___________________________________________________________________________________________ Risk
Management
BUILDING AGILITY
Successfully navigating risk management and staying competitive with flexible freight solutions
One of the key topics at the most recent UN Global Supply Chain Forum was just how volatile the global trade system has become . For supply chains to survive the near-constant disruption from changing markets and geopolitical issues , speakers at the forum overwhelmingly pointed to the need for more resilient supply chains . That resiliency , however , rests on agility . Let ’ s dig into what supply chain agility means , the solutions that make it possible , and why embracing a flexible freight system isn ’ t just a matter of supply chain survival but competitive dominance .
Understanding agility
Supply chain agility essentially refers to a company ’ s ability to adjust in the face of change . If a spike in demand requires products to be redirected or a crisis blocks a major route , can the supply chain be reorganized and still successfully get goods to their desired destination on time ?
The answer to that question largely indicates how agile a company ’ s supply chain is . It ’ s also what often defines their ability to succeed in a fast-paced economy . Market shifts are only a problem if a company isn ’ t nimble enough to respond . Those that can , however , tend to come out on top .
Deloitte defines supply chain agility as the difference between defensiveness and responsiveness . Where supply chain management has historically focused on trying to prevent disruption , that ’ s no longer enough to stay competitive . The market is too quick , and there are too many other companies waiting to steal your position . An agile supply chain is all about embracing the inevitable disruptions and using that as an advantage so that it ’ s no longer just about surviving but thriving .
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