Supply chain skills are essential for any consultant who wants to help clients optimize their operations, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. But how can you develop these skills and stay ahead of the curve in a dynamic and complex field? Here are some tips to help you:
Before you dive into the details of supply chain management, you need to have a solid grasp of the fundamentals. This includes the key concepts, processes, and tools that underpin the planning, sourcing, production, delivery, and return of goods and services. You can learn these basics through online courses, books, podcasts, or webinars that cover topics such as supply chain strategy, design, analytics, logistics, and sustainability.
Supply chains a simply the steps required to provide the goods we consume. They start with initial production, processing and distribution, through to the steps involved in each raw material and piece in a process moving from producers to wholesalers to suppliers and logistics company. Each step is relatively simple, but the complexity arises from the number of steps as a product moves across the world, and the number of inputs involved. This is why supply chains need to be mapped and managed. To understand the principles, start with a simple product you know, and try and think of the steps from producer to your home, and map these down. This is the fundamentals, and the core skillset required.
Nothing beats learning by doing when it comes to developing your supply chain skills. You can gain practical experience by working on real-life projects, either as part of your consulting assignments or through volunteering, internships, or competitions. You can also seek mentorship or feedback from experts, peers, or clients who have more experience or knowledge in the field. This way, you can apply your theoretical knowledge, learn from your mistakes, and improve your problem-solving and communication skills.
Life is the best teacher. Practical hands on experience is the most tangible and memorable. Speak to practicioners across any industry, on logistics, transport, supply or production. Ask them for examples of the supply chains they track and are involved in. It is very difficult for any one party to have direct experience of an entire global supply chain, but you can learn a great detail even from a small piece. People are usually happy to share about their roles, or you can look for creators or teachers in this space, trainers or get access to an industry expert via an Expert Network.
Doing something by yourself, or even watching it done on real life gives you the best experience. Details are important, even if you're putting your strategy. A small makes a big difference. Don't under-estimate the knowledge you may gain from old experienced personnel. Practical experience differ from Theoretical knowledge . Real Life has challenges, life don't always move as theories. Another factor, try to have knowledge about different personal traits. Dominant persons can't be treated by the same way you treat Steady or routine people.
The supply chain landscape is constantly evolving due to factors such as technology, globalization, regulation, and consumer demand. As a consultant, you need to keep up with the latest trends and innovations that affect your clients and their industries. You can do this by reading industry reports, blogs, newsletters, or magazines that provide insights and analysis on topics such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, blockchain, circular economy, and social responsibility.
Every now and then try to have a general outlook about trending industries and products. Try to explore different markets, try to learn about different market segment. Simply you can search for relevant research overviews, join industrial and commercial groups, and subscribe to newsletters to periodically receive emails with recent services or products.
One of the best ways to develop your supply chain skills is to connect with other professionals who share your interest and passion. You can expand your network by joining online communities, forums, groups, or associations that focus on supply chain topics. You can also attend events, workshops, webinars, or conferences that offer opportunities to learn from experts, exchange ideas, and build relationships. Networking can help you gain new perspectives, discover best practices, and find potential collaborators or clients.
Understanding the basics of supply chain management is important. Start with a simple product, or service and map its journey from producer, or service provider to consumer. Gain practical experience through real-life projects and seek mentorship from industry experts. Stay updated with the latest trends like digital transformation and have a general idea about blockchain. Expand your network by joining relevant communities and attending events. Exposing to several industries give you a great experience and uncover the secrets of several industries.
If you want to demonstrate your proficiency and credibility in supply chain management, you can seek certification from reputable organizations or institutions. Certification can help you validate your skills, enhance your resume, and increase your marketability. There are various types of certification available, depending on your level of experience, specialization, and career goals. Some examples are the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), and the Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM).
By following these tips, you can develop your supply chain skills and become a more effective and valuable consultant. You can also leverage your skills to help your clients achieve their strategic objectives, optimize their performance, and gain a competitive edge.
All done - you need to use it (or you will lose it!). You may not have a consulting assignment in hand yet to prove your newly acquired skills. So what? My Top Tips: a) share with team members b) write short posts on LinkedIn c) run a LinkedIn poll d) write articles on LinkedIn e) deliver webinars internally f) deliver webinars externally g) speak at conferences h) write a contributory chapter for an established author - many are at look always (I am one of them e.g.) i) write a short guide j) write a book - may be experiences, views, reviews, expectations k) write a research paper l) write a research book All this will help you in winning the relevant consulting assignments also.
Take your (a consultant's) own example to understand supply chain. Your journey from birth-till-joining your first consultancy firm. You may not recollect all of the begining, so start in reverse order. Map your journey and it may look like this: call by HR-call by recruiter-your CV posting on a website-using professional services to create your CV-your university-other universities-suppliers of goods and materials to your university-transport from home to university-professional bodies (like IEEE)-financial institutions-mentors and guides-examination board and bodies-book authors and publishers-other stationery makers etc. etc. I hope I have been able to draw a picture in your mind. Now do the same for a tooth brush.
Outsourcing an expert shorten your time. Remember Time is an IRREVERSIBLE resource, once passed don't come again. In fact an outsourced expert gives a higher value than you pay!