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The Importance of Employee Motivation in the Supply Chain
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the landscape of the workplace. In some cases, it has given employees desired flexibility and choice, and in others it has created new stressors and hardships. An unfortunate theme of 2020 was that there weren’t enough people working due to the economic downturn posed by the pandemic. And now…
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Best Practices for Reducing Shipping Costs
While economies throughout the world appear poised for a strong recovery, shipping companies still face significant supply chain disruptions and bottlenecks. Demand for product deliveries continues to surge even as the global pandemic recedes. The Port of Los Angeles logged its busiest month ever in May, handling more than one million shipping containers. As this record…
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The Labor Crisis and the Shortage of Supply Chain Workers
The labor shortage continues to make headlines as the American economy struggles with the effects of a pandemic showing signs of resurgence. “Help wanted” signs adorn shop and restaurant windows in most communities. Job fairs showcasing dozens of companies have seen poor jobseeker turnout. CEOs around the country complain they simply can’t find enough supply chain workers to meet growing consumer demand. The explanations for this shortage…
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Minimizing Supply Chain Risks
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…
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Strategies to Reduce Freight Costs
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…
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Reducing Logistics Costs in the Post Covid Economy
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…
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Best Practices for Managing Supply Chain Costs
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…
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Building a Cradle-to-Cradle Supply Chain
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…