Everything we have and use is part of a supply chain. Unless something goes wrong, however, they’re generally invisible, even to the businesses that run them. I think it’s high time that changed.
Considering how essential supply chains are to our lives, the consequences of disruptions, and how imperative it is that they become more sustainable, we’re asking the global community to celebrate International Supply Chain Day every June 4th.
This won’t be just any day of awareness—this one comes with an action plan.
In case you haven’t read my past two articles on sustainability and International Supply Chain Day, the infographic in this National Geographic article shows that, as a global civilization, we’re only reusing or recycling 8% of what we buy. Part of the mission of ISC Day is to start working together to see if we can find more ways to improve that number.
From the reaction of our supply chain thought leader panel during our 2021 kickoff podcast, the desire to have a day dedicated to supply chain is definitely there in the community.
If anything, the scope of the day has grown. In our podcast, we expanded the discussion for International Supply Chain Day beyond sustainability to encompass resiliency, risk management, visibility, and transparency.
This is just a part of what I’m sure will be an amazing journey as each year passes. We’ll learn things along the way, and no doubt emerging technologies like 3D printing will change the landscape and we’ll need to update our plan a few times.
But in order to achieve great things, you need to have big goals. To get things rolling, here’s what I’m proposing as a challenge to all industries over the next ten years.