TRG Update – April 2008
Welcome to The Results Group’s quarterly update. We are passionate about your success and we have a track record of delivering rapid results that has earned over 80% repeat business with our clients. We have recently revamped our entire website including highlights from several interesting client successes. Please check it out at www.resultsgroup.com and let us know what you think.
In this Update we have highlighted recent trends driving changes in the Supply Chain for logistics providers. We have also been sharing our collective experience and point-of-view in publications and speaking engagements. We welcome your ideas and invite you to provide us with your thoughts. email TRG.
TRG Thought Leadership
The Changing Global Logistics Landscape – Why Should Your Firm Care?
The global logistics outsourcing landscape is changing rapidly. Why should your firm care? Logistics represents not only one of your largest costs, but also a key factor in customer responsiveness and satisfaction. For products such as digitally based photo albums and merchandise, logistics costs rival or even exceed manufacturing and materials costs. With short manufacturing cycles becoming the norm, most of the fulfillment cycle lag apparent to customers is in delivery logistics – the perception of “instant gratification” is gated by logistics execution.
The logistics industry landscape is rooted in warehousing and transportation core competencies, with firms expanding outward. Firms are offering new services to capture more business. Value added functions now include planning, providing real time information, configuring outbound product and triaging returned product.
Logistics Firms Expand from Core Bases to Capture More Spend
In confronting this evolving landscape, two prototype strategies can maximize benefits for your firm: One stop shopping or Disaggregating.
Firms focusing on cost reduction are better off disaggregating sourcing to multiple suppliers, each with lowest cost in a logistics segment. In exchange for low external costs, firms incur more internal costs: people to manage suppliers, management attention, and exposure to interface changes among network players. This path works best when product and business rules can be simplified so that “any” supplier can execute reliably
One stop shopping is preferred when execution is more complicated. Companies pay an integration premium to a supplier who deals with their unique requirements, but get lower internal costs in return. One stop shopping promotes focus on core competencies, and it simplifies rapid capture of growth opportunities. This approach works best when companies invest in relationship management capabilities.
Choosing the right strategy can yield big returns, as opportunity awaits companies ready to leverage the changing logistics landscape for improved business results.
New Clients/Projects
Network Appliance: Process re-engineering for Siebel implementation – Systems Implementation
Palm: International process and system requirements definition – Supply Chain and Reverse Logistics
Seagate: Product Development process effectiveness – New Product/Services Development
Lam Research: Customer Quotation process development – Demand Management
To find out more about TRG’s recent projects and clients – see Client Results at www.resultsgroup.com
TRG in the News
Supply and Demand Chain Executive published an article on – “Customer Support Sourcing – Do It Right to get the Results You Need” written by Bob Berger and Bill Schneiderman of TRG. The article outlines six essential steps for a sourcing strategy that enhances customer experience and shareholder value.
Enterprise Systems published an article on – “Avoiding Five Common Mistakes in RFID Implementations” written by Bill Schneiderman. The article highlights the three most important attributes of system implementations: behavior, behavior and behavior!
To read the articles go to What’s New at www.resultsgroup.com
- Best Practices for Wireless IT Solutions - Panel leader Kevin Steele
Panel members from Kyocera Wireless, Sony Ericsson and Palm discussed best practices in Reverse Logistics management systems
- RL Best Practices in Recycling - Panel leader Emily Rodriguez
Panel members from HP, Walmart, Home Depot, Cisco, Canon, TechTurn and WeRecycle discussed best practices in recycling
TRG Up Front
TRG led two panel discussions at the Reverse Logistics Association Trade Show, Feb, 2008, in Las Vegas, NV.
See for information on future events.
TRG is a sponsor and Track Chairperson for the Warranty and Returns Management track at Interlog Summer 2008, taking place June 9-12, 2008 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Las Vegas.
See for registration information.
In Closing
We focus on turning new challenges into opportunities and take pride in making rapid improvements in business performance by “delivering results” that are operationally embraced by our clients. If you would like some new ideas on your business, contact us at either 650-234-9979 or 949-651-1600.
Bill Schneiderman  |
Kevin J. Steele  |
Mike Sulaver |
If you do not want to receive these updates in the future please send an email to: Unsubscribe
| 800 West El Camino Real, Suite 180 Mountain View, CA 94040 Phone: 650-234-9979 |
15615 Alton Parkway, Suite 450 Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: 949-651-1600 |