More often than not, I get the following questions about my company, “So, how many employees do you currently have? or “How big is your team?” I really love this question, not because of the question itself, but the answer that I have been able to prepare, being that I have heard it so many times. Here it goes. It is not about the size of your team, but the “right” people and their supporting training, processes, and tools, the “right stuff.” Sure, these may not be the answers to all your problems, however, attaining the right people and right stuff, will lead you down the path to long term supply chain success.
Who said logistics is a stand-alone function of the supply chain? Over the past decade, consumer electronics has become one of the fastest growing but also most volatile markets. With its quickly evolving technology and short product lifespans the ability to adapt, particularly with logistics, is a key factor for a company’s long-term sustainability.
Supply Chain professionals at early stage ventures and high growth technology companies face unique challenges compared to their peers at large, established Fortune 1000 companies. It is true that many of the same best practices apply but it is often the application of these best practices where many professionals stumble.
Startups often put a great deal of emphasis on engineering, marketing, and sales in the early product development stages. It is no surprise that these three business functions are essential in launching a successful high growth company. There are also circumstances where products are an early grand slam and less of a sales effort is required.
Startups by definition are new, often fragile, organizations that are one or two major commercial mistakes away from going out of business. Thus mitigating major commercial mistakes can dramatically increase a new venture’s chances for long term survival. Further avoiding commercial mistakes all together and instead turning commercial challenges into advantages can position a startup on a path for long term success.
