Logistics? Yum Cha with Genghis Khan

Wow!! Very fast home delivery from KFC - estimated arrival time 30 minutes but came a lot sooner. Someone in their back office must be pretty good. One "like" for him!! Superb delivery management!!

Man United just lost to Newcastle. MU was not short of attacking power but the supply chain was not working. The midfield was dead!! And the frontline starved. Without an efficient supply chain, the whole system get messed up.

Flood, flood, flood. Ever wondered who coordinates all the relief efforts during the spate of floods that hit the country annually? Or who plans the cleanup of our rivers when some idiots dump thousands of liters of diesel into them? Well, the unsung heroes are the logisticians who work painstakingly behind the scenes to ensure that equipment, food supplies, technicians and rescue personnel reach quickly to save people, property and the environment. Having done so, they facilitate the continued smooth functioning of government and companies. Logisticians are demanded by both government and the private sector. Logistics is a booming industry. Lots of potential and growth.

Here are two stories you may be interested in, as told by Philip Rudy, a contractor for Diakon Logistics and posted by Christopher Sciacca in his blog "Who said supply chains are boring?"

At age 21, Alexander led a group of 40,000 soldiers and 6,000 horsemen to Asia Minor with a meager supply of food. He carefully planned the timing of the sea journey and his 30 days of rations to last 10 days beyond the harvest date in the country he was attacking. On land, Alexander's army could only carry a 10-day supply of food, yet they covered 19 miles per day. This fast pace would lead him across Persia and India with a group of men that would eventually exceed 90,000. He is famous for saying, "My logisticians are a humourless lot. They know they are the first ones I will slay if my campaign fails." Alexander the Great was a pioneer in logistical planning and efficiency.

The Mongol Empire was a military superpower that had outstanding logistical strategies. Both Kublai Khan and Genghis Khan were excellent logisticians that helped their armies overcome brutal adversaries. The Mongol forces brought their families with them on all of their campaigns. They lived largely off the land and on stores of dry meat. Soldiers were provided with fish hooks and tools that gave them access to natural food supplies. Each soldier would have three or four horses and a large supply of arrows. The army could use their spare horses as an emergency food source that would provide sustenance for one month. This strategy required the army to find pasture land and adequate water for their animals. However, it was successful, efficient and required minimal resources, which are still desirable traits today.


Here's the link for more stories like the above, http://supplychainsrock.blogspot.com/

In today's global market, managing the whole supply chain has become a critical factor for success. Business success requires integrated manufacturing and distribution processes as well as forming good relationships with suppliers and customers. Want to become a logistician or a supply chain manager? Come yum cha with me!!!

Some links to interesting videos related to logistics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRAHa_Po0Kg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfZaz7A6k4o#t=22

(to add) :))