How can companies use corporate advisory to improve their supply chain management?

1 What is corporate advisory?

Corporate advisory is a service that provides strategic, financial, and operational advice to companies on various aspects of their business, such as mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, restructuring, valuation, governance, and risk management. Corporate advisors are experts who have extensive knowledge and experience in different industries, markets, and regulations. They can help companies identify and evaluate opportunities, challenges, and solutions for their growth and performance.

2 How can corporate advisory help with SCM?

Corporate advisory can offer companies with SCM a range of advantages, depending on their objectives and requirements. For instance, it can help improve the design and optimization of the supply chain network by selecting the best suppliers, partners, locations, modes, and routes for sourcing, production, distribution, and delivery. Additionally, corporate advisory can enhance visibility and control of supply chain operations through data analytics, digital platforms, and automation to monitor and manage inventory, orders, shipments, quality, and costs. Furthermore, it can reduce risks and costs associated with supply chain disruptions by developing contingency plans, diversifying sources and markets, securing contracts and insurance, and implementing best practices and standards. Finally, corporate advisory can increase the value and sustainability of supply chain performance by finding new ways to boost customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention as well as reduce environmental and social impacts.

3 What are the challenges of corporate advisory for SCM?

Corporate advisory for SCM is not a one-size-fits-all solution, as it requires an in-depth knowledge of the company's objectives, capabilities, and constraints, in addition to external factors that influence the supply chain. Challenges of corporate advisory for SCM include aligning the corporate strategy with the supply chain strategy, balancing trade-offs and synergies of supply chain performance, and managing changes and transformations of the supply chain processes, systems, and culture. This includes making sure that decisions support the company's vision and values, finding an optimal level of efficiency and quality for competitive advantage, and overcoming resistance to implementation of new solutions.

4 How to choose the right corporate advisor for SCM?

Choosing the right corporate advisor for SCM is a critical decision that can have a significant impact on the company's success and reputation. Companies should, therefore, take into account a variety of factors when selecting a corporate advisor for SCM. These include the expertise and experience of the advisor in the company's industry, market, and supply chain domain, as well as the reputation and credibility of the corporate advisor in the market. Additionally, companies should consider the approach and methodology of the corporate advisor in providing advice, such as scope, depth, and duration of analysis, tools and techniques used, involvement and communication with company's team, and deliverables and outcomes expected. Finally, fees and terms of the corporate advisor should be taken into account, including basis, structure, frequency of payment, incentives and guarantees, confidentiality and exclusivity, and rights and obligations of both parties.