Supply Chain Blog
Introduction Information-feedback control systems are the backbone of all life and human activity, from biological evolution to advanced technological systems. As Jay W. Forrester, the pioneer of system dynamics, once said: “Everything we do as individuals, as an industry, or as a society is done in the context of an information-feedback system.” This principle is…
In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) permeates every link of the supply chain, it’s tempting to think machines can do it all, even foster trust and collaboration. But here’s the truth: machines cannot create trust or initiate genuine collaboration. These are inherently human qualities, born out of relationships, empathy, and shared experiences. However, what…
Introduction Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has been the backbone of B2B communications for 60 years, revolutionizing how businesses exchange documents like purchase orders, invoices, and shipping notices. Since the first EDI message was sent in 1965 via telex by the Holland-America Line, this technology has grown from a niche innovation to a mandatory requirement for large retailers and global…
In the 1990s, British anthropologist Robin Dunbar proposed a fascinating idea: humans have a cognitive limit to the number of meaningful relationships they can maintain somewhere between 100 and 250, with 150 being the most commonly cited figure. This concept, known as the Dunbar number, suggests that beyond this threshold, our ability to manage stable social connections breaks down. But what…
Frank Sinatra’s legendary song New York, New York isn’t just a song about ambition—it’s a philosophy. The line “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere” captures the idea that conquering the toughest challenge in your field proves you can handle anything. Chip and Dan Heath, in their book Made to Stick, call this the “Sinatra Test”—a single, high-stakes…
In the world of marketing, serendipity often plays a role as significant as strategy. Sometimes, the most unexpected events can lead to surprising outcomes, and the story of Mars bars and NASA’s Pathfinder mission is a perfect example of this phenomenon. Back in mid-1997, the candy company Mars noticed an unusual and unexpected uptick in…
Have you ever had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong in your supply chain? A shipment is delayed, a supplier misses a deadline, or a machine breaks down. It feels like the universe is conspiring against your operations. But what if these small setbacks were actually saving you from bigger, unseen…
The supply chain world is constantly evolving, and a new debate has emerged regarding two dominant SCOR (Supply Chain Operations Reference) models. On one side stands the traditional SCOR model (Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, Return), supported mainly by Gartner. On the other, the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) has introduced the SCOR Digital Standard…
DHL Group is taking a major step toward sustainable logistics by testing a new hybrid electric truck that is named as Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) in partnership with heavy vehicle manufacturer Scania. This innovative truck combines the benefits of electric power with a fuel-powered generator, addressing a key challenge in electric vehicle (EV) adoption—the…
Customer experience is a major factor in business success. A seamless and hassle-free experience keeps customers returning, while a frustrating one drives them away. This is where the Customer Effort Score (CES) comes into play. CES measures how easy it is for customers to interact with your business—whether they are making a purchase, resolving an issue, or…