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

Turbulent times around the world will certainly impact us in days and months to come. Supply Chain disruptions are looming again soon after the Pandemic disasters. Supply Chain professionals and practitioners at every level will endure the resultant stresses. Of course, we have experienced many crises in past decades and survived and thrived. Hopefully our training, experience, and developed resilience will again deliver prosperity.

“It isn’t so much that hard times are coming: the change is mostly soft times going” (Groucho Marx)

Effective Supply Chain people must have the capacity to react and adapt to changing circumstances. They do that every day, every week, every month, every year. Even more importantly they must have the capacity to anticipate and manage risks proactively. Risks come in many forms, and ongoing processes to consider, plan, and act are critical. I am an enthusiastic believer in the value of Scenario Planning. It takes an imaginative mindset and a capacity to embrace all relevant team members to develop and assess a kaleidoscope of scenarios. Every possibility is discovered and discussed with a positive viewpoint.

I am also an unashamed fan of Sales and Operational Planning (SOP) in relevant situations. My experience clearly demonstrates that truth telling, openness and genuine collaboration are crucial elements of effective SOP. Unfortunately, pretence, finger pointing, and blamestorming is often evident in SOP meetings.

Curiosity is a key quality for Supply Chain Professionals and Practitioners. Curiosity breeds boundless adventure, research and learning opportunities that mundane status quo attitudes never display.

Demand Management is another key tool kit skill that drives much of our Supply Chains. It is also often damaged by unreasonable subjectivity, whims of management, and belief that technology provides all the answers. Effective and timely decision making remains an essential tool. Customers are fickle and rapid changes in demand can occur. Ability to react and adapt to those changes is a Supply Chain Management hallmark. Demand Management must be a continuous process with frequent updating and communication.

Over my career lifetime one of the most significant developments has been the ability to develop real time data in a form that allows quick assessment and decision making. Data where and when it’s needed is now expected without delay or omission. Technology has undoubtedly been the crucial enabler but human decision making embracing the range of experiences and learning remains as a significant determinant of success.

Career expectations will be different for the upcoming generation. We must strive to understand and learn from them as we current stakeholders make ready to pass the baton. Education and training institutes must address the desires and expectations of the next generation as well as the likely objectives of future business and customers. Professional Associations also need to reimagine offerings to assist development of Supply Chain people.

I have always believed that real Supply Chains (not pretend Supply Chains) are value generating with all participants benefiting from genuine collaboration with elimination of process waste and superior outcomes for customers. In my world additional value generated from supply chains implementation must be shared across the network for all participants to benefit. That does not always ensue.

“As you get older three things happen. First your memory goes, then I can’t remember the other two” (Sir Norman Wisdom)

Are you satisfied with your Supply Chains?

Are you satisfied with your role and future in Supply Chain?

Are you satisfied with the training, education, and learning that you have access to?

What do you need to improve your tool kit skills to progress to satisfy your Career dreams?

These turbulent times are indeed a time for reflection and hope for better days to come. But previous generations have told us that such times often present opportunities for new thinking and progression.

Time for you to pick up the baton and become a progress champion. A sense of awe and wonder about the good things we encounter is vital if we are to build a future we can be proud of.

I am relying on you!

Be vigorously curious, learn every day, challenge the status quo, embrace others to develop their skills and opportunities, and collaborate honestly and openly. Be an authentic best version of you!

Enough said. Enjoy every day with the knowledge our Supply Chain Professionals and Practitioners play vital roles in our communities.

My thoughts are with all those people, regardless of their nationality or religion, who are being brutalised in conflicts around the world. Time for humanitarian values to become the driver of conflict resolution everywhere.

“One day we will be in a brand-new world. A new world is coming” (Billy Graham)

Namaste

David Doherty OAM davdoh1@optusnet.com.au