An Executive Exchange of Ideas for Leadership
Last month I had the privilege to welcome speakers, delegates and sponsors to LQ’s inaugural Executive Exchange at the Toronto Board of Trade on November 10th. It was an honor to be part of this prestigious program, one that included many important speakers and delegates who contributed to this valuable exchange of ideas on best practices and global trade.
This program was predicated largely on a discussion paper and the themes developed by David J. Closs, Ph. D., of Michigan State University and LQ’s Executive Editor, and John T. Mentzer, University of Tennessee. Key executive perspectives on these themes were also featured in LQ’s Transportation Forum (Volume 11, Issue 1, 2005). LQ’s Advisory Board and the direction of Dr. Closs played an important part in shaping the overall program for LQ’s symposium. I also appreciate the contributions of Victor Deyglio, president of the Toronto-based Logistics Institute, who helped to hone the program, and collaborated on the development of this exciting day.
LQ’s Executive Exchange provided an international forum to exchange ideas between leaders from Canada and the United States. It brought together a distinguished group of prominent academics and practitioners of supply chain management from some of the most forward-thinking and largest corporations in North America. This group discussed the critical issues of business and supply chain management in today’s global environment. The primary subjects addressed at LQ’s symposium followed four main themes that were carefully considered by the best minds of our day. They were: How can C-Level Executives (CXOs) Find Value in Logistics and Supply Chain Management?; Global Trade: More and More Risk – Is it Worth it? And What to do About it?; Driving Logistics Performance: Can Metrics Get You Where You Have to be? The Risks and Pitfalls, What Role Do Best Practices Play?; Successful Relationships in a transborder /Global Economy.
One of the most inspiring presentations of the day was provided by our luncheon speaker, Alan Gershenhorn, President, Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa, UPS Supply Chain Solutions. As lifelong students of leadership we are always interested in knowing more about what makes a leader who inspires confidence, hard work and vision, while others with equal capabilities do not attain the same results in business. The dialogue from leaders who joined us at the roundtables for discussion on November 10th and our speakers often shared a common view – leadership is often defined by the way people face adversity.
This was clearly articulated by Mr. Gershenhorn’s opening remarks. “I have a quote here from a sport columnist, Jim Taylor, who once wrote ‘Goal tenders are three sandwiches shy of a picnic’. ”He added: “Primitive man learned…that when something hard and potentially lethal comes toward you at a great velocity you get out of its path. I think that is what global commerce feels like today. It is an unstoppable force that can take your breath away and it can be lethal if you are not prepared for the challenge and opportunity. And, like a goalie, you need to put yourself between the puck and the goal.”
Mr. Gershenhorn, who is a former president of UPS Canada, discussed the challenges of global supply chains, particularly the growing importance of China as an exporter and its role as an investor and importer. He noted that China had displaced Canada in October 2005 as the U.S’s main trading partner.
China’s drive to grow its exports is part of a long-term plan to raise living standards as it works toward closing the gap between its well-to-do urbanites in eastern China and the agrarian class located in the interior. It is the world’s most aggressive investor due to its drive to feed its manufacturing sector. “The Asian dragon is snapping up minerals and oil and other commodities in every corner of the world,” he noted.
Global supply chains have heightened the risk of disruption and drive the need for multiparty collaboration and coordination. Technology, the use of all modes of transportation, managing high fuel costs and cost containment, training and development, are some of the key elements of global supply chains that he identified.
In this context, the growing use of outsourcing across the supply chain will also help companies preserve their capital for new product development and growth.
Identifying such crucibles and defining the opportunities for leadership to transform businesses and supply chains across North America was an important part of this Executive Exchange. We are looking forward to executives again sharing their practical applications and business acumen in the face of converging global challenges at LQ’s next symposium, now scheduled for April 20, 2006.