In this podcast, guest Ken Chadwick joins host Caroline Chumakov to discuss two highlights from the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium keynote address, which was presented 6 June 2022 in Orlando, Florida.

The key theme: using an offset strategy to manage disruption. An offset strategy involves a three-step process: sense, shift and steer. Supply chain leaders must sense the issue or opportunity, shift their thinking to get ahead, then steer resources to the biggest priorities.

The podcast touches on two offset areas.

• Cognitive overload: Employees feel the need to do too many things. Use automation to reduce cognitive burden and focus employee energy on decisions that matter most. Use decision modeling to clarify what good decisions look like. 

Energy instability: The demand for energy is growing, but energy resources and power grids are becoming less dependable, leaving supply chains vulnerable. Evaluate energy vulnerabilities within your supply chain ecosystem, and seek to diversify your energy portfolio with renewable energy.

Ken Chadwick is a research vice president covering global supply chain organization design, governance, talent development, change management and organization behavior. Using in-depth cross-industry research and insight into trends, he provides advice to supply chain leaders on how best to engage people and organizations to address the growing complexity of 21st century supply chains.