Clearly, why is there a need to change and what are the targets?
It is important to identify what a supply chains wants to achieve out of the process. Keeping the end goal in mind is always important. This might be to reduce certain areas of risk, introduce standards or simply to decrease costs and increase margins.

One of Crickmay’s strengths is data acquisition and turning huge data sets into many powerful strategic, tactical and operational information sets, reaffirming the old adage, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure”. The subtlety is that whilst most supply chains measure components in isolation to each other, resulting in optimisation of certain components that can lead to the detriment of the supply chain as a whole, Crickmay take a supply chain perspective and measure the various components as a whole.

Many supply chains are not sure exactly what their areas of strength, weakness, opportunity and threat are until benchmarked accurately and appropriately. At Crickmay we securely house all data centrally giving us and our clients the advantage of benchmarking all areas of their operations while of course maintaining appropriate confidentially. Best practice internally, across areas, countries, industries even continents are easily generated from many different perspectives using custom developed tools.

It is important that the information and benchmarks generated about the specific supply chain are understood in context by all role-players. Forums/committees are set up with expert facilitation and experience by Crickmay.

Using the information and understanding from the previous four steps it is important to implement change in the supply chain or the process thus far has been futile. What are the ROI, risks, priorities; technical aspects, cost structures, time to implement etc. are all evaluated in a comprehensive scoping process.

Einstein said “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity”. Crickmay has experience in change management and in implementing different technologies and systems to increase the efficiency of the bulk supply chain. By making small changes clients can attain substantial gains with little effort, usually with little change to the system and more often changes in attitude and supply chain visibility. Bigger change requires a fundamental change to the system, involving capital and risk, giving significantly higher returns.

Once a change has been implemented however small, it is important to track improvement, both locally and at a supply chain level. With the Crickmay systems one can ensure that there is no inefficiency transfer and that the change has had a positive impact in the long term.

• Expert supply chain change agents, facilitators and consultants (Economists, Engineers, Business Analysts, IT Specialists and Basic Scientists)
• Custom built and proven large scale bulk supply chain analysis, data processing,
  warehousing and management tools
• A large and growing suite of bulk supply chain improvement solutions,
  mechanisms and systems