--- title: Enabling Frictionless Supply Chains description: Creating the Frictionless Border is increasingly important in times of increased volatility be it Brexit or US trade tariffs. image: https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/ED%20Blog/ED%20Images/OEP/SC%20(Supply%20Chain)/SCMP/Enabling%20Frictionless%20Border%20Image.jpg --- [![Marques-SoM](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/CGMD%20Blog/Images/CGMD%20Images/Logos/Marques-SoM.png?width=1&name=Marques-SoM.png)](http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som) [![Marques-SoM](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Marques-SoM.png?width=85&name=Marques-SoM.png)](http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som)   - [Home](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge) - Featured - [CEO Summit](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/ceo-summit-2021) - Categories - [Changing World of Work](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/changing-world-of-work) - [Digital Transformation](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/digital-transformation) - [Economics](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/economics) - [Entrepreneurship](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/entrepreneurship) - [Finance and Accounting](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/finance-and-accounting) - [Implementation](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/implementation) - [Leadership](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/leadership) - [Logistics and Supply Chain](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/logistics-and-supply-chain) - [Organisational Behaviour](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/topic/organisational-behaviour) - [Organisational Resilience](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/topic/organisational-resilience) - [Strategic Marketing and Sales](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/strategic-marketing-and-sales) - [Strategy](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/strategy) - [Sustainability](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/sustainability) - [Executive Development](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/executive-development) - Content - [Articles](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/article) - [Whitepapers](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/whitepaper) - [eBooks](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/ebook) - [Podcasts](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/podcast) - [Webinars](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/webinar) - [Videos](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/knowledge/tag/video) - Programmes - [Open Programmes ↗](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/open-executive-programmes) - [Customised Programmes ↗](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/executive-development/consultancy-and-custom-solutions) - [MBA Programmes ↗](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/cranfield-mba-programmes) - [Master's Apprenticeships ↗](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/management-and-leadership-masterships) - [The Blog](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev) [![JOIN THE KNOWLEDGE HUB](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/417879/b9b69d4d-7ced-4ee8-bd11-b66d3bd4d1b7.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/417879/b9b69d4d-7ced-4ee8-bd11-b66d3bd4d1b7) ### Subscribe you blog for exclusive insights. ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/ED%20Blog/ED%20Images/OEP/SC%20(Supply%20Chain)/SCMP/Enabling%20Frictionless%20Border%20Image.jpg) read # Enabling Frictionless Supply Chains By Professor Richard Wilding OBE ![Enabling Frictionless Border Image](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/ED%20Blog/ED%20Images/OEP/SC%20(Supply%20Chain)/SCMP/Enabling%20Frictionless%20Border%20Image.jpg?width=615&name=Enabling%20Frictionless%20Border%20Image.jpg) **Creating the Frictionless Border is increasingly important in times of increased volatility be it Brexit or US trade tariffs.** Remember competition is not between individual companies but the supply chains they are part of so how can we make our supply chain network more frictionless? One European Initiative is Authorised Economic Operator status. AEO status is an internationally recognised quality mark indicating that your role in the international supply chain is secure, and that your customs controls and procedures are efficient and compliant.” - AEOC – Customs - AEOS – Security & Safety So by asking the question of your supply chain partners as to whether they have AEO status could be a useful start in perusing the frictionless supply chain. Many countries have similar initiatives based around the World Customs Organization Council – SAFE framework (WCO – SAFE) which aligns with AEO status so as supply chain professionals it may be useful to pursue these also.     Our work in this area at Cranfield is one of the areas explored within the [Supply Chain Management Programme](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/open-executive-programmes/logistics-and-supply-chain-management/supply-chain-management-programme)  - one of our specialist programmes designed to develop appropriate skills for next generation professionals in these fields. **Blog produced by:**  Professor Richard Wilding OBE, Professor of Supply Chain Strategy and Programme Director of the [Supply Chain Management Programme,](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/open-executive-programmes/logistics-and-supply-chain-management/supply-chain-management-programme) Cranfield School of Management for this blog content.   Read more: - [Creating the 'Resource-Lite' Supply Chains](http://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/creating-the-resource-lite-supply-chain) - [Procurement needs new skills for the VUCA age](http://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/procurement-needs-new-skills-for-the-vuca-age) - [Securing the Success of Strategic Supply Chain Initiatives Today and Tomorrow](http://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/securing-the-success-of-strategic-supply-chain-initiatives-today-and-tomorrow) - [Four Things That Should Be On Every Supply Chain Leaders "To Do List"](http://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/four-things-that-should-be-on-every-supply-chain-leaders-to-do-list) - [Creating An Agile Supply Chain](http://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/creating-an-agile-supply-chain) [![Supply Chain Management programme brochure](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/417879/ee18c9ea-5a6e-420e-8ca5-201a45c66fc7.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/417879/ee18c9ea-5a6e-420e-8ca5-201a45c66fc7) Tags: [Cranfield School of Management](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/cranfield-school-of-management), [featured learning](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-learning), [featured leadership](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-leadership), [featured sidebar leadership](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-sidebar-leadership), [featured sidebar all](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-sidebar-all), [featured sidebar learning](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-sidebar-learning), [featured all](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-all), [exec-feature](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/exec-feature), [supply chain](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/supply-chain), [supply chain management](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/supply-chain-management), [frictionless borders](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/frictionless-borders) ### Related Articles ## [7 golden rules of supply chain management](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/7-golden-rules-of-supply-chain-management) *( read )* Topics: [Cranfield School of Management](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/cranfield-school-of-management), [featured learning](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-learning), [featured leadership](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-leadership), [featured sidebar leadership](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-sidebar-leadership), [featured sidebar all](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-sidebar-all), [featured sidebar learning](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-sidebar-learning), [featured all](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-all), [exec-feature](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/exec-feature), [supply chain](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/supply-chain), [supply chain management](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/supply-chain-management), [frictionless borders](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/frictionless-borders) ## [10 ways to prepare your supply chain team for the post-pandemic world](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/10-ways-to-prepare-your-supply-chain-team) *( read )* Topics: [Cranfield School of Management](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/cranfield-school-of-management), [featured learning](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-learning), [featured leadership](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-leadership), [featured sidebar leadership](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-sidebar-leadership), [featured sidebar all](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-sidebar-all), [featured sidebar learning](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-sidebar-learning), [featured all](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-all), [exec-feature](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/exec-feature), [supply chain](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/supply-chain), [supply chain management](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/supply-chain-management), [frictionless borders](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/frictionless-borders) ## [How to make a financial strategy for Brexit](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/how-to-make-a-financial-strategy-for-brexit) *( read )* Topics: [Cranfield School of Management](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/cranfield-school-of-management), [featured learning](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-learning), [featured leadership](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-leadership), [featured sidebar leadership](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-sidebar-leadership), [featured sidebar all](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-sidebar-all), [featured sidebar learning](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-sidebar-learning), [featured all](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/featured-all), [exec-feature](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/exec-feature), [supply chain](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/supply-chain), [supply chain management](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/supply-chain-management), [frictionless borders](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/execdev/topic/frictionless-borders) [![cranfieldexecutivedevelopmentlogo](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/cranfieldexecutivedevelopmentlogo.png?width=300&name=cranfieldexecutivedevelopmentlogo.png)](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/executive-development) - - - - - - © Cranfield Management Development Ltd - **[execdev@cranfield.ac.uk](mailto:execdev@cranfield.ac.uk)  ·  [+44 (0)1234 754500](tel:+44%20(0)%201234%20754500)**  ·  [Privacy Policy](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/privacy-policy)