Efficient planning and superior execution against clear objectives is the way companies operate best. For many companies, the planning process is carefully orchestrated, objectives are set, budgets are negotiated, resources are allocated, and then it's up to the organization to execute. But what happens when the unexpected occurs? Say, an event occurs that throws the status quo into turmoil. What if your business declines by 40% in 1 month, what do you do? Conversely, what if your demand spikes by 50% in just a few months, what then? Suppose a natural disaster happens, or a new technology creates a significant, but unplanned opportunity? The authors call these events 'stretch opportunities'. This book focuses on strategic thinking and tactical examples of how best to prepare for such events. The authors outline common themes across all such challenges, and introduce three key management concepts: Flexibility, Agility and Real Options. This book also includes a specific chapter on how to structure supply chains to capitalize on stretch opportunities and the authors provide specific tactical frameworks to build in agility, flexibility and real options into a supply chain. In conclusion, you'll find a checklist that to ensure that the right questions are asked in developing supply chains so that the ability to "surge" at profitable opportunities is nourished.

The Toyota Production System is the benchmark used throughout the world for "lean" thinking. Now you can model your own processes after those of the company that "wrote the book on supply chain management."

Written by two experts on the subject, along with a former Toyota senior executive, this book details the most celebrated supply chain operation in the world to help you form an integrated, synchronized system that will be the envy of your industry.

You will find key insight into the logic behind every point of Toyota's supply chain, along with both the tactics and strategies you can use to build an outstanding system of your own. "Toyota Supply Chain Management" explains how to achieve balance and efficiency by focusing on: Variety Determine your variety of offerings based on operational efficiency and market demand Velocity Maintain a steady flow through all processes of the supply chain Variability Manage inconsistencies carefully to reduce cost and improve quality Visibility Ensure the transparency of all processes to enable continuous learning and improvement

The authors provide valuable insider tips and offer hands-on guidance for improvingproduction and operations in a variety of industries, including health care, insurance, banking, credit processing, and retailing.

With careful attention paid to every aspect of the subject--from principles and theories to operations and best practices--"Toyota Supply Chain Management" is the most comprehensive, insightful guide to forging a world-class supply chain system.