Supply Chain Matters Interview with John Sells- Part Two

In our Part One posting, we shared the initial three areas of interview discussions with John Sells, incoming chairperson of the board of directors for the Supply Chain Council. This part two posting will present the commentary from the remaining three areas of our interview discussions.

Question: How do you foresee the vision and mission of SCC changing within the next period of board leadership in terms of education, supply chain framework models, or other services that can be provided?

John was quick to point out that he does not view the vision and mission of SCC changing per se, but rather more depth to the vision of competitive supply chains.  He anticipates that member volunteer activities will drill down deeper to for instance include levels two and three of the current SCOR methodology, as well more broad based training needs that are tailored specifically for SCC member companies.  A noted success these past months has been the ability to deliver member training in either local, regional, or company-specific training venues.

Beyond the SCOR framework, John feels that members seek more assistance in their planning of post-recessionary recovery.  John noted: “We are not going to have a robust recovery unless you have robust supply chains.  It is going to be the supply chain that leads the way to a robust recovery.”

One other important example that John noted is that the U.S. Department of Labor does not currently recognize supply chain as a formal job category.  “Let’s help acknowledge that supply chain is a bona fide skills category that government and labor agencies can track.”

Often discussed is the shortage of supply chain management skills in the emerging market regions of the globe and John feels that a more consistent categorization of SCM skills across the globe can go a long way in helping to identify member companies, academia and governmental agencies to help identify required supply chain skill areas

Question: Can you comment on any ongoing or upcoming programs and/or major initiatives to which Council members can anticipate?

The council is a non-profit organization. One important initiative that John touched upon was the council’s efforts to establish a foundation within the SCC structure to support and fund further research and development activities centered on supply chain process excellence. These efforts would possibly involve the development or sponsorship of grants that would bring together academia and other institutions to further develop more practioner models needed for organizations to keep pace with the supply chain management process and management skills required to support and keep pace with business recovery.

John and the board want to insure that this supply chain related foundation is initiated and becomes sustainable. ‘While SIG’s (special interest groups) have their own unique contribution, more can be accomplished through foundational activities, rationalized across all global regions. It is a rather compelling story.”

Final Question: Lately, SCC has been expanding its outreach to other supply chain management oriented professional organizations such as APICS.  Do you foresee this activity continuing in the coming months?

John noted that these broadened relationships have increased and that the board anticipates further activity in the coming months. As other supply chain oriented organizations approach SCC, there will be openness toward discussion of mutual activity that can benefit members.

John specifically noted that the Reverse Logistics Association has already approached the council.  As DOD related supply chain organizations continue to embrace SCOR, there may be other broadened opportunities related to training and professional advancement in these organizations as well.

We would like to sincerely thank John Sells for taking the time to speak with Supply Chain Matters and wish the SCC great success in its future initiatives.

Bob Ferrari

Disclosure:  The author of this posting, Bob Ferrari, serves as a volunteer on the SCC North America Leadership team.

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