A sk any professional sports coach or executive what it takes to become a championship contender and you will get a one-word answer: talent. Innovative strategies and great coaching are
important, but it still takes skilled players to win. While teams regularly
practice and train to sharpen players’ skills, the top franchises are constantly building their “bench” strength to drive continued success. They
know that if the future stars are not being groomed, a few untimely injuries or “free agent” defections by players whose contracts have ended
could quickly turn a dynasty into a disaster.
A similar scenario is playing out in the corporate world. As supply
chain management (SCM) takes on greater strategic importance and
new business requirements emerge, companies need to have stronger
talent with a broader set of skills. Leading organizations are also beginning to recognize the link between talent availability and supply chain
strategy. That is, the game plan is only as good as the team that will
execute it. But they are facing a major challenge when it comes to SCM
talent. According to recent research, the pool of leadership-ready supply
chain professionals inside most organizations is relatively thin. 1 Just as
in football and other sports, a few retirements or resignations can prove
devastating.
Overcoming this supply–demand mismatch requires a comprehensive talent management initiative that includes developing strategies
and practices for the acquisition, development, and advancement of
supply chain professionals. Each process is detailed in the three modules of a talent-development study sponsored by the Council of Supply
Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and conducted by Auburn
University and Central Michigan University faculty. These modules
address the three main processes involved in building a strong SCM
Talent-retention and succession-planning strategies from the world of professional
sports can help supply chain organizations ensure strong leadership for years to come.
BY BRIAN J. GIBSON, SEAN P. GOFFNETT, AND ZACHARY S. WILLIAMS
Creating an SCM “dynasty”:
How to build your
team like the pros
