Alibaba.com B2B Pulse: July 16th, 2025

Leading Through Chaos: How Supply Chain Disruption Becomes Your Competitive Edge

What sets resilient businesses apart during uncertainty? According to Kerim Kfuri , President and CEO of The Atlas Network, it all comes down to mindset. While many endure disruption, top businesses use it as fuel for innovation and growth.

“In supply chain, the only consistency is inconsistency,” Kfuri says. With decades of experience navigating crises—from pandemics to tariff wars—he breaks risk into two categories: controllable (like supplier relationships, quality, and timelines) and uncontrollable (like natural disasters or political shifts). The goal isn’t to eliminate risk, but to build resilience.

The Atlas Methodology:

1. Choose the right supplier using both data (revenue, certifications) and soft skills (trust, accountability).
2. Treat every production like the first, ensuring constant oversight to avoid complacency.
3. Use third-party quality control to catch issues early and maintain standards.

This system allows flexibility during crises—businesses with strong supplier foundations can pivot fast.

Take tariffs, for example. Some companies Kfuri worked with used cost hikes to raise long-overdue prices or switch to better materials. One even reduced spoilage by 20% after pandemic packaging changes.

Kfuri also stresses the importance of cultural intelligence in global sourcing. The best outcomes come from adapting to local norms and building partnerships—not forcing Western expectations.

The question is: How prepared is your business for the next disruption? Now’s the time to assess your risks, strengthen your supplier base, and stay open to global innovation.

Your Big Idea Deserves a Bigger Platform: Apply to the 2025 CoCreate Pitch

Got a product idea that could change the game? The 2025 CoCreate Pitch is your chance to make it real—with funding, expert support, and a global supply chain behind you.

What is CoCreate Pitch? It’s Alibaba.com’s annual competition where aspiring product founders pitch their ideas for a chance to win up to $1 million in support, including funding, production help, and access to powerful AI tools like Accio, our idea-to-execution sourcing assistant.

This isn't just a contest—it’s a launchpad.

Whether you're sketching your idea on a napkin or already have a prototype, CoCreate is built to help you take the next step. Past winners have gone on to launch full-scale businesses with real manufacturers, real customers, and real momentum.

Apply to the Pitch Competition: Submit your idea for a shot at $1M in funding and full product support 🔗 pitch.alibabacocreate.com