#projectlogistics #supplychain #complexity #communication #purchasing #procurement #process #system #pluggedin #unplugged

Just a few systemic challenges over the years, 40 years of experience/summary below and challenges defined. I'm sure you have all seen the same, how do we push through these is the big question? Enjoy the simplified rant ... what wakes me up at 3 AM and keeps me awake?

I'm always astounded in the logic and energy that we put into our processes and direction of thought when it comes to the purchasing and procurement of goods & services.

Whether service via a cell phone service provider, an online purchase, a trip to the store, a vehicle, a house, uber-eats or a more complex purchase of work related products & services such as a critical logistics & complicated project logistics.

So many purchases these days make no sense to me; many an individual seems to have too much money to spend, other's can not afford the basic necessities of life such as housing, food or clothing.

All are driven by realistic and perceived needs, products, promotions, marketing, sales & individual & product relationships and in the end some involve individual choices, directions & funding available especially for work related purchases - cash, service and reputation is king.

Many factors to consider as we purchase our way through life on a daily basis as everything is becoming more expensive seemingly overnight.

A few important simple items when purchasing and procuring complex logistics services for capital projects that are sometimes minimized but are so important as we look to save and cut during economically sensitive times:

• Geographic sourcing - timelines of manufacturing considered, can items be purchased closer to ultimate location sites, with different international tax considerations due to a more intelligent purchasing strategy?
• Pre-planning and full mitigation planning - all items planned, considered and re-considered. Risks identified and values attached to them? What if scenarios?? Logistics mobilization FEED planning - early enough?
• Schedule and design consideration - every item on Gantt charts down to the minute? Change orders considered and reduced? All information present in order to properly review and price?
• Full scope planning from cradle to completion and beyond - every factor considered by a valued intel source?
• Partnership and beyond creating a clear, clean and transparent vision - misunderstanding responsibilities and needs create undue issues which turn into insurmountable problems. Logistics language translated into a common verbiage?
• Commonalities in communication, language and understanding - are apples actually apples and are oranges actually oranges in the end? Do we give enough time to digest, clarify and modify?

Is "all of the above" and so much more done in order to qualify & understand the client's needs?

Q & A to ensure all is understood and explained with continued communication to factor in everything new and updated during the procurement and purchasing process?

Sometimes the larger the client the more complicated the discussions, the increased need to openly communicate and effectively determine what is being asked and what is being offered as a solution.

Too many times this difference in communication and style cause confusion and disagreement which lead to issues and relationship damage.

Ideally, I like to focus on information in and ask questions to determine and translate customer info to a workable format to my/our process.

As everyone communicates differently, the key to success is clarity and questions; focused, relevant and targeted - no answers = no solutions.

It's not that difficult, let's get it right from the start with proper intelligent processes and procurement strategies.

The added-value rant?

To add to these complexities above are the new realities of work in 2024 and beyond. I'm seeing huge gaps in the following areas:

• Supply chain staffing challenges. Within the freight forwarding industry and at the customer level. I see it, I hear it from colleagues & the industry, what are we doing to solve this critical issue?
• No new talent, different ways of thinking and a heavy reliance on technology, work from home, a non-collaborative environment. How do we learn critical thought? From others, alone, within a team? Are we on a team or is this a solo environment now?
• Urgency? What's up with this? Needing everything right away. Whether it's a rate or a actual arrival. The answer is planning. There is no magic formula, things change every day, services are delayed and people can't just make things up such as services and pricing. Supply chains have broken links now. That's the way it is. Nothing is perfect, it never has been perfect and it never will be as much as we try, push, pull and escalate.

The sooner we realize this the better.

The "it is what it is" strategy is strongly at play now unfortunately. Anyone who tells you otherwise isn't doing you a service regardless of who they are and what they are telling you.

I've tried to wrap my head around this having seen so much change over the past 40 years in the transportation industry. Open to discussion if anyone has this secret sauce? Like it or not, that's how I'm calling it!

I've seen things go wrong for years within many organizations. Whether driven by people, systems, service providers, leaders, equipment etc... let's move forward to this sense of reality and truth.

The added-value answer?

Honesty always, partnership, transparency & offering the best service. Thinking with those 4 things in mind we'll be ok. Otherwise nothing will change, confusion will win every time!

#microscopedrop #MikeOut

Plug in or unplug?

In the words of one of my favorite bands, Pink Floyd, "Is there anybody out there?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mike Weiner is a 40+ year career logistics professional focusing on collaborative solutions for regional and global stakeholders, EPCs and equipment manufacturers.

He is adding personal, fresh and innovative project management perspectives to a complex market through customer focused discussion and review.

Offering ANOTHER CHOICE for capital project logistics management, transportation/customs brokerage & supply chain services globally.

MEDIA NOTICE: Thoughts and expressions in this article are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.