Guest Column:Now What? A Supply Chain Management Checklist For President Elect Obama

By Sean Rollings, Amitive

I remember hearing Vicente Fox speak at the 2008 AMR Supply Chain Conference late last spring. He said he remembered the weight that landed on his shoulder when the euphoria of his win for the Mexican presidency was replaced by the overwhelming realization afterward that he had to figure out how to go to work and try to make good on the campaign promises he had made.

And now President Elect Obama faces the same challenge as he assembles a team to take on the daunting tasks of an economy in recession, a financial crisis of epic proportions, two wars, and a country divided over many issues. The world awaits, seeking leadership from what they hope will be an America regaining its strength as the beacon of freedom, vision, and innovation.

Among the industry issues impacting U.S. and global manufacturing environments is the fact that over the last decade, the supply chain world as we know it has undergone a tectonic shift. As more companies turn to outsourcing via contract manufacturers, they are faced with globally dispersed supply chains that are now more community-centric than manufacturing-centric. Coupled with the strain of the current economy and financial crisis, how can we effectively work within this new supply chain landscape to ensure continued business success?