Straight Talk from David Doherty OAM

David Doherty OAM is a past President and Life Member of the SCLAA and a highly regarded logistican. Send your Straight Talk feedback and comments to davidoh1@optusnet.com.au

Another Year underway with expectations abounding. A year for the next generation to initiate contributions for a value generating future. Also, a year for the current generation to encourage and develop the next generation. Opportunities are useless without execution. Ideas are wasted unless action is taken to deliver them in real terms.

2023 must be a year for imagination, rigor and execution. Are you up to the task?

Experience is the greatest teacher but fails dismally unless accompanied by targeted learning, training and education.

The “professional” associations have significant roles to play in these difficult times. Universities and TAFES must focus on delivering employment ready courses for students eager to build a career. All levels of Government must eradicate the red tape and politicking and focus on investing in facilities and resources to generate future value.

I am disgusted by past attitudes in planning and investment. 2023 is the year to create with bold intent, skills, learning and opportunities for all Australians.

Are you up to the task?

Supply Chain and Logistics is still searching for an enduring generally accepted table of standards to support establishment of a legitimate profession. A common body of knowledge (CBOK)is a necessity. Years of debate and debate has failed to deliver an authentic CBOK.

Are you up to the task?

Is there still an enthusiasm to create a generally acknowledged Supply Chain Profession that allows employers and employees alike to assess and develop to meet the criteria for professional status? Is it time to energize attempts to create a Profession?

Are you up to the task?

Creation of a genuine profession does not diminish the role of practitioners who do not aspire to management or such. We must protect and enthuse those people to pursue and achieve their objectives.

SCLAA was founded on the unalterable premise to support and develop Professionals and Practitioners.

In a recent coffee meeting with three other SCLAA Trailblazers, a question was raised about what one piece of advice would we Supply Chain Dinosaurs give to the next generation. More specifically what single issue should Career aspirants focus on.

After vigorous debate (no unanimous agreement by the way) collaboration and relationships, understanding technology enablers, employment ready education and training, and value creating processes surfaced. Project Management and Cost Accounting awareness also aired.

What would you list as your one significant issue?

Interesting to note that revered Australian Supply Chain Guru Dr John Gatorna wrote a book sometime back titled “The Missing Link -People”. A reminder to never forget people are the key element.

I have always been drawn to the simple definition of Supply Chain as a network of connected organizations striving to generate additional value and seamless flows. Of course, there are myriad examples of complex definitions but not one generally accepted above all others. Time to simplify and adopt.

Are you up to the task?

Other opportunities that have always drawn me to Supply Chain include:

Elimination of process waste and duplication.

• Generating and sharing additional value created via purposeful collaboration (collabotition)

Seamless flows up and down stream

• Delivering in a cost-effective manner real customer expectations.

So, the stage is set. 2023 the year to reinvent a reinvigorate Supply Chain and Logistics. Great opportunities offer potential to thrive.

Are you up to the task? (If it’s going to be, it is up to you!)

It is forty years since Supply Chain first emerged. There is still much to be done to deliver on the original expectations. You are in the chair now to take the reins to nurture, develop and execute.

Are you up to the task?

Us Dinosaurs are ready and waiting for your call seeking expertise, advice, and empathetic contributions to your task.

Have you got the courage to ask?

By the way the dinosaurs involved in the coffee summit were David Rogers, Dr Peter Dapiran, Kerry Hammond, and me. Many others are in the wings ready and able.

The problem is not that people set the bar too high and fail, but that they set the bar too low and succeed. (Michelangelo).

It is not that I am arguing with you, I am just trying to explain why I am right (Anonymous)

Our prayers and thoughts are with the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria and to the people in Ukraine.

David Doherty OAM (davdoh1@optusnet.com.au)