We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Supply chain resilience: Lessons learned from the pandemic
CSCMP EDGE 2020

Supply chain resilience: Lessons learned from the pandemic

The biggest industry takeaways from the coronavirus pandemic thus far? The vital need for flexibility and adaptability across your organization, CSCMP EDGE speaker says.

September 22, 2020
Victoria Kickham
No Comments

We are all still learning from the widespread effects of the coronavirus pandemic, but six months in there are some important takeaways for supply chain professionals that can help them build a more resilient channel for the future, according to George Zsidisin, John W. Beringer III Professor of Supply Chain Risk and Resilience at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. 

Zsidisin talked about supply chain resilience and lessons learned from the pandemic in an afternoon educational session during the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ (CSCMP) EDGE 2020 Conference Tuesday. An overarching lesson of the pandemic is the vital importance of the supply chain to society and the “absolute criticality of supply chain management today,” Zsidisin said. As for lessons companies and supply chain professionals should heed, Zsidisin offered the following: 

Be flexible and adaptable. By far, the most important takeaway from the pandemic is the need for companies to build flexibility into their organizations that can help them react and adjust to short-term supply chain disruptions. For the longer-term, companies should focus on adapting to any permanent changes that result from those disruptions.

Conquer the last mile. Zsidisin said many companies were able to be flexible in their response to the pandemic and as a result are better managing accelerated trends, including demand for last-mile delivery. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated e-commerce trends, speeding demand for last-mile right along with it, and Zsidisin said many companies are managing to get better and better at last-mile every day.

Continuity planning is a must. The pandemic exposed many weaknesses, including a lack of attention to risk management and business continuity planning. Moving forward, organizations must develop a sharper focus on this discipline.

Technology is vital. The pandemic has also shined a light on the importance of information systems and their ability to keep commerce moving and people connected remotely.

Zsidisin is continuing research into ways the ongoing pandemic is affecting the supply chain, in part through an upcoming book titled The Covid-19 Pandemic: Overcoming Unprecedented Supply Chain Challenges, which he says will describe how firms in a variety industries dealt with the crisis. The book is slated for release in late 2021.

Supply Chain Services
KEYWORDS CSCMP - Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals University of Missouri-St. Louis
  • Related Articles

    Supply Chain Industry Executives Join Blume Global Executive Advisory Board

    Brewers Supply Group Selects BluJay’s Transportation Management to Deliver Best-in-class Service

    Target exec talks transformation on day 2 of CSCMP EDGE 2020

Victoria Kickham, an editor at large for Supply Chain Quarterly, started her career as a newspaper reporter in the Boston area before moving into B2B journalism. She has covered manufacturing, distribution and supply chain issues for a variety of publications in the industrial and electronics sectors, and now writes about everything from forklift batteries to omnichannel business trends for Supply Chain Quarterly's sister publication, DC Velocity.

Recent Articles by Victoria Kickham

Logistics industry growth slows in April

Demand for piece-picking robots gains steam

Nucor expands steel racking business

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Private equity firm acquires packaging provider Coregistics in e-commerce bet

  • Trucking industry warns that AB 5 decision could push freight capacity out of California

  • Packaging industry reprioritizes amid inflation, supply chain disruption

  • Warehousing's perfect storm

  • Raymond Corp. marks 100th anniversary

Now Playing on DCV-TV

E3f9e6d5 8bd4 40ca 8c7f 43aa63ea3fc9

Lessons from CSCMP’s Annual Report Card for Shippers and Carriers

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
Recently, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) released their 33rd Annual State of Logistics Report which is created by AT Kearny. I've viewed this as basically a "Report Card" for shippers and carriers since it offers a comprehensive view of what they both have dealt with in the past year,...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Breaking Bad: Conducting Full Truckload RFPs in the Age of Digital Freight Procurement

  • Fueling Sustainability for Manufacturers: Strategies to Increase Fuel Efficiency and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

  • Guide to Proven Warehouse Solutions

  • Five common misconceptions about running a private fleet

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2022. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing