SUPPLY CHAIN KEYNOTE SPEAKER: FUTURE TRENDS AND WORKFORCE INNOVATIONS OF NOTE

A supply chain keynote speaker would tell you that the concept refers to the entire system of people, activities, resources, and logistics that moves a product or service from supplier to manufacturer to consumer. Make sense at a glance? If not, it might help to consider that it comprises a network of individuals, organizations, resources, activities, and technologies involved in the creation and sale of a product, or so supply chain keynote speakers note.

For reference, core stages and entities in a typical supply chain might be as follows:

• Suppliers – Provide the raw materials and components needed for production. May involve multiple tiers of suppliers.
• Manufacturers – Convert the raw materials into finished products. Per supply chain keynote speakers, these folks manage the entire production process.
• Warehouses – Store and manage inventory of products, components, and materials.
• Distributors – Deliver the products to retail stores or directly to consumers.
• Retailers – Sell products directly to consumers.
• Logistics providers – Manage transportation of goods along the chain via road, air, rail, sea freight.
• Customers – The end consumers who ultimately use the products – a favorite subject to talk on for supply chain keynote speakers.

Successfully managing the supply chain requires coordination among the different players to optimize costs, efficiency, quality, and speed. New technologies are also enabling greater transparency, automation, and data sharing amongst them. As any supply chain keynote speaker can attest, the end target is to deliver the right items in the right quantities to the right places at the right time in a profitable and sustainable manner.