What are Executives Looking for in Supply Chain Professionals?
What are executives looking for in supply chain professionals? That was the topic of the panel I participated on at the Drucker Supply Chain Forum with executives from the Walt Disney Company, Source Intelligence, Intelligent Audit and CSCMP. So, what is the consensus? Broad knowledge - Supply chains [...]
Manufacturers Upbeat But Worry About Skills Gap
March 14, 2017 According to Industry Week, the Fed's survey of the economy expressed optimism; however, it also noted that labor markets are tightening. Since I'm also embarking on refrehsing my 2013 Skills Gap research report, thus far, I've noted the same concerns for high-skilled positions. I hear far [...]
Deloitte Survey Says Talent Gap Jeopardizes Success
February 20, 2017 According to the 2017 Deloitte Global CPO Survey, 85% of those surveyed felt that talent was the largest factor in driving procurement performance yet 60% think they have a skills gap to deliver on their procurement objectives. My clients are experiencing this same phenomenon, no matter the [...]
The Right Combination of Technical & Communication Skills ROCKS!
February 18, 2017 I am the Chair of the APICS West Coast student case competition, and we just wrapped up our 2017 event. We had 104 students from around the world fly into San Diego to compete. It was a really impressive group of students! The competition [...]
Manufacturing Expands at Fastest Rate Since 2010
February 14, 2017 According to the Institute for Supply Management's Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, manufacturing is on an upswing. The composite index rose in January, making it the fifth straight monthly expansion. New orders and production grew strongly! And the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank reported that manufacturing activity expanded [...]
What’s Hot in Driving HUGE Results in Manufacturing & Distribution
You can’t take a magic pill to drive HUGE results in your manufacturing or distribution company, but rather look to the tried and true methods that drive business growth and productivity. As the year winds down, it seems like a great time to "take stock" - what is "hot"? [...]
Supply Chain Skills
Supply chain professionals with technical and communication skills are in high demand as business booms and complexity grows. I just talked with several recruiters who see significant growth potential in supply chain management jobs. Thus, they have launched a concerted effort at mid-level supply chain management jobs. They were [...]
Manufacturing Wages are Going UP!
Published October 10, 2014 I recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal about the fast rise of manufacturing wages in some areas. The largest increase has been in Texas at 25%; however, wages are beginning to rise across the board. According to my skills gap research study, [...]
How Empowered and Engaged Employees Can Fill the Skills Gap
Playing on the strengths of high performing employees can lessen skills gaps within your organization while motivating everyone to perform at a higher level. Not a day goes by when an employee, volunteer, Board member or colleague doesn’t retire, get promoted, move companies, change roles within the company or [...]