Essential Business by Francis Mella
@essentialbusiness.bsky.social
The channel delivers clear, practical insights drawn from real-world experience in business management, marketing, accounting, and leadership.
Cheap supply chains are over.
For five years, companies chased the lowest price.
Then COVID hit and resilience became everything.
Now we're in phase three.
The question isn't cost OR resilience anymore.
It's BOTH.
#SupplyChain #Resilience #BusinessStrategy #CostOptimization #FrancisMella
For five years, companies chased the lowest price.
Then COVID hit and resilience became everything.
Now we're in phase three.
The question isn't cost OR resilience anymore.
It's BOTH.
#SupplyChain #Resilience #BusinessStrategy #CostOptimization #FrancisMella
December 4, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Cheap supply chains are over.
For five years, companies chased the lowest price.
Then COVID hit and resilience became everything.
Now we're in phase three.
The question isn't cost OR resilience anymore.
It's BOTH.
#SupplyChain #Resilience #BusinessStrategy #CostOptimization #FrancisMella
For five years, companies chased the lowest price.
Then COVID hit and resilience became everything.
Now we're in phase three.
The question isn't cost OR resilience anymore.
It's BOTH.
#SupplyChain #Resilience #BusinessStrategy #CostOptimization #FrancisMella
Forget rare earth minerals and ice. The Moon's true prize is control of its vital systems. This strategic reality reshapes future dominance.
#MoonControl #SpaceDominance #LunarStrategy #SpacePower #FutureOfSpace
#MoonControl #SpaceDominance #LunarStrategy #SpacePower #FutureOfSpace
December 2, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Forget rare earth minerals and ice. The Moon's true prize is control of its vital systems. This strategic reality reshapes future dominance.
#MoonControl #SpaceDominance #LunarStrategy #SpacePower #FutureOfSpace
#MoonControl #SpaceDominance #LunarStrategy #SpacePower #FutureOfSpace
The data doesn't lie: authentic connections drive growth.
So why is Canada spending $60M on networking THEATER?
Entrepreneurs leave government-funded summits with business cards and LinkedIn connections.
What they don't get: honest talks about cash flow problems.
So why is Canada spending $60M on networking THEATER?
Entrepreneurs leave government-funded summits with business cards and LinkedIn connections.
What they don't get: honest talks about cash flow problems.
December 1, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The data doesn't lie: authentic connections drive growth.
So why is Canada spending $60M on networking THEATER?
Entrepreneurs leave government-funded summits with business cards and LinkedIn connections.
What they don't get: honest talks about cash flow problems.
So why is Canada spending $60M on networking THEATER?
Entrepreneurs leave government-funded summits with business cards and LinkedIn connections.
What they don't get: honest talks about cash flow problems.
The hidden bias crippling your business
Most companies don't even know they have a decision-making problem.
They think they're fast.
They think they're strategic.
They're wrong.
#DecisionMaking #BusinessBias #StrategicThinking #CorporateBlindSpots #LeadershipMistakes #FrancisMella
Most companies don't even know they have a decision-making problem.
They think they're fast.
They think they're strategic.
They're wrong.
#DecisionMaking #BusinessBias #StrategicThinking #CorporateBlindSpots #LeadershipMistakes #FrancisMella
November 30, 2025 at 5:12 PM
The hidden bias crippling your business
Most companies don't even know they have a decision-making problem.
They think they're fast.
They think they're strategic.
They're wrong.
#DecisionMaking #BusinessBias #StrategicThinking #CorporateBlindSpots #LeadershipMistakes #FrancisMella
Most companies don't even know they have a decision-making problem.
They think they're fast.
They think they're strategic.
They're wrong.
#DecisionMaking #BusinessBias #StrategicThinking #CorporateBlindSpots #LeadershipMistakes #FrancisMella
This isn't about choosing anymore.
It's about building BOTH into your DNA.
Watch our latest video on building supply chains that can weather any storm:
It's about building BOTH into your DNA.
Watch our latest video on building supply chains that can weather any storm:
Supply Chains Just Changed Forever
Supply chain strategy has gone through a remarkable shift in only a few years.
I have watched businesses chase lower costs, scramble for…
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 7:25 PM
This isn't about choosing anymore.
It's about building BOTH into your DNA.
Watch our latest video on building supply chains that can weather any storm:
It's about building BOTH into your DNA.
Watch our latest video on building supply chains that can weather any storm:
The old playbook of chasing lowest cost is dead.
The brief experiment with resilience at any cost is ending.
Companies mastering the balance don't just survive volatility.
They gain market share while competitors scramble.
The brief experiment with resilience at any cost is ending.
Companies mastering the balance don't just survive volatility.
They gain market share while competitors scramble.
November 28, 2025 at 6:23 PM
The old playbook of chasing lowest cost is dead.
The brief experiment with resilience at any cost is ending.
Companies mastering the balance don't just survive volatility.
They gain market share while competitors scramble.
The brief experiment with resilience at any cost is ending.
Companies mastering the balance don't just survive volatility.
They gain market share while competitors scramble.
What you need to build:
Complete supply chain transparency
Next-gen risk management
Automation-integrated design
Climate risk in scorecards
Strategic workforce planning
KPIs measuring total value, not just cost
Complete supply chain transparency
Next-gen risk management
Automation-integrated design
Climate risk in scorecards
Strategic workforce planning
KPIs measuring total value, not just cost
November 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
What you need to build:
Complete supply chain transparency
Next-gen risk management
Automation-integrated design
Climate risk in scorecards
Strategic workforce planning
KPIs measuring total value, not just cost
Complete supply chain transparency
Next-gen risk management
Automation-integrated design
Climate risk in scorecards
Strategic workforce planning
KPIs measuring total value, not just cost
Take Peloton as your warning.
Single overseas manufacturer.
Level 1 risk maturity.
No formal governance.
When 2020 hit?
Delivery delays exposed everything.
Efficiency without resilience is just fragility.
Single overseas manufacturer.
Level 1 risk maturity.
No formal governance.
When 2020 hit?
Delivery delays exposed everything.
Efficiency without resilience is just fragility.
November 28, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Take Peloton as your warning.
Single overseas manufacturer.
Level 1 risk maturity.
No formal governance.
When 2020 hit?
Delivery delays exposed everything.
Efficiency without resilience is just fragility.
Single overseas manufacturer.
Level 1 risk maturity.
No formal governance.
When 2020 hit?
Delivery delays exposed everything.
Efficiency without resilience is just fragility.
Here's what's actually happening...
43.8% of companies already cut costs.
38.5% diversified suppliers.
14% year-over-year increase in strategic inventory buffers.
Companies aren't waiting for perfect answers.
They're adapting NOW.
43.8% of companies already cut costs.
38.5% diversified suppliers.
14% year-over-year increase in strategic inventory buffers.
Companies aren't waiting for perfect answers.
They're adapting NOW.
November 28, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Here's what's actually happening...
43.8% of companies already cut costs.
38.5% diversified suppliers.
14% year-over-year increase in strategic inventory buffers.
Companies aren't waiting for perfect answers.
They're adapting NOW.
43.8% of companies already cut costs.
38.5% diversified suppliers.
14% year-over-year increase in strategic inventory buffers.
Companies aren't waiting for perfect answers.
They're adapting NOW.
Climate risk is hitting manufacturing hubs hard.
China hosts 14 of the 15 regions most vulnerable to climate disasters.
Jiangsu province alone = 10% of China's GDP.
Four Asian countries could lose $65.6B in exports by 2030.
China hosts 14 of the 15 regions most vulnerable to climate disasters.
Jiangsu province alone = 10% of China's GDP.
Four Asian countries could lose $65.6B in exports by 2030.
November 28, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Climate risk is hitting manufacturing hubs hard.
China hosts 14 of the 15 regions most vulnerable to climate disasters.
Jiangsu province alone = 10% of China's GDP.
Four Asian countries could lose $65.6B in exports by 2030.
China hosts 14 of the 15 regions most vulnerable to climate disasters.
Jiangsu province alone = 10% of China's GDP.
Four Asian countries could lose $65.6B in exports by 2030.
The numbers are brutal.
US imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods in 2025.
China hit back with 125%.
80% of toys sold in the US come from China.
That dependency just became a massive liability.
US imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods in 2025.
China hit back with 125%.
80% of toys sold in the US come from China.
That dependency just became a massive liability.
November 28, 2025 at 2:21 PM
The numbers are brutal.
US imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods in 2025.
China hit back with 125%.
80% of toys sold in the US come from China.
That dependency just became a massive liability.
US imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods in 2025.
China hit back with 125%.
80% of toys sold in the US come from China.
That dependency just became a massive liability.
Cheap supply chains are over.
For five years, companies chased the lowest price.
Then COVID hit and resilience became everything.
Now we're in phase three.
The question isn't cost OR resilience anymore.
It's BOTH.
#SupplyChain #Resilience #COVID19 #BusinessStrategy #CostOptimizatio #FrancisMella
For five years, companies chased the lowest price.
Then COVID hit and resilience became everything.
Now we're in phase three.
The question isn't cost OR resilience anymore.
It's BOTH.
#SupplyChain #Resilience #COVID19 #BusinessStrategy #CostOptimizatio #FrancisMella
November 28, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Cheap supply chains are over.
For five years, companies chased the lowest price.
Then COVID hit and resilience became everything.
Now we're in phase three.
The question isn't cost OR resilience anymore.
It's BOTH.
#SupplyChain #Resilience #COVID19 #BusinessStrategy #CostOptimizatio #FrancisMella
For five years, companies chased the lowest price.
Then COVID hit and resilience became everything.
Now we're in phase three.
The question isn't cost OR resilience anymore.
It's BOTH.
#SupplyChain #Resilience #COVID19 #BusinessStrategy #CostOptimizatio #FrancisMella
The companies that figure this out first will define the next decade of global business.
Read the full analysis on Essential Business:
Read the full analysis on Essential Business:
The End of Cheap: Why Supply Chains Are Rewriting the Rules
I've watched supply chain strategy swing like a pendulum over the past five years. First, it was all about cost. Companies chased the lowest...
dlvr.it
November 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM
The companies that figure this out first will define the next decade of global business.
Read the full analysis on Essential Business:
Read the full analysis on Essential Business:
The question isn't cost OR resilience anymore.
It's BOTH.
And most companies haven't figured this out yet.
It's BOTH.
And most companies haven't figured this out yet.
November 26, 2025 at 12:40 AM
The question isn't cost OR resilience anymore.
It's BOTH.
And most companies haven't figured this out yet.
It's BOTH.
And most companies haven't figured this out yet.
The old playbook of chasing lowest cost is dead. The companies that figure this out first will define the next decade of global business.
Read the full analysis on Essential Business:
Read the full analysis on Essential Business:
The End of Cheap: Why Supply Chains Are Rewriting the Rules
I've watched supply chain strategy swing like a pendulum over the past five years. First, it was all about cost. Companies chased the lowest...
dlvr.it
November 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The old playbook of chasing lowest cost is dead. The companies that figure this out first will define the next decade of global business.
Read the full analysis on Essential Business:
Read the full analysis on Essential Business:
The companies that figure this out first will define the next decade of global business.
Read the full analysis on Essential Business:
Read the full analysis on Essential Business:
The End of Cheap: Why Supply Chains Are Rewriting the Rules
I've watched supply chain strategy swing like a pendulum over the past five years. First, it was all about cost. Companies chased the lowest...
dlvr.it
November 25, 2025 at 12:33 AM
The companies that figure this out first will define the next decade of global business.
Read the full analysis on Essential Business:
Read the full analysis on Essential Business:
73% of manufacturers cite trade uncertainties as their top challenge.
72% of Chief Supply Chain Officers identify financial pressures as primary.
The pressure is real.
But companies that master this balance don't just survive volatility.
They gain market share. #Manufacturing
72% of Chief Supply Chain Officers identify financial pressures as primary.
The pressure is real.
But companies that master this balance don't just survive volatility.
They gain market share. #Manufacturing
November 24, 2025 at 10:32 PM
73% of manufacturers cite trade uncertainties as their top challenge.
72% of Chief Supply Chain Officers identify financial pressures as primary.
The pressure is real.
But companies that master this balance don't just survive volatility.
They gain market share. #Manufacturing
72% of Chief Supply Chain Officers identify financial pressures as primary.
The pressure is real.
But companies that master this balance don't just survive volatility.
They gain market share. #Manufacturing
Payroll: More than just paychecks.
High-performing companies treat it as STRATEGIC.
Most treat it as administrative.
That gap costs millions.
#PayrollStrategy #HighPerformingCompanies #PayrollManagement #BusinessOperations #StrategicPayroll #FrancisMella
High-performing companies treat it as STRATEGIC.
Most treat it as administrative.
That gap costs millions.
#PayrollStrategy #HighPerformingCompanies #PayrollManagement #BusinessOperations #StrategicPayroll #FrancisMella
November 18, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Payroll: More than just paychecks.
High-performing companies treat it as STRATEGIC.
Most treat it as administrative.
That gap costs millions.
#PayrollStrategy #HighPerformingCompanies #PayrollManagement #BusinessOperations #StrategicPayroll #FrancisMella
High-performing companies treat it as STRATEGIC.
Most treat it as administrative.
That gap costs millions.
#PayrollStrategy #HighPerformingCompanies #PayrollManagement #BusinessOperations #StrategicPayroll #FrancisMella
Innovation gets all the attention, but what if the real key to survival is something far less glamorous?
Most companies don't die from lack of innovation.
They die from DISTRACTION.
#Innovation #BusinessSurvival #Focus #Distraction #CompanySuccess
Most companies don't die from lack of innovation.
They die from DISTRACTION.
#Innovation #BusinessSurvival #Focus #Distraction #CompanySuccess
November 17, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Innovation gets all the attention, but what if the real key to survival is something far less glamorous?
Most companies don't die from lack of innovation.
They die from DISTRACTION.
#Innovation #BusinessSurvival #Focus #Distraction #CompanySuccess
Most companies don't die from lack of innovation.
They die from DISTRACTION.
#Innovation #BusinessSurvival #Focus #Distraction #CompanySuccess
The hybrid entrepreneurship paradox revealed:
76% of companies discourage employee side hustles.
Yet these same companies desperately need innovation.
#HybridEntrepreneurship #SideHustles #CorporateInnovation #EmployeeEntrepreneurship #InnovationParadox #FrancisMella
76% of companies discourage employee side hustles.
Yet these same companies desperately need innovation.
#HybridEntrepreneurship #SideHustles #CorporateInnovation #EmployeeEntrepreneurship #InnovationParadox #FrancisMella
November 16, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The hybrid entrepreneurship paradox revealed:
76% of companies discourage employee side hustles.
Yet these same companies desperately need innovation.
#HybridEntrepreneurship #SideHustles #CorporateInnovation #EmployeeEntrepreneurship #InnovationParadox #FrancisMella
76% of companies discourage employee side hustles.
Yet these same companies desperately need innovation.
#HybridEntrepreneurship #SideHustles #CorporateInnovation #EmployeeEntrepreneurship #InnovationParadox #FrancisMella
From lowest cost to assured supply.
I stopped chasing purchase price variance and started scoring suppliers on RESILIENCE.
Expedites fell.
Gross margin stabilized.
Customer trust recovered.
#SupplyChainResilience #SupplierManagement #ProcurementStrategy #GrossMargin #CustomerTrust
I stopped chasing purchase price variance and started scoring suppliers on RESILIENCE.
Expedites fell.
Gross margin stabilized.
Customer trust recovered.
#SupplyChainResilience #SupplierManagement #ProcurementStrategy #GrossMargin #CustomerTrust
November 15, 2025 at 4:04 PM
From lowest cost to assured supply.
I stopped chasing purchase price variance and started scoring suppliers on RESILIENCE.
Expedites fell.
Gross margin stabilized.
Customer trust recovered.
#SupplyChainResilience #SupplierManagement #ProcurementStrategy #GrossMargin #CustomerTrust
I stopped chasing purchase price variance and started scoring suppliers on RESILIENCE.
Expedites fell.
Gross margin stabilized.
Customer trust recovered.
#SupplyChainResilience #SupplierManagement #ProcurementStrategy #GrossMargin #CustomerTrust
2030 tech predictions are mostly wrong.
Not because the technology won't arrive.
Because they tell you WHAT'S coming, not HOW to prepare.
#TechPredictions #FutureTech #TechPreparedness #2030Technology #TechStrategy #FrancisMella
Not because the technology won't arrive.
Because they tell you WHAT'S coming, not HOW to prepare.
#TechPredictions #FutureTech #TechPreparedness #2030Technology #TechStrategy #FrancisMella
November 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
2030 tech predictions are mostly wrong.
Not because the technology won't arrive.
Because they tell you WHAT'S coming, not HOW to prepare.
#TechPredictions #FutureTech #TechPreparedness #2030Technology #TechStrategy #FrancisMella
Not because the technology won't arrive.
Because they tell you WHAT'S coming, not HOW to prepare.
#TechPredictions #FutureTech #TechPreparedness #2030Technology #TechStrategy #FrancisMella
From side hustle to strategic advantage
Most companies treat employee side hustles like a threat.
They're missing the point entirely.
#SideHustle #StrategicAdvantage #EmployeeEntrepreneurship #CorporateInnovation #WorkplaceCulture #Francis Mella
Most companies treat employee side hustles like a threat.
They're missing the point entirely.
#SideHustle #StrategicAdvantage #EmployeeEntrepreneurship #CorporateInnovation #WorkplaceCulture #Francis Mella
November 13, 2025 at 2:04 PM
From side hustle to strategic advantage
Most companies treat employee side hustles like a threat.
They're missing the point entirely.
#SideHustle #StrategicAdvantage #EmployeeEntrepreneurship #CorporateInnovation #WorkplaceCulture #Francis Mella
Most companies treat employee side hustles like a threat.
They're missing the point entirely.
#SideHustle #StrategicAdvantage #EmployeeEntrepreneurship #CorporateInnovation #WorkplaceCulture #Francis Mella
Are classrooms killing entrepreneurship?
65% of kids entering school today will work in jobs that don't exist yet.
But we're still teaching them to follow instructions.
#Entrepreneurship #FutureOfWork #EducationReform #Innovation #ClassroomLearning #FrancisMella
65% of kids entering school today will work in jobs that don't exist yet.
But we're still teaching them to follow instructions.
#Entrepreneurship #FutureOfWork #EducationReform #Innovation #ClassroomLearning #FrancisMella
November 12, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Are classrooms killing entrepreneurship?
65% of kids entering school today will work in jobs that don't exist yet.
But we're still teaching them to follow instructions.
#Entrepreneurship #FutureOfWork #EducationReform #Innovation #ClassroomLearning #FrancisMella
65% of kids entering school today will work in jobs that don't exist yet.
But we're still teaching them to follow instructions.
#Entrepreneurship #FutureOfWork #EducationReform #Innovation #ClassroomLearning #FrancisMella
Veterans see leadership differently.
I learned this at 9 years old.
Standing in brutal November cold with a marching drum strapped to my small body.
#VeteransLeadership #MarchingDrum #NovemberCold #LeadershipLessons #ChildhoodMemories
I learned this at 9 years old.
Standing in brutal November cold with a marching drum strapped to my small body.
#VeteransLeadership #MarchingDrum #NovemberCold #LeadershipLessons #ChildhoodMemories
November 11, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Veterans see leadership differently.
I learned this at 9 years old.
Standing in brutal November cold with a marching drum strapped to my small body.
#VeteransLeadership #MarchingDrum #NovemberCold #LeadershipLessons #ChildhoodMemories
I learned this at 9 years old.
Standing in brutal November cold with a marching drum strapped to my small body.
#VeteransLeadership #MarchingDrum #NovemberCold #LeadershipLessons #ChildhoodMemories