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3 Steps to Take Before Embarking on End-to-End Supply Chain

Transformation
SJ Guest
Editorial

New Gartner research indicates that 40 percent of chief supply chain officers report directly to the CEO today, up from
just 12 percent in 2013. The study also shows that 63 percent of CEOs are focused on growth as a top priority in
2014. Priorities in achieving goalsalso called out in the studyinclude:
Standardizing and improving processes
Performance management and analytics
Supply chain strategy
Supply chain technology enablement
But digging a bit deeper, Gartner turned up the following priorities:
Talent management
Benchmarking
Change management
Best practices
The research supports an ever more important rule of thumb in todays fast-moving world of end-to-end supply chain
transformation: Connectivity and collaboration are essential to any operational initiative. But while processes and
technology are vital to connecting internal functions and external partners, the more urgent matter is internal
alignment. Retailers, brands and consumer goods companies have to look inside before looking outside when
attempting to transform the end-to-end supply chain. Three things must be in place organizationally to be successful.
1. Internal alignment: Align the transformation project with the greater vision and corporate goals. Make sure
everyone knows the direct impact of their role. Make it part of the culture.
2. The right talent: Make sure the right people are in place, not just to create the transformation roadmap, but to
deliver and execute on the initiative. The team in place will be the ultimate determining factor of success.
3. The necessary resources: Provide the support, tools, solutions, data, staff and budget to make the
transformation happen. Commit the resources and time.
Internal Alignment
A supply chain transformation is a business transformation. It has the potential to reshape how companies go to
market, redefine markets served, rewrite processes and workflows, repurpose roles and responsibilities, and change
the entire orchestration of global business.
Consider all of the internal departments a transformation could potentially impact and benefit: sales, marketing,
sourcing, procurement, finance, operations, legal and HR, for example. Internal alignment means the entire company
rallying around the initiative. The CEO or a C-level executive is its champion. Its showcased internally as a highprofile project with a tagline and slogan and regular, noticeable updates. Perhaps most important, everyone feels
connected to it. Its part of the culture.

For example, The transformation will free us up to deliver and sell goods in new markets, such as sub-Saharan
Africa. Were researching potential market opportunities right now, or, The transformation initiative will provide
supplier connectivity and visibility to eliminate agents so we can source directly. Were mapping out a plan now to
streamline the flow of purchase orders, amendments, invoices and settlementsand we plan to hit the ground running
when the project is live. Every team and team member understands that theres something in it for me.
The Right Talent
Just as every team and individual should see and understand how the transformation impacts their world, the
transformation leadership team must be able to deliver on the needs of the greater organization. The right talent is
needed to develop a grand vision and then execute it across the organization. This team proactively interprets the
needs of the rest of the organization and meets those needs so that the transformation project moves forward. This
team also serves as the primary communication vehicle. It communicates regularly on updates, what the project
means, how it impacts specific teams and what the value impact will be on the overall company. Talent is no longer
only in the supply chain. End-to-end supply chain transformation requires talent in project management, data analytics
with insights, technology, finance, regulations, compliance and political skills. The supply chain transformation team
becomes almost a microcosm of the broader organizationfully equipped with decision-making officers, operations
leads and sometimes a CFO of the organization.
This means HR becomes a key partner in the supply chain transformation projectfrom planning to execution and
completion. Identifying the roles and skills needed from the outset is essential. At the end of the day, the talent is going
make the difference between success and failure of the project.
The Necessary Resources
The right team in place becomes the foundation. The next layer to enabling success is providing the right tools to
deliver transformation. This requires commitment. Budget, time and resources must be made available from the start.
Company leadership should understand that this is a long-term initiative with significant ROI down the road. But this
requires a well-defined vision and ongoing patience and resolve to keep working toward the final prize. When sales
dip or revenue falls, this isnt a pet project that can be lopped off. But what exactly is enough time, resources and
budget? Finding these answers demands significant time and research assessing where the organization stands
today and determining where strengths and weaknesses lie. Do I have the infrastructure to facilitate and execute this
plan? Does my internal IT model provide the foundation for end-to-end supply chain visibility? Am I relying too much
on ERP, EDI and portals for our vision to become reality? Are we setting up the supply chain to function as a network,
and do we have a multitenant underpinning?
Having the right resources includes having the plans and opportunities to capture ROI with quick wins along the way.
Theres no rule that says you must have a fully baked internal infrastructure, solution and model in place before
kicking off the transformation initiative. As you conclude early stages in the project, you should explore opportunities
to plug in visibility initiatives that, for example, deliver transparency and orchestration for a specific product line or
region. If benefits can be achieved six months into the two-year project, why not take advantage of that?
Capturing ROI
End-to-end supply chain transformation is only as effective as the personnel, plans and processes within the four
walls of the organization. These are the foundation upon which visibility, collaboration and agility are built. Its
important to gain support at the top and drive the right culture. Get the right people energized and onboard to drive
successful change. Provide the right tools. Recognize the strengths and weaknesses of your enterprise systems,
processes and teamand then make adjustments based on the grand vision. With this in hand, the technology part of
the equationwhich is never easybecomes much more manageable and valuable.

Authors
Jamie OHalloran of GT Nexus has more than 15 years of global supply chain technology experience and is an
authority on end-to-end supply chain visibility. Cort Jacoby and Praveen Kishorepuria, both of Kurt Salmon, are end to
end supply chain experts, who together have more than 35 years of experience advising retail and consumer products
supply chain executives.