Corvita Group - Blog #Covid-19Corvita Group - Blog #Covid-19https://www.corvitagroup.com/blogs/tag/covid-19Thu, 14 May 2026 17:25:23 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Resource Constraints and Skill Shortages in 2020]]>https://www.corvitagroup.com/blogs/post/resource-constraints-and-skill-shortages-in-2020Businesses and supply chains worldwide have had to face new challenges this year as local and national governments implement new regulations to combat ]]>

Businesses and supply chains worldwide have had to face new challenges this year as local and national governments implement new regulations to combat the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  Adhering to these regulations, resolving supply chain disruptions, and re-evaluating processes have understandably been the primary focus of organizations in 2020.  However, addressing these challenges have forced many businesses to stretch existing resources to fill in the gaps; shifting focus away from their core business.  While this may fair well as a short-term solution, knowledge gaps, along with exhausted resources can lead to inefficiencies that can cost businesses big in the future. 

 

Subjects that are having the greatest impact on resources within supply chains are:

 

Technology


In March of 2020, as governments around the world began putting regulations in place in an effort to control the spread of Covid-19, supply chain disruptions began to surge.  These disruptions had the greatest negative impact on organizations that did not already have a strong technology mix in place, to give the visibility needed to make data driven adjustments. As businesses adopt new technologies for higher efficiency and visibility, it is likely that they will lack resources that have the required expertise necessary to optimize the technology.   

 

Working Remotely


According to research done by FlexJobs.com and Global Workplace Analytics, remote work has increased by 44% from 2014 to 2019.  And in an effort to deal with growing workplace health concerns, many more workers have transitioned to working from home in 2020.  While there have been huge advancements in remote communication technologies, limitations do still exist.  Employees, working from home, can often feel isolated and less a part of the team.  They may also find it difficult to prioritize tasks.  These limitations can put remote workers at a disadvantage when it comes to collaboration and adjusting to new technologies and processes. 

 

 

Market Volatility


Fear, uncertainty and doubt have driven the consumer market in 2020.  The combination of a global health crisis and unfavorable trade relations with China has led to shortages of raw materials, while consumer demand unpredictably surges.  This volatility has caused many businesses to cut costs by furloughing, issuing lay-offs, or letting workers go completely.  As markets remain unpredictable for the foreseeable future, organizations may be hesitant to invest in the onboarding process of new resources.

 

 

Conclusion

 

This year has been a wakeup call for many organizations concerning their supply chain.  Some disruptions, such as the current global pandemic, can only be combatted by a resilient supply chain.  It is important to remember that at the core of any process or technology, is a human resource.  Implementations, configurations, non-automated processes, analytics, and support all require human resources and are imperative to the successful operation of a business.  Economic uncertainty can sometimes prevent organizations from making long-term commitments to new hires and can lead highly qualified candidates to look elsewhere for employment.  In this situation, businesses may look to a third party, such as Corvita Group, to fill in any resource or knowledge gaps.  Corvita Group is a technology-neutral logistics consulting firm that also provides relief to businesses that are looking for an expert resource, without having to onboard a new FTE.

]]>Fri, 13 Nov 2020 09:50:37 -0500<![CDATA[What New Challenges Will Supply Chains Face This Holiday Season?]]>https://www.corvitagroup.com/blogs/post/What-New-Challenges-Will-Supply-Chains-Face-This-Holiday-SeasonUnder the best of circumstances, customer behavior can be difficult to predict.  A global pandemic, and the economic consequences it brings, can ]]>

Under the best of circumstances, customer behavior can be difficult to predict.  A global pandemic, and the economic consequences it brings, can cause extreme volatility in consumer demand trends.  The ability of the supply chain to adapt to these sudden market changes will be critical to a business looking to take advantage of sales opportunities, while minimizing its risk. 

  

There is no doubt that Covid-19 has changed the way consumers have decided to purchase and receive products.  According to recent data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, e-commerce was responsible for 16% of all consumer purchases in the 2nd quarter.  This is up from 11%, where the trend started near the start of the 1st quarter.  If this trend continues into the holiday season, we could see a strain on supply chains unlike anything we have experienced to date. 

  

Some challenges that supply chains may face this holiday season include:

  

Inventory Supply


Before the pandemic, most manufacturers were already running at maximum capacity. Now, with many manufacturers either having to reduce staff or shut down completely, we are already seeing a slowdown in the production of everyday goods.

  

Warehouses and Fulfillment Centers


Much like manufacturers, warehouses and fulfillment centers are having to adapt to staffing issues and procedural changes due to Covid-19.  This means that even if a product is in stock, it could still see delays during the fulfillment process.

  

Customer Experience


With businesses struggling to just get their products to their destinations, it is easy to overlook the customer experience.  There may be product shortages and delays that cannot be helped this holiday season, but that will make customer service and communication even more important.

  


Some solutions to these challenges:

  

Increase Visibility Throughout the Supply Chain Process


Now, more than ever, it is important to understand what is taking place throughout your supply chain. Delays in production, fulfillment and shipping can ruin the customer experience. However, with high supply chain visibility, these delays can be caught early and resolved quickly. This information can also be communicated to the customer, so they are not left wondering why their package has not arrived.

  


Diversify Suppliers and Freight Carriers


What would happen if your supplier had to discontinue their services or there is a disruption due to Covid-19?  Diversity helps to mitigate risk and helps to sustain businesses in less than ideal circumstances.

  

Collaborate Between Suppliers and Carriers with Technology


Due to the pandemic, remote work is becoming the standard for many companies across the country.  Through technology, teams can now easily collaborate internally, as well as digitally access their carrier connections to quote and tender freight using consistent data that can be maintained for analysis.

  


A shift from in-store to online purchases could be the greatest challenge for supply chains this holiday season. This trend could increase demand on shipping and warehousing, causing several bottlenecks due to staffing shortages and new safety protocols.  Having the right technology to increase visibility and to collaborate between a diverse set of suppliers and carriers can greatly reduce these risks.  However, in many cases, organizations may not have the required resources to optimize their technology for this new market or are unsure of which technology would best satisfy their requirements.  In these situations, a third party analysis, from a company with expertise on a diverse set of technologies within your industry, is recommended.

  

Corvita Group is a supply chain strategy, design and implementation firm with a focus on technology. We are seasoned professionals that have a combined experience of over 150 years spanning all aspects of supply chain operations. From procurement to inbound transportation, warehousing, inventory control, distribution, transportation and reverse logistics, we have the experts to address our client’s needs.


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