Strategies for Coping With Ongoing Supply Chain Disruptions
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations have faced supply chain disruptions. Many provinces and territories have experienced these challenges that resulted from border closures, movement restrictions and business shutdowns. A recent survey conducted by Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters found that 9 out of 10 Canadian manufacturers are facing supply chain issues.
Additionally, over one-quarter (28.2 per cent) of businesses expect difficulty acquiring inputs, products or supplies domestically over the next three months, according to Statistics Canada. As such, organizations have had to adapt and find ways to operate despite these challenges.
The following are a few strategies your organizations can implement to cope with ongoing supply chain disruptions:
- Allow for extra lead time. Consider planning ahead by placing orders earlier than normal. This will provide extra time for the supplies to reach their destination before they are actually needed.
- Re-evaluate processes. Take a look at every element of your organization’s process to see if there are areas that can be altered. There may be steps in the process that can be eliminated or combined to cut down on supplies or time.
- Find local solutions. If your organization is relying on international partners, consider finding closer solutions that will take less time to transport. Not only can you cut back on shipping times, but you will also be supporting a local business.
- Be transparent. Supply chain disruptions can still be unpredictable, no matter how much you prepare for them. The best thing you can do is communicate challenges with clients, partners and customers and offer possible solutions for unexpected delays.
- Adopt new technologies. New technologies can help save time and reduce costs. Some organizations even use artificial intelligence to help process supply chain data and make more informed decisions.