The chief executive waited until the waiter had cleared the plates before he asked the question he’d clearly been saving all evening. “We’ve been listening to our customers for years,” he said. “Surveys, focus groups, journey maps, advisory panels, the lot. So why aren’t we connecting with them any better?” I gave him the kind
Customer Experience Is What Execution Feels Like to the Customer Read More »
An executive observation on where strategic value can be lost between decisions, commitments and delivery.
Execution Leakage: Where Strategy Quietly Loses Value Read More »
Early in my career I worked for a remarkable manager. He could settle almost any dispute with a single phone call. Suppliers and colleagues alike depended upon him. I admired him greatly. Then he took a month off. I soon discovered that the whole department had rested on him picking up that phone. Some leaders
The Best Leaders Make the System Less Dependent on Them Read More »
I’ve spent a considerable part of my career working with systematic approaches to Operational Excellence: Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, Value Stream Mapping, root cause analysis, statistical methods, Kaizen, the whole daunting arsenal of tools and techniques. They’re all valuable. I’ve used them, taught them, seen them deliver real, serious, powerful improvements. I’ve also watched organisations
Operational Excellence Is a Management System, Not a Toolkit Read More »
JAMES AMOAH, CEO
This blog features an insightful interview between David Bach and Peter Schwartz, the father of modern scenario planning. Schwartz emphasises the importance of intellectual diversity in scenario planning and recalls failures caused by a lack of diverse perspectives. The blog discusses the power of stories in scenario planning and their ability to captivate and provide valuable insights. Schwartz’s optimism and practical insights on managing uncertainty and crises are seen as reasons to watch the interview.
Shock Planning: Taking the Long View Read More »
JAMES AMOAH, CEO
This blog discusses the prevailing apocalyptic predictions about sentient AI triggered by the launch of ChatGPT and draws parallels with the author’s fictional narrative about AI in business. The paper emphasises that while AI is transformative, the predictions are often exaggerated and highlights the limitations of programmes like ChatGPT. The author argues that human trust, commitment, intuition and personal judgement are still irreplaceable in decision-making and worries about the impact of technology on human cognitive abilities and critical thinking.
Apocalypse But Not Now: ChatGPT & the Supply Chain Read More »
JAMES AMOAH, CEO
This blog post explores the relevance of lean philosophy in modern manufacturing amidst changing market dynamics and disruptive events such as the pandemic and sanctions. It highlights how the assumptions of lean have been challenged, leading to the need for a new paradigm that prioritises resilience over traditional efficiency. The author highlights the need for companies to adapt and rethink their objectives in order to navigate the vagaries of the current economic and political landscape.
JAMES AMOAH, CEO
This blog post explores the concept of storytelling to overcome supply chain challenges using an episode from the Korean series “Hello Me” from TV When a company that makes snacks cuts ties with an organic strawberry farm because of a late delivery, it causes a drastic drop in sales. The product development team applies a narrative approach and uses creative treats to restore the trust of the farm owners. This example highlights the importance of understanding human emotions and relationships in supply chain dynamics and taking a broader perspective beyond conventional metrics.
Strawberry Fields Forever Read More »
JAMES AMOAH, CEO
This blog challenges the fading utopian ideals of “globalisation” and looks at the complex dynamics of international relations. It highlights the rise of nationalism, the impact of the pandemic on supply chains and the emergence of regional self-sufficiency trends. The author emphasises the interconnections created by technology and trade, creating a reality in which global linkages remain stable despite political interference. The evolving landscape of networked regionalism is explored, suggesting that supply chains will operate within continental regions rather than across them. The blog concludes with a reference to the growing importance of intellectual resources in a digitised world where talent and innovation transcend borders.
After Globalization, a Supply Chain Perspective Read More »
JAMES AMOAH, CEO
This blog disrupts the prevailing crisis narrative around supply chains and opens up an optimistic perspective for the industry and its professionals. The author’s reflections on a recent conference on supply chains, which was characterised by pessimism, highlight the need for resilience. Three key orientations are presented: holistic, optimal and narrative, emphasising the importance of comprehensive solutions, balance and human perspective. The blog encourages readers to embrace this multi-faceted optimism and expect innovative solutions.
Thinking About The Supply Chain Read More »
