Intro/Outro (00:01):
Welcome to TEKTOK digital supply chain podcast, where we will help you eliminate the noise and focus on the information and inspiration that you need to transform your business impact supply chain success and enable you to replace risky inventory with valuable insights. Join your TEKTOK, host Karin Bursa, the 2020 supply chain pro to no of the year with more than 25 years of supply chain and technology expertise and the scars to prove it Karin has the heart of a teacher and has helped nearly 1000 customers transform their businesses and tell their success stories. Join the conversation, share your insights and learn how to harness technology innovations to drive tangible business results. Buckle up it’ time for TEKTOK powered by Supply Chain Now.
Karin Bursa (01:04):
Okay. Welcome back. Supply chain mirrors and shakers Karin Bursa here and I am your host for tech talk, the digital supply chain podcast. I am so glad that you have tuned in today. You know, spring 2022 has been really busy for you. Supply chain movers and shakers. I know I have heard from you and to help you catch up on what you missed. We have pulled together a summary of the best of the best TEKTOK episodes for spring 2022. All right. And if you check the show notes, you are gonna be able to go straight to those episode links and hear more about each of those topics. So again, this is our very first best of the best TEKTOK episodes for spring 2022. And we have got the links in place that are gonna help you eliminate the noise and get the information and inspiration.
Karin Bursa (01:59):
You need to replace that risky inventory with valuable insights, you know, as supply team movers and shakers expectations around the value supply chains deliver those expectations are simply accelerating despite the on growing volatility, the disruptions, the gridlock, uh, that is coming at us from global conflict product shortages, talent constraints, uh, changing channels, changing product mix. And of course the lingering impacts from the global pandemic. You know, in my role as a supply chain technology industry advisor, I’ve got the opportunity to put my more than 25 years of supply chain expertise into action. As I work with a variety of practitioners, industry, visionaries, academia, students, investors, and of course technology providers. So let’s just say it has been busy, busy, busy. Yes. That was three busys this spring. I know you are feeling it too. And I’m hoping that you’ve been able to carve out a little vacation time as well, because you need that to get re-energized because let’s face it.
Karin Bursa (03:25):
The focus on supply chain performance is not going away. We’ve got our position on center stage. Let’s use it to get the recognition that each and every one of you deserve for the great work you’re doing. So for that reason, we have pulled together a synopsis of some of the best of the best TEKTOK episodes from spring 2022. Think of this as your spark notes for TEKTOK, um, and be sure to check out the show notes, because those are gonna have all the direct links for you to the episodes that get mentioned here. And I have to tell you it was hard. Um, I wanted to include every episode, but then it wouldn’t be the best of the best. Uh, so we have carved out five episodes that I’m gonna highlight for you here and layer them together. And I think it’s really gonna make sense to you, um, on why some of those episodes are really important.
Karin Bursa (04:23):
So let’s get started. The first recommendation is, um, the episode called supply chain basics. Every business person needs to know. Now I keep a list of questions that I get asked most often, um, whether I’m advising executive leadership teams or working with new hires or students that are getting ready to graduate from college and, um, seeking jobs in the marketplace or interested investors. And this particular episode, this was episode number 33, and it’s called the supply chain basics. Every business person needs to know. So that episode covers some of those hot topics, not all of them. In fact, I’ve got an even longer list of them now, thanks to all of you who have listened to the episode and reached out, because I will tell you that this particular episode, it was surprising. We got so much feedback that came in, uh, about the value of this episode and additional topics that many of you would like me to cover in future basics, uh, episodes.
Karin Bursa (05:40):
So, um, tune in, listen to this one, thank you so much for your feedback on the episode of supply chain basics. Um, and let me make some recommendations to you. Um, I had several people tell me that they shared this particular episode with other coworkers that are not in the supply chain team or in the supply chain roles. And it was really beneficial for them. It gave them a good baseline and understanding of some of the capabilities. And I even had a few of you tell me that you did in fact, share it with family and friends, trying to help them understand the work that you do every day and why the work can be so challenging. Uh, and I do think many of the topics that we cover in that particular episode, again, that’s episode number 33 on supply chain basics. Every business person needs to know.
Karin Bursa (06:37):
Uh, so check it out and be sure to share it with, um, with your coworkers and even some members of your, uh, family and friends as well. Okay. Right on the heels of that is an episode that is what you missed at the Gartner supply chain symposium. So remember, we’re trying to help you get the highlights of what’s, uh, been covered here on TEKTOK in spring 2022. And this conference, this Gartner conference is built as the world’s most important gathering of chief supply chain officers and supply chain executives. The event was in person and by the way, it was oversubscribed, meaning that attendance far exceeded expectations for this face to face event. The event itself had more than 140 sessions over the course of three days, 140 sessions. So there’s no way any one person could, um, could attend all of those sessions. But I carve out in this recap episode.
Karin Bursa (07:45):
So that’s episode number 39, and it’s called what you missed at the Gartner supply chain symposium. Um, I carved out some of the highlights, some of the key themes, um, insights from a couple of the different Gartner analysts that were presenting sessions at the event, as well as some of the survey responses on priorities for supply chain transformation. So I’d really love you to give that a listen, um, and it is really poised to help you position your business for what we’re looking at called the great acceleration. So when the economy, uh, starts gaining even more momentum in the marketplace in this episode, I also highlighted a couple of practitioner delivered sessions, um, of note is one that was delivered by, uh, Livia Kendi, Kona from Diagio. So drinks, giant Diagio. And what I loved about this particular, uh, case study on transformation is that is it has happened over this last two years.
Karin Bursa (08:51):
So it is in the midst of all of the disruption. It dealt with topics like shortages in supply and changes to product mix and market channel as well. And the team at Aggio has been able to deliver an impressive 20% single year growth rate that’s right, 20%, not just double digits, but 20% growth despite shifting channels, despite constraint supplies, despite talent constraints in the marketplace. So, um, so take a listen to that epi episode again, tech talk episode 39, what you missed at the Gartner supply chain symposium, couple of other, uh, practitioner sessions are highlighted in that particular TEKTOK episode as well. So, um, good mix of analyst points of view, practitioner points of view. Uh, I hope you get a lot of value out of that. So number three, um, on the best of the best for spring of 2022 here on tech talk, um, is, you know, so we we’ve talked about some basics.
Karin Bursa (10:05):
I’ve talked about priorities as Gartner sees it and recommendations, and I want you to look at that and compare it with what your business has prioritized. Um, and then I want you to think about your business case. So episode number 37 is framing your business case for digital supply chain investments. So that’s episode number 37. So as you look at your initiatives coming up here in fall and winter, um, and into, uh, the next year, I want you to look at some of those recommendations on framing, your business case and, uh, and benchmarking your performance. Um, I got personally, I got several thank you emails after this particular episode, uh, published, uh, saying that it really helped them, uh, clear out the clutter, narrow down some of the key performance metrics to focus on and put together a very coherent, uh, business case that helped them get the investment that they were looking for, uh, for the next step in supply chain transformation.
Karin Bursa (11:16):
So hopefully you will get the same inspiration from that particular event that cuz the reality is that estimating the potential return on investment from deploying a new digital supply chain solution can be really difficult. Um, the, the number one reason why it’s difficult to predict the impact you might have, might be a little surprising. I’m not gonna tell you what it is. You’ll have to take a listen, uh, to the particular episode, but Ross assured that my more than 25 years of supply chain experience, um, and working with nearly a thousand companies during that, um, amount of time, uh, we rolled all of that in and tried to simplify and help you frame, uh, what some of those key performance indicators should be as well as some ranges you could expect for improvements, um, as a part of your business case. So, uh, take a, listen again, episode 37, framing your business case for digital supply team improvements or investments.
Karin Bursa (12:31):
Um, and then number four on the list of the best of the best for spring 2022 on TEKTOK. Um, actually these next two are really good. Um, and bring that practitioner point of view into play that I love to highlight so much. Um, the first is episode number 35 in this particular episode, um, is called replenishment is the cornerstone of business profitability. So episode 35 replenishment is the cornerstone of business profitability. And this is with my guest, Christine Shadu former vice president of global value chain optimization with Ralph Lauren. Um, and she will make you laugh. Um, I’m just gonna tell you, get, get ready, you’ll learn something, but you’re gonna chuckle, uh, a couple of times as well. When you listen into that particular episode, you know, replenishment is an area within the supply chain that offers significant competitive advantage, especially in areas like consumer goods and retail businesses, you know, in its simplest form.
Karin Bursa (13:45):
Replenishment is the process of resupply for products that have been consumed or sold and replenishment. As we look at this on a recurring basis, it, it is really an opportunity to look at, uh, future product needs, certainly demand seasonal elements that are gonna influence that, um, your time phase needs of inventory that are gonna help you produce or source more cost effectively, um, and bring all of those into play, to avoid stockouts, um, a and replenishment in its own, right? These are proven products that get used or consumed, um, and reused and reordered. So these are some of your staples in your product portfolio, and there’s a number of complexities that go into calculating optimal replenishment, uh, numbers and timing. Uh, and that’s gonna be based on your current inventory levels, your lead times, production lead times, your targeted service level by customer or channel, um, things like minimum order, quantities, shipping and delivery, uh, frequency and, and a multitude of others.
Karin Bursa (15:06):
But it also offers a really, really, um, great opportunity around automation, right? So when we do things repeatedly and systematically, um, our digital supply chain solutions can get smarter over time. We need to leverage that and look at it for, for opportunities, uh, for automation and acceleration. So check out what Christine Shado shared with us in this particular information packed episode that’s episode number 35 for TEKTOK. All right, if you are a supply chain mover in shaker that subscribes and follows TEKTOK, then you know, I am a strong proponent of sales and operations planning. I’m a believer and it is a pivotal business process. And one that is going to lead to really tangible results and greater collaboration within your business, but also throughout your global network. So that includes your important or key customers, your key suppliers. We want to extend that horizon and visibility to incorporate both key demand aspects, key customers, as well as key supply side, right, where, where we wanna eliminate as much supplier, um, variability as possible as well.
Karin Bursa (16:39):
So since I believe that actions speak louder than words, uh, TEKTOK episode number 40 that’s four, zero is all about sales and operations planning. In fact, it is called leveraging S and O P to drive customer collaboration and business transformation. And we’ve done that, um, from a point of view from plastic packaging technologies, it is a must. You’re gonna hear directly from S O P expert. Uh, Angie Taylor. She is the chief commercial officer and vice president with plastic packaging technologies. And Angie brings just a wealth of very practical experience to the conversation. And she has led transformation teams, uh, where she is today, which is plastic packaging technologies, um, at a leading consumer brands, company Vista outdoor and, uh, transformation initiative at gear for sports, which is a division of HAES brands. So, uh, Angie Taylor has a real talent for bringing people, process technology data together to run the business more efficiently and effectively.
Karin Bursa (17:59):
And I love that her title, uh, with plastic packaging is chief commercial officer because, you know, I think the business is supply chain, right? It’s how do we fulfill customer needs in our marketplace? And, um, and, and I think that that title just gives you a feel for how important, um, supply chain performance overall is for plastic packaging, uh, technologies company as well. So I think you’ll get inspired when you hear what Angie Taylor has to say. So that is my fifth recommendation. So let me go back through those, uh, for you just really quickly, um, on, on what those recommendations are. And again, I’m kind of building for you from some of the basics to prioritization, to techniques, um, that you may wanna just kind of brush up on and hear what we have shared with TEKTOK over spring 2022. So that first recommendation was episode 33, and that is supply chain basics that every business person needs to know.
Karin Bursa (19:11):
Um, look forward to hearing your feedback on that one. I have to tell you, I was really surprised by how many people reached out and said they got tremendous value, uh, from that session and were able to share it and simplify, you know, um, and put some context around what they’re doing day in, day out. Also, if you like that topic, feel free to message me through LinkedIn or, um, through email and tell me additional aspects of supply chain basics you’d like me to cover. Uh, so we’ll, we’ll bring those into a future episode as well. So the second recommendation was really to give you a feel for what’s happening in the broader industry. And that was episode number 39. This is what you missed at the Gartner supply chain symposium. So this is the north American symposium just happened in June and they’ve actually, um, will do the same symposium with, with much of the same content is gonna execute here, um, in a couple of months in the UK.
Karin Bursa (20:20):
So there’ll be another opportunity there. I think some of the practitioner sessions will be different, but much of the analyst, uh, point of view, and the research point of view is all gonna be the same. So some really good, uh, recaps there from that particular, uh, TEKTOK podcast, the other was, uh, episode 37. So this is the one about framing your business case for digital supply chain investments. So, uh, take a look at, at the recommendations for a shorter list of key performance indicators and some ranges, some expectations that you can consider as part of your improvement, uh, business case, and then two areas of focus. Um, the first one we discussed was replenishment. Uh, so that was episode number 35 replenishment is the cornerstone of business profitability. And that was with our guest Christine todo, the former vice president and global value chain optimization executive with Ralph Lauren and then finally sales and operations planning, or really, uh, looking at, um, leveraging sales and operations planning to drive customer collaboration and business transformation.
Karin Bursa (21:41):
And that was with plastic packaging technology, executive, Angie Taylor. So I hope that short list, those cliff notes are gonna help you kind of pick and choose a couple of the episodes that you missed. Take a listen, let me know your thoughts and thank you so much for joining us today on TEKTOK, where our goal is to help you eliminate the noise and focus on the information and inspiration you need to transform your business and replace risky inventory with valuable insights. We’ll see you next time on tech talk powered by supply chain. Now hi supply team now.
