Global MBA | Dynamic Hospitality Leader | Director of Sales & Conventions | Expert in Revenue Growth and Guest Satisfaction
Keeping Supply Chains Steady in a Shaky World: If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it’s that supply chains can unravel fast. A single disruption in one region can send shockwaves through an entire network. The big question is: how do we make supply chains more stable without slowing them down? EY’s latest article on decoupling and synchronization got me thinking about just that. Decoupling: The Shock Absorber of Supply Chains Think of decoupling points as buffers—inventory nodes or production stages that act like shock absorbers, isolating disruptions so they don’t throw everything off balance. Toyota and Honda learned this lesson the hard way after the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami. They had to rethink risk mitigation, from shifting key suppliers to diversifying production hubs. Their takeaway? Anticipate disruptions before they happen and have a plan in place. Synchronization: Keeping the Rhythm Right Decoupling alone isn’t enough—you also need synchronization, making sure everything moves in harmony. That’s where Demand-Driven MRP (DDMRP) comes in. Instead of reacting to demand changes with guesswork, DDMRP helps businesses adjust production in real time, reducing stockouts and excess inventory. If you want to dive deeper, check out the Demand Driven Institute for a solid breakdown. The Bigger Picture: Sustainability and Risk Planning Supply chains today aren’t just about speed and cost—they’re about sustainability and resilience. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report highlights climate change as a growing threat, with extreme weather disrupting transportation, energy, and production. That’s why companies like Konica Minolta have stepped up with ethical sourcing roadmaps, ensuring suppliers meet sustainability standards while staying competitive. More on that here https://lnkd.in/eqMTVssx. What’s Next? Predictive Planning The future of supply chains isn’t just about reacting to disruptions—it’s about predicting them. Outside-in planning, which taps into real-time demand signals and external data, is becoming the new standard. Companies that integrate AI-driven forecasting, sustainability efforts, and risk mitigation strategies will be the ones that thrive. Want to see how the World Economic Forum is shaping the future of supply chain sustainability? Take a look here https://lnkd.in/e57SiATS. Acknowledgment Big thanks to EY 's Christian Kroschl for his thought provoking article decoupling and synchronization in supply chains: https://lnkd.in/eKjW9dXG. Thank you to Macquarie University for shaping my perspective on supply chain resilience through my recently completed Global MBA.
