Supply Chain Innovation

I have defined innovations within the supply chain as "taking ideas that are new to you and creating economic, social or environmental value". Importantly supply chain innovation requires the sharing of ideas and creating value within the context we work.

A challenge for all supply chain leaders is to ensure that they have a process to expose themselves to new ideas. Yes this can occur by accident but importantly we need to plan and make time for ourselves and the organisations we work for to be exposed to new ideas.

Critically in our world it has never been more important to connect and network with professionals. This highlights the importance of professional organisations. For example, in my personal case, CIPS - Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Chartered Institute of Engineering and Technology and Advance HE. All organisations enable members to attend events (both virtual and physical) access news letters and journals, enabling the sharing of ideas. But today I gain ideas also from Linkedin, YouTube, News sites and blogs.

As leaders how in our organisation do we promote the exchange of ideas? Or are we actually doing things that restrict the organisations exposure to new ideas? For example, do we "lock down" our Information Technology systems so employees are unable to access social media channels, including Linkedin, where many ideas are shared? Do we restrict spending on attending training, education or attending physical or virtual conferences? Do we as I have found recently restrictions on the use of Zoom due to security concerns from a year ago that have now been addressed?

As was recognised in ancient times "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17). My question to everyone is what are you doing to ensure you remain "sharp" so you can innovate your supply chain creating value for all?