How can you develop your supply chain skills?

Supply chains a simply the steps required to provide the goods we consume. They start with initial production, processing and distribution, through to the steps involved in each raw material and piece in a process moving from producers to wholesalers to suppliers and logistics company. Each step is relatively simple, but the complexity arises from the number of steps as a product moves across the world, and the number of inputs involved. This is why supply chains need to be mapped and managed. To understand the principles, start with a simple product you know, and try and think of the steps from producer to your home, and map these down. This is the fundamentals, and the core skillset required.

Life is the best teacher. Practical hands on experience is the most tangible and memorable. Speak to practicioners across any industry, on logistics, transport, supply or production. Ask them for examples of the supply chains they track and are involved in. It is very difficult for any one party to have direct experience of an entire global supply chain, but you can learn a great detail even from a small piece. People are usually happy to share about their roles, or you can look for creators or teachers in this space, trainers or get access to an industry expert via an Expert Network.

Doing something by yourself, or even watching it done on real life gives you the best experience. Details are important, even if you're putting your strategy. A small makes a big difference. Don't under-estimate the knowledge you may gain from old experienced personnel. Practical experience differ from Theoretical knowledge . Real Life has challenges, life don't always move as theories. Another factor, try to have knowledge about different personal traits. Dominant persons can't be treated by the same way you treat Steady or routine people.

Every now and then try to have a general outlook about trending industries and products. Try to explore different markets, try to learn about different market segment. Simply you can search for relevant research overviews, join industrial and commercial groups, and subscribe to newsletters to periodically receive emails with recent services or products.

Understanding the basics of supply chain management is important. Start with a simple product, or service and map its journey from producer, or service provider to consumer. Gain practical experience through real-life projects and seek mentorship from industry experts. Stay updated with the latest trends like digital transformation and have a general idea about blockchain. Expand your network by joining relevant communities and attending events. Exposing to several industries give you a great experience and uncover the secrets of several industries.

All done - you need to use it (or you will lose it!). You may not have a consulting assignment in hand yet to prove your newly acquired skills. So what? My Top Tips: a) share with team members b) write short posts on LinkedIn c) run a LinkedIn poll d) write articles on LinkedIn e) deliver webinars internally f) deliver webinars externally g) speak at conferences h) write a contributory chapter for an established author - many are at look always (I am one of them e.g.) i) write a short guide j) write a book - may be experiences, views, reviews, expectations k) write a research paper l) write a research book All this will help you in winning the relevant consulting assignments also.

Take your (a consultant's) own example to understand supply chain. Your journey from birth-till-joining your first consultancy firm. You may not recollect all of the begining, so start in reverse order. Map your journey and it may look like this: call by HR-call by recruiter-your CV posting on a website-using professional services to create your CV-your university-other universities-suppliers of goods and materials to your university-transport from home to university-professional bodies (like IEEE)-financial institutions-mentors and guides-examination board and bodies-book authors and publishers-other stationery makers etc. etc. I hope I have been able to draw a picture in your mind. Now do the same for a tooth brush.

Outsourcing an expert shorten your time. Remember Time is an IRREVERSIBLE resource, once passed don't come again. In fact an outsourced expert gives a higher value than you pay!