Page 26 - Logistics News Oct Nov 2020

News

NextGen

Supply

Chain

Conference

THIS YEAR’S virtual
conference taking
place from 10-12
November answers:
“what’s next for supply
chain management
(SCM)?” for senior-
New skills needed to manage level SCM professionals,
with a focus on
supply chain distribution artificial intelligence,
robotics, and digital
transformation. Key
Courtesy www.bizcommunity.com themes include supply
chain innovation,
ACCORDING TO Greta Froise, founder of online supply chain training the future of supply
company Bizzco, new routines, structural changes and a massive shift chain technology and
in consumer behaviour since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic meeting the e-fulfilment
have disrupted traditional distribution management systems. Simple challenge.
linear supply chains have now been replaced by complex consumer- There will be four
centric networks. New skills sets and new learnings are essential for keynotes from industry
organisations wanting to thrive in the ‘new normal’. heavyweights GE
“The pandemic has really just accelerated trends such as Appliances, Lenovo,
globalisation and increased competition that started over 10 years ago,” Vodafone and Joann
says Froise. “Over recent months, we have seen many of the current Stores and 36 senior
ways of managing supply chains quickly break down. Shortages of level supply chain
products – including essential goods – have shown us just how fragile executives will share
some of our supply chains are when they encounter disruptions in their knowledge and
supply and demand.” experience.
Froise says that while organisations have excelled at getting the With live-streamed
basics of supply chain right, there are a whole new set of skills they need sessions, interactive
to effectively manage distribution in our volatile, uncertain, complex and panels and real-time
ambiguous (VUCA) new world: chats, attendees will
• Planning and forecasting: Traditional planning and forecasting tools gain insights and
and techniques are simply not enough to manage the unpredictable real-world solutions,
spikes in supply and demand. preparing executives for
• Warehouse management: The surge in demand for same-day, the coming technologies
home deliveries and the growth of new distribution channels are and processes that
developments for which traditional warehousing systems were will have the most
unprepared. transformative effects
• Transport and logistics: Distributors were largely unprepared for the on their supply chains. •
exponential rise of new distribution models, such as direct delivery to
consumers.
“Mastering distribution management is now a key differentiator for
organisations. With distribution management skills in short supply, there
is a real need for organisations to train and grow the skills they need,”
concludes Froise. •

24 October/November 2020 | Logistics News