Roadmap for continuous learning in supply chain

Learning doesn’t stop when you’ve obtained a qualification. In fact, that’s just the beginning. In order to keep up with
the rapid pace of change, learning should be a continuous process. Personal and professional development should be
possible and accessible for everyone, everywhere. For learning to be optimally effective and beneficial, it should be in-
terwoven with work. This roadmap by Supply Chain Media and Involvation highlights some common obstacles and their
solutions on the path to continuous learning in supply chain.

CURRENT
WORKFORCE
No variety in  Gain an overview of skills and competencies
 Discuss personal learning preferences
supply chain  Identify strengths and weaknesses;
training focus on the strengths

‘Narrow
focus’

 Formulate the personal and organizational

Personal expectations are FUTURE motivations and ambitions
WORKFORCE
not expressed  Regularly communicate goals and
constraints (e.g. time, budget)
 Prepare and execute a development
plan (and adapt it whenever necessary)
‘No clear  Evaluate the results and take corrective action
development  Seek a mentor/coach as a sparring partner
plan’ and to keep you alert

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge and TRANSFER  Translate team goals into learning needs
 Analyse the knowledge/skills gaps within the team
skills are not shared  Fill those gaps by sharing more internally or
within a team bringing in from outside
 Share your knowledge with other teams
and also learn from other teams
 Embed a learning mindset, e.g. by discussing
‘No team training’ it briefly at every meeting

ORGANIZATION
The lack of a  Integrate learning with working by
introducing shorter but more frequent sessions
learning culture  Facilitate learning: time, money, content, tools
 Stimulate and emphasize remote learning:
available for anyone, anytime, anywhere
‘Training  Safeguard know-how: invest in knowledge management
bureaucracy’’
S U P P LY C H A I N M O V E M E N T, N o . 4 0 , Q 1 2 0 2 1

CHAIN PARTNERS
Internal  Stay curious: what are competitors doing better?
focus rather than  What can you learn from your customers & suppliers?
 Share your strengths and weaknesses with your best
learning from/with partners (customers & suppliers), learn from each other
customers & suppliers  Reflect regularly: Are you still relevant in the
26 supply chain or are you falling behind?
‘Patchy knowledge
sharing’’