The outlook for the economy looks rosy, fueled by increasing vaccine rollouts and the reopening of communities and businesses. Even the much publicized labor shortage may be a sign of recovery from the pandemic, as many workers leave jobs to find better opportunities elsewhere. Profits for companies are expected to grow by an average of 4% in the next 12 months, while revenues are expected to climb by 5%. Both…
Vaccines and warmer weather continue to steadily reopen the world economy. There are increasing crowds in brick-and-mortar stores, restaurants, and other public places of business, and consumer confidence appears to be surging. Meanwhile, analysts predict digital buying habits shaped by the COVID pandemic are here to stay, meaning we can still expect robust demand for…
Consumers may not be aware of it, but most companies engaged in shipping products are likely struggling with rising logistics costs. On the one hand, the COVID economy has led to booms such as warehouse construction, as consumers increasingly purchase goods online and expect delivery right to their doorsteps. But the costs of business logistics have also risen as strains on…
While many industries have suffered because of the pandemic, the demand for faster, more efficient, and more intricate supply chains has only increased in the COVID-19 economy. Consumers increasingly purchase goods online and expect delivery to their doorsteps, and developers can’t build warehouses fast enough to meet burgeoning storage and shipping demands. Meanwhile, many companies struggle managing supply chain costs while still delivering goods quickly and efficiently. The…
The cradle-to-cradle supply chain is a relatively new idea that builds upon the circular business model. When executed correctly, this strategy makes an entire network more sustainable while improving resource use and cutting costs. Luckily, there are many simple ways companies can develop a cradle-to-cradle approach and take advantage of these benefits. Managers can initiate…
Throughout the Industrial Age businesses have looked for continuous improvement in the supply chain. Managers sought ways to streamline operations and eliminate waste by establishing working protocols, leveraging new technology, or even shifting their business models. As times change, successful businesses adapt and modernize. Technology provides many opportunities to support a continuous improvement process, but…