Three Ways to Create a Supply Chain Learning Environment
I hope that you realize that the knowledge that your staff has today can quickly become obsolete tomorrow unless you create a learning environment that keeps them on top of their game. I often hear from supply chain managers that their staff has stopped growing, developing and learning, thereby losing their boss’ confidence in their ability to grow. This doesn’t need to happen!
When I was corporate director of supply chain for an IDN I employed three strategies to keep my senior staff from becoming stagnated, overconfident and complacent that may help you, too, to create a supply chain learning environment. Here they are:
- Monthly Training Program: At each and every one of our monthly department meetings, I had a half-hour training pro- gram conducted by a guest speaker or me on topics such as leadership, value analysis, productivity, cost management, etc.
- Circulation of Magazine Article: I sent pertinent magazine ar- ticles to my senior staff to make sure they were keeping up on the latest trends in supply chain management. I still do this to day!
- Encouraged Continual Learning: Encouraged my senior staff to attend conventions, seminars and workshops to sharpen their skills. I even attended many of these events with my staff so we could all be on the same page.
That’s not all; recently a director of supply chain for an IDN had his assistant call me asking that I add his five buyers to our weekly Savings Beyond Price™ E-Newsletter. So as you can see, there are many ways that you can create a supply chain learning environment with internal or external resources that are available to you. All it takes is the commitment to do it!
Filed Under: savingsblog • Supply Chain
