The why, what if, and why not of the supply chain

In today's business world, thinking outside the box is more important than ever. To be successful, you can't just do things the way they've always been; you must constantly innovate and find new ways to improve. This quote from Josh Linkner, "When you ask 'why,' 'what if,' and 'why not,' you force yourself to explore what's possible and not just what is," sums up this idea perfectly.

In the supply chain, this mindset is critical. The landscape is constantly changing, and those who can adapt and evolve will be the ones who succeed. So, let's take a closer look at what this quote means for the supply chain industry and how executives can use it to drive innovation within their organizations.?

The Why of the Supply Chain Industry?

Asking "why" is all about trying to understand the rationale behind something. In the supply chain industry context, this means understanding why specific processes are in place and whether or not there might be a better way to do things.?

For example, let's say your distribution center has always hired and managed its own workforce, never considering partnering with a workforce solution provider. The current labor model works well enough, but you're starting to wonder if there might be a more efficient way to do things.

Asking "why" would prompt you to evaluate the current labor model system and try to identify its weaknesses. For example, maybe there's a workforce solution that could help streamline operations. Or maybe there's a different way of staffing for rapid growth, temporary needs, or seasonal employment. When you ask "why," you're forced to think critically about existing processes and procedures, which can often lead to finding ways to improve them.

The What If of the Supply Chain Industry?

"What if" questions are all about possibilities—identifying potential solutions to problems or brainstorming new ideas that could improve your organization's supply chain operations.?For example, your company struggles with productivity, unit labor costs, and turnover.

By asking "what if," you're opening up your thinking and exploring different options that could help solve problems or improve your organization's bottom line.?You could ask, "what if" we looked at outsourcing our unloading and receiving department to a managed labor services provider? Or "what if" we looked at a workforce solution to handle our order selection? These possible solutions can help increase productivity, reduce unit labor costs, and remove the costly distraction of dealing with turnover in those departments.

The Why Not of the Supply Chain Industry?

When you ask "why not," you're effectively saying that you're open to change—that you're willing to try something new, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. And in today's business world, complacency is dangerous. Organizations must constantly innovate to stay ahead of the competition and look for new ways to improve their operations.?

That's why supply chain leaders need to embrace a "why not" mindset within their organizations. So when someone comes up with a new idea, don't immediately write it off because it doesn't fit with the way things have always been done; consider it carefully and ask yourself if there might be merit in giving it a try. You never know—it just might be exactly what your organization needs to take its supply chain operations to the next level.

Conclusion:?

In today's business world, it's more important than ever to think outside the box—to constantly innovate and find new ways to improve upon existing processes and procedures. This quote from Josh Linkner perfectly sums up this mindset: "When you ask 'why,' 'what if,' and 'why not,' you force yourself into exploring what's possible instead of just what is."?

In what ways can you think outside the box to improve your organization's supply chain operations?