The Whole is Greater than the Sum of the Parts

Q: Why bother with developing supply chain connections?

A: Because the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Why are the links between your company and the companies that you work with such as suppliers, carriers, distributors and so on so important to the success of your business? Well, think of the supply chain as a complex system, and by complex system I simply mean something that is made up of parts that connect and work together in dynamic and flexible ways. A human brain is a complex system and so too is a modern city.

A brain has consciousness and cities accelerate creativity. You would never have known that was going to be so by just looking in isolation at the parts of the brain – tissue, chemicals, and water, or those of the city – roads, buildings, rules and regulations.

As if by magic, consciousness and creativity EMERGE from the quality of the interconnections between the various components of the brain and the city. In effect, the whole truly is greater than the sum of the parts.

Likewise, supply chain management challenges you to look at your business and its connections to all of your supply and service partners as a complex system, as one whole thing.

When you look at your business this way, opportunities emerge to create value through quality, speed and efficiency that are invisible and unattainable if you just think of your own business in isolation. Paying attention to the connections delivers a huge payback.

This is what the most innovative and successful companies, big and small, are doing. If others can do it, so can you.

If you would like to find our more information or if you would like to speak to one of the team, please email info@albalogistics.com or phone: +353 1 415 1252