What Supply Chain Lessons Come from Football Teams?

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton welcomes Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, for a conversation on the future of supply chains. Mike explains why reverse logistics and returns management are now critical, how AI-powered demand sensing improves agility, and why organizations must treat reverse supply chains with the same discipline as forward ones. He also shares predictions on AI certification in hiring and the risk of losing soft skills as technology takes on a bigger role.

Using football as a lens, Mike highlights resilience from the Buffalo Bills, core focus from the Ravens, and orchestration from the Patriots—lessons supply chain leaders can apply directly. He also previews Gartner’s Planning Summits, where strategy meets hands-on execution. From tackling fraud in returns to preparing talent for an AI-driven future, this episode offers clear takeaways for balancing technology, people, and process.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:45) Coffee culture, Starbucks tastings, and Chick-fil-A fries

(09:06) How AI improves supply chain planning accuracy

(10:49) Retail fraud and challenges in returns management

(14:26) Using AI tools to build supply chain agility

(17:01) Football lessons applied to supply chain resilience

(22:59) Ravens’ defense as core competency analogy

(27:33) Patriots’ orchestration shows teamwork across supply chain

(32:30) Cowboys vs. Patriots on leadership delegation differences

(36:19) Gartner planning summits in London and Denver

(38:50) AI certification, soft skills, and workforce readiness

Resources:

• Connect with Mike Griswold: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-griswold-6a68922/
• Learn more about Gartner: https://www.gartner.com/en
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com 
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now  
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This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/resilience-strategy-orchestration-supply-chain-leadership-lessons-nfl-champions-1486