Grey Silver Lining in

Supply Chain
A Post-Disruptive Context

Since last week of December, 2019 the world is on ‘paused’ by the spreading of newly
identified Corona virus (COVID-19). Originated from Wuhan city, the state capital of
Hubei province of People’s Republic of China, in very short span of time it’s grasped
the whole world and compelled us to behave in a disabled manner.

It’s a paradigm shift for entire human civilization. Individuals, businesses, governments
are started to respond in inquisitive way for betterment of large. Peoples are started
to imbibe ‘new normal’ of living, dwelling with the uncertainties. Everything is paused
in manner that unable to visualize anything further.

World Health Organization (WHO) tagged this crisis situation as ‘pandemic’ worldwide.

Millions of people lost their life, lost their jobs, lost their livelihood across the globe.
Yet to determine the actual damage. Darkest hour for human civilizations. The
repercussions of this outbreak are being felt more severely with every passing moment,
and despite the unprecedented steps and cumulative efforts undertaken by inclusive
manner, the virus continues to rampage unchecked across the globe.

Goods and services are not readily available, and we’re seeing price fluctuations as
demand across the globe far exceeds the supply. “Under normal circumstances, the
global market regulates itself. But we are now in an unprecedented situation, where
there is neither an automatic correction of the markets nor a global regulation in place
to address market failures.”

Global economy is set to shrink and trades are set to plunge. Apart from the daily
essentials everything is considered luxury. People started to live in very skeptical way.
Obstacles and challenges are much deeper. Most disrupted supply chain across all
verticals. The movement of the materials is just halted.

But it’s human race and it’s called human life. Life will find a way to turnaround. In a
conclusive and reactive manner entire civilization wake up and started to move. The
morning has come to start. Opportunities are awaiting at the door step. Emphasis on
the new thoughts are became necessity in ‘new normal’

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”

- Albert Einstein -

Continuous end-to-end assessment, planning optimization and monitoring is required to

re-shape the across supply chain. Short term dilemma to long term opportunities all are
coming under rigorous scrutiny. Dwelling with the disruptive and in the midst crisis,
alternate thinking or plan B is inevitable feature to prepare for next wave.

Life First: This is the main essence of the present time. Irrespective of color, creed
and community everything is last, just life first. Health and safety is the most priority
aspects at this moment for the whole humankind. Governments, Non-Governments,
Corporates, Businesses all are collectively mandated life first and rest of the things will
be taken care of later. Post disruption era, we need to identify and re-direct the
resources for future ready; disruption ready. Re-skilling them for more efficient and
agile outcomes.

Alternate Methods: This disruption has compelled us to think for alternatives in each
functions of supply chain. Short-term constraints to Mid-term risks to Long-term bets
all are needs to review, needs to re-look to re-shape it. Development of alternate
supply base, managing upstream and downstream suppliers to Tier-I, Tier-II suppliers.
Forge the long term alliances with lean & reliable supplier base. Implementation of
strategic sourcing: centralized procurement, rate contracts, category wise buy. Identify
the core business activity and outsource the non-core activity, re-engineering products
and services across the value chain. Finding avenues of alternate & integrated mobility
solutions.
Technology Driven: In last 100 years technology has taken a leap with its manifold
outcomes and became one of the key driver of progress for civilization. Managing
regular businesses are no longer as usual. Just like this disruption, everything can be
upside down in just a glance. To stay in the business sustainable business models,
automated operations needs to inculcate. Decisions will not be based only on facts and
sheets, it will be based on Analytics, AI, Data Mining and Machine Learning. Evolving
technology has opened the door of enormous opportunity, we have to just tap it.

Smart Funds: Transactions were halted and money rolling was stopped. Individuals and
organizations are cautious towards spend. Suddenly, we have started to focus to count
every penny and each ounce. On returning to business, demand will not be peaked. It
will take time to stabilize things. So, funds are more valuable now for everybody.
Preserving of funds and managing smartly for foreseeable future is the need to sustain.

Innovative Future: In the long run, innovation is inevitable to sustain. And we have to
prepare to deal with the natural as well as man-made disasters and other severe
disruptions. To react with confidence we need to innovate things with collaborative
manner.

And we have to lead with purpose & excellence to reshape the future of greater
resilience in larger, stronger & higher way of life.