Christmas is around the corner, and kids across the country are making their lists and checking them twice. Families are planning road trips and holiday vacations. Restaurants are preparing for the busy season and home chefs are organizing menus for family feasts. ย
And then our attentionโฏabruptlyโฏshifts to the supply chain.โฏย
Internet personalities, The Holderness Family, recently released a light-hearted song poking fun at supply chain shortages and delays. While the catchy tune makes me smile, it illustrates the troubling reality so many people face.ย ย
Sure, weโll have to be flexible about where weโll travel, what weโll eat, andโฏwhat gifts weโll give this holiday season. These concerns are real and will impact almost everyone. But itโs important not to forget about the other side of the coin. The supply chain crisis impacts countless companies, industries, and peopleโs livelihoods, and the risk of a painful fallout is just around the corner.ย ย
Just how bad is it?ย
If manufacturers canโt get the parts they need for their products, they arenโt able to build them. If there arenโt any completed products, there arenโt any shipments. If there arenโt any shipments, there isnโt anything for consumers to buy. Without consumer sales, manufacturers donโt make the money they need to hit earnings targets. And if they donโt hit targets, they have to make tough choices.ย ย
Manufacturers across the country are struggling with shipping delays, shortages, and the resulting refund requests. And while these challenges mean consumers may not get the latest gadgets for Christmas, thereโs more at stake than unfulfilled wish lists. These obstacles impact manufacturersโ revenue, margins, and ultimately, peopleโs livelihoods. It certainly puts our Christmas lists into perspective, doesnโt it?โฏย ย
Navigating the complex, layered, and time-sensitive problems that come with the supply chain crisis is a monumental task. So how do we even begin to wrap our arms around it?โฏย
We start atโฏ10,000 feet.โฏย
We help show whatโs possible.
To successfully modernize, manufacturers must first see whatโs possible. As a business partner, itโs not enough to simply respond to requests for help. If we just focus on whatโs broken, we fall short. Above all, we must bring our wisdom to manufacturers and paint a picture of what could be. We must also show what it will take to get there, the obstacles and challenges our partners can expect along the way, and whatโฏvalue transformation will bring.ย ย
We meet customers on the plant floor.โฏย
We look, listen, and learn.โฏโฏย
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Vision alone is not enough.โฏTo paint the vision for tomorrow, we need to understand manufacturersโ today.โฏWe need to look, listen, and learn so we can understand the environment theyโre living in, day in and day out. This helps us relate, reason, and respond and ultimately connect vision with transformation. We ask ourselves the following questions:ย
- Is our customer struggling to stay in business or compete on a global platform?
- Are they overwhelmed by an increasing weight of technical debt, aging machines, and infrastructure costs?ย ย
- Are they fighting for workers with heightened salaries and expectations?ย
- Are they pressured to consider climate and sustainability along with everything else?ย ย
We understand these struggles and have the expertise to help our manufacturing customers overcome them. Weโre passionate about using our technical acumen to help manufacturers leverage various technologies, align with new or existing processes, and enable their people to use new systems for the betterment of customers.โฏโฏย
We find the connections.ย
We build the blueprint.โฏย
After gaining an understanding of the unique customer struggles and crafting a vision for the future, itโs time to build a strategy. Atโฏtheโฏintersection ofโฏmachines, minds, and mechanicsโฏisโฏthe plan for execution.โฏ A clear, overarching strategy is key to executing and getting to the desired results. And these results come from having a connected strategy, not siloed strategies stitched together. Building a connected strategy, or Connected Blueprint, is where MCA Connect stands out.ย
With custom recommendations and a tailored plan, the Connected Blueprint helps manufacturers overcome obstacles and challenges, even during times of chaos and uncertainty. Especially in times of chaos and uncertainty.ย ย
Connecting you to a brighter future.ย
Bringing customers empathy in action.ย
I have much to learn aboutโฏthe heart ofโฏmanufacturing, the intricate and extended nature of a supply chain, and global economics. While I continue to learn from our manufacturing experts and customers across the country, I know one thing for certain. It is a great privilege โ and an important responsibility – to serve our customers during this complex business climate. I have an entirely new perspective on the importance of supply chain resiliency and the connections that enable our customers’ success.ย
If you need help navigating todayโs supply chain challenges with a Connected Blueprint, weโd love to talk with you further! Contact us today to get started.
Author: Lori Borg, Chief Growth Officer
