Author: Vivek Sood
Publisher: Global Supply Chain Group
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 22
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 22 pages or so. But these are 22 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: What is meant by Supply chain finance? What is the importance of supply chain finance? Why we need it? How does the supply chain finance work? What are the Letters of Credit (LoCs)? What is their role in supply chain finance? Why do countries provide export credits and insurance? What is the role of credit in supply chain finance? What are the benefits of supply chain finance? Is Supply chain finance a new thing? How can we select the best supply chain finance (SCF) platform and finance partner from the market? Are there any partners you would recommend? How to structure the finance flow of our supply chain? Do you have any guidelines for selection of the right SCF platform or partner? In which industries SCF most relevant and applied? Are there any industries in which SCF plays a crucial role in customer acquisitions? What are the future trends in supply chain finance? What is your prognosis?
Our Quick Notes On Supply Chain Finance
Author: Vivek Sood
Publisher: Global Supply Chain Group
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 22
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 22 pages or so. But these are 22 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: What is meant by Supply chain finance? What is the importance of supply chain finance? Why we need it? How does the supply chain finance work? What are the Letters of Credit (LoCs)? What is their role in supply chain finance? Why do countries provide export credits and insurance? What is the role of credit in supply chain finance? What are the benefits of supply chain finance? Is Supply chain finance a new thing? How can we select the best supply chain finance (SCF) platform and finance partner from the market? Are there any partners you would recommend? How to structure the finance flow of our supply chain? Do you have any guidelines for selection of the right SCF platform or partner? In which industries SCF most relevant and applied? Are there any industries in which SCF plays a crucial role in customer acquisitions? What are the future trends in supply chain finance? What is your prognosis?
Publisher: Global Supply Chain Group
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 22
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 22 pages or so. But these are 22 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: What is meant by Supply chain finance? What is the importance of supply chain finance? Why we need it? How does the supply chain finance work? What are the Letters of Credit (LoCs)? What is their role in supply chain finance? Why do countries provide export credits and insurance? What is the role of credit in supply chain finance? What are the benefits of supply chain finance? Is Supply chain finance a new thing? How can we select the best supply chain finance (SCF) platform and finance partner from the market? Are there any partners you would recommend? How to structure the finance flow of our supply chain? Do you have any guidelines for selection of the right SCF platform or partner? In which industries SCF most relevant and applied? Are there any industries in which SCF plays a crucial role in customer acquisitions? What are the future trends in supply chain finance? What is your prognosis?
Our Quick Notes On Supply Chain Mastery
Author: Vivek Sood
Publisher: Global Supply Chain Group
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 37
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 36 pages or so. But these are 45 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: It takes only two years to get a masters' degree in supply chain management today. After that it takes nearly twenty years of working under the tutelage of a supply chain master to get a modicum of mastery in the discipline itself. So, why strive towards supply chain mastery? What can masters do that other supply chain professionals cannot achieve? Are there any special powers that come with that title? How to achieve supply chain mastery? Are there levels of mastery? What are the five disciplines of supply chain in which you must achieve mastery? Who grants you the title of a supply chain master? Read these quick notes to get our take on the topic.
Publisher: Global Supply Chain Group
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 37
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 36 pages or so. But these are 45 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: It takes only two years to get a masters' degree in supply chain management today. After that it takes nearly twenty years of working under the tutelage of a supply chain master to get a modicum of mastery in the discipline itself. So, why strive towards supply chain mastery? What can masters do that other supply chain professionals cannot achieve? Are there any special powers that come with that title? How to achieve supply chain mastery? Are there levels of mastery? What are the five disciplines of supply chain in which you must achieve mastery? Who grants you the title of a supply chain master? Read these quick notes to get our take on the topic.
Our Quick Notes On Supply Chain Training and Courses
Author: Vivek Sood
Publisher: Global Supply Chain Group
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 32
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 22 pages or so. But these are 22 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: I work in the human resources department and we get an overwhelming number of marketing material on trainings and courses in supply chain. Can you give us an overview of the supply chain training landscape so we know who is who in the zoo? Is the training same for supply chain transformation team as it is for supply chain business-as-usual team? Why do we need supply chain training and courses? Should not the basic university or school education be enough when supplanted with a suitable on-the-job training? Does the experience in the supply chain management compromise the need to do a course on the supply chain? What is the history of supply chain courses and trainings? Why is there such a lot of disparity in the conceptual coverage of key supply chain principles? What are the most suitable courses for logistics, transportation, warehousing, procurement and production management parts of supply chain management? What are the important bodies that offer certification in supply chain management internationally? What level of supply chain are these course most suitable for? Do these international certificates really have validity all over the world, or will I need to do a bridging course to tailor the skills to my new country of residence? What are the courses offered by certification bodies in the USA, UK, Australia, Germany and India? Are there any courses that will incorporate the online mode of study and certification? Are the free courses provided by Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) platforms effective in landing a job in supply chain, or getting promotion in the current job in supply chain? How can we assess the credibility of the course provider? What are the best courses for the level 1 and level 2 supply chain professionals in SCT (supply chain transformation) space? How does the supply chain training for level 1 and level 2 differ from the training for levels 3 and 4? What are the best post-graduate courses in supply chain management? Is the PGDM in the supply chain better than MBA at the operational level? What kind of courses in the supply chain are most suitable for experienced or mid-career personnel in the supply chain? Are the supply chain courses offered by E-Learning platforms like edX, Edureka etc valuable in getting vertical growth in supply chain environment?
Publisher: Global Supply Chain Group
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 32
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 22 pages or so. But these are 22 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: I work in the human resources department and we get an overwhelming number of marketing material on trainings and courses in supply chain. Can you give us an overview of the supply chain training landscape so we know who is who in the zoo? Is the training same for supply chain transformation team as it is for supply chain business-as-usual team? Why do we need supply chain training and courses? Should not the basic university or school education be enough when supplanted with a suitable on-the-job training? Does the experience in the supply chain management compromise the need to do a course on the supply chain? What is the history of supply chain courses and trainings? Why is there such a lot of disparity in the conceptual coverage of key supply chain principles? What are the most suitable courses for logistics, transportation, warehousing, procurement and production management parts of supply chain management? What are the important bodies that offer certification in supply chain management internationally? What level of supply chain are these course most suitable for? Do these international certificates really have validity all over the world, or will I need to do a bridging course to tailor the skills to my new country of residence? What are the courses offered by certification bodies in the USA, UK, Australia, Germany and India? Are there any courses that will incorporate the online mode of study and certification? Are the free courses provided by Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) platforms effective in landing a job in supply chain, or getting promotion in the current job in supply chain? How can we assess the credibility of the course provider? What are the best courses for the level 1 and level 2 supply chain professionals in SCT (supply chain transformation) space? How does the supply chain training for level 1 and level 2 differ from the training for levels 3 and 4? What are the best post-graduate courses in supply chain management? Is the PGDM in the supply chain better than MBA at the operational level? What kind of courses in the supply chain are most suitable for experienced or mid-career personnel in the supply chain? Are the supply chain courses offered by E-Learning platforms like edX, Edureka etc valuable in getting vertical growth in supply chain environment?
OUR QUICK NOTES ON FIVE FLOWS OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Author: Vivek Sood
Publisher: Jardine Thompson
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 30
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 28 pages or so. But these are 28 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: What can you learn from the best examples of five flows of supply chain management to use in your company? What are the best examples of five flows of supply chain management? How did they get where they are now? Why are five flows important? How to integrate these into your business strategy?
Publisher: Jardine Thompson
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 30
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 28 pages or so. But these are 28 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: What can you learn from the best examples of five flows of supply chain management to use in your company? What are the best examples of five flows of supply chain management? How did they get where they are now? Why are five flows important? How to integrate these into your business strategy?
Supply Chain Finance
Author: Lima Zhao
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319766635
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 192
Book Description
This textbook presents a coherent and robust structure for integrated risk management in the context of operations and finance. It explains how the operations-finance interface jointly optimizes material and financial flows under intricate risk exposures. The book covers financial flexibility, operational hedging, enterprise risk management (ERM), supply chain risk management (SCRM), integrated risk management (IRM), supply chain finance (SCF), and financial management of supply chain strategies. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches – including conceptualization, theory building, analytical modeling, and empirical research – are used to assess the value creation by integrating operations and finance. “This book provides a comprehensive description of the interactions between finance and operations and of how managers can best make decisions in recognition of these effects.” John R. Birge, University of Chicago“Supply chain finance is an emerging area where innovations can unlock great values to complement the advances in information and physical flows of supply chain.” Hau L. Lee, Stanford University“This book provides an excellent overview of supply chain finance and its most recent advances.” Jan A. Van Mieghem, Northwestern University“This book is indispensable for advanced students as well as practitioners when looking for a pedagogical sound and scientific rigorous approach to Supply Chain Finance.” Ralf W. Seifert, IMD/EPFL“The book advances our knowledge on the interface between operations and finance and provides managerial guidelines for effective risk management in the supply chain.” Xiande Zhao, CEIBS
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319766635
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 192
Book Description
This textbook presents a coherent and robust structure for integrated risk management in the context of operations and finance. It explains how the operations-finance interface jointly optimizes material and financial flows under intricate risk exposures. The book covers financial flexibility, operational hedging, enterprise risk management (ERM), supply chain risk management (SCRM), integrated risk management (IRM), supply chain finance (SCF), and financial management of supply chain strategies. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches – including conceptualization, theory building, analytical modeling, and empirical research – are used to assess the value creation by integrating operations and finance. “This book provides a comprehensive description of the interactions between finance and operations and of how managers can best make decisions in recognition of these effects.” John R. Birge, University of Chicago“Supply chain finance is an emerging area where innovations can unlock great values to complement the advances in information and physical flows of supply chain.” Hau L. Lee, Stanford University“This book provides an excellent overview of supply chain finance and its most recent advances.” Jan A. Van Mieghem, Northwestern University“This book is indispensable for advanced students as well as practitioners when looking for a pedagogical sound and scientific rigorous approach to Supply Chain Finance.” Ralf W. Seifert, IMD/EPFL“The book advances our knowledge on the interface between operations and finance and provides managerial guidelines for effective risk management in the supply chain.” Xiande Zhao, CEIBS
Our Quick Notes On Supply Chain Systems
Author: Vivek Sood
Publisher: Jardine Thompson
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 21
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 25 pages or so. But these are 25 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain systems that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. What are supply chain systems and why are they so important in supply chain management? Explain the evolution of the supply chain software architecture? When did it all start and what is its current structure? Explain the evolution of the technical architecture of supply chain systems? What was the big 'pulling factor' in the evolution of information architecture of supply chain systems? How can we categorise the supply chain systems based on their functionality? What are some of the key mistakes in supply chain systems deployment? Why do companies continue to make these career-killing mistakes despite nearly 40 years of accumulated learnings from earlier mistakes? What is the current information architecture? Explain its benefits? What is the strategic requirement of the supply chain system? Give an overview of the most useful strategic supply chain systems, and, explain the most common supply chain systems strategy deployment mistakes. What are the tactical requirements of the supply chain system? Draw a tactical overview of the supply chain system? The supply chain systems how are they operated and executed? What are the advantages of all new web-based architecture of the system over the conventional mainframe and client-server architecture? What will be the capabilities of the next-gen architecture in supply chain systems? What are the challenges that we must overcome during the deployment of new technology architecture?
Publisher: Jardine Thompson
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 21
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 25 pages or so. But these are 25 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain systems that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. What are supply chain systems and why are they so important in supply chain management? Explain the evolution of the supply chain software architecture? When did it all start and what is its current structure? Explain the evolution of the technical architecture of supply chain systems? What was the big 'pulling factor' in the evolution of information architecture of supply chain systems? How can we categorise the supply chain systems based on their functionality? What are some of the key mistakes in supply chain systems deployment? Why do companies continue to make these career-killing mistakes despite nearly 40 years of accumulated learnings from earlier mistakes? What is the current information architecture? Explain its benefits? What is the strategic requirement of the supply chain system? Give an overview of the most useful strategic supply chain systems, and, explain the most common supply chain systems strategy deployment mistakes. What are the tactical requirements of the supply chain system? Draw a tactical overview of the supply chain system? The supply chain systems how are they operated and executed? What are the advantages of all new web-based architecture of the system over the conventional mainframe and client-server architecture? What will be the capabilities of the next-gen architecture in supply chain systems? What are the challenges that we must overcome during the deployment of new technology architecture?
Our Quick Notes on Supply Chain Governance
Author: Vivek Sood
Publisher: Global Supply Chain Group
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 59
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 45 pages or so. But these are 45 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: What is supply chain governance? Why do companies need it? What is the difference between supply chain governance, and corporate governance? Why many companies with good corporate goverance fall short in supply chain governance? What does it take to acquire supply chain governance? Which companies need directors with supply chain experience on their boards? What does it take to achieve supply chain mastery that leads to adequate supply chain governance from board level?
Publisher: Global Supply Chain Group
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 59
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 45 pages or so. But these are 45 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: What is supply chain governance? Why do companies need it? What is the difference between supply chain governance, and corporate governance? Why many companies with good corporate goverance fall short in supply chain governance? What does it take to acquire supply chain governance? Which companies need directors with supply chain experience on their boards? What does it take to achieve supply chain mastery that leads to adequate supply chain governance from board level?
Our Quick Notes On Supply Chain Dashboards
Author: Vivek Sood
Publisher: Jardine Thompson
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 16
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 22 pages or so. But these are 22 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: What is meant by supply chain dashboard? What is the importance of using dashboards in the supply chain? What are the types of supply chain dashboard? What is meant by strategic supply chain dashboard, or Business dashboard? Why are tactical supply chain dashboards necessary? How to go about configuring a tactical supply chain dashboard? What are the salient features of the operational supply chain dashboard or the "KPI dashboard"? What are the difference between operational supply chain dashboards, and the executional supply chain dashboards? They both appear to be the same - KPI dashboards. Which of these four types of dashboards are encountered the most in real life? Why do executives lose interest in dashboards? How can we make the dashboards more relevant to get the executive buy-in? How to make the dashboards more concise so that the executives do not get overwhelmed? How important are the tools used in making the dashboards? What are the tools used in making a dashboard? Explain the process of dashboard preparation?
Publisher: Jardine Thompson
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 16
Book Description
Part of our new "Quick Notes" series - this report answers your most pertinent questions of the topic. Do not be deceived by their short nature - these notes are only 22 pages or so. But these are 22 pages of potent dynamite that will supercharge your thinking in the right direction. Included are quick notes and some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on supply chain finance that we have encountered in our workshops, seminars, and other forums. Here are some of the topics and questions covered in these quick notes: What is meant by supply chain dashboard? What is the importance of using dashboards in the supply chain? What are the types of supply chain dashboard? What is meant by strategic supply chain dashboard, or Business dashboard? Why are tactical supply chain dashboards necessary? How to go about configuring a tactical supply chain dashboard? What are the salient features of the operational supply chain dashboard or the "KPI dashboard"? What are the difference between operational supply chain dashboards, and the executional supply chain dashboards? They both appear to be the same - KPI dashboards. Which of these four types of dashboards are encountered the most in real life? Why do executives lose interest in dashboards? How can we make the dashboards more relevant to get the executive buy-in? How to make the dashboards more concise so that the executives do not get overwhelmed? How important are the tools used in making the dashboards? What are the tools used in making a dashboard? Explain the process of dashboard preparation?
Supply Chain Financing: Funding The Supply Chain And The Organization
Author: Dale S Rogers
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 1786348284
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 173
Book Description
This book is a comprehensive introduction to supply chain financing as a business model that enables companies to reduce costs, improve their working capital and manage risks more tightly. Supply chain financing is using the supply chain to fund the organization and using the organization to fund the supply chain. Supply chain financing is of growing importance, the book explains what supply chain funding is and its different components as well as its impact and potential not only on companies using it, but more globally. The content moves from the basics of supply chain management to how to structure a global supply chain finance program in today's marketplace, the emergence of fintech providers, and alternative methods of payment, while also offering a view of the future that incorporates new platforms and analytical tools to optimize efficiencies in an organization and increase working capital flows.Supply Chain Financing is based on the authors' research and teaching at two leading US business schools. This book is useful for supply chain or finance professionals, decision makers in corporate disciplines, as well as students and professors in business fields.
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 1786348284
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 173
Book Description
This book is a comprehensive introduction to supply chain financing as a business model that enables companies to reduce costs, improve their working capital and manage risks more tightly. Supply chain financing is using the supply chain to fund the organization and using the organization to fund the supply chain. Supply chain financing is of growing importance, the book explains what supply chain funding is and its different components as well as its impact and potential not only on companies using it, but more globally. The content moves from the basics of supply chain management to how to structure a global supply chain finance program in today's marketplace, the emergence of fintech providers, and alternative methods of payment, while also offering a view of the future that incorporates new platforms and analytical tools to optimize efficiencies in an organization and increase working capital flows.Supply Chain Financing is based on the authors' research and teaching at two leading US business schools. This book is useful for supply chain or finance professionals, decision makers in corporate disciplines, as well as students and professors in business fields.
Guide to Supply Chain Management
Author: David Steven Jacoby
Publisher: The Economist
ISBN: 161039514X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 279
Book Description
Globalization, technology and an increasingly competitive business environment have encouraged huge changes in what is known as supply chain management, the art of sourcing components and delivering finished goods to the customer as cost effectively and efficiently as possible. Dell transformed the way people bought and were able to customize computers. Wal-Mart and Tesco have used their huge buying power and logistical skills to ensure the supply and stock management of their stores is finely honed. Manufacturers now make sure that components are where they are needed on the production line just in time for when they are needed and no longer. Such finessing of the way the supply chain works boosts the corporate bottom line and can make the difference between being a market leader or an also ran. This guide explores all the different aspects of supply chain management and gives hundreds of real life examples of what firms have achieved in the field.
Publisher: The Economist
ISBN: 161039514X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 279
Book Description
Globalization, technology and an increasingly competitive business environment have encouraged huge changes in what is known as supply chain management, the art of sourcing components and delivering finished goods to the customer as cost effectively and efficiently as possible. Dell transformed the way people bought and were able to customize computers. Wal-Mart and Tesco have used their huge buying power and logistical skills to ensure the supply and stock management of their stores is finely honed. Manufacturers now make sure that components are where they are needed on the production line just in time for when they are needed and no longer. Such finessing of the way the supply chain works boosts the corporate bottom line and can make the difference between being a market leader or an also ran. This guide explores all the different aspects of supply chain management and gives hundreds of real life examples of what firms have achieved in the field.