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The Supply Chain Reality: Increasing Complexities and Cost-Savings Fatigue Threaten Profitability

Steven Bowen's New Book “Total Value Optimization“ Outlines Methodology to Optimize Supply Chains for Competitive Advantage

CEOs and supply chain leaders are under increasing pressure to deliver differentiated, lasting performance, fast. Among the issues they struggle with; responding to the complexities faced across the supply chain and managing the daily challenges presented as competitors become more numerous, more formidable, and more global.

In today's fast-paced market, profitability is at risk as whole supply chains shift in industries.

TVO Book Stacked New.pngSteve Bowen's new book “Total Value Optimization“ describes the pressure today's corporate leaders face as rapid economic and technological changes impact profitability. Bowen, one of the world's leaders in the supply chain arena, believes CEOs and supply chain leaders must place customer value at the heart of their businesses, through a demand-driven digital supply chain.

And, according to new research published by the University of Tennessee's Global Supply Chain Institute, he is right.

The recent study, sponsored by Maine Pointe, confirms that increasing complexities across the supply chain and cost-savings fatigue are driving the need for a new approach to achieving competitive advantage. “The research concludes that mounting issues across the supply chain can be successfully overcome through better end-to-end-collaboration--and identifies this collaboration as a largely untapped area for competitive advantage,“ said Bowen.

“Cross-functional collaboration and supply chain integration are challenging business goals, and many companies are deprioritizing these initiatives because their value is hard to define,“ said Bowen. “My book details the process by which any company--from a global titan to a regional contractor--can address these challenges, in a practical step-by-step way, and turn its supply chain from a cost center into the ultimate competitive weapon,“ he stated.

According to Bowen, the leading Fortune 500 companies interviewed by the Global Supply Chain Institute recognized the growing problems with the supply chain and their leaders are laser-focused on seeking new internal and external collaboration processes to drive breakthrough results.

The Total Value OptimizationTM (TVO) approach, featured in the research and Bowen's book, helps CEOs and supply chain leaders quantify and deliver the benefit of driving cross-functional collaboration across their procurement, logistics, and operations functions. This proven approach helps companies break down functional silos and drive measurable value across the end-to-end supply chain.

Bowen's new book is already garnering praise from industry thought leaders. Executive Director of the Global Supply Chain Institute, J. Paul Dittmann, Ph.D., describes “Total Value Optimization“ as “the best approach we have seen to achieve integrated supply chain excellence in logistics, operations, and procurement.“

“Total Value Optimization“ shows the reader how to analyze the supply chain, from the acquisition of raw materials all the way to the on-time and in-full delivery to the customer, and bring it step-by-step to the highest level possible. “Here's an example of the TVO approach in action,“ says Bowen. “A CEO who has consistently applied TVO across three corporations, both public and private equity-owned. Implementing these changes has enabled him to generate $290M in EBITDA, $310M in cash and growth through improved customer responsiveness.“

“Could your supply chain withstand a crisis like recent global natural disasters?“ asks Bowen. "Is your supply chain optimized to deliver maximum value under normal conditions? And, are you ready to leverage the raw power of data analytics?"

Packed with real-life case studies and a wealth of practical business experience, “Total Value Optimization“ is your roadmap to better organizational performance, continued growth, and higher return on your investment.

Other highly respected people in the industry have already endorsed "Total Value Optimization,“ including James R. Voss, CEO of Vectra; and John D. Baumann, President, and CEO of Colony Brands, Inc.

Interested in learning more about best practices in end-to-end supply chain collaboration?

Download the white paper by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business Supply Chain Management Faculty.

Unlock the value in your company's supply chain and turn it into the competitive advantage your company needs. Order “Total Value Optimization“ today.

About the Author

Steven J. Bowen has more than thirty years of P&L experience, leading turnarounds, high-growth businesses, and Fortune 1000 companies. With strong credentials in advising CEOs and private equity partners and an exceptional track record in lean and demand-pull global environments, his firm is a leader in sustainable global supply chain transformation. Bowen is also chairman and CEO of Maine Pointe, LLC.

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