A Vision for 2022+

There are several times of the year when looking back and reassessing for the future is very useful and starting a New Year is an especially good time. As we all look back on the many challenges that 2021 brought, I would like to present a vision for how Supply Chain could be in 2022 and beyond:

1. Sustainability - companies will analyze with fresh and open eyes every aspect of how a product is built, transported, sold and used to find new ways to better serve the customer and the environment. This is an important consideration before the supply chain strategy can be reviewed. For example, why bother looking at re/near-shoring an item when you may not need it at all? How can that great product you’re making be made better through a reduced impact to the environment? 

2. Supply Chain Resilience- a lot has been said about this in 2021 and for good reason. Many companies have now seen firsthand the fragile points in their supply chains. Companies will address those holes and create plans and tools for a robust and flexible supply chain. Some of these solutions will take time to implement but each step will bring you closer to resilience. 

3. Deliberate and deeply planned stocking strategies- JIT is great when part of a larger manufacturing solution and in a fairly stable environment but as we have seen things can change! Each SKU and channel has unique needs. Since these decisions will drive so much of a company’s success and impact - to your Team, your customer, and of course, the environment- it’ll be well worth the time to map out the plan up front and in detail. 

4. Honor time- This is big. Teams will look back at 2021 and see where they allocated time (our most precious and finite personal resource) and decide if they want to repeat the same in 2022. Companies will lay a foundation for a healthy supply chain, a healthy organization and to help to be a part of a healthier world.

5. Automate Automate Automate - Wherever possible and as soon as possible companies will automate those repeated actions, data, analytics! Thereby creating room for creativity, strategy, attention and agility. Visibility and transparency must be present for each step in the supply chain - finding ways to automate in all areas possible will be key going forward.

6. Delight- Delight in creating a product your customers love and that doesn’t harm or create waste. Delight in doing worthwhile work and satisfaction on expanding skills and accomplishments. Delight in creating a plan for success and then succeeding. 

Wishing everyone good health, meaningful prosperity and great delight in 2022!