With the unprecedented financial crisis we’re experiencing, one of the prevailing topics in our industry right now is the critical role that logistics and supply-chain management professionals will play in managing risk during these challenging times.
This past October, CSCMP held its annual global conference in Denver, hosting 3,000 people from more than 50 countries. Managing, mitigating and making risk work for our businesses and our supply chains was on everyone’s mind, and was the subject of countless conversations. Making risk work for us instead of against us can be achieved if we stay focused on improving our operations and committed to seeing our organizations thrive.
These times truly call for inspired and inventive leadership, which will prove to be the key differentiator between companies that will perform well in the coming years and those that will not.
Another important issue in 2009 is the increasing influence and prominence of China, India and Brazil in worldwide logistics. We, as supply-chain managers, will need to work closely together with our partners in these countries, and in others, if we are to be successful in operating a more efficient and effective global logistics and supply-chain system.
Yes, there are considerable challenges confronting us today, but supply-chain leaders have a record of innovation and perseverance during difficult times. Expect no less from them in 2009.