Tag: compliance

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Digital Supply Chain

Embracing ESG in Supply Chains: Insights from Dean Alms, Chief Product Officer of Aravo

The world of supply chain management is evolving rapidly, and one of the most significant factors driving this change is the increasing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. In a recent episode of the Digital Supply Chain podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dean Alms, Chief Product Officer of Aravo, a leading provider of ESG and risk management solutions. Dean shared his invaluable insights into how ESG is shaping the future of supply chain management and how companies can strategically align their initiatives for maximum impact.

One of the key takeaways from our conversation was the concept of “thinking big, starting small, and growing fast” when it comes to implementing ESG initiatives. Dean emphasized that while companies should have a long-term vision for their ESG goals, it’s crucial to begin by tackling one issue at a time and gradually expanding their efforts. This approach allows businesses to be agile and adapt as regulations and industry standards evolve.

Dean shared an example of Aravo’s Strategic Alignment Framework, which is designed to help companies align their ESG initiatives with their overall business strategy. The framework is set to be available online soon, and Dean mentioned that it would likely roll out at the end of March. This resource will be invaluable for companies looking to establish a solid foundation for their ESG programs.

Video of the podcast

During our discussion, Dean also touched upon the importance of the “3 P’s of procurement” – product, price, and practices. Historically, procurement decisions were primarily based on product and price, but now, companies must consider the ethical and sustainable practices of their suppliers as well. This shift is transforming the way businesses approach their supply chains, as they must now evaluate the social and environmental impact of their purchasing decisions.

Dean provided real-world examples of how companies in various industries are making strides in ESG and risk management. In the consumer packaged goods sector, businesses are working closely with farmers and manufacturers to ensure adherence to ethical business practices and environmental sustainability. Similarly, pharmaceutical companies are focusing on compliance-driven aspects of ESG, such as anti-bribery, corruption, and data privacy.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Dean discussed the future of ESG and risk management in supply chains. He highlighted the growing complexity of managing extended enterprises and the need to stay on top of an ever-increasing number of regulatory agencies and requirements. Dean’s insights underscore the critical role ESG and risk management will play in shaping the future of supply chains, as companies must adapt to these new requirements and expectations.

As I listened to Dean discuss the future of ESG and risk management in supply chains, I couldn’t help but feel optimistic about the potential for positive change. With companies like Aravo at the forefront of promoting sustainable and ethical business practices, we are undoubtedly moving towards a more responsible and transparent supply chain ecosystem.

I encourage you to listen to the full episode of the Digital Supply Chain podcast featuring Dean Alms to gain a deeper understanding of how ESG and risk management are transforming the supply chain landscape. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in staying ahead of the curve and embracing the opportunities presented by this rapidly evolving field. And the episode is also available to watch on YouTube.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider following the podcast and sharing it with others who may be interested. And as always, if you find the podcast of value, and you’d like to help me continue to make episodes like this one, you can go to the podcast’s Support page and become a Digital Supply Chain podcast Supporter for less than the cost of a cup of coffee!

And if you’re interested in having your brand associated with the leading Supply Chain podcast, don’t hesitate to check out these sponsorship packages and how I can help your company gain exposure and establish yourself as a thought leader in the supply chain industry, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Thank you!

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Digital Supply Chain

The Importance of Compliance and Sustainability in Supply Chain Management with Topo Solutions

As the host of the Digital Supply Chain podcast, I’m always on the lookout for guests who can offer unique insights and expertise on the subject of supply chain management. Recently, I had the pleasure of welcoming Tobias Grabler, the COO of Topo Solutions, to the show. In this episode, Tobias introduces Topo Solutions as a SaaS company that provides a digital platform for end-to-end supply chain management.

Topo Solutions is a cloud-based solution that covers the entire journey of a product from sourcing to quality management, compliance, and sustainability. With offices in Hong Kong and the US, Topo Solutions primarily serves clients in Europe, but is expanding into the US market. The company celebrated its 10-year anniversary last year and has been growing rapidly, with a move to a larger office space in Hong Kong in 2022.

One of the things that sets Topo Solutions apart is its flexible approach to implementation. They can either implement everything for the customer, hand it over to the customer to build everything themselves, or start and then have the customer take over. They also offer templates for certain areas and allow for an empty canvas to build tools for the customer’s specific supply chain needs. The platform is also low-code, empowering business users, as IT and developer resources are often scarce.

Topo Solutions is designed for the consumer goods industry, and can be applied across various product groups, allowing users to go into nitty-gritty details. The platform starts with product ideas and helps buyers and product managers communicate with suppliers, getting feedback on minimum order quantities, prices, and logistics information. It can serve as an order management system for organizations without existing systems and is a collaboration platform that connects suppliers, third-party service providers, and team members for production follow-ups, project management, and quality control.

Another key focus of Topo Solutions is compliance and sustainability, including supplier onboarding, self-assessments, certificate management, and the ability to run audits. The platform is framework agnostic and can connect to various platforms such as BSCI and Sedex for audit data. It also allows for collaboration with suppliers to trigger corrective actions and improve sustainability. Topo covers topics such as packaging, circular economy, traceability, and chemical management, helping customers get more transparency and prevent issues.

Tobias mentions the importance of carbon emissions and how Topo Solutions is helping customers collect CO2 emissions from the supply chain. He also highlights Topo’s success stories, including their work with Puma for quality management, the implementation for the biggest European shoe retailer Deichmann for the German Due Diligence Supply Chain Act, and the sourcing arm of the Rewe group. Tobias explains Topo’s vision to become the most efficient and powerful supply chain platform in the market, with a focus on sustainability and compliance. He believes that a holistic approach to sustainability is important, as it encompasses social and environmental components, and notes that tackling a broad area is essential to avoid the appearance of greenwashing.

It was great to have Tobias on the show, and I’m excited to share this episode with you. If you’re interested in learning more about digital supply chain management and the role of technology in this field, I encourage you to give this episode a listen.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider following the podcast and sharing it with others who may be interested. And as always, if you find the podcast of value, and you’d like to help me continue to make episodes like this one, you can go to the podcast’s Support page and become a Digital Supply Chain podcast Supporter for less than the cost of a cup of coffee!

Thank you!

Photo credit Jason Rosenberg on Flickr