S8 E8 The end of abundance thinking – how to operate in a time of scarcity. with Jeremy Gray artwork
Practical Solutions to Difficult Problems with Jeremy Gray

S8 E8 The end of abundance thinking – how to operate in a time of scarcity. with Jeremy Gray

  • S8E8
  • 12:12
  • January 20th 2022

Episode 8 The end of abundance thinking – how to operate in a time of scarcity. ​ Most of us run our businesses in a time of abundance. It was relatively easy to get the materials we needed to produce the goods we offered. Workers were plentiful, energy was cheap. That has all changed. Companies all around the world are facing a supply crisis.

Notwithstanding the supply chain challenges your customers have been used to getting what they want, when they want it, at a price they can afford. Speed of delivery has been a cornerstone of Amazon’s strategy and it gives the company a key competitive advantage. Your brand’s reputation is at risk if you cannot meet your customer’s expectations. In the world of social media people will voice their dissatisfaction loudly and widely.

Although this is a challenging situation, handled well it has the potential to make your supply chain a value creator. How? Consider another trend that will continue to become more important in the next few years, sustainability. Consumers are saying that sustainability is important, some are already beginning to change their behaviors. Balancing affordability with sustainability may be a way to reposition your brand to your advantage with your customers.

Repairing modern equipment is often challenging, making it easier to by new. Not too surprisingly manufacturers have encouraged this idea. Governments and consumers are taking note, a “right to repair” movement is growing around the world. In the UK there are laws legally requiring manufacturers to make spare parts available to people buying electrical appliances. Think about the competitive advantage you could gain if your products had a reputation of being easy to repair. And the sale of spare parts can be very profitable.

It may be time to think again about your product’s lifecycle. Extending a product’s lifecycle will reduce costs significantly. New product development costs money.

Can you make the consumer’s desire for green a cost saver for you? I have always been amused by the hotel industry that encourages us not to change our towels each day, to only change bedsheets every week. Of course, this is what most of us do at home, so it is a perfectly reasonable request. The fact this reduces the hotel’s laundry costs is never mentioned.

Packaging is an area that is ripe for improvement. Plastic pollution in the oceans is a global disgrace and there is a worldwide movement against disposable plastic.

Keep an eye on customer attitudes towards sustainability and beyond to “nature positive” which focuses on enhancing the resilience of our plants to reverse nature loss. The trends towards protecting the world’s ecosystem will grow; if you can identify how you can contribute towards improving the environment and reducing your costs you will be onto a winner.

Tags: How to grow a business, achieve business success, scarcity, opportunity change business model the successful entrepreneur, business common mistakes small business start-up; avoid these common mistakes; IBGR.network, Jeremy Gray, Practical Solutions to Difficult Problems

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Practical Solutions to Difficult Problems with Jeremy Gray

After over 30 years in the MNC corporate world at the C-suite or General Manager level I am now focused on helping Entrepreneurs and SME's succeed. Using the lessons learned from working in Europe, North America and Asia while as an MNC executive along with 7 years supporting smaller businesses I bring this knowledge to my listeners. The topics will change but the message will remain the same, how to profitably grow your business.

Jeremy joined the IBGR.Network to build his next career focusing on developing strategies that accelerate revenue, profit, and long term growth. The size or age of your business doesn't matter, only the size of your dreams. He can help you get there with:

  • Mergers and Acquisition Support - building your company to sell? Looking to grow from buying your competitors?
  • Business Turnarounds - your dream is failing and you don't know where to start?
  • FP&A, Budgeting and Cash Flow - profitability is driven by the ability to manage cash flow!
  • Staff Development - are you the only competent person around and success is possible if surrounded by equals?
  • Strategic Planning - how to plan a future that is achievable and achieve it!


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Jeremy Gray avatar
Jeremy Gray
Owner, 3 Continent Consulting Pte Ltd

    "In business set backs are inevitable – defeat is not. If you have a difficult problem let me help you to find a practical solution"

    Jeremy has over 35 years of experience in senior Finance roles and General Management based in Europe, USA and most recently Asia. He is an experienced CFO who has helmed troubled operations in the USA, China, Japan and, turning their poor performance into profitable businesses.

    ​He has also led M&A projects across the globe including an acquisition in China, that was a first for his MNC employer at the time. 

    Jeremy enjoys sharing his wealth of experience and knowledge with others, having participated in CFO Innovation Conferences in Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bangkok. It has become a passion for him to use the expertise he has honed over the years to support SME owners with revenue and profit enhancement programs while imparting strategic development skills to help grow their businesses. 

    Jeremy broadcasts LIVE from Singapore