Change is inevitable
• The design of a logistics strategy is based on a range of internal and external factors; these are constantly changing.
• A consequence of these continuous changes, is that the logistics strategy also has to evolve over time.
• Managers cannot design a strategy and then just work on its implementation – they also have to keep adjusting strategy.
Some signs that an organisation is not changing to
meet new circumstances include:
• low sales and falling market share, as old products are overtaken by competitors
• many customer complaints, particularly about quality and delivery dates
• reliance on a few customers, especially with long term, fixed-price contracts
• old-fashioned attitudes and operations
• poor industrial relations, with low employee morale and high staff turnover
• poor communications within the organisation and with trading partners
• too much inflexible top management with no new appointments
• inward-looking managers who are out of touch with operations or customers.
• Change is a normal part of business and if we do not respond we will fall behind competitors.
• The new attitude does not happen by chance, but it needs careful management.
• One suggestion is that organisations need a champion, or change manager, who leads them away
from their present position.