31 March Transformative Trends in Supply Chain and Logistics: A Glimpse into the Future March 31, 2024 By SuperUser Account AI, Future Trends, Supply Chain, Transformation AI in Supply Chain, Sustainable Logistics Practices, Omnichannel Supply Chain Management 0 Rapid technological advancements are propelling the supply chain and logistics industry to the in innovation. AI and Automation The infusion of AI and automation into supply chain operations is a game-changer. From AI-driven routing optimizations that ensure efficient delivery paths to automated processes that minimize manual labor, these technologies are setting new standards for operational efficiency. Companies are now leveraging AI to harness data, optimize logistics processes, and reduce costs, all while significantly diminishing human error. Sustainability and ESG Initiatives With the growing emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, the industry is witnessing a surge in sustainable practices. ESG tracking and reporting tools are helping companies align their operations with broader sustainability goals, enabling them to monitor and reduce their carbon footprint effectively. Omnichannel Management As consumer expectations evolve, omnichannel strategies have become critical. By integrating various sales and distribution channels, companies are delivering seamless and expedited experiences to consumers, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Innovation in Last-Mile Delivery The last mile, often the most challenging aspect of logistics, is seeing revolutionary solutions. From drones to autonomous delivery robots, new technologies are streamlining the delivery process, reducing costs, and improving service quality. Future The future of supply chain and logistics, marked by a convergence of innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. As we navigate these changes, it's clear that the sector is not just evolving; it's leading the way towards a more agile, responsible, and customer-centric future. As a CEO at the helm, are you navigating your company towards groundbreaking supply chain innovations, or will you let drift? Stephen Wise https://IntegrationProfessionals.com/ Dramatically Improve Traction Related Articles Trust us. We have block chain and we are here to help. Block chain's great Promise Middlemen are part of our daily lives. The great promise of block chain technology is eliminating the middleman. The original / most famous application of block chain is cryptocurrency, such as bitcoin. With no middleman, for example, with no bank to have to deal with, we could avoid those annoying fee’s and charges. Sounds great! Really? Who is going to do the work to provide a monthly statement of all your deposits and withdrawals? Who is going to do the work to lend money so you can buy a house or car, or pay for the hundreds of smaller purchases you make? Who am I going to call if I am having trouble logging in and can’t access my money? Who am I going to call if my bank engages in fraudulent activity? Block chain's technology Block chain uses crowd sourcing, massive computing resources, and math. The result is a process to allow us to exchange value directly with each other, without using a middle man. You might think we do this already. For example, if I make a deal with the neighbour to cut my grass for $25, you may think there is no middleman. But there is a middleman. I can’t pay unless I deposit my pay cheque and take out money from my middleman/bank. The promise of Block chain is that we can eliminate the middleman and instead of using a middleman/bank to keep track of our money, we will use the crowd to keep track of our money. The block chain response is something like, ‘Isn’t this going to be fantastic? We will deal direct with each other and rely on math and big computers as a proxy for trusting our bank/middleman’. This is not so fantastic. In the current models, we have no way to reverse a fraudulent transaction, no way to track money laundering, and no way to stop terrorist financing. Governments and banks aren’t going to hand over the keys to the economy so easily. Peak frenzy We are approaching block chain peak frenzy. I know because I failed my second-year statistics course but still read Satoshi Nakamoto’s paper on distributed databases, probability, and time-stamping. The trouble right now is the conversation is being dominated by charlatans jumping onto the next big thing. If not charlatans it is geniuses interested in the math, or disaffected folks interested in disrupting big corporations. Or, all the above. Steve Jobs Something big is happening but block chain is missing it’s Steve Jobs. I think block chain’s Steve jobs will emerge from Toronto, but that is for another article. AI Trends in Entertainment - Executive 1-pager AI Entertainment Trends – Executive 1-pager Artificial Intelligence (AI) will redefine the entertainment industry, challenging business models and introducing new content creation techniques. Entertainment leaders will be compelled to adopt these AI technologies to remain competitive and relevant. To capitalize on AI’s potential, leaders will need to navigate the challenges thoughtfully. Innovations and Trends AI-Driven Creativity: Tools like generative AI are automating aspects of content creation, from visual effects in films to composition in music, significantly lowering production barriers and costs. Customization and Personalization: AI's data-processing capabilities enable platforms to offer personalized viewing experiences, enhancing user engagement and satisfaction by aligning content with individual preferences. Opportunities Efficiency in Production: AI enhances efficiency, reducing time and cost across various production stages, from first concept to final edits. Example: Automated editing software can rapidly assemble cuts, allowing for real-time editing decisions that accelerate the production cycle. Insight-Driven Decision Making: AI's advanced analytics can offer deep insights into audience preferences, enabling more targeted content development. Example: Predictive analytics can help studios predict market trends and viewer preferences, allowing for strategic content alignment. Enhanced Engagement: AI helps the creation of immersive and interactive experiences, setting new standards in user engagement. Example: Virtual reality experiences powered by AI can dynamically adjust to user reactions, creating deeply personalized interactive narratives. Issues Copyright and Ownership: AI's role in content creation creates ambiguity around intellectual property rights, requiring new legal frameworks to address these issues. Example: AI-generated characters and plots could potentially violate or have undefined copyrights, leading to complex legal challenges. Impact on Creative Integrity: As AI takes on more creative responsibilities, there is an increasing concern about the preservation of artistic integrity and the unique touch that human artists bring to their work. Example: If AI begins to independently write novels or compose music, it could challenge our traditional understanding of art as an expression of human experience, potentially leading to a devaluation of works perceived as less "authentically" human. Digital Divide: The unequal access to advanced AI technologies could widen the gap between large studios and independent creators. Example: Smaller production companies might struggle to compete if they cannot access or afford advanced AI compute power that become essential in large-scale productions. #AI #entertainment #trends #1pager #integrationprofessionals https://IntegrationProfessionals.com AI Healthcare trends – Executive 1-pager The intersection of AI and biological sciences is innovating treatment options. These innovations will transform patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. Breakthroughs in brain function applications. Potential vaccines for chronic diseases. Diagnostics and treatment customization. Risks/Opportunities Increasing economic pressures and consumer expectations. Expanding telemedicine. Leveraging health data. Implementing remote patient monitoring systems. Enhancing care delivery and patient engagement. Issues Ensuring interoperability across diverse health data systems. Address privacy and ownership of health data. Short-term Reducing dependency on traditional health care settings and facilitating efficient disease management. Telemedicine. Personalized medicine. Digital home health solutions. #AI #healthcare #trends #1pager #integrationprofessionals https://IntegrationProfessionals.com https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-trends-healthcare-executive-1-pager-stephen-wise-f8nfc How to be a great leader | Stephen Wise | Integration Professionals Colin Powell, the retired US Four-Star General says to remain calm and be kind. He also has a rule - to have a demanding vision. Vision, he says, is our destination. Have a Vision of the future Vision, what is it? Where do I find it? Vision is not “Establishing vaccination guidelines and agreements, activating a network of furloughed retail workers, and implementing a military supply-chain technology for transportation and storage.” That is the strategy. Vision is not “Vaccinating all the citizens against COVID by September 2021”. That is a goal, that will be driven by the Strategy. Vision is higher than that. Vision is not something that exists today. It is something that is imagined that could be created in the future. Developing a compelling vision is done by looking into yourself. What are your beliefs? What do you believe is possible? Figuring out who you are, why you are here, and what is most valuable to you. Cultivating vision is a process. It does not emerge during an off-site, or from reading leadership philosophies, or watching an inspiring movie. To be visionary you need to set aside significant time to percolate these questions. Provide Clarity of desired results Bruce Lee may have said, “The successful warrior is the average person, with laser-like focus.” Results require change. Without change there is no result. Motivating anyone to change is expecting them to work towards the unseen and unknown. At every level of challenge this is a fundamental issue that needs an answer every day. Giving your team the answer they need is not difficult, your job is to provide clarity. You need to communicate to your team the information they need to risk working on the unseen and unknown. Explain to your team what is most important. Work with them so they understand why the choices made are the best choices. When the team is aligned on what is most important they will have clarity on the desired results. Demonstrate effective Decision making Nelson Mandela said that “Action without vision is only passing time. Vision without action is merely daydreaming. But vision with action can change the world.” Standing on the shoulders of giants, I say the sum of the actions will not be productive without a robust decision-making process. The problem with change is that, only after starting, on the way to achieving results, does the solution emerge. The detail is previously unknown on what is required, how it will come together, and what is needed. Leaders who make the mistake of communicating their vision from on high, hiring the best team, and delegating all responsibility for results will be in for a surprise. Leaders need to reserve time to develop vision and they need to be effective at engaging others to deliver lofty goals. However, do not let go of the steering wheel and don’t look away from the dashboard. You need to ensure that everyone is aware of and reliant on a process for obtaining your decisions on how the strategy and goals are to being met. You need to ensure that you are aware of and broadly communicating key decisions to all stakeholders. If you miss this – you will more than likely not recognise the final product. Questions for you to ponder. What would be an example of a Vision that is supported by the vaccination goal and strategy mentioned above? How have great leaders from demonstrated these three skills of Vision, Clarity, and Decision-making? (e.g., George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., Captain Kirk) STEPHEN D WISE INTEGRATION PROFESSIONALS DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE TRACTION Artificial Intelligence ABC | Stephen Wise According to Google's CEO, “AI is one of the most important things humanity is working on. It is more profound than, I dunno, electricity or fire”. The head of Tesla said AI was probably humanities “biggest existential threat”. Artificial Intelligence isn’t a new concept. Check out the beautifully filmed movie, Metropolis, from 1927. There are other older references in literature. There are also many more recent research and practical applications of "Artificial Intelligence" over the last thirty years. Today, it is a field of computer science dedicated to solving certain problems which otherwise require human intelligence – specifically, pattern recognition, learning, and generalization. The leap forward in the last few years is that we are gaining the ability to collect, store and analyze ever ginormous amounts of data. Yesterday, we could write a computer program to predict when it is a good time to cross-sell or up-sell a specific product to a consumer. For example, based on some demographic data and purchase history. The explosion of travel/points programs in the 90's are good examples of this. You agreed to provide your purchase history and demographic data in return for points and the sponsor of the program received data useful for targeted marketing. In these programs, all the rules were hard-coded. Tomorrow, we can start with the original algorithm to predict the cross-sell opportunity. Then merge it with ever ginormous data collected and the ability to analyze for new patterns. Instead of relying on the initial algorithm to predict the sales opportunity, the system will rely on additional characteristics that it detects and validates within the very data to alter the business rules it relies on. Cool. But how will it impact the industries around us? According to the first futurist I followed, Roy Amara, "We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run," coined by Roy Amara, past president of The Institute for the Future. Here are sample industries and applications. Wherever we have complex systems – people can get overwhelmed by the amount of data and selecting the best course of action. AI is being applied in research setting today in many fields to use what we already know in better and faster ways. Keep in mind Roy Amara. Medical Diagnosis, Drug design/mfr, ICU monitoring Education Guided learning, Automated testing and marking Manufacturing Quality checking, Supply-chain communication, Maintenance detection Energy Demand prediction, Supply distribution I ask that you take a few minutes right now. Take a sheet of paper, write down the industry you are in at the top. Along the side, list of major business processes you have along the left. Then, along the right, write down some notes about cost savings you could reap if you were able to improve your ability to predict the issues during the process or the outcome. It may be that one day, the implementation of AI to that process will lead to exponential benefits in your business. P.S. Feel free to share your analysis via email – I’m interested your findings. Stephen D Wise Stephen Wise Integration Professionals Dramatically Improve Traction Turnaround: Leading a Project Recovery It’s true! Most every failed project had an earlier phase as a troubled project. I will look at techniques a Project Manager can use to gain control of a troubled project and lead a turnaround. Does this sound familiar? The volume of identified defects has swamped testing or development or change control. No-one on the project team has a firm view of when the project will be finished. The budget is red and no-one knows how much additional work is still required. The customer is losing confidence and showing signs of buyer’s remorse. Team members are working excessive hours of overtime, email wars are breaking out, and personal relationships are unraveling. The Executive is no longer on the same page as to the status and outlook for the project. Vendor contractual misunderstandings are emerging and creating additional challenges. If you have a troubled project, crisis is imminent and your world needs to change. Sooner rather than later management will request increased and more detailed updates. Customers, team members, and other internal stakeholders, such as audit, will soon be checking old project emails and asking additional questions. Now is not the time to become defensive. You are the Project Manager, and now more than ever, the stakeholders need you to lead them through the turnaround steps to project recovery. Step 1 – Initiate Recovery Seek guidance from the project team, business owner, and corporate methodology on an appropriate approach to initiate recovery planning. This step shouldn’t bog you down. Equally important as the guidance gained, is the communication you share with the stakeholders. That is, “You are leading the team into project turnaround and recovery mode.” In order to understand the status of the project and the nature of the recovery required, interview key stakeholders and analyze key project documentation such as project org chart, Charter, Work breakdown Structure, Issue log, Schedule (planned and actual Activities, resources, assignments, timing, and costs), and Change Log. Ensure the Project Team and executive reflect on the status of the project as measured against the business case benefit. Many events have occurred since original assumptions and it is possible that changes in market needs, technology, and enterprise risk, et cetera, render the existing project as unviable. A very common mistake is to rationalize the continuation of a project due to the vast money and effort expended to date. Never use the amount of time and effort spent to date as a reason to continue a project with a broken business case – the money that has been spent can’t be recovered, however, it is possible that additional money about to be spent could be re-allocated to bring relatively more benefit to the organization. If the business case is broken, recovery is not possible, and your job as Project Manager is to ensure an updated business case is approved or the project is stopped. Step 2 – Planning Recovery Assuming that the Executive, Sponsor, and Project Team are in agreement with implementing a project recovery, it is time to gather the stakeholders in a series of planning sessions. It is crucial that all stakeholders are represented in the re-planning exercise and that they are representing their relevant departments in committing to the new estimates in the plan. The Project Manager has several levers available to make change over the original project plan. I recommend working each of the three levers below. Reduce Scope Facilitate review of the incomplete scope elements by the team. Identify and validate dependencies, resource requirements, and alignment to the business case. Request or impose a haircut to the scope of the project. Increase Schedule Seek deep clarity on the reasons and alternatives to any “drop-dead” dates articulated by stakeholders. Review duration estimates and resource leveling for the remaining work. It is common for team members to underestimate overall time required and to spread individuals too thin across numerous tasks. Unless the customer is willing to accept reduced deliverables, avoid planning backwards from a “drop-dead’ date as this is likely one of the factors that sent the project schedule into trouble in the first place. Increase Productivity Tailor the approach to meetings, documentation, bug tracking, task assignments, and overall communication for ways to make it easier to get the work done. A caveat – if the team is working on the wrong things or running into problems that impact others, now more than ever, it is up to the PM to surface these things and help to resolve. Now is not the time to tailor your approach by skipping status meetings or decreasing PM follow-up activities. As an output of the re-planning exercise a new plan must be built. To ensure the new plan will not fail, it must have buy in/commitment from all appropriate stakeholders; and it must be maintained and updated rigorously by the Project Manager. Step 3 – Execute the Plan Over and above the tremendous efforts from those doing the work, the success of the recovery depends on the persistent monitoring and tracking of the agreed recovery schedule and issue log. Avoid the noise - a good PM must repeatedly step-up and exert pressure to steer the team away from the many potholes that seem significant but in actuality, are not really blocking the path of the project. Conversely, the PM must be prepared to step outside their own comfort zone to influence stakeholders for the sake of the project when tasks are slipping or issues aren’t being resolved in a timely fashion. The essence of project recovery turnaround is to demonstrate leadership and renew the team with a refreshed analysis of the situation, a re-invigorated sense of purpose and shared commitment, and a clear and detailed plan to reach the end of the project. Finally, I note that I have not addressed reporting and metrics unique to project recovery. This will be covered at a later date. Stephen Wise Integration Professionals http://www.IntegrationProfessionals.com/ http://www.IntegrationProfessionals.com/Twitter/ Comments are closed.