at Clayton Christensen’s large stable companies which are simply innovating to please a large group of present and demanding customers, rather than disrupt through spectacular new innovation to gather new customers.  Still, it’s good reading and extends the thinking in this area.

Brightening the black box of R&D | McKinsey & Company.

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Posted in Advanced Computing, Managerial Econ, Production Operations

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Robust Westbound Trans-Atlantic Adds Pressure on East Coast Ports

Posted on April 15, 2015 by | Leave a comment

This article ponders the factors influencing the fast-growing westbound ocean freight traffic to the US.  Not least of the reasons is the higher US dollar with respect to Europe.

Piers

Robust Westbound Trans-Atlantic Adds to Pressure on East Coast Ports.

So I guess we can expect labor disputes reaching a crescendo on the East Coast next.  It’s their turn to capitalize on the increasing business to get better working conditions and a bigger share of the pie.  Shipping companies and port terminal managers need to look for bottlenecks now and work on getting the operational issues fixed before they become contentious.

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Posted in Shipping, Supply Chains