Daily Archives: December 13, 2010

Webinar Wackiness XVI: Webinars This Week from the #1 Supply Chain Resource Site

The Sourcing Innovation Resource Site, always immediately accessible from the link under the “Free Resources” section of the sidebar, continues to add new content on a weekly, and often daily, basis — and it will continue to do so.

The following is a not-so-short selection of over a dozen webinars THIS WEEK that might interest you:

Date & Time Webcast
2010-Dec-14

10:30 GMT-05:00/CDT/EST

Procure-to-pay can drive millions back to your bottom line
Sponsor: Take Supply Chain
2010-Dec-14

11:30 GMT-05:00/CDT/EST

How to Drive Customer Service and System Profitability by Effective Asset Use
Sponsor: SC Digest
2010-Dec-14

11:30 GMT-05:00/CDT/EST

Sourcing Optimization in Consumer Goods
Sponsor: IBM
2010-Dec-14

15:00 GMT/WET

So you think your S&OP is optimal?
Sponsor: Quintiq
2010-Dec-15

14:00 GMT-08:00/AKDT/PST

Improving Networking & Environmental Conditions Across Global Supply Chains
Sponsor: 2 Degrees
2010-Dec-15

11:00 GMT-08:00/AKDT/PST

Webinar Registration – Altor Smart Groups Mean Smart PCI Compliance
Sponsor: Altor Networks
2010-Dec-15

9:00 GMT-05:00/CDT/EST

GSCP – Improving working & environmental conditions across global supply chains
Sponsor: 2 Degrees
2010-Dec-15

11:00 GMT-05:00/CDT/EST

Everything you ever needed to know about today’s Finance and Accounting Outsourcing industry … but were afraid to ask
Sponsor: Horses for Sources
2010-Dec-15

12:00 GMT-05:00/CDT/EST

Build A Successful Supplier CSR Program
Sponsor: RollStream
2010-Dec-16

14:00 GMT-04:00/AST/EDT

SME Growth Series – Build Your Solution Fast Start
Sponsor: SAP
2010-Dec-16

11:00 GMT-05:00/CDT/EST

Unfolding the Smart Grid Roadmap
Sponsor: SDC Executive
2010-Dec-16

10:00 GMT-08:00/AKDT/PST

Transform Your Planning Process with Oracle ASCP
Sponsor: USJADE
2010-Dec-16

14:15 GMT/WET

Removing the Risks and Profiting from a Sustainable Supply Chain
Sponsor: SD&S Consulting
2010-Dec-16

11:00 GMT-05:00/CDT/EST

Achieving Sustainable Water Strategies: Diageo Case Study
Sponsor: 2degrees

They are all readily searchable from the comprehensive Site-Search page. So don’t forget to review the resource site on a weekly basis. You just might find what you didn’t even know you were looking for!

And continue to keep a sharp eye out for new additions!

No One Gets Out of Here Alive …

… only the D.U.M.B. survive!

Wow! Twenty years ago, the case was that only the strong survive. Now, the only way to survive in the global marketplace is if your product [is] D.U.M.B. enough to take overseas. How the mighty have fallen.

But seriously, the article in question makes some good points. Your product is only going to make it in a foreign market if it is:

  • Demonstrable
    You have to be able to demonstrate that your product does whatever you say it does, and do it in a manner that the common person in your target market can understand. If only an engineer with a PhD can understand your message, your product is not going to go very far.
  • Unique
    If your product comes off as another “me too” product, than the local brands that are currently established are going to maintain their marketshare.
  • Meaningful
    Your product has to serve a purpose in the eyes of the local consumer in addition to being demonstrable and unique. The example in the article is a great one: low-fat/low-calorie snacks aren’t going to sell when in Spain, or other Mediterranean markets where diets are already low-fat/low-calorie.
  • Believable
    Outrageous claims will not be rewarded. For example, never claim an athletic product will “prevent injury” when it’s clear that all it will do is reduce the risk.

And each of these requirements has a lesson for your local supply chain.

  • Use local partners.
    You need to be able to demonstrate you can get the job done. Using trusted partners will help.
  • Use modern technology solutions.
    Used properly, they will help give you a unique edge in terms of efficiency and performance.
  • Use the right modes of transportation.
    Depending on geography, it might be air, rail, truck, bus, or even courier! Be sure to adapt to the market. In some South American countries, high priced electronics (smartphones) are shipped in unmarked boxes in busses because it’s cheaper and less prone to theft. In busy cities in Asia with narrow streets, you’ll need small delivery vehicles that deliver daily, as some shops are so small they can only hold a few days of inventory at most.
  • Use meaningful, and transparently generated, forecasts.
    Forecasting sales numbers that are way too low or way too high isn’t going to do much for generating good will and trust in your new “partners” who will get the impression that you’re not a serious player in their market.

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