Supply chain automation and industry challenges are driving the push for supply chain professionals to learn new skill sets. For example, analytics skills wrapped around a better use of data are now essential for any supply chain manager to possess.
Some of the main disruptors affecting the customer focused supply chain include drastic changes around talent management, technology and consumers’ needs and expectations. We’ve identified at least three impacting companies.
Talent Management
The ability to acquire and manage talent is critical. In an age of rapidly changing demographics, however, it can be a bit more challenging. Having a solid understanding of the people you’re trying to recruit and retain is the first step in ensuring that all runs smoothly across the supply chain.
Technology and the Use of Data to Drive Insights
Technology is the most influential disruptor in supply chain management today. While a plethora of sophisticated technology continues to be developed, it isn’t useful if the data it collects cannot elicit valuable analytics that drive business insights.
You want to be sure that more of your time is spent interpreting the data versus spending time gathering and reporting on data.This can be achieved through an innovative platform that can swiftly turn big data into actionable information. However, the most critical element is developing the right analytics talent—your data scientists.
The ideal platform does all of the following:
- Captures data through new and flexible technologies
- Makes useful data rapidly available to customers and stakeholders
- Provides a clear, real-time view of inventory and supply chain activity
- Helps create responsive supply chains
- Connects everyone in the supply chain to see everything at the same time
- Allows you to manage exceptions in real-time
Beat Customer Expectations
Technology advancements have also driven the expectations of consumers higher.
Consumers want end-to-end transparency, which means supply chain managers have to ensure that there’s more visibility going into each step of their logistics operation. The better this is executed, the greater the chance of succeeding in the marketplace. There are now a number of tools available to provide more visibility, more data and more frequent updates, including tools developed here at Ryder.
While the disruptors we just mentioned - among many others - are making supply chain logistics more challenging, they’ve also managed to create fertile ground to leverage innovation and opportunities as a competitive advantage. Whether that involves developing new capabilities to manage the customer-centric supply chain in-house, or by partnering with a third party that has already developed those capabilities, the new supply chain will require talent, innovative solutions and supply chain managers with new skills to turn disruptive trends into a strategic benefit.
