Ten Minutes From Now—Do You Have a Plan?

Supply Chain Management, Transportation, Logistics Solutions ProvidersFelecia Stratton is the editor of Inbound Logistics magazine.While the publisher is focused on planning for a far-off future, I'm focused on providing practical information that you can use in the here and now. Leaf through this edition for the next 10 minutes, and you'll find plenty of practical examples to help you navigate 2020.The content we provide is specialized because the Inbound Logistics audience is different; you have self-identified as being interested in changing your business flow from the "push product at the market" model to one that allows you to answer market demands as seamlessly as possible.Driving a business migration toward becoming a demand-driven enterprise is complex. We try to make that transition easier by offering content that shows how others have solved challenges along that journey. We hope that their solutions will inspire you.For instance, BASF Corp.'s vision for the next six to 12 months is to continue moving from a proactive approach to predictive logistics and shipping operations. It expects operations to be about 80% predictive in 2020 (page 249). In "Reshaping the Supply Chain" (page 108), you'll find several examples of companies implementing dynamic changes to their business operations. For instance, see how leveraging IBM's Sterling Supply Chain Suite limits imbalances in inbound product flow that interrupt manufacturing and sales fulfillment.Many experts tracking transportation costs predict increases in 2020 from 2% to 5% depending on your mode, location, and buying process. Capacity is always fluid and out of your control. But there are ways to offset predicted increases. "Ship More, Pay Less: Controlling Transportation Costs" (page 144) offers advice on holding down direct transportation costs by focusing on three areas: contractual relationships, day-to-day tendering, and invoice audits.If you have more than 10 minutes to spare, check out the many other examples in this expanded edition.As it has for the past 26 years, the January edition spotlights the leaders in logistics in the Logistics Planner (page 289). The companies that chose to participate understand your demand-driven challenge and offer inspiration and solutions that will enable your success as you work to change your business philosophy.Putting the content together with the solutions that the Planner participants offer should make developing your strategy for 2020 in the next 10 minutes, 10 days, 10 weeks, or 10 years (just ask the publisher!) that much easier.