By: Joshua Finley

When armies have stretched supply lines, they struggle to operate effectively. For example, during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812, his troops faced enemy attacks and severe supply issues due to tough terrain and bad weather. This led to hunger and low morale, resulting in a disastrous retreat.

Strong supply chains are just as important for businesses and economies in the developed world. Companies rely on efficient supply chains to deliver products and services like an army needs supplies to fight.

One woman who is intimately familiar with logistics and procurement and their vital role in business is Olivia Ramandanes, a thought leader in business strategy and transformation, supply chain management and strategy and operational excellence. 

Olivia’s success is based on 20 years of experience and her expertise in using frameworks like Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning (SIOP) to align operations with business goals. By integrating SIOP with AI analytics, she has improved demand forecasting, streamlined processes, and enhanced data-driven decision-making, boosting productivity and reducing costs.

Says Ramandanes, “If these systems are disrupted, it can cause delays in production, higher costs, and lost profits. On the macro scale, today’s economy depends on just-in-time inventory and global sourcing. Zoom in, and you’ll find in any organization even small problems can affect competitiveness. Great leaders and strong supply chains are crucial for success and overcoming challenges in war or business.

Ramandanes echoes celebrated author, Tom Peters, known for his influential work in business management practices, who said, “Leaders win through logistics. Vision, sure. Strategy, yes. But when you go to war, you need to have both toilet paper and bullets at the right place at the right time.” 

A Changing Landscape

In 2024, the legacy supply chain management model may face significant disruption due to new technologies and shifting market demands. Traditional systems struggle to adapt to the complexities of modern supply chains, which require agility and real-time responsiveness. 

Innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) are boosting operational efficiency through improved demand forecasting and data-driven decision-making. Companies increasingly focus on risk mitigation strategies, such as diversifying suppliers and locations, to minimize disruptions. 

As they move away from outdated practices, organizations prioritize building transparent, flexible networks that swiftly adapt to challenges.

This shift from legacy systems is a value driver, according to Ramandanes, who states that “supply chain management is a business sector that is being disrupted by a variety of factors, but there are strategic approaches that can help organizations cope with change and increase operational efficiency.”

Ramandanes notes that AI is becoming essential in logistics, “increasing operational efficiency and simplifying how advisors research client needs and assess stakeholder impacts.” By embracing these innovations, organizations can better navigate challenges and strengthen their competitive edge in a complex landscape.

According to Ramandanes, complexity can, by its very nature, provide enormous challenges to organizations, especially those in the startup or growth phase of operations.

Startups and early-stage companies often lack the resources required to identify how tech innovation can help streamline supply chain operations. According to Ramandanes, these organizations’ leaders are time-poor and budgetary constraints are a way of life. 

“In these cases, an external advisor can be essential to set the organization on the right track,” notes Ramandanes.

Words at Work: Communication for Supply Chain Success

Effective communication is vital for managing the complexities of supply chains in 2024. As supply chains become more intricate, clear and open lines of communication among all stakeholders are essential for ensuring alignment and responsiveness. 

This involves not only sharing information but also actively listening to the insights and concerns of team members on the ground. By fostering a culture of collaboration, organizations can better adapt to challenges and drive successful outcomes.

Olivia Ramandanes emphasizes that “my strategy really is to listen to the people who are doing the job and collaborate on what those solutions should look like. Communicating across the board what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and what it’s going to look like at the end is crucial for success.”

For Ramandanes, the importance of communication goes beyond the boardroom table. According to her, networking is essential for finding efficient supply chain and logistics solutions in today’s dynamic landscape. 

Olivia Ramandanes highlights the value of this interconnectedness, stating, “There are so many great ideas out there… if we learn from each other.” By engaging with diverse perspectives, organizations can better adapt to changes and drive successful transformations in their supply chains.

As supply chains grow increasingly complex, connecting with various stakeholders, suppliers, partners, and customers becomes crucial. A robust network fosters collaboration, enabling organizations to share insights and best practices that can lead to innovative solutions. By leveraging relationships within their networks, advisors and leaders can anticipate challenges, streamline operations, and enhance overall efficiency.

The Vendor Challenge

According to Olivia Ramandanes, relying on third-party vendors in supply chain management can introduce significant risks that organizations must address. While these vendors often offer cost-effective solutions, they may compromise compliance and quality control. 

Ramandanes has faced this challenge and has been forced to advise a halt to business with an overseas vendor due to concerns about data security and ethical practices, highlighting the importance of rigorous oversight.

“This is where research is vital, and AI can certainly help. Even low-code AI solutions like ChatGPT and Perplexity can add significant value when researching vendors. If you’re balancing cost-effectiveness with data security, always err on the side of security. The fallout from using a third-party vendor that does not treat security as a priority can be devastating to any organization.”

Olivia is committed to driving operational excellence and strategic growth in today’s complex global landscape with her 20 years of experience and certifications as a Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) and HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP).

To learn more about Olivia’s experience, qualifications, and skill sets, visit her LinkedIn page or website.

Published by: Nelly Chavez