2024-09 – My smiling face expresses all the satisfaction and enthusiasm I feel about being back at the ASCMCONNNECT 2024 supply chain conference, this year occurring in the charming and musical city of Austin, TX.
It’s not easy to describe to everyone back home who asks me what it was like to participate in such an event. Simply put, it is the most prestigious global conference for those involved in supply chain management.
The speakers have impressive reputations, for example: Arianna Huffington, founder of the newspaper and online blog that bears her name; then Guenther Steiner, Team Principal of the Haas Formula 1 team for years (what a true privilege the photo below, taken with him and the car: as you can see I’m visibly excited.
Beyond these big names, there was a succession of remarkable presentations by top-level managers, who were also approachable and willing to share a word. They gave the audience presentations that were never banal, and offered practical ideas for improvement that anyone can apply in their own organizations.
Two topics dominated this year: artificial intelligence, now an indispensable tool for differentiation due to its unlimited potential in data processing, and leadership for transformation and change, another highly relevant subject given the increasingly frenetic pace of business, at all levels and in all areas.
Additionally, there were discussions about sustainability, the SCOR-DS model for project management, and the evergreen S&OP and MRP management processes, which are clearly still worthy of further study “despite their age” (are companies really implementing them to perfection?)
I was proud to find such a prominent topic that I strongly believe in: in-depth knowledge and mastery of one’s data, processes, and resources, both human and technological, are necessary and fundamental to every path of development and growth. This has always been a cornerstone of my professional activity: I do my best in helping companies become more aware of these areas. It’s peculiar how, just a few weeks ago, I briefly discussed this very topic in a video interview at the “Viaggio nelle smart factories” event, organized by Logikamente in Ferrara.
Lastly, I am also pleased to highlight two new developments this year: the shirt with my logo (another small step forward) and, most importantly (at last!!) the third color on my badge, the orange of the CPIM certification for which I worked so hard last year (I talk about it in the link, and also here), and I hope it will open the door to exciting projects.
It was nice to meet you, Austin. See you in COLUMBUS2025!!