2009 Summit Wrap Up
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The 2009 Supply Chain & Logistics Summit, which is held during the annual Queensland Supply Chain & Logistics Conference, focused on key issues that the group determined to be the most relevant in the challenging times now being experienced by all Supply Chain and Logistics Professionals and Practitioners. Aided by eight industry experts as discussion leaders, the large group sought to bring their diverse skills and experience to bear in establishing a few priority issues for consideration and action. Whereas the 2008 SCL Summit aimed to develop an extensive agenda of outcomes our purpose in 2009 was to consider in depth just one or two absolute priorities.
The 2008 Agenda Items and the 2009 priority issues will constitute the framework for a follow up mini summit scheduled for 1400 to 1700 hours on the 13th of November 2009 at University of Queensland School of Business in Brisbane. The objective of that mini summit will be to formulate a Supply Chain Excellence Action Plan. Note the 2008 Summit Outcomes are included at the end of this document. The following Priorities emerged from the 2009 SCL Summit. 1. PEOPLE It is interesting to note this issue was not separately identified in the 2008 Outcomes. Dr John Gattorna (Australian Supply Chain Guru) published a recent book describing “People as the missing link in Supply Chains.” The Logistics Executive Recruitment Annual Survey Report on Salaries and Career Issues was reviewed as a precursor to debate on People Issues. To access the report simply email kimw@lrs.net.au. Summary of important discussion points follows:
Attraction, recruitment, development and retention of enthusiastic and appropriately skilled people is critical. In the aftermath of the Global Financial Crises the arbitrary cutting of costs through staff retrenchments may prove to be counter- productive when the upturn gathers pace.
Organisations may be judged not only on their ability to whether the storm but also on the way in which they handled it. Development and promulgation of consistent, coordinated, and easy to understand Careers information is vital for the benefit of both prospective and existing participants in Supply Chain and TDL Industry. Development and close engagement with Supply Chain, Logistics and TDL Education and Training in all relevant disciplines mandatory. Clear articulated pathways are essential. Workplace Safety, Health and Wellbeing must be highlighted for continuous improvement Training and Education needs to be validated and accepted by Industry as a means of establishing credibility for the learning and experience gained. Certification Programs such as Certified Professional Logistician (CPL) will be valuable provided Industry and Professional Associations offer full support and promotion. Chief Executive Officers and other Senior Executives need to increased awareness on the value of the Supply Chain concept as a generator of business value. A uniformly accepted and accredited Common Body of Knowledge for Supply Chain remains an important aspiration. 2. SUSTAINABILITY The term ‘Sustainability’ seems to mean different things to different people. A common definition may eliminate some confusion.
Environmental sustainability is now clearly recognised as a serious issue and is no longer a fad. Supply Chain people can ignore it at their peril. Multi-tiered approaches are necessary (e.g. carbon through to waste) A ‘Cost versus Corporate Social Responsibility’ equation is emerging. Evidence suggests there is a real ‘first mover’ advantage for organisations. ‘Greener’ outcomes are often safer and less costly in the long term. Beware of the simple solutions! They can be counter intuitive (NZ Lamb). Education and Training in the Sustainability space is inadequate given the current status of TDL as Australia’s third largest emitter. The Australian Logistics Council promulgated zero emissions target for TDL may seem unattainable but it delivers a powerful message on the need to address the issue with commitment and tenacity. A measurement process is necessary in Supply Chains. Supply Chain Professionals and Practitioners should: Vigorously pursue ways to unleash the potential Share the learning for accelerated implementation Communicate often and accurately at all levels 3. OTHER ISSUES Infrastructure development and targeted effective industry driven investment is required to support more sustainable outcomes. In addition to collaboration other appropriate (e.g. one on one ) partnerships may be needed to expedite change. Technologies (plural not singular) must be emphasised as being an enabler and part only of a considered solution, rather than as being the solution in its own right. Adaptability and Synchronisation of Supply Chains may become more relevant than optimisation of a single Supply Chain. Supply Chain improvement needs to be pursued across Nodal and Modal factors. A uniform Supply Chain mapping and development process would contribute to a common understanding. compliance and infrastructure planning is mandatory. |
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