Logistics chains that want to be future-proof should not focus on optimisation but on speed, agility and flexibility. That statement was made by Jack van der Veen during the congress Successful Supply Chain Implementation of BLMC and Windesheim University of Applied Sciences.
According to the Professor of Supply Chain Management, supply chains are changing because of the VUCA model (Volatile, Unvertain, Complex & Ambiguous). The market is constantly changing, leading to higher uncertainty and complexity. "In the new world, agility and flexibility are important. But we all come from the old world and there it is all about efficiency."
Supply chain implementation
Future-proofing the supply chain requires chain cooperation. "We cannot innovate on our own," states Van der Veen. For successful implementation of supply chain management, three pillars are important, according to the professor: strategy, infrastructure and mindset & behaviour.
- On strategy, Van der Veen says: "We are far too operationally focused in the supply chain. Not surprisingly, during the crisis companies were busy surviving and did not think about strategy. Now it's time for that again."
- In the infastructure pillar, it is important to use the right IT systems, but chains should also ask themselves how they coordinate decisions. "And how do you overcome conflicting interests between departments? Companies need to fine-tune their incentives."
- The last pillar is mindset & behaviour. This involves the culture in the organisation and the way it is led. "Is there open and transparent communication? Is there team spirit and mutual trust?"
These three handles are strongly linked, according to Van der Veen. "Some organisations have a very good corporate culture, but there the infrastructure is not in order." In such organisations, it would be impossible to have a well-functioning supply chain.
Dream
Van der Veen concluded his presentation with a wish: "One of the things I miss in organisations is a cool dream." Companies would mainly work with smart targets: specific, measurable and achievable. I miss people who think: I think it's cool so I'll do it. And whether it works, we will see in the future. Someone who has such a dream and takes the organisation with them shows leadership."
Editorial LogistiekProfs
