Steven Daugherty

I recently had the opportunity to speak with a group of supply chain executives at an intimate conference, and several key themes emerged: 1️⃣ Shifting Labor Challenges: As Dwight Klappich from Gartner pointed out, 60% of supply chain executives continue to face labor shortages. However, in the U.S., the conversation is evolving. It's no longer just about labor availability—it's about labor cost. 🚩 If you’re still presenting your solutions based solely on availability, it’s time to reframe the ROI narrative. 2️⃣ The Pace of Technology: Several executives expressed concerns about the speed at which technology is advancing. There’s a real fear of investing in a solution, only to find that in 6-12 months, the tech has advanced so much that they are left with a one-off system. 🏎 We have to ask ourselves—how do we help our customers stay agile while ensuring long-term value? 3️⃣ Trust in Robotics: One executive shared a sobering experience of backing two different robotics projects where the companies involved were either acquired or shut down. Despite significant investment, the robotics installations were left unsupported or even decommissioned. 💰 This is a real concern—how can we, as an industry, ensure long-term support and sustainability with ever-changing shifts in VC/PE investment focus leading to acquisitions or closures? These are some of the reasons we are seeing companies like Walmart and Amazon build their own in-house robotics teams. But not all retailers and grocers can afford a build-your-own strategy. So how does a retailer compete? These concerns are valid, but we can’t let them hold us back. The pace of innovation in #AI and #automation is accelerating, and our customers can't afford to be left behind. Our role is to help them find balance—investing in technology that meets both current and future needs without compromising their trust. ⚖ Finding this balance requires not just understanding where the industry is now, but where it’s going—and how we can evolve with it. Let’s keep the conversation going and find smarter ways to address these challenges together. 💡 #SupplyChain #Automation #AI #Innovation #Leadership #Robotics #TechTransformation #Fulfillment #MFC #Retail #Grocery #Omnichannel #Logistics #Warehouse #Labor #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #VC #PE

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Can your excess inventory be seen from space? The latest article from our Retail practice dives into the challenges retailers face when they overstock. After the supply chain issues of 2020 and 2021, many retailers ended up with too much inventory, leading to higher costs and wasted products. Using advanced forecasting tools and managing the entire product lifecycle can help. It’s all about finding the right balance to meet customer demands without piling up extra costs. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e4D3kRWU

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While growth has been more difficult to come by for many technology vendors, we're seeing rapid growth and prolific tech adoption in several promising supply chain & logistics verticals. 2024 is shaping up to be yet another defining year for the industry!

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Listen to my colleague Andrew Kerr highlight the importance of the relationship between sales teams and supply chain teams. The full podcast, Talking Supply Chain with host Brian Straight of Supply Chain Management Review Magazine, is available in the link below with more insights and questions answered. https://lnkd.in/eQ23Mw75 #supplychain #supplychainmanagement #podcast #WhenItReallyMatters

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Come visit Bojan "Boki" Poluga and me at the Institute of Business Forecasting & Planning's 2024 S&OP and IBP Global Conference in Chicago next week. Learn how you can build a more intelligent supply chain. https://lnkd.in/eJXs7_3y #supplychainplanning

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We’re excited to officially join the Supply Chain Matters blog as a Named Sponsor! As businesses navigate unprecedented challenges—volatility, shifting consumer demands, and increasing supply chain complexities—this partnership couldn’t come at a better time. At ketteQ, we’re redefining supply chain planning with Adaptive Planning solutions powered by AI, machine learning, and our revolutionary PolymatiQ™ solver. Together with Supply Chain Matters, we aim to contribute valuable insights to the ongoing conversation about the future of supply chain planning. This is a pivotal moment for innovation and transformation in supply chains, and we’re thrilled to be part of it.  #AdaptivePlanning #SupplyChainInnovation #ketteQ

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Derek Knueve and I recently appeared on the Talking Supply Chain podcast to discuss key considerations we're helping clients think through as they evaluate their supply chain design. Great time! #e2esupplychain #strategicsupplychain #supplychainoptimization #whenitreallymatters Brian Straight thanks for having us on! Clink the link below to listen: Talking Supply Chain: Think structurally for margin enhancements - Supply Chain Management Review (scmr.com)

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If you manufacture a product, it's never been easier to have an instant, nationwide warehousing system that you can set up from the comfort of your home office. The worlds largest retailer (almost 2x Amazon's retail revenues) is now making available their vast distribution network to most products so that you can sell online. And if you wanted to get into Wal-Mart's 10,619 stores (4,606 in the US plus 599 Sam's locations), it has never been easier to say, "Here's exactly why you want us in your stores!" Just point to your products already in and selling through their distribution centers and you'll have a case. Heck - with the data you collect, you'll even be able to show what regions make the most sense. Here's the kicker - in order to (obviously) compete with Fulfillment By Amazon, Walmart Fulfilment Services is charging simple fulfillment fees (based on weight and size) and a seemingly small monthly stocking fee. And if you're ready for Christmas, they're running a special to steal Amazon's thunder and not charging any additional fees for 4th quarter (which is unusual in this space). For example, let's say my friend Tiffany wanted to sell Opu Probiotic Supplements via WFS. [Note: She doesn't, but I'm a customer of hers, just received a package so I know dimensions and weight, and I thought she'd want to know!] Given the size of 1 month supply, WFS would charge her roughly $4.95 in fulfillment fees and $0.03 per month per unit. That's it. If she could produce her stock fast enough (she can't keep up with demand!), she could have nationwide storage, processing, and shipping available for this price. I don't know if they're any easier to deal with than Amazon, but I do know you can talk with actual people to get answers, so that's better already! https://lnkd.in/gan5tPBG

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The supply chain landscape is evolving at lightning speed. From technology to resilience, supply chain leaders including Efficio's Matthew Lekstutis share their forward-thinking insights: https://lnkd.in/eUnY-MN5

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Relex - 3 keys to successful demand planning implementations Transitioning from a statistical forecasting approach to the use of demand planning that integrates machine learning is essential to the proactive supply chain, writes Michael Gylling of RELEX Solutions. Developing a scalable system, using a comprehensive machine learning tool and incorporating external data such as weather information are the other factors that will contribute to success, Gylling writes. #relex #supplychain #demand #planning #forecas #AI #digitaltransformation #machinelearning

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I love Gartner's Supply Chain Top 25 for many reasons, but mostly for the inspiration and conversations it generates 💡 Listening to Simon Bailey and Laura Rainier present key themes and lessons from this year's winners was energizing! The imperative to attract and engage great talent, the possibilities of AI to advance supply chain transformation, and clear lesson of the last half-decade to appreciate the value of truly anti-fragile supply chains really speaks to the conversations my team and I have with Europe and Asia's top supply chain leaders every day. As I reflect on the learnings from Top 25 however, I can't help but hear the voice of Mary Mesaglio. I suspect that in boardrooms and Supply Chain leadership offsites around the globe there's a lot of airtime being given to AI, but a lot less focused on the critical areas of talent that Gartner analysts like Mary and Dana Stiffler advocate for day in and day out. What was your biggest takeaway this year? 🤔 https://lnkd.in/eKded4Xw

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The positive impact that the Gartner Supply Chain Keynote from our recent Symposia has had on our clients has been remarkable, and the key theme of how supply chains can add value way beyond cost control is very well captured in this write-up from DC Velocity for which I thank them. https://lnkd.in/eWudBAzf

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Where are the skill gaps holding you back in your career? What skills should you look to polish or add in 2025 for yourself or your supply chain team? How might that be accomplished? Listen to this month's Dynamic Dialog webinar to learn more.

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ASCM CEO Abe Eshkenazi shares insights on the current state of supply chain and looks ahead at trends and themes heading into 2025 on the 24/7 Podcast with Jeff Berman. Listen in via Logistics Management Magazine. https://bit.ly/3V4kI41 #ascmedia #supplychain #AI #bigdata

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Labor strikes and tense negotiations continue to highlight vulnerabilities in supply chains, emphasizing the urgent need for resilience. This article by Lisa Anderson in Supply Chain Xchange explores how businesses can mitigate such risks by investing in flexible strategies like diversified sourcing, robust inventory management and strong supplier relationships. This shift is crucial for companies aiming to maintain stability in uncertain conditions. Check out the full article: https://ow.ly/EmQu50U54nW #LaborStrikes #SupplyChain #SupplyChainXchange

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