Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/sourcinganalytics

In today’s hyper-competitive global market, simply spending money isn’t enough; the real challenge lies in extracting maximum value. This is precisely the territory explored in Coursera’s insightful course, ‘Sourcing Analytics.’ Drawing a compelling parallel with Apple’s iPhone journey, the course highlights how strategic sourcing, while enabling immense success, also presents complex challenges. Apple’s phenomenal profit from the iPhone, for instance, was underpinned by a robust global sourcing strategy. However, the narrative also serves as a cautionary tale: a key supplier like Samsung can evolve into a formidable competitor, leveraging its cost advantages to gain market dominance.

The course is structured to equip learners with the essential tools and frameworks to navigate these complexities. Week one, ‘Welcome!,’ sets the stage by introducing fundamental sourcing pain points, key metrics, and an analytics framework, all contextualized through Apple’s experience. It emphasizes the need for sophisticated buyers in a constantly evolving supplier and product landscape.

Week two, ‘Sourcing Criteria and Market Intelligence,’ delves into the crucial aspect of supplier selection. You’ll learn how to define criteria that align with a company’s specific needs and how to leverage market intelligence to assess global market trends, stability, and competitive intensity, thereby identifying promising potential suppliers.

The third week, ‘Bargain Power and Supplier Analysis,’ focuses on the dynamics of negotiation and supplier evaluation. This module teaches you to analyze bargaining power, understanding the leverage held by both your organization and your suppliers. Furthermore, it provides methods for in-depth supplier analysis, examining their capabilities, pricing strategies, financial health, and operational efficiency.

Finally, ‘Supplier Score Sheets and Mini-project’ in week four brings everything together. This segment guides you in consolidating all the learned analytical techniques into practical supplier score sheets, enabling informed supplier selection. The course culminates in a mini-project focused on sourcing intelligence, allowing you to apply your newfound knowledge to a real-world scenario.

‘Sourcing Analytics’ is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in procurement, supply chain management, or business strategy. It offers a practical, case-study-driven approach to understanding and optimizing global sourcing, making it a highly recommended course for professionals looking to enhance their strategic decision-making capabilities.

Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/sourcinganalytics