Supply Chain Revolution

SupplyChainQueen

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Aug 1, 2020 • 11min

Exploring Supply Chain Partnerships For Sustainability, Circular Cities, Scaling Circular Economy, and Zero Plastic-Waste Communities w/ John Holm of Pyxera Global

Helen Keller said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Building a better world is almost impossible without industry-wide collaboration, cooperation, and consensus. Circularity, like supply chain, is becoming more popular in business discussions. However, we are at an inflection point where there are no good choices in a bad system. It’s powerful because we inadvertently make decisions that are “less bad” rather than designing solutions that proactively solve wicked problems 100 years from NOW. How do we get the public, private, and social sectors to collaborate? How do make the transitions real for marginalized communities and shift the paradigm that circular economy is a siloed “project”? How do we design solutions that fit the world proactively? "It takes courage to forge a true partnership. It takes compromise. It takes respect for one another’s goals, experiences, knowledge, processes, and approaches. It takes courage, if you are a donor institution or an NGO, to accept that your private sector partner has a goal, even an obligation, to drive business value—that is, to ultimately profit from this work. And that is a valid goal, and should be embraced as part of the partnership.” (Deidre White of Pyxera Global) Episode 28 is a 3 part series of lightning talks with John Holm from Pyxera Global. In this episode he explores how public, private, and social sector organizations engage to address global challenges to solve the world’s biggest problems, including the low hanging fruit in circular transition. He also describes the circular cities model and zero waste communities (btw he LOVES waste pickers and is a huge advocate)! As cities embrace the concept of the circular economy by reducing the amount of waste and working to decouple economic activity from the consumption of finite resources, making it real and accessible for consumers becomes critical. We also discuss the lack of recycling infrastructure in the United States and how mayors can help influence circular models. How can we shift business to service contracts versus selling more products? We unpack a few examples and the benefits of using P-a-a-S (product as a service). Part 2 - Episode 29 explores "Sustainable Development & the SDGs, Have We Failed the Global Development Community with the Wrong Context, Womens Rights and Building an Equitable Society" Part 3 - Episode 30 explores "How to Frame and Lead the Business Case for Sustainability and Circular Economy, Ocean Plastics & PPE, and the Sea Change in Circular Products in Footwear & Apparel" Reach out, connect, learn more, and get started... Find John Holm, Pxyera Global at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnholm/ & https://www.pyxeraglobal.org/ Find us, connect, and explore at https://www.supplychainrevolution.com/
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Jul 26, 2020 • 17min

Exploring Supply Chain Resilience in Navigating COVID and Beyond & The Wicked Debate of Sustainability Versus Circular Economy w/ James George of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

We are facing unprecedented social, economic, and environmental crises. We've lost many lives to COVID and as unemployment reaches new highs, businesses and supply chains must navigate a new, never normal world. The business as usual operating model of globalization versus localized/shorter supply chains, lowest price versus value, opportunity versus obligation has created the status quo. Is incremental improvement or doing things "less bad" actually helping or hurting business and our planet? How do we connect the dots and show leadership during crisis using circularity? In Episode 27, James George from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation discusses that COVID has accelerated conversations for circular economy. Two distinct groups are emerging: 1) those who've been disrupted and don't know where to go or where to start, and 2) the businesses who are successful are prioritizing doing things differently, innovation, doubling down on circular economy grounded in the business case for change including agility, supply assurance, and designing risk out of your supply chain. Supply chain resilience is critical and how do you ensure the right work gets done? Lastly, we debate how sustainability and circularity may not exist in the same sentence. Is optimizing for "less bad" the right pivot to navigate COVID and beyond? How do you get started? Find James George, EllenMacArthur Foundation at https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-george-20995b75/ Find us, connect, and explore at https://www.supplychainrevolution.com/
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Jul 20, 2020 • 16min

Exploring Supply Chain Innovation & Disruptive Design: How Lego and IKEA Use Creativity, Technology & the Human Experience to Build a Circular Economy w/ James George (Ellen MacArthur Foundation)

As competition intensifies, the need for creative thinking increases. It is no longer enough to do the same thing better. It’s no longer enough to be efficient and solve problems. There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns. (Edward de Bono)  The concept of a circular economy is a hot topic in the midst of COVID, not only because of its positive social, environmental, financial impacts but also the assuring of supply, mitigation of raw material price fluctuation, reduction of waste, and innovative revenue streams. As circular design ambitions grow, current advances in technology have made it possible for companies like Lego and IKEA to lead the transition to a circular economy. Lego is answering this question: how do we use creativity and play to help children reimagine and rebuild the world? And how do we engage AFOLs (adult fans of Lego) for current design ideas? Technology alone cannot achieve CE at scale, so what role do humans and creativity play in the world achieving a true circular economy? In Episode 26, James George from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation describes the importance of purpose, leadership, courage and risk in the Circular Economy. Using concrete examples of ingenuity, technology, and the human experience, we unpack Lego’s Circular & Sustainable journey “RePlay”…inspiring bold moves through play, creativity, and powerful leadership. IKEA is solving the wicked problem of food waste using AI, process optimization, demand planning. They pilot circular disruption at the store level and iterate to scale. Want to learn more? This is the episode for you.  Circular economy is an investment lever many companies are pulling to weather long term disruption and build sustainable supply chains. Human and creativity play a role in achieving innovation at scale to build a better, healthier planet and economy. How do you get started? Find James George, EllenMacArthur Foundation at https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-george-20995b75/ Find us, connect, and explore at https://www.supplychainrevolution.com/
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Jul 13, 2020 • 32min

Exploring the Green Revolution: Climate Change and Shifts in Industry, Technology, & Supply Chain, Sources of Renewable Energy, Green ‘'Cloud" Data Centers, EVs, and Sustainable Development Goal 13 for Climate Action with Tom Raftery (SAP)

Global carbon dioxide emissions have increased by nearly 50 per cent since 1990, and 2019 was the warmest year on record. Climate change touches everything we do and for the 1st time, the World Economic Forum has named climate change as a leading risk facing business and our survival. Episode 25 discusses the Green Revolution and all its glorious, wicked, complexities. Climate action requires rapid changes that must take place in four key parts of society: energy generation, land use, consumer behavior, and industry. Tom Raftery, Global VP and SAP Innovation Evangelist joins Sheri Hinish, and both have a deep-rooted passion for sustainability and sustainable development.  This episode touches on everything from SDG 13, to a comparison of renewable energy sources, how to build a green data center, why Google and Microsoft cloud environments are more sustainable than AWS, and the business case for transition to EVs (electric vehicles). What is the social cost of carbon? How do we trust businesses and suppliers to be sustainable in environmental stewardship? How can reporting and pricing carbon can reduce emissions and enable smarter planning in supply chains? According to conservation.org, the Price tag for climate change in the US is $ 140​ billion per year. This is what it would take to make the changes humanity needs to adapt to a warming world. It may sound like a lot, but it’s less than 0.2% of global GDP. And the cost will only increase the longer we take to act ambitiously. Supply Chains, technology, and Industry 4.0 are a conduit for climate action using environmental risk management, the cost of carbon, and understanding consumer behavior where shifts like purchaser-to-participant and “shades of green” meet the consumer in their green journey. There are natural climate pivots like the “flexitarian diet” and small behavior shifts that pay dividends. There is a fiscal argument for climate action that is unpacked in this episode, inlacing SAP’s new Climate 21 initiative. Climate change impacts natural and human systems globally through the increase globally averaged surface temperature, extreme weather events, changing precipitation patterns, rising sea levels and ocean acidification. These risks will ultimately impact people’s livelihoods, particularly marginalized groups such as women, children, and the elderly, as resources, food and water become more scarce. If you think about the SDGs, the lasting effects of climate change tied to SDG 13 makes it very difficult to achieve other goals. The green revolution starts with you. Learn more about how we can design a better future with zero waste, equality, and transition to carbon neutrality, and carbon negative solutions to unite people and our planet. This is a longer discussion than other episodes but worth the listen! Find us, connect, and explore at https://www.supplychainrevolution.com/
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Jun 28, 2020 • 17min

Exploring Short Supply Chains, Urban Agriculture, and the Future of Circular Cities and Food to Rethink Commercial Food Systems

Imagine a world where city and suburban agriculture takes the form of backyard, roof-top and balcony gardening, community gardening in vacant lots and parks, roadside urban fringe agriculture and livestock grazing in open space. From bio-walls, to edible landscapes, and “gardens-as-a-service,” the transition to a circular economy and sustainable world includes leveraging Urban Agriculture and regenerative farming techniques. In Episode 22 (Part 2 of the discussion), we explore the principles of regenerative agriculture in the circular transition, including the tension of going local, integrating food education in public schools, the benefits of urban agriculture and holistic design, the importance of communities in agriculture and circularity, and how you can get started in your journey rethinking food and food security. The revolution starts at the bottom. Learn more about how we can design a better future with zero waste, equality, and transition to soil-to-soil approaches to unite people and our planet. PS: This is the 2nd part of a long discussion. Part 1 is Episode 21, so if you haven’t listened to it yet it’s a good primer for this episode. It’s about 17 mins. Find us, connect, and explore at https://www.supplychainrevolution.com/
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Jun 13, 2020 • 28min

Exploring E-commerce in Africa, HealthTech Start ups in Emerging Markets, Mobile to Last Mile Delivery Direct to Consumer, and Digital in Consumer-Driven Global Health Care Supply Chain at Scale (Kasha)

"If we are going to see real development in the world, then our best investment is women." (Desmond Tutu) The research is clear: when a women has the ability to take control of her destiny and make informed choices there are positive ripple effects on her family, her community and her country. Women drive 70-80% of all consumer purchases, so it also makes great business sense to build a solution that focuses on women. In Episode 20 we are joined with Joanna Bichsel, Microsoft software developer turned CEO of health tech start up Kasha, pioneering women’s e-commerce and consumer driven supply chain in East Africa. At the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Joanna learned that women in Africa faced real challenges in buying sanitary pads and other basic health products. She thought, “Why not develop a e-commerce platform for women to buy affordable, high quality health products confidentially?” The idea for Kasha was born.  This episode explores best practices in last mile delivery using mobile to deliver direct to consumer, discreetly, the consumer driven supply chain fueled by data and digital with the women in mind, using social media for market shaping, public private partnerships in working with governments to create access for people using technology, and empowering women to confidentially and affordably purchase the products they need to live their best lives. To learn more about Kasha, visit: http://www.kasha.co Find us, connect, and explore at https://www.supplychainrevolution.com/
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May 25, 2020 • 30min

Exploring Sustainability in CPG Supply Chains with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil including First-Mile Sustainability, Strategy Across Industry Collaboration, Procurement, Manufacturing For Traceability in ESG Criteria

In Episode 19, we explore one of the most controversial materials in consumer packaged goods and first mile sustainability - palm oil. Palm oil is in over 50% of products on retail supermarket shelves (WWF). From Unilever, Kelloggs, PepsiCo, to other members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Sustainability and traceability are hot topics and front of mind in many CPG Supply Chains. Cameron Plese joins us from RSPO in one of our best discussions yet, to explore why palm oil is such an important topic. Provocative PoV on the impact of palm oil on the environment and economies, industry collaboration with CPG leaders like Proctor & Gamble (and their Smallholder Academy), Walmart (and Project Gigaton), Kelloggs advances in human rights, and Unilever's ongoing commitment to sustainability. Topics we cover include strategy in sourcing, policy and how to get started, technology in first mile sustainability including traceability, drones, and blockchain. If you ever wanted to learn about sustainability in sourcing, including smallholder farmer collaboration, this is a great episode. To learn more about RSPO and their North America Sustainable Palm Oil Virtual Conference on June 16-18, 2020, visit https://www.rspo.org/ Find the Supply Chain Queen and Circular Nomad at https://www.supplychainrevolution.com/
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May 1, 2020 • 23min

Exploring Supply Chain Resilience in COVID and beyond, Sustainability, Building Teams for Digital, Diversity and Inclusion in Teams, Reducing CO2 Emissions, and Working in the Secondary Plastics Market (Henkel)

In Episode 17, we explore many relevant and progressive topics in supply chain, manufacturing and building a world-class sustainability organization. Dr. Dirk Holbach, the CSCO and SVP of Henkel Home and Laundry Care, shares his PoV on navigating supply chain disruptions in dynamic, global markets using team diversity and a strategic force for resilience. We discuss the ever-changing requirements for supply chain talent and how to build supply chain leaders. He dives deep into talent management strategy, building internal competencies in digital transformation, and the importance of purpose, diversity, broad exposure, and responsibility to encourage employee engagement and retention. You’ll find an intriguing discussion on the “gate of responsibility” in life cycle impact analysis and how to build “pragmatic sustainability” in your organization where “we do what we say we can do", no greenwashing, no hype. Dr. Dirk explores Henkel’s journey working in the secondary plastics market, an adoption of circular economy. Lastly, he explores transitioning from technician to strategic leader offering career path insights for supply chain professionals.  To learn more about Dr. Dirk Holbach, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-dirk-holbach-0518891/ Find us, connect, and explore at https://www.supplychainrevolution.com/
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Apr 22, 2020 • 17min

Exploring Digital Waste in Technology and Supply Chains, the Cloud, Why Digital Waste is Dirty and the Environmental Impacts It Has in the World We Share

For the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, Episode 16 is all about digital waste! Digital waste has grown exponentially over the last decade as the storage of data, like e-mails, pictures, audio and video files have shifted to “the cloud". Guess what…the cloud is a physical place! Each day we generate more and more data and your digital footprint requires huge amounts of server space and energy. A part of any digital footprint may be described as digital waste. We explore this concept, what it is, where it happens in supply chain and technology decisions, and how you can help.  Just think about all the data that you have created online that you no longer use. Almost everything we do online increases our carbon footprint. We share some fun facts about everyday scenarios that bring awareness to your digital carbon footprint and most importantly, easy tips you can use to live waste-free (or make a step in the right direction). Find us, connect, and explore at https://www.supplychainrevolution.com/
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Apr 15, 2020 • 27min

Exploring Diversity & Inclusion in STEM and Supply Chain: Why It’s Time to CANCEL THE MANEL (all male panels) and How to Embrace Diversity and Inclusion at Industry (and Virtual) Events

Episode 15 is a provocative and timely topic for supply chain and STEM professionals around the world. As we enter conference season coupled with the transition to virtual events due to COVID19, the on-going persistence of all-male panels must stop. It’s time to cancel the MANEL! As eloquently described by Dr. Francis Collins, the diversity of bright and talented minds <in supply chain and STEM fields> has come a long way and our public engagements need to catch up. Breaking up the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) bias that is preventing women and other groups underrepresented in science from achieving their rightful place in scientific leadership must begin at the top. Creating new norms is a tough and challenging process. We hope this a helpful step to bring awareness to the MANEL and encouraging others to embrace diversity and inclusiveness at events and conferences. In this episode, you’ll hear why MANELS must STOP, why a level playing field with gender diversity is necessary, why being inclusive isn’t just about “inviting a women on a panel” or better yet “having a women moderate or interview the panel”. We describe changes in the supply chain workforce and population of recent graduates. Ageism and challenging traditional norms is a contentious task, but necessary to shift the status quo. Our hearts are in the right place during this difficult discussion. Women and members of underrepresented communities should also have an opportunity for speaking slots at high-level supply chain, STEM, and academic events and conferences. We urge you to take the panel pledge and draw the line by calling out actors who may unknowingly (or knowingly) participate in this stale and divisive tradition.  To learn more about the MANEL pledge, visit: https://www.owen.org/pledge/ Find us, connect, and explore at https://www.supplychainrevolution.com/

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