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When you run an ecommerce store, you devote a lot of time to keeping your website up-to-date, running ads, creating content, and developing your product line. But that’s not all you have to worry about—behind the scenes, you’re immersed in complex logistics processes. From choosing suppliers to shipping packages to customers, you’re always looking for ways to optimize your supply chain.
In honor of National Supply Chain Day (yep, there’s a day for that!), we’ve designed a trivia challenge to test your knowledge and maybe even teach you a few surprising facts. From ancient trade routes to modern technology, let's see how well you know the world of supply chain management.
Are you ready to test your supply chain smarts? Dive in and discover if you're a Supply Chain Newbie, Enthusiast, Expert, or perhaps even a Guru!
Do your best to answer the questions below, then scroll to the next section for all the answers.
Answer: A pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum. The pack of gum was scanned at Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio, on June 26, 1974. The night before, staff had added barcodes to all their merchandise while National Cash Register, their checkout equipment provider, installed scanners and computers. Clyde Dawson, head of research and development at the store, chose the pack of gum because people had originally doubted whether a barcode could be printed on something so small.
Answer: Port of Shanghai. In 2021, this port processed 47.03 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units).
Answer: Toyota. JIT manufacturing, a production strategy where goods are produced based on the number of customer orders, was designed by Taiichi Ohno, industrial engineer at Toyota. The JIT method is designed to minimize waste and increase efficiency.
Answer: The shipping container. While shipping containers were first invented in 1937, they weren’t standardized until the 60s. Before the invention of the shipping container, cargo shipping was time-consuming and inefficient because goods had to be loaded and unloaded individually. Standardized shipping containers could quickly be loaded onto cargo ships, trucks, and trains, making transportation faster and more cost-effective.
Answer: 3.5%. In 2023, transportation and warehousing made up 3.5% of the U.S. GDP.
Answer: The bullwhip effect. The question says it all: the bullwhip effect describes a scenario where small demand changes at the retail level are amplified as you go up the supply chain toward manufacturing. In other words, if retailers don’t forecast demand accurately, the consequences are amplified for manufacturers and distributors.
Answer: Blockchain. By storing immutable records across a decentralized network, blockchain ensures that data regarding product origin, movement, and ownership is tamper-proof and accessible. Among other things, blockchain can be used to trace the journey of products from farm to table, verify the authenticity of high-value items, and combat the spread of counterfeit prescription drugs.
So—how did you fare? Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned expert, there's always more to learn in the ever-evolving field of supply chain management. Share your results with your peers and keep the conversation going. Remember, every question you explore is another step toward becoming a supply chain guru.
Where do you stand?
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