According to Charlie Villaseñor, Chairman and CEO of the Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia, Supply chain management (SCM) costs can count for as much as 80% of an enterprise’s total expenditures. That means a 10% savings in supply chain operations can translate into a massive 60% increase in profit while maintaining or improving quality.

According to Villaseñor, improving ones business through the effective application of SCM principles is the way forward. “It’s clear that effective management of resources, processes and relationships with suppliers, contractors and customers is an essential task for every business. It can mean the difference between profit and loss, between success and failure.”

“In order to streamline SCM, your business needs trained, competent managers to devise and implement required processes.”

According to Villaseñor, who is on the Advisory Board of the MLS-SCM Program of the International Trade Centre – a joint agency of the UN and World Trade Organisation – there is an international drive to develop supply chain skills in emerging countries as a means of increasing export capability.

“With the world’s economy shifting towards developing countries, Africa must be a particular focus – and given the potential that SMEs have to boost local economies, it’s chiefly SMEs that we want to see benefiting from supply chain management education,” he says.

Villaseñor says helping companies to be more able to meet today’s challenging market conditions starts with equipping them with supply chain management (SCM) skills. “Sharp supply chain skills can do a great deal for your business. It’s time for small businesses to get skilled!”

“Small businesses in South Africa can already benefit from globally recognised supply chain management certifications through SAPICS,” concludes Jenny Froome, SAPICS General Manager. “The APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) programs, DDI’s Certified in Demand Driven Planning (CDDP) and IBF’s Certified Business Forecaster are ideally suited to small businesses that recognise the positive influence these competencies can have their employees thus ensuring the company’s success.”

Villaseñor will present a workshop on the United Nations Supply Chain Education Programme at the SAPICS 2015* conference, from 31 May – 2 June at Sun City.