White Paper: Food Systems

NextGenChef’s white paper, The State and Future of the Food System post-COVID-19, explores today’s most pressing questions.

COVID-19 has exposed the weak points in the U.S. food supply chain, raising fears of food shortage among consumers. The disruptions have drawn widespread attention to the problems that entrench the food industry, simultaneously urging the country to reflect on sustainable alternatives.

As consumers alter shopping behavior, suppliers run low on supply, and logistics buckle under pressure, brands who will emerge as winners will be the ones who lead with environmentally and socially responsible operations.

In this NextGenChef whitepaper, the team speaks with eight industry experts across the country, including senior supply chain consultants and CEOs who represent more than 180 organizations to uncover how COVID-19 has changed the food supply chain.

GoodOps’ CEO, Divya Demato, touches upon the importance of DTC food models and how the path to resiliency lies in supplier recovery.

Read on for exclusive industry insights here https://go.aws/2CdRJVU

Filed Under By GoodOps

Webinar: FASHINNOVATION Worldwide Talks

FASHINNOVATION’s Worldwide Talks 2020 panel on Supply Chain and Circular Economy explores the role of equal justice, standardizing sustainability metrics, power of being an early adopter of ESG and future trends like plant-based materials.

Panelists:

Watch the full panel here: https://lnkd.in/djH-xNv

Filed Under By GoodOps

A Playbook for Social Justice

In light of current conversations surrounding systemic racism both in our nation and our world, an inextricable link between social responsibility and social justice are coming together. By no means perfect, sustainability playbooks can offer an initial basic framework for #SocialJustice initiatives as executives begin their journeys:

SET GOALS

Set concrete goals that uplift people of color at all levels of the company: board members, investors, c-suite, managers, front-line workers, partners, customers, etc. Promoting marginalized people into power positions, paying them well, providing health benefits, improving educational opportunities for themselves & their children – all have an impact on communities & society at large. Think about areas typically covered under “S” in ESG.

CREATE METRICS

Determine the right metrics to measure results and adapt tactics if initiatives are not working. Work w/community leaders to determine these so they are not done in a vacuum.

DEVELOP A TIMELINE

Set an aggressive & meaningful timeline. To say there are “no great candidates of color” for leadership positions is a total failure in effort. Expand your networks and collaborate w/black & brown leaders who are connected to these communities & can help funnel talent your way.

BE ACCOUNTABLE

Be held accountable. Publish your goals & timeline publicly & update us – the same way we see sustainability announcements. Do a bi-annual report outlining your social justice progress & share your challenges so others can help.

Specifically for Black Lives, here’s how to act now:

  • Invest in black founders.
  • Promote black colleagues.
  • Invite black executives to boards.
  • Hire black people for “office” jobs.
  • Fast track/mentor black leaders.
  • Fund black accelerators.
  • Partner with black founded companies.
  • Buy from black businesses.
  • Cast black actors in ads/media/film roles.
  • Make products that address black needs.
  • Give black leaders awards.

Filed Under By GoodOps

Ethical Supply Chains

At GoodOps, we believe transforming global supply chains to meaningfully address environmental and social issues is the fastest way to change the world. But systemic change is complex and a range of multidimensional approaches are critical to ensure success. We bring diverse groups of supply chain leaders together for intimate salons in order to achieve this goal. Every salon explores the strategies, models and technologies they are applying to create a more sustainable future. Last week, we gathered 20 leaders from Fortune 500s, high-growth startups, international organizations and academic institutions across a range of industries and regions. Our focus was the rise of ethical supply chains.

It is critical that companies improve the lives of their workers and communities through the development of more ethical supply chains. It is estimated that 80% of world trade and 60% of production runs through multinational company supply chains. In terms of global workforce, more than 20% have jobs in a global supply chain. Drilling down into 50 of the world’s largest companies, it is estimated that they directly employ just 6% of the workers in their supply chain. The remaining 94% of their “hidden” workforce is at least 116 million people. Within those jobs, over 50% are estimated to be exploitative with poor conditions, including long hours, dangerous working conditions, forced labor, low or poverty wages and informal work.

Broadly, this group of supply chain leaders who are setting the future of business, culture and government expressed that we may have reached a potential tipping point. A tipping point is defined as a series of small changes or incidents that become significant enough to cause a larger, more important change. The leaders gathered shared perspectives that pointed to a convergence of key trends that were accelerating the rate of change. These trends included increasingly conscious and demanding consumers, shifting executive mindsets, stringent regulations with criminal prosecution of bad actors and accelerated supply chain digitization efforts.

Below is a summary of what the leaders highlighted across these key trends:

  • Companies will no longer be able to avoid responsibility for their end-to-end supply chain networks. Deflecting criticism or risk by saying abuses occurred outside their direct employee base will fall flat and fail to satisfy conscious consumers, employees and investors. Proactive companies are already going beyond 1st tier suppliers to predict and address social issues from materials sourcing through final mile delivery. Most critically, they are directly engaging workers and performing onsite audits to avoid the risks inherent in company or supplier self-reporting where there is no 3rd party verification.
  • Consumers are arguably the most powerful lever in driving adoption of ethical supply chains. They are putting their money where their mouth is by purchasing responsibly made products as well as demanding more accountability from the brands they support. Companies will thrive by reducing information friction and helping consumers make ethical purchasing choices. The leaders also predicted a rise in employee movements, with consumers no longer checking their personal beliefs at the door when they come to work.
  • Governments will establish criminal consequences for brands who allow illegal activity in their supply chain, especially when it comes to modern day slave labor. It was predicted that governments may increasingly hold not just companies but executives themselves responsible for worker wages, equality and safety. In addition, incentives must be created for ethical companies to accelerate compliance.
  • Investors must more consistently check and confirm that the brands they invest in are ethically sourcing and producing their products and services. They must make a commitment to investing in companies that are rigorously audited and disciplined in their approach. It was predicted that the next 2 years will see a rise in mass investment screening tools that will identify shareholder activism opportunities and reallocate portfolios to avoid negative impact or support specific causes they care about. There will be a rise in funds that address supply chain sustainability in particular.
  • Technology solutions are the key to giving companies end-to-end visibility and scaling ethical supply chains. Technology platforms and tools focused on worker empowerment, product traceability, ethical sourcing and risk mitigation will become a core component of any technology stack. The resulting data and insights will be especially beneficial in supporting CEO and brand activism as well as consumer movements.

Companies that wish to lead in the future must take immediate action. First, analyze your industry and extended value chain to identify the greatest risks and opportunities for impact. Next, collaborate with value chain stakeholders to create an integrated roadmap for sustainable change across your strategies, systems, processes and culture. With a clear vision for the future, you can build the necessary capabilities, teams and partnerships to ensure success.

Do you think we have reached a tipping point for ethical supply chains? Want to get involved in the work GoodOps is doing? We’d love to hear from you.

Filed Under By GoodOps

The Shadow Economy of Italy

Supply chains are moving in a more sustainable and transparent direction for industries around the world. While this global movement is evident to many, there are still companies, even countries, who remain in the dark ages. The shadow economy of Italy is a stark example. According to a recent New York Times article, sophisticated craftsmanship and hard labor in Italy is often underpaid and overworked. For example, seamstresses for high-end luxury fashion brands can be paid as low as €1 per meter of fabric they complete. The seamstresses and garment makers for these companies often go without contracts and are uninsured. In southern Italy, the most one seamstress has ever made is €24 on a garment. This is a fraction of the articles she produces that often sell for €800 – €2,000 euros for luxury brands. With a rise in transparency, how much will consumers tolerate from a company before they de-risk and humanize their supply chains?

Want to explore further?

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Continuous Innovation

GoodOps is excited to speak at the Home Delivery World conference, April 5th, on “Continuous Innovation: The Future of Supply Chain & Logistics”.  We’ll share 1) industry insights around why companies must put supply chain & logistics innovation at the core of their growth strategy, 2) the key components to successfully deploying a model of continuous innovation that integrates advanced technologies and sustainability frameworks, and 3) a case study on how helped one of the top 5 global supply chains rapidly launch and scale their innovation program.

Home Delivery World highlights include:

  • 2,500 attendees
  • 330 speakers
  • 300 exhibitors and partners
  • 260 sessions across two packed days
  • 90,000 Sq Ft of expo space showcasing the newest technologies including electric trucks, drones, autonomous vehicles, custom chassis and more

Please join us at Home Delivery World (link) using our 30% discount: GOOD30.

View our case study on launching a global innovation program and view our services to see how GoodOps can help you transform your global supply chain & logistics. Or send us an email at info@goodops.co to get started today.

Filed Under By GoodOps

New York Supply Chain Meetup

Recently the GoodOps co-founders were invited to present at The New York Supply Chain Meetup and share their innovative take on supply chain transformation consulting services. We had an incredible time being able to hear the different perspectives on supply chain innovation from experts across the industry. Each of the companies that presented are taking unique approaches to integrating advanced technologies, sustainability frameworks and agile operations in order to help brands build a competitive advantage through their supply chain:

  • Ripe.io – Altering the trajectory of the food system through blockchain technology and the Internet of Things b.y designing a radically transparent digital food supply chain.
  • Homer Logistics – A team of software developers, optimization experts, and operations leaders focusing on optimizing the last-mile, expedited shipping space.
  • Chain.io – An experienced team of supply chain professionals who integrate logistics service providers, shippers, and software providers via a modern, secure, managed cloud.
  • LuxLock – A SaaS Experience platform designed around the shopper to provide the ultimate high-touch shopping experiences with premium and luxury brands.

For anyone interested in innovative supply chain solutions, The New York Supply Chain Meetup is a diverse, knowledgeable and open community of leaders looking to connect and exchange insights. The event is open to all, whether you’re an expert or just an individual looking to learn more about the industry, which promotes a lively discussion and new perspectives on the topics at hand.

We want to thank Brian Laung Aoaeh and Lisa Morales-Hellebo, our friends and the co-founders of the event, for inviting us and giving us the opportunity to present our ideas and services to all those that attended. If you are interested in signing up for a future New York Supply Chain Meetup, please fill out the form below on their website, and welcome to the community!

The New York Supply Chain Meetup Signup Link

For more news and information regarding GoodOps, signup here for our “North Star” newsletter.

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Press: GoodOps

Congratulations to ABLE for launching a bold and disruptive campaign in fashion – publishing factory worker’s wages. Based on a rigorous supply chain audit performed by GoodOps, brands can evaluate their supply chains for potential risks. ABLE is a social enterprise focused on uplifting women out of intergenerational poverty. They are taking bold steps towards transparency to ensure their social impact marketing aligns with actual business practices. Their big dream is brands sharing their worker’s wages on the label of each garment the same way nutritional facts are labeled on food.

ABLE believes consumers will demand change once informed on the human cost of their purchases. ABLE wants brands to take the #PublishYourWages challenge to lift more women out of poverty globally. GoodOps is proud to have designed and led the sustainable supply chain audit for this powerful and ground-breaking initiative.

Learn more about their revolutionary campaign to change the fashion industry in Fast Company. #PublishYourWages #ShesWorthMore #livefashionable

De-risk your supply chain and strengthen your social / environmental impact through a custom supply chain audit – learn more about our services here: GoodOps.

Filed Under Things We Love

Airbus’ New Supply Chain

Airbus has hired Bellevue-based Icertis to digitally transform their supply chain. Airbus’ new supply chain will be focused on source-to-contract solutions across its various divisions. With supply chain transformation taking over, Airbus becomes the latest example of how important embracing this change is for success. Airbus currently works with over 12,000 suppliers, so correctly managing their supply chain could prove widely cost effective and efficient. The aerospace manufacturer specifically chose Icertis for it’s rapid integration of digital supply chains transformation to companies globally. Certainly Airbus is looking for safer, more cost efficient and traceable solutions to their business, so this transformation was simply a matter of “when” rather than “how.” The company will have stronger agility through digitization, allowing for stronger relationships with commercialization. Will Icertis emerge as a leading digital supply chain transformer for companies globally? What type of success will Airbus see with a new, highly digitalized system?

Want to learn more?

Filed Under By GoodOps

Amazon Raises Wages

Are better wages the new competitive advantage? Today, Amazon, a pioneer and innovator in commerce, media and technology, is unleashing their latest innovation: an industry leading minimum wage for all full-time, part-time and seasonal workers in the United States. Effective November 1st, the company will offer its 350,000 employees a minimum of $15 an hour. Although the pay increase is still a dollar short from federal livable wage, currently $16.07 per hour, Amazon is taking their criticism and transforming it into a competitive advantage. As Amazon raises wages, they are also pushing for federal law to follow their lead. If successful, Amazon will once again be ahead of the curve, as this cost will already be incorporated into their operations while other companies struggle to balance their finances. Also, as more companies seek to position themselves around social issues, Amazon has taken the lead on a topic that meaningfully and powerfully engages both their workers and consumers.

Want to learn more?

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