Boeing is struggling to handle supply chain problems that are impeding its production and delivery capabilities for the 737 Max. The company has installed teams to better hone procurement efforts in areas such as semiconductors, engines and raw materials, but Chief Financial Officer Brian West says, "We continue to experience real constraints."
Amazon's second-quarter sales were more than initially forecasted, and fulfillment expenses increased 14%, which was less than predicted. "Despite continued inflationary pressures in fuel, energy and transportation costs, we're making progress on the more controllable costs we referenced last quarter, particularly improving the productivity of our fulfillment network," Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said.
Dollar General will open three distribution centers in Arkansas, Colorado and Oregon by the end of next year. The company expects to hire as many as 1,100 new employees to staff the facilities.
Changes in technology and processes are the best ways to survive continuing supply chain volatility, according to Dave Food, Board International's supply chain chief. Capitalizing on data, ensuring a broad view of the supply chain and highlighting sustainability are three keys, Food writes.
Supply chain disruptions may soon be coming to an end, as suppliers become more strategic about their ports and partners collaborate more. Distributors can use technology to help make better and more efficient decisions, which will ensure cost control and customer satisfaction, MicroTouch's Jason Ford writes.
Instead of spending months striving to develop the perfect marketing campaign, use the "marketing by modification" method, in which you get started quickly and then adjust your approach as necessary, writes Alexa Dagostino, founder and CEO of Thynktank Coaching. "If you wait to finally get the vision you have in your head to come to life the way you imagined it, you are wasting time you could be creating an even more successful campaign," Dagostino writes.
Customer engagement platforms will become valuable additions to customer relationship and data platforms that enable marketers to mine disparate data points, find truths about each customer and open new doors for engagement, writes Daniel Newman, Broadsuite Media Group CEO. Newman predicts software leaders will soon play up the value of customer engagement platforms as "enterprises look to move from relationships to deep meaningful engagements."
Your team may perceive you as negative if you're constantly pointing out the obstacles to new ideas, so be sure to offer affirmation and reframe challenges as opportunities, writes David Dye. Also, keep an eye on your own energy, Dye writes, recommending that if you're tired, ask others to bring you their ideas when you're feeling refreshed.
SMART goals can keep leaders focused on specific objectives that are measured and realistic, but DUMB goals are worthy too, because, as Robert Whipple writes, they are "Doable, Uncompromising, Manageable, and Beneficial." DUMB goals, Whipple writes, take into account how stretched resources have become, refocus a company on the basics of good business and help leaders determine whether operations are benefiting the world at large.
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