​Over 75% of CEOs consider gender diversity to be a top priority, according to research by McKinsey & Company, but gender balance in E2E supply chain firms is not changing. There are still too few women in senior, business-critical roles. Why does this matter? Failure to improve gender diversity profoundly impacts the bottom line. Study after study demonstrate that diver...

​​90% of CEOs report that diversity is a top business priority, yet the dial towards progress has hardly moved in recent years. A 2017 survey by Supply Chain Insights found that 72% of respondents identified as male and 57% identified as Caucasian.In this guide, we explore the current ‘state of the union’ for women in colour in STEM-related fields and the underlying processe...

​​As the life sciences industry transitions towards complex biopharmaceuticals and highly customized devices and treatments for patients, supply chain operations is also becoming increasingly complex. In the recent report, Dare To Be Different: It’s time to revamp collaboration in life sciences contract manufacturing[1], Accenture describes how life sciences companies and co...

​​In 2018, China’s corporate spending on research and development (R&D) surged by 20%. While PwC reported that Chinese companies spend on R&D grew the most globally in the 12 months to June 2018, at an increase of 34%. However it’s being measured, one thing is clear: Chinese firms are investing heavily in R&D and are almost to the point of parity (in terms of spe...

​This article is continually updated as changes occur during the trade war.The supply chain and procurement industry in 2019 has so far been marked by the escalating trade war between the world’s two largest economies, the US and China, with each country imposing escalating tariffs on the other. Despite a 90-day ceasefire reached at the G20 summit, stakeholders all along the...

​The automotive industry is on the cusp of major disruption. On the horizon are mass-produced electric vehicles fully connected to the Internet of Things, perhaps even ones that drive themselves. On-demand vehicles could change the way people own or rent cars, much in the same way streaming services disrupted audio and video. Therefore, many argue it is crucial auto industry...

​In recent years, the issue of sustainability has become an urgent global topic, with plastic pollution identified as one of the most dire threats to the planet’s survival. Many feel the time is now for corporations and conglomerates that have relied on plastics in the past to find solutions to reduce and recycle throughout their supply chain.​One Word: PlasticsPlastics have...

​Artificial Intelligence is becoming more commonplace in people’s daily lives than ever before. From ‘smart replies’ in email at the click of a button (‘Thanks!’, ‘Let’s do it!’) in response to your email content, chatbots so accurate you think you’re speaking with a real person, to Google’s algorithm of course, using machine learning from previous searches to show you the ‘...

​AI/IoT integrationThe digital transformation is well underway and AI/IoT seems poised to bring revolutionary change to procurement. However, the road will not be easy as the technology is still in its early stages of use; according to Harvard Business Review, just 7% of manufacturers are using it to automate production activities and AI has not been widely adapted in SCM. T...

​As the web of global procurement continues to expand and evolve, so too are the methods used to obtain parts, supplies, and services at optimal price points. Gone are the days of instinct or precedent that made the job somewhat predictable and stable; today’s sourcing specialists must have skills, both tangible and intangible, to help their companies improve their bottom li...

​What is blockchain technology?Invented in 2008, blockchain technology is a distributed database which contains records of digital information that is very difficult to tamper with. It’s a permanent, public record of a chain of transactions, linked using cryptography, accessible to many users who can view and add data. Considered secure by design, it is resistant to modifica...

​The introduction of the Sugar Tax is affecting the way the food and beverage and related industries operate in many ways. From marketing to sourcing, companies are taking new approaches to cut costs and stay competitive.​The Impact of Sugar Tax on the Consumer SectorSignificantly, the new tax has caused the industry to reexamine the amount of sugar they include in every ser...

​Boston is not afraid to do things differently. An open-minded approach to innovation is a key factor behind the region’s phenomenal growth; between 2010 and 2014, the city grew at twice the national rate and added 45,000 new jobs.[1]The willingness to break with convention is also seen in the region’s approach to procuring technology and all related sub-categories. Previous...

​Procurement is fast becoming a more dynamic area for the life sciences industry, with innovations such as blockchain, machine learning and digitization shifting it from a back-office function to a board-level, strategic discipline. Professionals with the skills to drive improved procurement performance are in short supply. A recent CPO survey from Deloitte[1] found that alm...

​​Almost two thirds (63%) of procurement leaders identify automation as a key priority, according to a recent poll by SAP Ariba. Yet, while automation is an important part of digital transformation efforts, it’s not always clear what is meant by the term, or what it means for sourcing talent.​How can automation benefit procurement?Automation is a general term for a range of...

​Supply chains are built on trust. It used to be possible to build personal relationships with the various links in a supply chain, but as trade becomes global and more complex, this is harder and harder to achieve.A weak link in the supply chain, such as a corrupt, unethical or incompetent partner, can rapidly cause reputational damage, compromised quality to the consumer, ...

​Lean and Six Sigma may have been on the radar of supply chain managers for some time, but there has been a certain amount of skepticism surrounding its role in sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes. However, even though these methodologies have fallen in and out of favor with supply chain managers, the value of aligning Lean and Six Sigma within S&OP proces...

​Every business wants to improve operational efficiency, but in healthcare, there is also a focus on improving patient safety.Healthcare organizations are facing a growing pressure to increase the efficiency of care delivery, and quality improvement initiatives offer a solution. Promising to boost performance outcomes, these methodologies can help organizations meet expectat...

​​It is no secret that the pharma industry faces a myriad of challenges. From aggressive competition on generics pricing and expensive clinical trials, to slow drug approval processes and growing expectations of patients, it is clear that life sciences and pharmaceutical companies have to allocate their resources strategically.For many of these companies, efforts are focused...

​Operational Excellence (OpEx) is an area that has been given significant attention in recent years, with management teams in the pharmaceutical sector looking to find new profit avenues by bringing their products to market both quicker and cheaper.The aim of addressing OpEx is to streamline business processes and outgoings to find a balance between lowering costs while main...