Benchmarking Success Blog
Logistics and Supply Chain news, articles, tips and insights
Logistics Outsourcing Tender – How Many Suppliers to Invite?
A question I hear all the time is: How many suppliers should you include in a logistics outsourcing tender? It’s not always straightforward. Open tenders, common in government and large corporations, allow any supplier to bid. While this ensures impartiality, it often attracts an overwhelming number of responses, many of which are unsuitable. Closed tenders, where a select group of suppliers is invited to bid, are far more focused and efficient…
Supplier Relationship Management Tips
At its core, SRM is about building meaningful partnerships with suppliers. It’s not just about tracking performance or ensuring deliveries arrive on time. While those are important, SRM goes deeper, aiming to create a relationship where both the company and the supplier benefit…
Logistics Outsourcing: Finding Suitable 3PLs
Selecting the best 3PL for your logistics needs is no small task. What qualities should you prioritize? How can you ensure they’re the right fit for your business? When evaluating potential 3PLs, it’s critical to examine their capabilities and industry experience. The provider you choose must have the resources and expertise to meet your specific logistics needs…
Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) – The Greatest Success Factor
The MD holds the one position in the business with influence over every function and executive. That’s critical because S&OP requires cross-functional alignment. When supply chain leads S&OP, as is often the case, there’s a natural limitation. Supply chain can handle the analysis—demand planning, supply plans, and number crunching—but they can’t enforce changes in other areas like sales, finance, or customer service…
S&OP: Why It Fails
When meetings are focused on decision-making, your whole S&OP process runs more smoothly. They improve business alignment, speed up decisions, and ensure everyone is working toward the same goal. With clear, decision-focused meetings, S&OP becomes a powerful tool to drive performance, improve forecasting, and streamline operations…
The Big List of Supply Chain KPI Mistakes to Avoid
Who would have thought that measuring the performance of supply chain processes like warehousing, procurement, or logistics could be so troublesome…
Understanding Supply Chains Part 2 – Systems & KPIs
A well-functioning supply chain depends on understanding its critical aspects. From selecting key systems to monitoring the right KPIs, the success of your operations hinges on these decisions. Are you confident your business is set up with the right tools? Whether you’re stepping into a new supply chain role or assessing an organization’s operations, understanding these components is crucial.
9 Steps to Follow When Preparing for Supply Chain Project Management
What does it take to prepare for managing a supply chain project? A comprehensive step-by-step guide would be a welcome start, indeed…
Understanding Supply Chains Part 1- Physical Processes
Are you starting a new role in supply chain? Whether it’s your first time in the field or a new position at a different company, adjusting can be a challenge. When I start working with a new client in my consulting role at Logistics Bureau, I first focus on understanding their physical processes. I begin by visiting the warehouse to observe the operation firsthand, starting at the receipt dock…