Call for 2010 supplychainforesight participation

Since last year's research, the recession has bitten South Africa hard, particularly in the manufacturing sector. With CEOs last year having decided to align their supply chains to a business strategy designed to reduce costs and increase efficiencies in order to survive, this year's study will examine the ways in which South Africa's supply chains are being used, not only to keep companies resilient, but to aid economic recovery and competitiveness in the current brutal economic climate. How, in other words, will South Africa's supply chains be a source of business innovation in the coming year?

Specifically, supplychainforesight 2010 aims to address the following key questions:

• CEO Crisis Call: How do senior managers in different industries see their global ambitions and activities being thwarted (or enabled) by the current crisis?
  
• Alignment between business and supply chain strategy: The 2009 study found increased alignment between business and supply chain strategies. How is this alignment being planned and executed in 2010?
  
• Management of Uncertainty: The recessionary environment increases various risks to the business. How are supply chain innovations helping to reduce these risks and making business more resilient and prepared for the upturn in growth?
  
• Benchmarking Supply Chain infrastructure: Where do the discrepancies and shortfalls lie? What can the private sector do about them to present Transnet and other State Owned Enterprises with a confirmation of the compelling case for change?

Answers to these questions will feature prominently in the upcoming national launch of the 2010 supplychainforesight research. To participate in this year's study and add to the strategic direction of South Africa's supply chains, visit: www.supplychainforesight.co.za and fill out the online questionnaire.

Research background and the results of past studies for the industry can also be found on the website.