Supply Chain Essay Example for Free

Supply Chain Essay Definition: A supply chain is a network of suppliers, manufacturer and distributors which helps in transformation of raw materials into valuable products and delivering them to the customers at right price, right place and right time. The concept of supply chain applies not only to the physical products but also to services. In the case of services, suppliers become service supporter, manufacturer becomes service creator and the distributors become service provider. The aim of the supply chain is to create value by providing the customer with products and services efficiently. The supply chain is not a simple series of connections, rather it’s a complex chain of people and organizations connected to each other and interacting to create value. The various components of a supply chain are explained below: 1. Suppliers/Service Supporter: It refers to person(s), firm(s) or organization(s) that supply raw materials that can be used to manufacture the final product. For example in case of manufacturing car as final product, someone who provides tyres, engines, car chassis or any other part would be called a supplier. In case of a service, it refers to someone who provides the support in the creation of the service to the customer. For example in case of creating hotel services for customer the catering, the laundry etc. act as service supporter. In a supply chain there do not exist a single supplier, rather there are multiple suppliers or multi-tier suppliers. The supplier which is closest to the manufacturer is called first tier supplier and the chain goes on to second tier, third tier†¦ as we move away from the manufacturer. For example in car manufacturing supply chain the firms providing engines, windows, car chassis, tyres etc. are first tier suppliers whereas the firms providing steel to manufacture car chassis, rubber to manufacture tyres are second tier suppliers. 2. Manufacturer/Service Creator: It refers to person(s), firm(s) or organization(s) that manufacture the final product by processing  and assembling all the raw materials. In case of services it refers to someone who assembles all the service supports and creates the final service. A firm can act both as a supplier and a manufacturer. In above case of car manufacturing the firm which supplies tyre to the manufacturer of car act as supplier for that firm but it acts as a manufacturer for the firm supplying rubber. 3. Distributor/Service Provider: It refers to person(s), firm(s) or organization(s) that take the finished (final) products to the customer. So in case of car supply chain, the showrooms or dealers that provide the cars to customers are distributors. In case of a service, it refers to someone who provides the final service to the customer. For example in case of telecom services, Airtel, Vodafone etc. are the service providers. There can be many distributors in a supply chain depending upon the customer location. Sometimes the customers get the final product/service directly from the company showrooms and stores (for e.g. BMW and Audi showrooms, McDonald’s outlets) while sometimes the product reaches the customer through a network of wholesalers and retailers (the FMCG products, Pepsi and cola drinks etc.) 4. Customer/Consumer: They are the one who use the final product or service.They end this chain. A Case study of Ford: How did Supply Chain system helped the company to grow. Since the 1970s, the Big Three automakers (GM, Ford, and Chrysler) have seen their home markets invaded by foreign-based auto manufacturers (Toyota and Honda). In addition, the auto industry was facing overcapacity of an estimated 20 million vehicles. This lead to decreased profit margins for automakers as well as reduced sales. So, with all of these issues in the automobile industry, it was no wonder that Ford felt like it needed to make some changes to compete. Ford, like many older companies, was still using a traditional to their supply chain. Ford had tried to control as many aspects of the end vehicle  production as possible; from the production of raw materials in steel mills and rubber plantations, through all of the design, manufacturing, assembly and distribution activities. A truly vertically integrated supply chain. Unfortunately, this approach made it difficult for Ford to complete in the global automobile industry, and for that reason Ford Management felt it was time to change Ford’s supply chain. Since the late 1980s, Ford has been using a modified version of the traditional supply chain approach, by utilizing outsourcing and partnerships to handle certain functions of the supply chain. Ford does this through its â€Å"Tier 1† suppliers. These suppliers have a long term relationship with Ford and then they manage the relationships with the larger base of component suppliers. Later on Ford began using virtually integrated supply chain. With a virtually integrated supply chain, we instead have loose affiliations of companies organized as a supply network, where physical assets are replaced by information. Within a virtually integrated supply chain, manufacturing continues to be controlled by the company’s planning department, however this is not through the issuing of purchase orders, but instead by providing logistics management and forecasts for demand and receipts. With this information, the companies’ manufacturing partners can plan their production to meet the needs of the company and the market. Finished goods are no longer delivered by the company, instead they go directly to a warehousing/distribution partner who sends the products to the customers as orders come in. External Sources used for reference: http://www.slideshare.net/adithya_msridhar/ford-motor-final-presentation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_chain

Saving the Old Growth Forests Essay -- Logging, Deforestation Essays

Saving the Old Growth Forests America’s Old Growth Forests are an endangered resource that is quickly disappearing. The ancient forests are being unnecessarily wasted, and are growing smaller and smaller with each passing moment. Because the logging industry and the organizations in control of much of the remaining old growth (approx. 5%) are failing to see its value from an ecological/spiritual perspective, the children of tomorrow may never gaze upon the history of today if we do not take a stand now, and prevent the short-sightedness of others from destroying what ultimately belongs to us all. Alternatives to Destruction: Saving the Old Growth Forests. Imagine walking down an ancient path amidst a forest of tangled and twisted trees, some of which have existed since before a time even great grandparents can remember. The air echoes with sounds of life, and the fragrance is that of cedar or juniper†¦ or something not quite either. The living things that dwell here, bridge a gap in time that many are totally unaware of and for the reasons about to be explained, may never become so. The beauty that surrounds this place is unexplainable in the tongue of man, yet its presence can be felt by all who choose to behold it. At least for now†¦ â€Å"In addition to being places of magnificent beauty, the old growth forests of the world represent hundreds of years of life on this planet, and many of the trees are the tallest living things on the planet (Old Growth Forests, 2004).† Because of their size, these trees, and the forests they reside in, are targeted by logging companies such as Weyerhaeuser as highly profitable areas that provide supposed economical benefits to surrounding communities in the way of new jobs. Howe... ...te, and one of world’s most precious and oldest resources will cease to exist, and the only bridge left that spans this ever widening gap in time will be forever closed to those who follow after us. References Brown, P. (1998). Issues and Opportunities Emerging from the Kyoto Protocol [Special issue]. Climate, and Forests. Abstract retrieved March 30, 2004, from http://www.wri.org/wri/biodiv Old Growth Forests. (2004). Saving the Tallest Living Things on Earth [Special issue]. Preserving America's Ancient Forests. Retrieved March 30, 2004, from http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/oldgrowthed.htm Rain Forest Action Network. (2004). Wake Up Weyerhaeuser. RAN. Retrieved March 30, 2004, from http://www.ran.org/ran_campaigns/old_growth/ Seideman, D. (1993). Out of the Woods: Vol. . A Forest of Voices (2nd ed.) [Conversations in Ecology].Mayfield.

Resposibilities of a Team Leader Essay

My role is within the finance function and I supervise one Team Administrator but I do often take the lead within finance projects. I currently work in Personal Care and Support within Runnymede Social Care Team. The team delivers social care services for people aged 18 +. . Responsibilities of a Team Leader 1.To be responsible and accountable for the work and productivity of the team A team manager needs to be responsible for decisions made which guide the team to complete tasks. Decisions are normally made by gathering information and requesting feedback. However, there are time when it will be necessary, due to short time constraints that a Team Leader will need to make a decision on the spot using their own knowledge and experience. 2.To be aware of policies and procedures and to communicate any changes to staff Team Leaders need to be aware of policies and procedures to be able to guide staff to complete tasks within the remit of the department and County Council. They should also make staff aware of any changes. 3.Solve issues, conflict within the team and dealing with under performance. Team Leaders need to put measures in place to deal with underperformance. This should involve discussion with the individual involved, setting short term goals and monitoring progress. Any training needs should be identified and appropriate action taken to ensure the individual is equipped to complete the tasks required. 4.Chair Team Meetings Team Leaders should chair effective meetings by giving clear instructions when necessary, listening to and acting upon feed back and issuing a record of the meeting with action points for relevant staff with clear deadlines. Two examples which would need higher authority. 1. A team member wishes to undertake training which is not organised by Surrey County Council. The expenditure would have to be authorised by a senior manager. 2. If issues could not be solved with under performance in an informal basis then a senior manager would need to make the decision to take a formal route. Feedback on own performance I receive feedback on my own performance within my appraisal last April. Goals were agreed and monitored throughout the year. A strength that was identified was my ability to meet tight deadlines demonstrated by my completion on our â€Å"month end† process by the deadline each month. An area for improvement is my lack of confidence at public speaking. I am required to complete finance inductions with Care Managers and I found myself getting flustered and not sounding confident in my knowledge. Establishing Trust Trust can be established by effective communication and acting upon any issues with the team or individuals. Communicating openly and honestly without distorting information keeping promises and commitments.

Critical Analysis of Systems Companies Financial Statements

INANCIAL RATIO ANALYSIS Financial Ratio Analysis William F. Slater, III ACC 529 – Accounting for Managerial Decision Making University of Phoenix Week 5 Assignment for ePortfolio Michael Greenen, C.P.A, C.F.P. - Instructor July 1, 2003 Table of Contents Table of Contents Abstract Introduction Memorandum Profitability of Sample Company Sample Company ROI for 2000 Sample Company ROI for 2001 Stock Performance Activity of Sample Company Leverage of Sample Company Liquidity of Sample Company What Is Necessary to Assess the Company? What Ratios Have the Most Value? What Other Factors, Beyond Ratios, Need To Be Considered? How†¦show more content†¦| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Systems Company ROI for 2008 | | |ROI | = |MARGIN |x |TURNOVER | | | | | | | | | | | | | |OPERATING INCOME | = |Operating Income |x |Sales | | | | | | | | | | | | |Input: |924 | = |924 |x |10,359 | | | |Result:|10.7% | = |8.9% |x |1.20 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | At over 55.1%, the increase in ROI between 2007 and 2008 is remarkable and shows that Systems Company Plc increased its sales while increasing the utilization of itsShow MoreRelatedApplication For Making An Organization Context1719 Words   |  7 Pages bar chart will be used to analyze information. Question for the CR Which food you like in the restaurant CR has targeted almost all classed people as their target customers. On this basis, they have manufactured their products. From the product analysis, it has been clear that people like various types of food in the restaurant and they are willing to buy well for with a high price. 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