We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » How Unilever funds supply chain innovation
Forward Thinking

How Unilever funds supply chain innovation

June 4, 2018
Susan Lacefield
No Comments

Many traditional supply chains organizations are feeling the pressure to be more innovative and adopt new technologies and processes that will help them evolve into a digital supply chain. But it can be hard to know how to translate this desire for innovation into being a business that actually implements innovations.

One small way that consumer packaged goods giant Unilever is encouraging its employees to be more innovative is through its "Digifund" microfunding program. Unilever challenged its employees to submit supply chain innovation requests that could be accomplished for a small amount of money—10,000 euros or less. Employees had to submit a four-minute video that answered three questions. The requests were either approved or denied and received funding within 48 hours.

Speaking about the program at the Gartner Supply Chain Executive Conference in mid-May, Ana Dzura, vice president of planning, analytics, and customer service excellence at Unilever, called the effort "a crazy experiment." "We felt we had to create a digital culture that was more experimental and had more of an external focus," she said.

Seventy percent of those ideas have been implemented and went live in under eight months. Many of the projects were small experimental efforts that provide the company a way to learn about new technologies. For example, one project focused on using machine learning and advanced analytics to take data from one customer in one country to improve product availability on the shelf. The effort looked at 2,000 stock keeping units across 500 stores. The effort improved product availability and saved time and money through automating the data analysis.

    • Related Articles

      How to better prepare your supply chain for the next extreme event

      How Ford is collaborating with suppliers to green its supply chain

      Modex keynote provides a how-to guide to "disrupting yourself"

    Susan Lacefield is Executive Editor of CSCMP’s Supply Chain Quarterly.

    Recent Articles by Susan Lacefield

    Shippers should be using spot market more, says J.B. Hunt exec

    Chef José Andrés finds universal supply chain lessons in emergency food relief

    Conversation around supply chain technology has changed, says panel of executives

    You must login or register in order to post a comment.

    Report Abusive Comment

    Most Popular Articles

    • Report: Sagging freight stats show that trucking sector is returning to its historic mean

    • Survey: parcel delivery drivers are frustrated by using their own smartphones for work

    • Heavy transport across two continents

    • Survey: most Americans unaware that truckers face shortage of parking spaces

    • Supply chain executives not yet seeing expected results from technology investments

    Featured Video

    Household goods customs broker thumb

    Household Goods Customs Broker

    Viewer Contributed
    Household Goods Customs Broker :Gallagher Transport International is a highly experienced customs broker specializing in household goods, providing efficient and cost-effective customs clearance services while ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations. Our Services Include: Importing & Exporting...

    FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

    • Three layers of forklift safety: Promoting operating best practices

    • The Complete Guide to Automated Packaging

    • Five tips for parcel success in 2023

    • Guide to Pallet Rack Safety

    View More

    Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

    Get Your Subscription
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • E-NEWSLETTERS
    • ADVERTISING
    • CUSTOMER CARE
    • CONTACT
    • ABOUT
    • STAFF
    • PRIVACY POLICY

    Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing