Supply Chain Heroes and Lessons from COVID-19

I was originally going to title this column, “Say it ain’t so, SCM,” a paraphrase of “Say it ain’t so, Joe.” That saying originated after the 1919 World Series scandal, when Chicago White Sox players were accused of taking bribes to throw the series, and star outfielder “Shoeless” Joe Jackson allegedly admitted to helping fix the outcome. The expression is now commonly used to express disbelief or disappointment after learning some unfortunate truth about someone or
something—such as the shortcomings of supply chain management.

And, make no mistake: COVID-19 exposed some serious shortcomings in U.S. supply chains. This was disturbing news for all SCM professionals, who wish it weren’t so. At the same time, I think the shortcomings also expose a future role for supply chain heroes if we can learn the lessons from the pandemic.

SCM has been a global force for good

I joined the supply chain community in 1990, following a career in marketing. From the start, I felt fortunate to be at the right place at the right time. The rise of globalization and consumerism led to the evolution of global supply chains that strived to source, transport, make and deliver goods from any country in the world, and to sell them in any other.

SC
MR