The cost of resilience

Most of the time, we adore systems.

Because a lack of a system means chaos. And when everyone leads, no one leads — meaning there’s no one totally responsible when things go awry.

And we get frustrated being in jobs without a system, do we?

Just as systems make a foundation for everything we build our lives upon, it’s also worth asking about the things we don’t notice until there’s chaos.

Such as empty shelves at the grocery store.

Often, we don’t ask about what we expect to be there (always and whenever we need them).

Craving for some sweets? You can just go to the nearest store and buy some.

Running out of milk? You can find it at the store nearby.

And just like all things dependable, what’s there to fear about?

But then, the script changed when all we began to care about is keeping safe against something we cannot see.

From How the World Ran Out of Everything:

Global shortages of many goods reflect the disruption of the pandemic combined with decades of companies limiting their inventories.

I can remember how difficult it was to secure yourself a bottle of disinfectant last year before the government-imposed lockdowns were put in place. From a vantage point of an ordinary citizen (or rather a clueless citizen), I wasn’t aware whether they are just limiting the supply because of the demand or an actual problem with the logistics.

Just recently (while watching Discovery Science), I learned about Just In Time manufacturing in cars. And I was surprised how efficient it really is. Then I learned how it is embraced by other industries.

From How the World Ran Out of Everything:

Over the last half-century, this approach has captivated global business in industries far beyond autos. From fashion to food processing to pharmaceuticals, companies have embraced Just In Time to stay nimble, allowing them to adapt to changing market demands, while cutting costs.

Apparently, cutting costs sure have its pros and cons. And it’s up to those who build and establish systems and their customers to decide whether they are willing to pay the cost of resilience or not.

From How the World Ran Out of Everything:

“The real question is, ‘Are we going to stop chasing low cost as the sole criteria for business judgment?’” said Mr. Shih, from Harvard Business School. “I’m skeptical of that. Consumers won’t pay for resilience when they are not in crisis.”

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