5 Steps to Safeguarding Your Supply Chain from a Disaster
May 5, 2020 | Staffing Blog
There is no doubt that it is more than necessary to safeguard your supply chain. Disasters happen all of the time, whether they be natural or man-made, and the supply chain is a pillar in the manufacturing industry. As we watch companies around the world adjust to the effects of COVID-19, we are seeing a lot of lessons being learned.
We are not thankful for this occurrence, of course. Still, there is something to be said about getting struck down, learning from it, and knowing that you are now strong and ready for what comes next.
The Steps You Should Take to Protect Any Supply Chain
Do you need some help with this? We’re here for you! Here are five steps to safeguarding your supply chain for a disaster.
1. Plan for Every Possible Thing
The best way to be prepared for a disaster is to prepare for the worst. Doing so will ensure that no matter what comes your way, you are not surprised and you have a plan. In fact, come up with several plans just in case something unforeseen falls through. Consider the situation we are in now with the coronavirus. You can prepare to have to shut down for a week, maybe two. But what about when you don’t know when the problem will end? Or if things will just keep getting worse? Be ready with a plan for multiple stages, and know what exactly determines when you need to move into the next phase.
2. Regularly Update Your Contingency Plan
A lot of companies have a ‘plan’ for when disaster hits, but it’s usually written down somewhere and kept ‘just in case’. Contingency plans need to be updated a few times a year and tested for functionality. Doing so will reveal any possible challenges that you may need to face so you can come up with solutions for when a disaster actually occurs. There is nothing worse than being under pressure to find that the tools you need to carry out your plan no longer apply to the way your company functions.
3. Upgrade Your Communication Tools
The tools you have provided for your team to communicate during regular operations should be advanced enough so information can be shared easily. Start by researching advanced technologies for the services you provide. These may be a little on the pricey side, but it’s worth the investment if it’s going to protect your supply chain in the long run. In addition to updated technology, go to extra lengths to make sure your team is properly trained. There is no point in having these tools if your people can’t use them efficiently.
4. Get Ahead in Any Way You Can
It’s hard to predict how your demand will be affected during a crisis. The best thing you can do is to watch your current trends closely and get to know your customer’s behavior so you can determine what is most needed in a pinch. You may think you know what’s going to happen, but people don’t always behave as expected when a crisis hits. Be prepared for demand to skyrocket or for it to plummet.
5. Team Up with a Dependable Staffing Agency
If the crisis you face does indeed mean you have to shut down for some time, that means you may lose some of your team. Even if you don’t have to shut down, people may quit to be closer to family or deal with personal matters based on the severity of the situation. It could also happen that you need to hire more people to make up for the high demand for your products. No matter which direction things take you in, it will help you a great deal if you have a reliable staffing agency to turn to. They can help you bulk up on people or restaff after a temporary shut down.
In Conclusion
You can’t predict the future or the way that people will respond to it, but you can do your best to prepare. Do what you can to learn from your current challenges and the ways you see others thriving. Keep your systems updated and your team trained for anything.
If you are currently looking for staffing solutions or know you will be once we are out of quarantine, reach out to our team today. We can help you figure out a plan.