leaders will take advantage of slowdowns by retooling and reinvesting in their supply chain operations; when supply chain activity resumes its rapid pace, they will be equipped with the tools they need to succeed. depends not on static, unchanging supply chains but from sensitivity and responsiveness to volatility: sensing a new change and being agile enough to adapt to that change. A PLATFORM APPROACH: Digital platforms that allow for efficiencies in addition to these capabilities will become part of the new, positive equation for the supplying and fulfillment of goods and materials. ADAPTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: Success in the future These last few years have been the most volatile, most disruptive period we’ve faced as supply chain leaders. The theme we’ve witnessed is that old habits die hard. But we must acknowledge that our age of disruption continues. Already, we’re facing a new wave of volatility—including tariffs, nationalization, geopolitical crises, and rapidly evolving consumer expectations. And so, we see that it’s volatility itself that is here to stay. There is a better way. Retooling processes and infrastructure and systems to accommodate these realities are not inconsequential feats; but this is the right time to invest in changing systems. If we succeed, it may be a “rightsizing”—something that should have been happening in supply chains and fulfillment all along. Mark J. Bentler serves as chief financial officer for Tecsys, a a global provider of cloud-based supply chain solutions that equip organizations for growth and competitive advantage. He possesses a wealth of knowledge in financial management with a focus on technology and software honed through decades of international experience at companies like Aptos Retail, Epicor, and KPMG. A RIGHTSIZING OF SUPPLY CHAINS IS UNDERWAY www.globaltrademag.com JAN/FEB 2023 39
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