Good Auditing Practice Converts A Supply Chain Into A Value Chain

There is often some confusion about the difference between the traditional supply chain and what has come to be known as a “value chain”. In reality, the two usually overlap and can even be the same “chain”. The difference lies in the high-level view of the process, but it can be argued in most cases – if not all – that a supply chain that isn’t also a value chain is a sign of poor business practices.

Today we look at creating a value chain for business, and how effective auditing is just as important as ownership for each link in the chain.

Protect Your Business and Your People with Auditing

Auditing has always been an important part of business success, but the recent and ongoing surge in regulations is making it a necessity that is more easily recognised. When auditing is internal and strictly used for company integrity, there can be more of a propensity for slacking. But when outside pressures are brought to bear, which carry the possibility of very steep fines and penalties, there is all the more reason to make sure that you’re compliant.

In this article we look at how companies can improve business and protect employees by auditing for work health and safety.

Earning China’s Trust through Auditing and Compliance

If you were to try and imagine a new business opportunity that could literally double or triple your revenues quickly (or more), most business owners would get fairly excited. Opportunities like that don’t come along very often, but a great deal of Australian business owners are now looking head-on at one later this year.
The free trade agreement with China that will come into effect by the end of 2015 will undoubtedly affect many different industries over time, but the fresh food industry is first in line to reap big rewards.

The Value of Checklists in Compliance Processes

Checklists. We mostly use them to compile our grocery needs and make sure that we don’t arrive back at home having forgotten the milk or eggs. But checklists, as simple as they are, are some of the most powerful tools available to us, in business and in life.
Here we give the history, psychology, and practical reasons for using checklists in organisations.

Imported Food Scares Raise the Need for Better Auditing and Compliance

The recent food scares with imported berries and tuna have raised more than public fear and government scrutiny. They’ve once again raised the importance of – and apparent lack of – proper auditing procedures with many organisations around the globe.
In this article, we look at food safety and discuss the need for replacing current auditing and compliance systems, in order to safeguard public health.

How Technology is Helping Organisations Manage Compliance

Technology is changing the way businesses, and the world, operates at an almost blinding speed, and for many companies the struggle to keep up with the constant changes demanded by new developments can be extremely burdensome.
A simple example in the case of customer-facing assets is the emergence of social media as a platform for sales, marketing and customer service. This requires a new skill set, as well as a reimagining of business policies and processes.

When Non-Compliance Becomes a Public Safety Matter

A lack of proper compliance standards and systems is always a problem for any business. That’s no great secret. Non-compliant players in a supply chain can cause lowered quality in products, confusion and/or mistrust from the consumer base, delays in inventory deliveries, and more.
While all of these are important and major issues that can – and do – negatively affect business results, none of them elicit the same level of concern and need for immediate action that another three-word issue can: food safety concerns.
This article warns about the business and health dangers than can arise from poor supply chain compliance standards.