A 2017 Supply Chain Canada feature with Grace Zhang, then Vice President of Business Development at Strategic Global Sourcing Ltd. (SGS Sourcing).
The feature discussed the opportunities, risks, and hidden costs involved in global sourcing. Grace Zhang shared practical perspectives on the importance of communication, supplier understanding, production monitoring, quality control, and professional execution support when sourcing from overseas markets.
Key Takeaways
Global sourcing requires more than price comparison. Successful sourcing depends on supplier qualification, clear specifications, production follow-up, logistics planning, and risk control across jurisdictions.
Communication is a critical factor. Grace emphasized that many problems in overseas sourcing can be avoided from the beginning with proper communication, especially when working across languages, cultures, time zones, and different business practices.
Hidden costs must be managed early. Buyers may underestimate costs related to coordination time, transportation delays, quality issues, replacement shipments, border processes, and production interruptions.
Professional execution support reduces risk. Experienced sourcing professionals and third-party sourcing service providers can help companies manage complexity, reduce avoidable mistakes, and support reliable delivery.
Selected Quote
“One of the biggest problems in dealing with overseas sourcing is communication. Most problems can be avoided from the beginning with proper communication.”
— Grace Zhang, VP, Business Development, Strategic Global Sourcing Ltd. (SGS Sourcing)
Legacy Note
This feature was originally published in 2017 under Strategic Global Sourcing Ltd. (SGS Sourcing). The original external publication link may no longer be active. This summary is provided for reference and reflects the global sourcing foundation from which Strategic Global Integration Ltd. (SGI) has evolved.