Seven Sustainable SCM Lessons from Starbucks

Reviewing sustainable supply chain management progress over the past few years has revealed a growing emphasis on environmental awareness, social responsibility, and business sustainability actions in the supply chain.  Progressive companies, like IBM and Wal-Mart, have begun to evaluate inbound supply improvements and the ‘supplier role’ in creating more sustainable supply chains.   Shifting attention to Starbucks, the coffee super giant has a few lessons of its own to teach us about internal improvements. 

The Sourcing Innovation post, What Your Supply Chain Can Learn from Starbucks, examines the business sustainability characteristics that differentiate this sustainable supply chain management leader from its competitors and other major corporations.  Citing seven lessons learned, these insights create an opportunity to incorporate what the author defines as potential SCM organizational best practices.   1.    The supply management organization must see itself as part of a larger company.   2.    The supply management organization must balance cost reduction with social responsibility.   3.    The supply management organization must create an atmosphere of collaboration. Click here to learn more sustainable supply chain lessons from Starbucks.   

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