Episode 229-Tom French on Supply Chain Optimization-with Lois Sonstegard,PHD

Welcome to Episode 229 of Building My Legacy.

Supply chain management is one of the top issues companies face today. In this — the first of a series of podcasts with supply chain coach Tom French — Tom shares with us the first two steps in his six-part plan for supply chain optimization: gathering data and analyzing that data. According to Tom, once startup companies identify their customers and determine why those customers will buy their products, they concentrate on marketing and sales. “Oftentimes the back end, the warehousing, is an afterthought,” Tom explains, when it should be an integral part of the overall planning process. As more companies face supply-chain-related problems — from back orders on their best-selling products to higher costs for storing items that aren’t selling — Tom delivers a very timely message for business owners.

So if you want to know:

– How looking at the entire process — from raw materials through warehousing — can deliver significant savings … and the main reasons more companies don’t include everything in their planning

– How 80% of your profit is likely to come from 20-30% of the items you sell

– How having multiple vendors for specific raw materials can ensure you’ll always be able to serve your best customers

– The importance of working cooperatively with your retailers so you both make a profit

– Why offshoring manufacturing can be a big mistake


About Tom French

Tom French founded Supply Chain Coach Inc. as a result of his passion to teach and pass on the knowledge he gained through his extensive experience in supply chain optimization. His goal is to help clients learn and perform the steps in his six-step process so they can continue to improve their savings beyond the coaching project. By helping companies create an internal supply chain organization, Supply Chain Coach can eliminate the need to outsource logistic services, optimize transportation technolog