Editor’s note: For a selection of high resolution event images available for publication please visit http://bit.ly/1cIII4v The recent 37th Annual SAPICS Conference and Exhibition held true to its long-standing reputation as the leading event in Africa for supply chain professionals. The sessions covered an array of topics with some impressive speakers stepping up to the stage to deliver significant insight into topical issues, challenges and trends affecting not only the supply chain management profession, but also business in the context of global economic growth. Opening keynote speaker Justice Malala bravely took on a political stance, often a risk, and provided some excellent perspective on the challenges facing the profession. His view was that there is plenty of noise in South Africa across both politics and industry and that it is necessary to be very selective in the issues one spends energy on. Justice’s advice was elegantly simple – figure out a way to worry better. He advised us to spend more energy and thought on issues that could make a difference to our immediate environment, whether in the short or longer term. Although Supply Chain Management (SCM) professionals are experiencing frustration with government for seemingly not getting the basics right, there needs to be a way of channelling this energy towards positive outcomes. Yes, we need to make the call to government and make them realise why these areas need attention, but we also need to focus on what SCM can do for economic growth. One of the reasons I am so proud to be part of this profession is that we always seem to find a way to get things done and, if we can’t find a way, we invent one. Innovation is central to the profession and the people that populate it. There were a number of upbeat themes that threaded their way through the conversations and discussions during the event. SCM professionals are aware that to change and develop people there needs to be flexibility and adaptability alongside a commitment to using technology for change. Being ready for, and forcing, change should be a focus area. We need to remain optimistic and go and search for another way to get things done. It’s amazing what we have accomplished, but we spend too little time celebrating our success and tenacity. Another problem raised at the event was the lack of skilled and talented people who work hard and want to try new things and how it is impacting on the profession. This is not only relevant to SCM, but also to most of South Africa’s public and private sectors. Solutions put forward included changing basic education standards, decreasing bureaucracy around skills development and spending money not only on training, but ensuring that this spend is aligned with strategic business objectives. The biggest challenge for SAPICS as representative industry body is to be relevant for business in general, not just supply chain management. SAPICS will therefore continue to strengthen alliances with both international and local bodies for the greater good of the profession, but we need the help of our incredible industry professionals to position the Supply Chain Management function as a strategic business imperative. ENDS _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ MEDIA CONTACT: Cathlen Fourie, 012 644 2833, [email protected], www.atthatpoint.co.za For more information on SAPICS please visit: Website: www.sapics.org.za Twitter: @SAPICS01 LinkedIn: SAPICS group Facebook: OperationsManagement ABOUT SAPICS – your supply chain network SAPICS is a professional knowledge-based association that enables individuals and organisations to improve business performance. SAPICS builds operations management excellence in individuals and enterprises through superior education and training, internationally recognised certifications, comprehensive resources and a countrywide network of accomplished industry professionals. This network is ever expanding and now includes associates in other African countries.
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The impact of disruption, one of the biggest buzzwords of 2014, isn’t limited to only the technology industry. The breakneck pace of disruptive innovation has one of the biggest ripple effects since the industrial revolution, forcing many industries and businesses to re-evaluate direction and growth potential. This re-evaluation leads to the identification of knowledge and skills gaps, some of which are easily bridged by reassigning existing resources, and others that appear to be chasms of impossibility. For industries to move with the ever-increasing pulse of business, it is necessary to fill those gaps as a matter of great urgency. While formal education is traditionally used to address knowledge and skills gaps, a more informal approach might yield results quicker, albeit not as comprehensive. Informal education events such as workshops and conferences are a proven way of sharing maximum knowledge in minimum time. An additional benefit is that attendees receive input from multiple sources, thereby increasing the range of knowledge transfer. “With so many changes in technologies, techniques and experience it is necessary to regularly participate in industry events; whether it be to increase your knowledge, or confirm that you are on the right track,” says Jenny Froome, General Manager of SAPICS, the industry association for supply chain professionals. “Supply chain management is a discipline that is influenced immensely by developments and changes in a variety of industries,” says Froome. “For the good of the profession it is imperative that influencers with diverse expertise and background share their knowledge and expertise with those involved in the day-to-day shaping of supply chains.” During an industry conference attendees have the opportunity to learn from many experts at once, and the benefits for speakers are sometimes even more valuable. “In sharing your knowledge with conference attendees you not only help others achieve their personal and professional goals, but also enable the growth of the industries represented by the attendees,” says Froome. A spin-off benefit for speakers at industry events is of course the market awareness they create for themselves in their professional capacity, as well as the company or organisation they represent. Sharing knowledge and experiences isn’t only beneficial for the recipients but also for the individual speaker and the company or organisation they represent. Conference speakers also usually have the benefit of attending sessions by other speakers, exposing them to ideas that might either strengthen or challenge their own. “We usually advise prospective speakers to evaluate opportunities based on location, timing, whether the topic or theme of the event suits their expertise and passion,” says Froome. “One of the leading platforms for supply chain professionals in Africa to share their stories is the annual SAPICS Conference & Exhibition, of which the 37rd edition will take place in South Africa from 31 May to 2 June 2015, themed ‘The Pulse of Africa’s Supply Chains’.” Details of speaker submissions for the conference are available online at www.sapics.org.za Several popular speakers from this year’s SAPICS Conference have already been confirmed for the 2015 line-up, including 2014 Best Speaker award winner Sean Culey, “There are so many passionate local and global supply chain experts,” concludes Froome. “SAPICS 2015 provides the perfect platform share their hard-earned expertise with fellow industry professionals and keep their fingers on the pulse of Africa’s supply chains.” ENDS MEDIA CONTACT: Juanita Vorster, 079 523 8374, [email protected] For more information on SAPICS please visit: Website: www.sapics.org.za Twitter: @SAPICS01 LinkedIn: SAPICS group Facebook: OperationsManagement Article by Kevin O’Marah, Chief Content Officer, SCM World I’ve been pitching Africa as a supply chain growth imperative for a while now. Our recent and bullish Africa report has had some pretty good reviews, making me confident that things are ready to happen. But one caveat keeps surfacing: the talent gap. What to do about finding, developing and managing people who are savvy about local conditions, but also sophisticated enough to navigate the waters at global headquarters? The talent problem in emerging markets is certainly not unique to Africa. We have consumer goods companies probing this question as it relates to entering China, hi-tech companies facing the issue in Latin America, and industrials wrestling with it in India. So much opportunity, but so few qualified people, and unfortunately expats don’t solve the problem since their skills mix is wrong and most are short-timers anyway. Here is one idea that may help – at least in Africa. South Africa leading the way This past week I spent two full days moderating a CEO roundtable with leaders from eight big South African companies. The event was noteworthy because it comprised top bosses drilling into how supply chain affects business value. It reached deeper into the business agenda of this group of leaders than anything I’ve seen in the US or Europe. Had this meeting been assembled by the World Economic Forum and held at Davos, I’d have been impressed, but not surprised. Instead it was arranged by SAPICS, the South African premier channel partner of APICS – a talent development organisation with headquarters in Chicago, USA, and a somewhat less-than-glamorous image. SAPICS is empowered to experiment with new ways of bringing business and supply chain together. The influence of these general managers on the SAPICS’ content and engagement strategies is direct as the education agenda is set by business leaders more than by consultants. Talent development through networking SAPICS hosts a conference every year in South Africa that draws hundreds of young, ambitious supply chain practitioners from all over the continent. I attended its 30th anniversary event a few years back and left with first-hand accounts of supply chains working in countries from Nigeria and Kenya to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe. Hundreds of working supply chain professionals soaked up the education, handed out business cards and tried to get an edge in their careers. The vibe was less like emerging markets and more like Silicon Valley, unlike emerging markets events I’ve been part of in New York or London, where the audience was more worried about looking good than about learning. Emerging markets talent gap not unbridgeable The big takeaway is that talent in emerging markets – in this case, Africa – need not be something supply chain leaders have to face alone. SAPICS is a well-established association with events, members and affiliates all over the continent. It is young, but not green, and open to business input. It also has deep institutional support from APICS Supply Chain Council. ENDS MEDIA CONTACT: Juanita Vorster, 079 523 8374, [email protected] For more information on SAPICS please visit: Website: www.sapics.org.za Twitter: @SAPICS01 LinkedIn: SAPICS group Facebook: OperationsManagement |
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