The ethical supply chain: Definition, examples, stats
Consumers expect more from the brands they buy from, and an ethical supply chain is now a requirement. Learn what it means and how to get started.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, exposing the fragility of business models and the importance of digitalizing procurement and spend management across all categories. And at the center of the action was the procurement and supply chain leader who helped keep the lights on for many organizations: SAP.
Many companies seized the opportunity to shake off the restraints of traditional processes and approaches to explore new ways of working with and finding alternative sources of supply, including PPE, to support their business operations. Successful companies harnessed the power of technology to help transform their business models, their mindset, and their products.
The crisis also taught us that no business does business alone.
To find out what’s really top of mind for procurement and supply chain leaders, I invited industry experts to attend the SAPPHIRE NOW After Party to share their key takeaways from the Procurement & Supply Chain Studio Broadcasts and Track Day. Watch the discussion here.
Introduced this year at SAPPHIRE, the SAP Business Network will bring together Ariba Network, SAP Logistics Business Network, and SAP Asset Intelligence Network to unify business processes across supplier collaboration, logistics coordination and traceability, and asset intelligence.
The SAP Business Network harmonizes previously disconnected supply chains in a unified, collaborative, and intelligent way. It helps you collaborate on a single platform with all trading partners to achieve predictable, reliable supply chains, while also helping to connect and extend your ecosystems for new business opportunities.
When all your networks become one, collaboration becomes singular and synchronous using a common data model, set of services, intelligence, and analytics engine.
And Ian Moyse summarized it best: “Unification of systems, data, and people processes. The quicker we can get to accept this can be achieved, we have to be adaptable to change to thrive. What’s possible from what we see at SAPPHIRE Now, start taking the small steps now.”
With a unified business network that can help you find and connect to the right trading partners, procurement has the opportunity to rise to the next level. Empower your people with technology by putting data at their fingertips.
And that includes creating a more inclusive community to build resilience and transparency. The ability to see connections across supplier collaboration, logistics coordination and traceability, and asset intelligence is extremely powerful. Consider the recent example of the Ever Given cargo ship that was stuck in the Suez Canal.
“Organizations and leaders should not look at the past year as a blip but instead take a meaningful look at their processes and leverage technology to really move forward. Change is going to continue to come with a lot more disruption. It’s about continuous adaptation.” – Scott Luton
“It’s all about experiential procurement. We’re no longer trying to change procurement but change the procurement experience that procurement & supply chains can get behind.” – Kelly Barner
Kelly and Scott highlighted the importance of sustainability in supply chains and building supply networks that can evolve and grow. In these times of supply chain vulnerabilities it’s about creating more inclusive policies and processes, too. For example, bringing in smaller businesses owned by women, minorities, and Indigenous people.
And Marcell Vollmer summarized this about the opportunity ahead, “Procurement and supply chain leaders are thinking about the future and how we can create it. There’s lots of great inspiration out there to lead for your business.”
From the SAPPHIRE NOW EMEA Region Broadcast Studio, “Build a Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chain:”
Consumers expect more from the brands they buy from, and an ethical supply chain is now a requirement. Learn what it means and how to get started.
From the Americas session include:
And in EMEA, highlights of the session include:
With interactive content and much more, this session is a must-see for anyone looking to build a resilient and sustainable supply chain.
Watch a recording of our SAPPHIRE NOW conference session, “Propel Your Business with Intelligent Spend and a Unified Business Network,” which includes these highlights:
During the Americas session:
And in EMEA, highlights of the session include: