Top 5 of Non-Fiction Supply Chain & Logistics Books

In our new series, we give an exclusive insight into books that move us. Whether it’s the favorite book of one of our colleagues or a non-fiction book that has left a lasting impression on us.

Here, you get a look behind the scenes of the Setlog books.  

Note: The books are not in chronological order. 

1.) Digitization in Industry, Trade & Logistics – Christoph Groß, Roland Pfennig

Digitization is in everyone’s mouth. Everyone is talking about it and everyone agrees: If you don’t go digital, you’ll be left behind. But how can this really be implemented? How does digitization fit in with logistics and trade?
In the book “Digitization in Industry, Trade & Logistics”, these aspects are described and dealt with in detail.
It emphasizes the importance of mapping all data, processes and functions for corresponding areas and checking their relevance.
With lots of practical examples, the hands-on implementation becomes easier for enterprises.

Why we find the book exciting: The practical approach in the book is enormously important for us and our customers. We have to understand what moves our customers in order to walk a common path with them. This is the only way to understand how digitization can be implemented in the retail and logistics sectors. As a partner in the digitization of our customers, this is a topic that is very close to our hearts.

2.) Supraplanning – Moulüe / Harro von Senger

Especially in the western world we have a clear picture of what the Chinese supposedly make out. They are adept, pragmatic and strong improvisers. But what is really behind the great success of the world power?
In the book “Supraplanung” Harro von Senger deals with the three spiritual sources that are systematically used by the Chinese to be successful.

An exciting book that shows a completely different side of the coin:
Harro von Senger gives a deep and detailed insight into the success of the Chinese, how they develop these strategies and with which moral they pursue them.
He doesn’t shy away from looking at them from unusual angles and gives food for thought on how we can react.

Why we find the book fascinating: In the age of globalization, we can no longer escape the production countries like China. Understanding how such a world power acts, thinks and develops strategies is incredibly valuable

3.) The cookbook of logistical key figures – BME

We all hear it again and again: measure success!
But which key figures can be used to measure the success of logistics processes?
In 10 examples, we explain how logistical performance measurement systems can be set up simply yet effectively.
In doing so, everything is highlighted, especially the areas important for logistics, from incoming goods and production to outgoing goods and transport.
The book “The cookbook of logistical key figures” does not claim to be a scientific book in itself. Instead, it focuses on real recommendations from practitioners for practitioners and provides all relevant ingredients for a successful measurement of success.

Why we find the book “tasty”: We are a huge fan of KPI’s Key Performance Indicator. How do you measure your success to improve or grow? The book’s approach of using the right ingredients and recipes to find and use the right key performance indicators is great.

4.) Ninety Percent of Everything: Inside Shipping, the Invisible Industry That Puts Clothes on Your Back, Gas in Your Car, and Food on Your Plate – Rose George

If you look at the websites of Shipment Trackers, the ships on the water are usually marked with black dots. Each point that covers the world’s oceans represents a ship. A fully loaded ship with goods from several countries and the most different productions.

In today’s society people buy, buy, buy and the companies are under enormous pressure to deliver – in the truest sense of the word.

Whether food, paper, fuel or clothing: our society relies on the timely delivery of the goods it needs to keep the world going.

Great revolutionary developments and discoveries are celebrated. The Internet, the printing press, etc. But what about freight shipping? It takes place almost invisibly behind the scenes, but it enables many of our revolutionary practices today. In her book “Ninety Percent of Everything: Inside Shipping, the Invisible Industry That Puts Clothes on Your Back, Gas in Your Car, and Food on Your Plate”, Rose George illuminates one of the most controversial industries par excellence: shipping.

From air pollution to piracy and questionable “flags of convenience” systems, the book reveals the functioning and dangers of shipping as a means of transport.

Why we find the book so exciting: In our daily business we deal with logistics and in particular with shipping. But as soon as you leave the four walls of the office, you notice how little true facts can be found in society about this means of transport. We all rely on the fact that our ordered goods arrive on time, functioning and undamaged. But we don’t think much about what’s behind it – that’s where Rose George comes in.

5.) The four – Scott Galloway

When we talk about the largest companies in the world that have changed markets significantly and over the long term, we are usually talking about the big four: Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google.
The “apocalyptic riders” are what marketing guru Scott Galloway calls the tech giants. They have not only developed new business models, but have also redefined our rules of economic coexistence and success factors.
In his book “The four”, Galloway examines the strategies of the four global companies and provides insights into the clever manipulation of customers, as well as how lessons can be learned from the stories of the four and transferred to one’s own company.

Why we find the book captivating: No one can ignore Facebook, Google, Amazon or Apple. If you are perhaps not a supporter of one company, you are very likely to use one of the others. No matter which market you are in, you have to admit that these four have changed the way we do business forever. Galloway gives an exciting behind-the-scenes look at the big four.