3 Supply Chain Trends to Expect in 2022
The onset of the pandemic in 2020 left the business world stunned. In 2021, companies made real headway in implementing adaptations at every level. In 2022, we will see all types of organisations completing the transformations necessary to future-proof their operations.
But what do these changes look like at the supply chain level, what are the advantages of such moves, and how will they affect standard practices internationally?
With companies anticipating the start of a genuine economic recovery in 2022, our recruitment agency in Bangkok and Singapore is reviewing 3 of the main supply chain trends to look out for.
1. Green initiatives
Although the COVID-19 virus itself has little to do with climate change, one effect of the pandemic has been to shake people’s long-held complacency that we can collectively bend the environment to our will. If left unaddressed, climate change will eventually cause annual disruptions to business and society that are at least as damaging as the ongoing pandemic.
Moving forward, businesses in every industry will need to implement ESG initiatives and green management principles – not only because tightening regulations will demand such improvements, but because employees and customers will as well.
Expect eco-friendly supply chain structures to become the norm, alongside sustainability-themed advances in product design, sourcing of materials, factory-based production, product operation, and end-of-life management.
2. Flexible and diverse supply chains
Continuity and tradition may provide the illusion of reliability, but in a VUCA world, flexibility is essential. As consumer markets fluctuate, and real-world conditions change due to political or environmental variables, businesses that can shift their supply chain strategy on short notice will have an undeniable advantage over their peers.
From diverse sourcing arrangements, to the ability to make quantitative adjustments according to both need and market advantage, flexibility provides protection against disruptive events. Businesses in 2022 will increasingly introduce flexibility into their order entry, procurement, manufacturing, warehouse management, and distribution – so that they will be able to adjust quickly and effectively to whatever the future has in store.
3. Digital transformation
Automation and other digital initiatives allow businesses to continue their operations even when their personnel decide to work remotely. Among the more promising initiatives is digital self-service – an approach which takes interactions which would traditionally occur face-to-face, and moves them to a digital medium. The associated software is quickly growing more advanced, allowing for a satisfying customer experience.
An associated trend is the move toward ‘small data’. Whereas Big Data finds patterns among enormous populations, small data focuses on the individual in order to learn more about the habits of each user while also personalising their experience.
Where preparation meets opportunity
Though economies around the world are likely to regain their upward momentum in the coming months, success for individual companies is far from guaranteed. Businesses that revert to the norms of 2019 are likely to face continued headwinds, while those that prepare effectively will find themselves in a far better position to experience post-pandemic growth.
Every transformation depends on the skill and commitment of the key people involved. Our recruitment agency in Bangkok and Singapore can find the right people for the right positions in your organisation, to help your team make the most of its opportunities in 2022 and beyond. Contact Connexus Global to find out more.
