Tools for Effective Supply Chain Partnerships

According to the Thomson Reuters 2024 Global Trade Report, 81% of respondents highlight the critical role of sustainability in supply chain management. As regulations like CS3D, CBAM, and CSRD ramp up, integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into supply chain management is becoming standard practice. But we all know suppliers hate surveys, and this kind of data can be hard to access. The right tools can make a difference. By leveraging new approaches to data, automating processes, and continuously monitoring operations, businesses can navigate the complexities of compliance while building resilient, sustainable supply chains that generate increasing value. Here's a breakdown of key supply chain data solutions: Supply Chain Management Solutions: • Sedex: Collaborative platform for ethical and sustainable supplier data. • Avetta: Focuses on supplier risk management. • Sphera: Provides ESG and risk management software. • SAP: Offers ERP systems with sustainability modules. • Dun & Bradstreet: Supplies comprehensive supplier compliance data. Innovative New Players: • Kloopify: Simplifies procurement sustainability with data insights. • ctrl+s GmbH: Builds low-carbon, circular supply chains. • DitchCarbon: Provides real-time carbon intelligence for supply chains. • Veridion: Delivers AI-driven insights into suppliers’ ESG profiles. Tier 2 Solutions: • Exiger: Manages supply chain risks, including deeper tier insights. • Resilinc: Offers advanced risk mitigation for supply chain resilience. • Altana AI: Applies AI to a vast network of company data to help visualize global value chains The landscape is rapidly evolving, and the right tools can mean the difference between a compliant, sustainable supply chain and a missed opportunity. What tools are you using in your approach? Are there any I’ve missed? Reference: Thomson Reuters 2024 Global Trade Report -https://lnkd.in/gs9CcJ8a

Your 3PL isn't just a vendor—it's the single biggest lever you're ignoring. We ship 35,000 orders monthly with a tiny 0.16% error rate. Here's how we turned our logistics from a headache into a competitive advantage... When I tell other founders our error rate is 0.16%, they don't believe me. That's just 50 mistakes in 35,000 monthly orders. If we had settled for “industry standard” rates of 1-3%, that would = 350 to 1050. This isn't luck. It's the difference between a service provider and a true partner in your business. Most founders underestimate the complexity behind the scenes: • Multiple product variations • Bundled offers • Flash promotions • Custom inserts • Subscription management • Retail allocation One small mistake in any of these compounds into customer service nightmares, retention issues, negative brand perception, and cash flow problems. Here’s how we deal with this → Our 3PL built us an HOURLY inventory tracking system with near-perfect accuracy for over six years. Do you obsess over attribution models for your marketing spend but accept outdated weekly inventory counts? That's madness. Real-time inventory visibility changes EVERYTHING: • Confident marketing decisions • Better cash flow management • Proactive stock planning • Prevention of stockouts But the biggest unlock isn't technology — it's communication. We have 20+ dedicated Slack channels with our 3PL team, designed to help organize every possible scenario from customs delays to bundle changes. When something critical happens, we can text their leadership directly. We actually take it on step further with them and have our main rep, JOIN our weekly all hands. This way there are no surprises for them (or us). EVER. Now, tell me a 3PL that's willing to do that? This isn't standard. This is a TRUE partnership. Something you need to forge with your key supply chain vendors. The moment I knew we had something special came a few years ago... When we were about to stock out during a major promotion, our account manager called me at 11pm. But it wasn’t to report the problem, it was to share their solution. ❤️ Other reasons our 3PL works for us: → They're centrally located in the US, providing exceptional blended shipping rates. → Their pricing model has no surprises - we know our costs based on order volume. But most importantly, they treat Obvi like their own business. If you're in the market for a 3PL that truly understands DTC brands and can scale with you, DM me. I don't recommend partners lightly, but this relationship has been transformative for our business.

Nerd alert. I chatted with someone about supplier portals this morning. Got me thinking that I should probably share some intel on what a supplier portal actually does and why they can be beneficial. What is a Supplier Collaboration Portal? Software that enables businesses to collaborate with their suppliers in real-time. It serves as a single point of access, allowing authorized stakeholders, including buyers, suppliers, and logistics partners, to interact, share information, and conduct transactions efficiently. Who Benefits from Supplier Collaboration Portals? 1. Buyers: gain improved visibility into supplier performance, enabling better decision-making based on data-driven insights. Streamlined processes lead to cost savings and increased efficiency in the procurement cycle. 2. Suppliers: experience several advantages when they collaborate through dedicated portals. They gain access to real-time updates on demand, enabling them to optimize their production schedules and inventory levels. Timely order notifications and simplified order fulfillment processes enhance supplier responsiveness, leading to improved customer satisfaction. Suppliers can track their performance metrics and identify areas for improvement. 3. Logistics Partners: collaboration portals facilitate smoother communication and coordination. Real-time tracking of shipments, streamlined logistics management, and simplified documentation processes reduce delays and errors, ultimately benefiting all parties involved. What pain points are addressed by Supplier Collaboration Portals? 1. Manual Processes and Errors Traditional procurement processes involving paper-based documents and manual data entry are prone to errors, delays, and miscommunications. 2. Lack of Visibility In a complex supply chain, businesses may struggle to gain real-time visibility into supplier activities and performance. A supplier portal provides comprehensive insights, enabling better decision-making and risk management. 3. Communication Gaps Miscommunication between buyers and suppliers can lead to delays, inventory imbalances, and damaged relationships. Portals promote clear and direct communication, resolving potential misunderstandings in a timely manner. 4. Data Silos Without a centralized platform, data often remains siloed across different systems and business processes, hindering comprehensive analysis. Supplier portals integrate data from various sources, presenting a unified view of supply chain operations. 5. Supply Chain Disruptions Unexpected disruptions, such as natural disasters or transportation delays, can cause supply chain bottlenecks Portals enable contingency planning and enhance visibility, minimizing the impact of disruptions.