Customer Reviews

Supply Chain Management Best Practices

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3 star:		(3)
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Dave Blanchard writes in a clear, concise style and supports his points with case histories that relate each point to the real world. The book is divided into three parts to create a process of its own. It leads the reader through supply chains used in different channels, discusses the core questions that must be answered in creating a system and then looks at solutions the best companies use to help meet obstacles that arise.

He has a light-hearted style (the first sub-head is, "You Knew This Job Was Dangerous When You Took It"), which keeps the book from bogging down or becoming pedantic. But the information is up to date and concisely presented.

The book is heavily annotated, offering additional resources if the reader desires, and the index allows specific points to be located quickly, so it works well as a reference guide as well as an overview. That he occasionally references his own articles makes it clear that he has a long history in the industry, offering experience and context he can bring to bear on the topic.

I just spent the last three years at a large company where we focused on Supply Chain improvement. It was three years of incredible experiences and accomplishments. Now that it is over and I read this book, I know what it is we did. I did a lot of the activities, but did not have the big picture in mind when I did them. Now I have the big picture and the experience to back it up. Excellent read!

Unlike most of the market research and books on supply chain management, Blanchard's text does not require a PhD in Operations Research or Supply Chain Theory to read. In fact, it is full of insightful real-world examples from a wide variety of industries making it very easy to follow. Blanchard provides a historical perspective on the supply chain as a discipline as well as the background on concepts such as the Toyota Production System, Electronic Marketplaces and Collaborative Forecasting & Replenishment. This Second Edition of the book is up-to-date, with full chapters devoted to RFID, supply chain security and green supply chains. The book also provides useful explanations of concepts such as lean manufacturing, cross-docking, service parts planning, postponement and sales & operations planning.

I had only two complaints in reading it. There is a chapter on customer service that I found to be extremely disappointing as it focused primarily on returns processing. Additionally, there is no content on invoicing, payment or the financial settlement process. But, overall the book provides an excellent primer for those seeking an introduction to supply chain. I would highly recommend Blanchard's work over others such as the Harvard Business Review on SCM and Essentials of Supply Chain Management, neither of which did I find as useful.

Easy read in magazine style, nothing technical, covered the standard material you would expect to find in the proliferation of SCM books, including the stock case studies (some now dated or don't shine as much post 2008). Disappointingly book provides little that adds to, challenges or puts a different perspective on the sum knowledge of supply chain management, more of the same really

Many of the issues addressed are very basic to those in the field of purchasing. I had hoped that it would go to the next level for those already in this field.

This book provides a basic summary of good supply chain fundamentals. There are not many novel ideas in the book, which was a little disappointing.

This book is very simple, and to the point. It makes the content easy to understand.
And it will not put you to sleep.

An easy to read book that cuts to the chase about practical supply chain matters. Thank you Mr. Blanchard for writing a book that's less about the academic theory behind it and more about how to get things done!

The book was received in a relatively short period. Once received, the book was in excellent condition. I have never received an order as quickly as I received this book!!!!!!

Since shopping Amazon.com I have been thoroughly pleased with the outstanding quality of product and service. I recently ordered Supply Chain Management and Essentials of Supply Chain Management both of which were in excellent condition. As a student, I sometimes order the required reading material later than I should, but Amazon delivers my last minute orders on time. OUTSTANDING job!!