The urgency to make a change in a world at a standstill
Production chains have been disrupted first by the pandemic and second by the war in Ukraine. Which, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to have a short term solution.
Consequently, the question arises: how can we reorganise the production system to align with a more sustainable model?
The most striking reality is that the Western world relies on goods produced in countries where wages fall far below the threshold for a decent standard of living. That is a dead-end system: corporations will never renounce that magnificent cake which secures their profits. At the same time, everyone worldwide contributes to sustaining the system through overconsumption.
With a complete lack of vision, most companies hope to get back to normal soon, identifying that normal with the pre-pandemic and prewar structure. But the war and the new outbreak in China added more problems, further slowing raw material supplies and destroying markets. So it just got worse. While disrupting production chains, those catastrophic events are bringing in radical changes. And maybe, even those companies who prayed for “back to normal” will understand that life will never be the same, nor will production chains.
Production chains – What are the possibilities?
Small-sized companies offering local productions are more prone to change and more adaptable to new situations. On the contrary, big chains don’t have this ability to change and adapt quickly.
Artisanal should be the new normal, guided by the principle of going ahead with production only when there is a commitment to purchase. No overproduction.
Also, more focused production would give space to creativity, which is fundamental to conceiving meaningful products, goods made to last and worth buying.
Small, artisanal and creative are just some of the elements that provide a thoughtful and sustainable business model.
Of course, being creative means taking risks, so no one wants to do it because there’s no guarantee of success. But the catastrophic events we are witnessing tell us that we must change now.
In order to provide sustainable production chains, we need people leading the industries with innovative visions based on ethical principles.
Taking risks is part of the game. There’s no other way to make a change.