Podcast Series. Episode: Shoring up Your Supply Chain

Survive & Thrive: Shoring up Your Supply Chain

In this episode of The Quality Hub’s Survive & Thrive series, host Xavier Francis is joined by Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions, Jutta Bangs, Counselor with the Tennessee APEX Accelerators, and Kevin Cooper, Strategic Advisor with Tennessee MEP. Together, they discuss how small businesses can shore up their supply chains and build resilience against future disruptions. From supply chain mapping to supplier relationship management, the conversation is packed with practical strategies and real-world insights. Learn how APEX Accelerators and MEPs offer no-cost resources to help small manufacturers navigate supply chain risks and strengthen operations for long-term success.

Summary: Survive & Thrive– Shoring Up Your Supply Chain – Building Resilience Before the Next Disruption

Host: Xavier Francis

Guests: Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions, Jutta Bangs, Counselor with Tennessee APEX Accelerators, and Kevin Cooper, Strategic Advisor with Tennessee MEP

We explore how small businesses can prepare for inevitable supply chain disruptions by adopting proactive risk management strategies, enhancing supply chain visibility, and using public resources like APEX Accelerators and MEP centers for support.

The discussion centers on shifting mindsets, utilizing practical tools such as supply chain mapping and value stream analysis, and enhancing supplier relationships to mitigate vulnerability during crises.

Key Takeaways for Small Businesses

1. Disruptions Are Normal – Plan Accordingly

• Supply chain disruptions happen regularly, not just during global crises.
• Many businesses are surprised each time, despite the predictable nature of disruptions.
• Mindset shift: Treat disruptions as an expected part of operations and integrate risk assessment into ongoing planning.

2. Design Adaptive, Not Just Efficient, Supply Chains

• Aim for supply chains that are not only cost-effective but also adaptive to change.
• Trade-offs exist: Greater flexibility often means higher costs—but may save your business in times of crisis.
• Schedule regular risk discussions in strategic or product review meetings to make resilience a living part of your business culture.

3. Use Supply Chain Mapping for Visibility

Most businesses only understand their first-tier suppliers, overlooking risks that lie deeper in the supply chain. Tools like supply chain maps and value stream analysis can reveal:

• Bottlenecks
• Redundant steps
• Hidden dependencies

Start simple: List your current suppliers, their locations, lead times, and backup options.

4. Lean on APEX Accelerators and MEP Centers

These publicly funded resources offer free or low-cost support. APEX Accelerators help with government contracting and supplier mapping. MEPs (Manufacturing Extension Partnerships) assist with:

• ISO implementation
• Lean operations
• Safety and quality programs
• They also provide hands-on help when you don’t have internal resources.

5. Strengthen Supplier Relationships

• Don’t wait for surprises—communicate with suppliers before problems arise.
• Build mutual understanding of each other’s supply chains.
• The best relationships lead to early warning signs when trouble is coming—giving you time to react.

6. Conduct Preventive Maintenance on Your Business

Use stable periods (no current disruptions) to:

• Re-evaluate suppliers
• Fix known weak links
• Build backup plans
• Think like a manufacturer who services machines before they break down.

7. One Thing to Do This Quarter? Work On Your Business

“Take time to strategically work on your business instead of in your business.” – Jutta Bangs

• Step out of the daily grind to assess the big picture.
• Involve your team in strategic planning—even if it means pausing operations briefly to do so.

Final Thought

Thriving during disruptions isn’t about guessing the next crisis—it’s about being ready for any of them. Start with small steps: mapping your supply chain, building relationships, and reaching out to support networks like APEX and MEP. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

The Quality Hub podcast is where we chat with ISO experts about “all things Quality.” Our goal is to share the knowledge we’ve gained by working with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, ISO standards, and other business best practices with our podcast listeners. We want you to be encouraged by our education and experiences. Visit the ISO 9001 Podcast page to learn more and listen to more podcasts.

If you are interested in ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard Certfication, visit our ISO 9001 page to learn more.  If you are seeking help in implementing ISO 9001 or another standard, just reach out for a free quote for Core Business Solutions’ consulting services.