Part A Question: Four steps to help companies to swifly get onto the road to ser

Question

Part A Question: Four steps to help companies to swifly get onto the road to service supply chain excellence are listed below: 1. 2. 3. 4. Understand your service supply chain. Determine the needs of your customers and convey those needs down the supply chain. Obtain high quality suppliers. Maintain a competitive advantage. As Wal-Mart is expanding its online presence, how would you implement the above four steps in order for Wal-Mart to become a leader in ecommerce marketplace and effectively compete with such online retailers as Amazon? Explain cach step with one paragraph. Part B Question: One of the common difficulties in project management is to fulfill the triple constraint. Part A of this homework is an analysis of Wal-Mart online expansion. If you were hired by Wal-Mart as project manager to build and maintain its ecommerce marketplace, what challenges would you be faced with in trying to fulfill the triple constraint while doing your job? State the challenges and explain how you would address each of those challenges

Explanation / Answer

Part A

Understand a Service Supply Chain

Customers play an important role in the creation of supply chains.

When you stop to think about how you configure your supply chain and why, it soon becomes apparent that most roads lead back to the customer: Buyers will find the most cost effective suppliers in order to offer customers the best value; they will search for innovate partners to give consumers the best products and services; and they will endeavor to create a supply chain that is resilient to disruption and is ethically sound to ensure service quality.

The customer is a key figure in the supply chain and their needs, values and opinions will affect the supplier decisions buyers make.

Customer Needs and Convey them

Customers like to deal with companies that put them at the centre of everything. By including customers in the mission statement, what a company portrays is that it primarily thinks of its customers and everyone in the company is geared towards ensuring the fulfilment of customer needs. A company’s mission statement, therefore, cannot stay the same. When it includes customers in the mission statement, it is bound to change since customer needs and expectations do not remain static – they continue to change and evolve. In addition, a company’s own goals and objectives may change over time, which would make it mandatory to change / alter the mission statement for it to be aligned with the overall strategy of the company. A stale, out-dated, or irrelevant mission statement will most likely get a company rejected outright – not just by customers but also by employees and other stakeholders. Fine tuning and revisiting the statement will ensure that it remains in sync with customers and the company’s goals.

How to obtain high quality suppliers

Product quality, price, availability, reliability and customer service are all important factors in identifying a good supplier. A solid reputation is good indicator of this and the willingness to work with you to grow your business by selling more products to you. You can research reviews, feedback, references or testimonials, and company credit checks. Contact several different suppliers to decide on the most suitable for your business.

The location of the supplier may be important not only to keep shipping costs down but to be able to supply within the timeframe required. Consideration should be given to import and export requirements if the supplier is outside the country where the goods will be sold.

If you are a large customer of a small supplier you may get better service and discounts compared to being a small customer of a large supplier. A large supplier may be able to offer better discounts or financial terms in respect of loans and settlement terms and conditions.

A good supplier will be able to meet your customer service queries efficiently with a structured process through their chain of command. They will remain competitive on price with their rivals, deliver undamaged products, and provide training and information as required. They may be able to supply additional products as well reducing the need to work with numerous suppliers.

It is also necessary to consider their hours of business, their insurance and liability structure, and their returns or damage policy. It is good to know who your other suppliers could be so that if needed you may purchase from them if your chosen supplier is unable to deliver for some reason.

The ethics and legal compliance of the supplier will need to meet the requirements of your customers. This will ensure you are working with a supplier who has a high level of integrity, and that you can trust. Good suppliers will be compliant with regulations and systems.

A good supplier will communicate effectively with their partners to benefit both businesses. Goods supplied may have expiry dates or limited sale times and it is important they can be sold before the product is out of date. Ensure that your supplier offers genuine product and not illegal or cheaper imitations which are attractive in price but not the real product.

Many suppliers will find it very beneficial to seek accreditation from various regulating bodies and those who meet the criteria will quickly ensure you are aware of their achievements.

Competitive advantage

Cost Leadership involves a company that is able to produce and sell its products and services at a much lower cost than its competitors. This enables a low cost leader to earn above average profits

Cost leadership is not a practical strategy for most companies, especially small to mid-sized companies. This is because it requires a high investment to achieve economies of scale.

Differentiation is a strategy in which a company distinguishes its products and services by its features and benefits from its competitors. Through differentiation, a company creates a product or service that customers perceive as unique in the industry. As a result, you are able to charge a premium price and earn profits with above average margins

Focus is a strategy that enables a company to dominate a niche. Through a focus strategy, your company concentrates on a limited part of a market. Companies that succeed with a focus strategy understand the dynamics and unique customer needs of their market niche. As a result of developing and promoting “niche” products and services, you can attract a higher share of customers in that market segment than competitors. Plus, you can earn above average profits and reduce the threat of competitors entering the niche

Focus on a Narrow Target Market

When you focus on a narrow target market, you have the best chance to become the leader of that niche. This is especially true when you target a segment that is less vulnerable to substitutes or where the competitive landscape is weak. You can choose the customer segment based on marketing trends, demographics, psychographics, and customer needs. You can also decide on the best types of product and service solutions to sell to this niche.

By focusing on a narrow target market, you also are able to contain costs. You are able to advertise and promote your products and services in media that focuses on your target group. Plus, you are able to contain costs of manufacturing products or delivery of services.

Limit Promotional Channels

Many executives believe their companies should advertise and promote products through many types of media. Yet, the better and more profitable strategy is to focus on a few advertising channels. This way you can get the most from your limited resources, including money, time, and staff. It’s more effective to master and get the most mileage from a few types of media.

Focus Leads to Long-Term Success

A focus strategy enables your company to earn profits in both the short and long term. In fact, a focus strategy is often more profitable than a strategy that supports expansion.

Part B:-

Hired as Project Manager of Walmart

To be care full and the Challenges Face

Good customer Approach

Good Distribution System-Specific

Procurement Process

by making the process transparent the retailer can be certain that the manufacturer are doing their best cut down cost

     4. Logistica Management

     5.   Inventory Management

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