Product Description

Packed with abundant anecdotes, interviews, case studies, research, and analysis, Supply Chain Management Best Practices offers a comprehensive and unflinching look at the development of supply chain management. Author David Blanchard—Editor in Chief of Logistics Today, the leading supply chain publication—presents success stories through the eyes of practitioners and experts at competitive companies of all sizes and in various industries, who share their secrets, experiences, and accomplishments to help you get your own company on the "best practices" track.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #94727 in Books
• Published on: 2006-12-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Review
"In his book, Blanchard provides valuable ideas and potential solutions to the problems that regularly occur that might prevent SCM leaders from achieving their objectives." (Strategic Finance; 10/2007)

 "…good and interesting book, and has a place on every supply chain manager's shelf..." (Supply Chain Digest; 8/23/07)

"Packed with anecdotes, interviews, case studies, research and analysis” (Government Opportunities, August 2007)

"Conversational and easy to read…A fine book…recommended." (Supply Management, July 2007)

From the Inside Flap
" 'Best practices' don't just happen by throwing a lot of money at your supply chain problems...It takes time, talent, energy, focus, commitment...Those are the qualities that the best-run companies in the world share, and it's why they're on top."
—David Blanchard from Chapter 1, Supply Chain Management Best Practices

In the United States alone, companies spend more than $1 trillion every year on transportation, warehousing, distribution, and associated inventory management. The responsibility for managing that spending falls squarely on the shoulders of supply chain professionals. While the role of a supply chain professional may differ from company to company, the goals are similarly daunting: to develop and position a company's supply chains in order to compete and win in today's global marketplace.

Packed with abundant anecdotes, interviews, case studies, research, and analysis, Supply Chain Management Best Practices offers a comprehensive and unflinching look at the development of supply chain management by looking at some of the people and the businesses largely responsible for its momentum. Author David Blanchard—Editor in Chief of Logistics Today, the leading supply chain publication—provides a unique dual perspective as journalist and insider, with access to top supply chain professionals and their insights on building and sustaining a world-class supply chain.

This resourceful book is strategically organized into three parts: Part I briefly introduces supply chain management with examples of best-in-class supply chains in various industries and proven methods for measuring the performance of a supply chain. Part II presents the traditional core processes of supply chain management and discusses the best practices being followed by specific trendsetting companies within the global marketplace. Finally, Part III reveals the strategies, solutions, and technologies used by leading companies to design their extended enterprises.

Conversational and easy to read, Supply Chain Management Best Practices presents success stories through the eyes of practitioners and experts at competitive companies of all sizes and in various industries, who share their secrets, experiences, and accomplishments to help you get your own company on the "best practices" track.

From the Back Cover
Praise for Supply Chain Management Best Practices

"Blanchard's Best Practices is the right information delivered at the right time in the right way to address the right problems and to provide the right solutions to the nightmares of managing a supply chain in today's global environment. Supporting his conclusions with actual business scenarios, the author has given the reader insightful advice on how to establish and maintain good communication, collaboration, and cooperation between vendors, customers, manufacturers, distributors, and anyone else who functions as a link in the 'plan, source, make, deliver, and return' process. This book is required reading for those who have made the supply chain their life's work as well as those who are just starting to make it their career."
—Dan Fox Corporate Traffic Manager Samsonite Corporation

"As a journalist, Dave Blanchard has an exceptional ability to look at supply chain best practices from the inside out. His broad perspectives on the burning issues in supply chain management, coupled with his diligent research, make this book a must-read for anyone interested in improving and enhancing their supply chains."
—C. John Langley Jr., PhD Professor of Supply Chain Management Georgia Institute of Technology

"Supply chain management is fast becoming a core competency within successful companies. Dave Blanchard's comprehensive exploration of SCM best practices hits the mark. It's chock-full of real examples of journeys taken to achieve supply chain excellence. Practitioners worldwide can learn much from the insightful conclusions arrived at in the book."
—Rick Blasgen President and CEO Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)

"Combining his talents as a journalist and supply chain management professional, David has taken some of the best practices in our field and presented them in an easy-to-read format. This book is the In Search of Excellence for supply chain managers. It is a must-read for those companies wanting to improve supply chain performance."
—Robert A. Novack, PhD Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems Pennsylvania State University

"Blanchard is an extraordinarily perceptive observer of supply chain processes. He sees the big picture. He has compiled practical and replicable examples from all segments of industry and companies. This book clearly outlines what is possible, and how talented and creative individuals and their supportive companies are approaching the tasks to keep their companies financially viable and competitive in this ever-changing global economy. David Blanchard has painted a picture of what informed talent and supportive management can accomplish."
—John A. Gentle, DLP John A. Gentle & Associates, LLC www.RelaTranShips.com

Customer Reviews

A well written, well documented overview
Dave Blanchard writes in a clear, concise style and supports his points with case histories that relate each point to the real world. The book is divided into three parts to create a process of its own. It leads the reader through supply chains used in different channels, discusses the core questions that must be answered in creating a system and then looks at solutions the best companies use to help meet obstacles that arise.

He has a light-hearted style (the first sub-head is, "You Knew This Job Was Dangerous When You Took It"), which keeps the book from bogging down or becoming pedantic. But the information is up to date and concisely presented.

The book is heavily annotated, offering additional resources if the reader desires, and the index allows specific points to be located quickly, so it works well as a reference guide as well as an overview. That he occasionally references his own articles makes it clear that he has a long history in the industry, offering experience and context he can bring to bear on the topic.

Book Review
This book provides a basic summary of good supply chain fundamentals. There are not many novel ideas in the book, which was a little disappointing.

Supply Chain Management Best Practices
An easy to read book that cuts to the chase about practical supply chain matters. Thank you Mr. Blanchard for writing a book that's less about the academic theory behind it and more about how to get things done!