The Supply Chain Dialogues

Ep. 08: Significantly optimising cash flow by changing the focus - Part One

This marks the beginning of a three-part mini-series on cash flow optimisation, focusing on the manufacturing and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industries. The series argues that while finance must report on cash flow, operations should own the metrics. For practitioners along a company's value chain, the three posts can also act as a refresher…Let’s start with inventory!

S01E07 - Profit - Implementing 21st-century supply chain - now

Black swans aren't so rare anymore – they're flocking. What Nassim Nicholas Taleb introduced in 2007 as a metaphor for those once-in-a-lifetime events has become more like a regular forecast in our hyper-connected world.
Remember when a black swan was that unexpected, earth-shattering event that no one saw coming? Well, these 'rare' birds seem to be nesting everywhere in today's globally interconnected supply chains. From chip shortages to cargo ships stuck in canals, from pandemics to geopolitical upheavals – what used to be "highly improbable" is now showing up in our news feeds with alarming regularity.
The irony? While Taleb's black swans were defined by their rarity, our modern supply chains have transformed them into something more akin to everyday pigeons. In a world where a factory shutdown in Taiwan can halt production in Texas within hours, or a local conflict can trigger global commodity chaos, we're not just spotting black swans – we're swimming in a lake full of them.
Join us as we explore how to navigate this new reality where the exceptional has become the expected. Because in today's interconnected world, the question isn't if you'll encounter a black swan – it's when and how prepared you'll be when it arrives.
Let's rewrite the rules for supply chain resilience in an era where black swans have gone mainstream.

S01E06 - Profit - Is operations outsourcing still a viable option today?

For three decades, when shareholder pressure mounted, corporate boardrooms reached for their favorite Swiss Army knife: "Let's outsource it!" or "Time for a spin-off!" It was like having a hammer and seeing every business challenge as a nail.
But in today's complex business landscape, are these traditional tools still the sharpest in our shed? While shipping operations to distant shores or spinning off divisions might look good on next quarter's balance sheet, are we missing something more fundamental?
Welcome to a fresh perspective on operational strategy. In this post, we're challenging the reflexive reach for outsourcing and spin-offs as universal solutions. Instead, we're diving deep into why understanding your company's unique DNA should come before any major structural surgery.
Think about it: Tesla didn't outsource its way to innovation. Apple didn't spin off its way to customer loyalty. And Toyota didn't offshore its way to operational excellence.
Join us as we explore how to make smarter choices about your operations in a world where customer satisfaction and sustainability matter as much as cost savings. Because sometimes, the best solution isn't about letting go – it's about looking within.
Let's rethink what it truly means to optimize operations in the 21st century.
Enjoy!

S01E05 - Profit - Procurement on steroids or: improving margins for real

Remember when strategic sourcing was just about squeezing costs and managing suppliers? Those days feel like ancient history, don't they? Welcome to an era where your supply chain is more likely to be disrupted by a pandemic, a natural disaster, or a blocked canal than a price negotiation gone wrong.
The world has transformed into a complex web of interconnected risks, where a single event can send ripples through global supply chains in minutes. Yet here's the puzzling part: while the challenges have evolved at lightning speed, many companies are still trying to navigate this new reality with tools and thinking from the pre-digital age.
It's like bringing a calculator to a quantum computing competition. Our corporate responses to modern supply chain challenges often look suspiciously similar to what we were doing back when Friends was still airing new episodes.
In today's episode, we're tackling the elephant in the boardroom: the growing gap between today's supply chain complexity and our outdated ways of managing it. We're diving deep into what needs to fundamentally change in how we approach strategic sourcing in a world where "business as usual" is anything but usual.
Join us as we explore how to build resilience without sacrificing efficiency, and why the future of strategic sourcing requires a complete paradigm shift.

Ep. 04: The Supply Chain Dialogues - Creating a digital supply chain twin or: operating at the speed of thought

Digital transformation, Internet of Things, blockchain, OpenAI and ChatGPT happen for most companies more in the media and consultant presentations than in their own world. There is scepticism, disbelief, and maybe even panic, followed by short bursts of activism that typically die quickly like fireflies. 
So,  what shall we do about it, and why? The podcast takes the topic from the latest blog, and dives deeper. Enjoy.

Ep.03: The Supply Chain Dialogues - Diversity & Inclusion or simply human

In this episode, Daniel & Aimee explore how to make Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) in companies  'simply human'.
We know, that except for some clear leaders in this field (and most other fields while they're at it), over the years many companies make little or no strides to significantly change the status quo regarding D&I unless governmental contracts or public opinions are at stake. 
It is, therefore, not surprising how many leaders in corporations underestimate the societal and regulatory requirements, by overestimating the efforts needed to make a real difference.
The episode offers as always some analysis of the status quo, personal musings on the topic, followed by questions to assess where your firm is on the spectrum of D&I. The podcast ends with some real life proposals of how to get to a whole new level with D&I, by just following three simple steps.

S01E02 - Planet - The Supply Chain Dialogues - GHG emisson net zero in 1’000 days.

"2050? Sorry, we don't have that kind of time."
While consultants and politicians set climate goals for a distant future they won't be accountable for, our planet isn't exactly in a patient mood. But what if we told you that waiting until 2030 or 2050 for net-zero emissions isn't just unnecessary—it's a cop-out?
Welcome to an episode about to challenge everything you've heard about the timeline for climate action. Forget the so-called experts who keep telling us this is too complex, too difficult, or needs decades to achieve. We're bringing you evidence that suggests they're dead wrong.
Who are the real climate action heroes? Not the ones giving PowerPoint presentations about 2050 targets, but the supply chain and procurement professionals who solve impossible problems before lunch. These are the people who turned "unprecedented" into "just another Tuesday" during global disruptions.
Join Daniel and Aimee as they unveil how supply chain experts, armed with their operational know-how and solution-focused mindset, can make net-zero emissions a reality in just 1,000 days. Because when it comes to saving our planet, we don't need another distant target – we need action now.
Let's stop talking about 2050 and start making changes today.

S01E01: The Supply Chain Dialogues Podcast - Introduction

Welcome to "The Supply Chain Dialogues" podcast, the go-to destination for all things GHG Emissions, procurement, supply chain, and operations management. We're here to help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the industry by providing insights into new and old truths and debunking outdated myths. We aim to expand your knowledge and make you a more successful practitioner or leader in these functions.
We're all about solutions here. Our approach involves asking the right questions and finding answers that fit today's and tomorrow's world. And we're not just concerned with profits. We take a triple-bottom-line view and seek solutions that are good for people, the planet, and the bottom line.
Whether you're a seasoned pro in the supply chain biz, just starting, or thrown into a leadership role without a clue about the topic, we've got you covered. The host, Daniel Helmig, brings decades of experience running procurement, operations, and supply chains globally across five industries. The co-host, AI-mee, is an AI-generated voice that adds an extra layer of analysis and insight to the conversation.
So join us for "The Supply Chain Dialogues", and let's dive into the world of procurement, supply chain, and operations management together.