As we go into the opening games, we are still in a situation whereby three stadiums have not been officially completed, sparking a wide array of criticism.
From a construction perspective, questions are rightly being asked about Brazil’s supply chain and planning procedures, but with such little time available, this has to be put aside. Everyone must now pull in the same direction to ensure the infrastructure available is the best it can possibly be.
The fallout from this must now be on the flow of supplies to Brazil, whether it’s merchandise, food or beverages, firms providing products and services must look at the lessons that can be learnt from the host nation.
Suppliers must conduct a thorough overview of their supply chain of products and services destined for the tournament. Organisations that are particularly going to feel the strain from this are those without a pre-existing presence in Brazil. Even with something as significant as the World Cup, it would be naïve to assume the route to market for overseas suppliers is straightforward.
It’s imperative for firms to analyse each individual element of their supply chain, as the potential for disruption from so many external factors is huge.
Examples of this could be anything from the extremes of corruption and rioting, to the loss of productivity from workers as the tournament progresses and more people take time out to watch the games.
In order to ensure products and services are brought to market quickly and efficiently, an entire review of the supply chain from root-to-branch is essential. The same meticulous detail must also be applied to any contingency plans in the event of failure within the supply chain. In doing so, suppliers will be able to ensure they meet contractual obligations by having the right product, at the right place, at the right time, with the result from this level of preparedness being the right margins for your business.
Rob Baker is principle at supply chain consultancy Crimson & Co. This is a personal blog and views expressed are his own.
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