Internal Communication Strategies
Cisco started paying considerable attention to risk management in the 2000s, and it has effectively addressed various issues (Munson 89). This extensive experience can help the Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) team implement the necessary change effectively. It is noteworthy that the company considers such risks as weather, economic, political and so on (Schlegel and Trent 274). At that, the major focus has to be made on the development of efficient internal and external communication strategies.
When it comes to internal communication patterns, one of the most important steps to undertake is to develop efficient software to ensure effective knowledge sharing within the organization. Clearly, the company should utilize technology, which is one of the central competitive advantages (Chao par. 3).
The system should include all the necessary data on the suppliers, their contacts, availability of back-ups, and so on. The system should also include the crisis alert. It should be automatized. Thus, the alert system available to the Supply Chain Incident Manager should be incorporated into the risk management system (“Cisco SCRM in Action: 2011 Tohoku Earthquake” 1).
It can be effective to assign certain responsibilities to the risk management team members. Thus, there should be one manager responsible for each of possible crises (weather, economic, political and so on). The alert is sent by the system to a device of the person responsible for this or that type of crisis. The manager assesses the impact of the crisis and makes a decision whether to launch a meeting of the entire team immediately.
If the crisis is significant, each team member, as well as the Director of Supply Chain Management, should access the system and start addressing issues. Each team member will take part in the online conference to discuss preliminary steps. This will ensure immediate response to the crisis as no time will be lost to hold unnecessary meetings in the office that take more time than an online conference as people are available within minutes irrespective of their locations.
External Communication Strategies
It is also important to improve external communication patterns (Manners-Bell par. 16). The improvement is necessary in such areas as collaboration “across supply chain partners”, the development of trustful relationships with partners and (Manners-Bell Supply Chain Risk 39).
It can be effective to ensure suppliers’ capacity to issue the alert. Clearly, it will be effective when some internal issues occur. At that, the suppliers will be able to notify timely the company and avoid significant losses. Of course, when it comes to such external factors as an earthquake, another strategy should be employed.
Instead of trying to contact partners experiencing difficulties, the system should provide possible alternatives immediately. Meanwhile, the system can notify the supplier about the redirection so that the partner could stop some processes if necessary. Thus, the supply chain will not be disrupted.
It is also essential to make sure that suppliers are aware of some principles of the system. It can be effective to notify partners and have a meeting on the matter with the most valued partners. Director of Supply Chain Management should run the meeting with most important suppliers, and managers of the SCRM team can run meetings as well as notify the rest of partners.
It is important to explain the need to have such a system, and the company’s experience associated with disasters like the Tohoku Earthquake can help prove the need for that kind of knowledge management system. The meetings will help to develop trusting relationships with suppliers.
Works Cited
Chao, Loretta. “Cisco Changes Bring Supply Chain, IT Under One Leader.” The Wall Street Journal 8 June 2015. Web.
Cisco SCRM in Action: 2011 Tohoku Earthquake 2013. Web. <https://wdi-publishing.com/product/cisco-scrm-in-action-2011-tohoku-earthquake/>.
Manners-Bell, John. “How Does Cisco Manage Supply Chain Risk?” Electronic Purchasing Strategies 12 August 2014. Web.
Supply Chain Risk: An Emerging Discipline Understanding Emerging Threats to Global Supply Chains. Philadelphia: Kogan Page Publishers, 2014. Print.
Munson, Chuck. The Supply Chain Management Casebook: Comprehensive Coverage and Best Practices in SCM. Upper Saddle River: FT Press, 2013. Print.
Schlegel, Gregory L., and Robert J. Trent. Supply Chain Risk Management: An Emerging Discipline. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2014. Print.