Top Supply Chain Learning Tool Heading Back to SA in 2015

One of the world’s top supply chain learning tools, The Fresh Connection, is heading back to South Africa in 2015 to test the skills and insights of the country’s leading supply chain professionals. Hans Kremer, partner at The Fresh Connection’s developers, Inchainge, will also be presenting a workshop on the tool at the SAPICS 2015* conference, taking place from 31 May - 2 June at Sun City.

Billed as the “ultimate value chain learning experience”, The Fresh Connection has taken the global supply chain community by storm, with Appletiser and Resolve (previously Volition) having emerged as the overall winners the first two times the learning game was run in South Africa some years ago.

Worldwide, the tool has been lauded by the likes of Coca-Cola, BASF, Canon, UTi, Henkel and DHL and is regularly used as a training tool within these organisations.

“A high-performing supply chain depends on the collaboration of team members from across the organisation,” says Kremer. “With this in mind, tearing down silos and creating the correct cross-functional mindset is critical, but can often be a serious challenge. This is where getting your team to work together on The Fresh Connection is an excellent solution.”

How it works
“Quite simply, it’s the next best thing to a real-life scenario,” says Kremer of this cross-functional business simulation. As a web-based simulation, The Fresh Connection can be offered in many ways. For example, all the teams can be in one room and compete against each other, or different teams can be on different continents and still interact through the game, with the between-rounds learning delivered in a webinar environment.

A typical round of The Fresh Connection takes between 90 minutes and two hours to complete, but the length of the simulation can be varied to suit particular needs.
“It’s also possible to tailor the training to specific learning objectives,” he says.

Benefits
The benefits of engaging with The Fresh Connection are endless, according to Kremer. “Through the experience, your team is able to experience the power of true alignment and a well-articulated supply chain strategy, supported by tactical skills and knowledge. “

The alignment that’s in view concerns departments, strategy and execution, as well as alignment between partners in the supply chain.
 
While achieving greater alignment between functions, team members will also develop critical skills and knowledge, while building strong teams and strengthening relationships with customers and partners.

“In the end, it’s a proven fact that learning through experience is 10 times more powerful than other classical training methods,” he says. “And with The Fresh Connection, we bridge theory and practical application in a real-life environment, whilst creating an optimal fit with specific learning objectives.”

Want to find out more? Catch Hans Kremer at SAPICS 2015*. 
The workshop by Hans Kremer at SAPICS 2015 is entitled: Creating Alignment in Supply Chain Management. This workshop will give you a chance to test your supply chain skills and insights using the groundbreaking learning tool The Fresh Connection. 

*SAPICS Conference and Exhibition 2015 – The Pulse of Africa’s Supply Chains
The 37th Annual SAPICS Conference and Exhibition is the premier educational and networking event in Africa for Supply Chain and Operations Management Professionals and will be held 31 May – 2 June 2015 at Sun City. 

The conference is widely known as the leading event in Africa for supply chain professionals and offers practical and relevant information through excellent educational presentations, case studies and interactive workshops. 

For more information and to register, visit www.sapics.org.za 

ENDS
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MEDIA CONTACT: Cathlen Fourie, 012 644 2833, cathlen@thatpoint.co.za, www.atthatpoint.co.za

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.

The annual SAPICS Conference is the leading supply chain event in Africa. The 37th SAPICS conference will be held 31 May – 2 June 2015 at Sun City and promises to bring together a wide variety of local and global speakers to discuss solutions and best practices in the supply chain management field.

For more information on SAPICS please visit:
Website: www.sapics.org.za
Twitter: @SAPICS01
LinkedIn: SAPICS group
Facebook: OperationsManagement

ABOUT APICS
APICS is the leading professional association for supply chain and operations management and the premier provider of research, education and certification programs that elevate end-to-end supply chain excellence, innovation and resilience. APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) designations set the industry standard. With over 37,000 members and more than 250 international partners, APICS is transforming the way people do business, drive growth and reach global customers.  APICS is based in the USA and has a broad global footprint.

www.apics.org 

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