Supply Chain best practices

Some of the key supply chain problems faced by companies worldwide are - overproduction, excess inventory, high cycle time, low flexibility, high defects and low human and machine efficiency.

However, there are a number of tools available that can help supply chain professional overcome these problems.

The 3 step process to reduce the supply chain waste is

1) Identify waste through value map analysis

2) Perform root cause analysis to find cause of waste

3) Use problem solving tools to eliminate waste

The tried and true tools of problem solving tools include

1) USP Analysis

2) Greiner Curve

3) BCG Matrix

4) Core competence analysis

5) Critical success factors

6) Porter 5 forces

Reliance's foray in telecommunications

1. Reliance bought the pan India broadband wireless access from Infotel for usd 1 billion. In addition the reliance industries will pay the government 2.8 billion

2. Reliance was able to buy Infotel after cancelling the non compete agreement with brother Anil Ambani

3. BWA so far does not allow voice transmission. But reliance industries is expected to over come the hurdle

4. Voice has also been commoditized in India and transmitting other types of data will open blue oceans for the reliance industries.

5. The Indian government should also be commended on the way they handled the bidding process and liberated the telecommunications industry

6. The bidding process allowed for multiple phases and allowed to create highly competitive market for Indian companies that have acquired global capabilities