All Columns

Latest in Columns

Keys to staying ahead of the competition

Tuesday, July 9, 2024 · Brian Straight The unique role supply chains play in an organization means they can have an outsized impact on the market competitiveness of the company.

The key to good data management? Start with good data

Friday, July 5, 2024 · Brian Straight As more companies turn to AI to manage and analyze their data, the concept of clean data sometimes gets pushed to the side.

Assessing the e-commerce supply chain as sales, imports grow

Monday, June 24, 2024 · Brian Straight Retail sales continue to grow, albeit at slower rates, and as a result, brands are taking advantage of excess cargo capacity in bringing in merchandise earlier than normal.

Bite-sized nuggets offer real-time learning

Wednesday, June 19, 2024 · Brian Straight Microlearning offers businesses the opportunity to focus training and education at relevant times and in ways that employees will engage with.

The rise of customer-centric supply chains

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 · Brian Straight Changing customer demands are putting more pressure on supply chains. In response, more companies are putting the customer at the center of supply chain design.

Nearshoring shifts focus of procurement leaders

Friday, June 7, 2024 · Bridget McCrea Bringing production and sourcing back to the United States or to a country in close proximity have always been goals for companies that want to gain better control over their supply chains. But for procurement leaders, it adds complexity.

Scaling fast-food warehouse operations in a best-case scenario

Monday, May 27, 2024 · Brian Straight When a fast-food restaurant wanted to consolidate and streamline its warehouse operations, it turned to a combination of technologies and customer support to make it a reality.

NextGen Leader: Kory Jacobson

Friday, May 24, 2024 · Brian Straight Kory Jacobson grew up with two educators as parents. That taught him the value of effort and education, two qualities that have driven his supply chain success.

Augmented reality’s role in upskilling the workforce

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 · Brian Straight Augmented reality is offering new opportunities to train the supply chain workforce of tomorrow, and upskill the workforce of today.

Supply chain’s rise in prominence brings regulatory compliance into focus

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 · Brian Straight Whether it is financial, ESG, or ethical sourcing and forced labor rules, supply chains are dealing with a complex maze of global regulations.

Despite American political environment, global geopolitical risks may be easing

Friday, May 3, 2024 · Brian Straight Geopolitical risk advisor Ian Bremmer says that despite the current global political environment, most countries are recognizing the importance of a global supply chain.

Israel, Ukraine aid package to increase pressure on aerospace and defense supply chains

Monday, April 22, 2024 · Brian Straight The passage of a U.S. aid package for Israel and Ukraine comes at a time of an expected increase in commercial aviation manufacturing, adding further pressure to aerospace and defense supply chains.

AI, virtual reality is bringing experiential learning into the modern age

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 · Brian Straight While hybrid and online learning is changing education, technology is also helping experiential learning maintain a strong footing in educating the workforce.

Shining light on procurement’s dark purchases problem

Friday, April 5, 2024 · Brian Straight Many companies do not have processes in place to control procurement spending, leading to millions in wasted dollars from untracked dark purchases.

Electronics Supply Chain Seeks Balance in 2024

Monday, March 25, 2024 · Brian Straight Labor costs continue to rise in the electronics supply chain, but industry research finds materials costs and backlogs easing.