Three keys for success

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INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER – VOLUME 45 NUMBER 1

BY JAMES A. TOMPKINS

My first key is that strategy always must come before structure. Example, before starting the layout of a manufacturing facility, you must understand the strategy that the facility will accomplish.

The second key is that the strategy must be defined with enough specifics and clarity to be able to communicate it to all stakeholders – investors, management, employees, suppliers and customers – so that they “get it” and are aligned with the strategy. So we have to know and understand about our target market, products, services, value proposition and our capabilities.

With this in mind, here is the third key and my main point: The supply chain is the vehicle that delivers a company’s strategy to the marketplace. The supply chain is the tool that brings the strategy to life. It leverages our capabilities to deliver products, services and value proposition to target markets.