← Supply Chain Now
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Welcome to Supply Chain now the number one voice of supply chain. Join us as we share critical news, key insights, and real supply chain leadership.
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From across the globe.
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One conversation at a time.
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Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you may be. Scott Luden right here with you on Supply Chain Now. Welcome to today's special live stream, folks. It's breaking news now where we're going to be sharing today some really interesting news on how a leading supply chain organization has reinvented a key annual event here in North America. And as you'll see here today, the reinvigorated gathering offers supply chain leaders a terrific opportunity to gather critical market intel and learn how to overcome old and new challenges alike. So to unpack this opportunity here today, we've got a terrific guest industry leader joining us. Gabe Ashkenazi is CEO of the association for Supply Chain Management. And under his leadership, ASCM has significantly expanded its service offerings to corporations, individuals and communities alike, all while significantly growing, which of course mirrors the heightened industry awareness and ongoing impact of global supply chains everywhere. So I want to welcome in Abe Eshkenazi, CEO with ascm. Abe, welcome back. Supply Chain now, how you doing?
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C
I am wonderful, Scott. Pleasure to be back.
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B
Well, we enjoyed you visiting last time over a great piece of industry research and report yard published. We'll touch on that later. But today, today, Abe, we got big news. Big news, especially in the supply chain event space as y' all have reinvented and reinvigorated, I think the annual event ASCM has been holding forever. So before we talk about the event, for the three people out there that may not know ascm, tell us why, as CEO, why this organization exist?
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C
Abe, I think it's a recognition not only of the critical role that Supply Chain plays in almost every organization, but the competency and the capabilities of these individuals. Right now, considering all the disruptions and the geopolitical and the environmental challenges, I couldn't think of a more important time for these individuals to lead. Today our organization is comprised of 50,000 members globally. The focus is on, you know, enabling these individuals, not only on competency and capability, on collaboration. Today, given the dynamic nature of Supply Chain today as an organization, we originally focused on that supply chain, professional competency, awareness, recognition, career pathways. And we thought that was the holy grail if we could just train everybody and get them prepared for the job. And it's now migrated to the corporation as a strategic imperative. Obviously, the integration of everything today in Supply Chain is critical to meet the growing demands and the varying demands that we're seeing on the marketplace, but it's also rapidly moving towards the consumer, the patient, the employee, and a recognition of the impact that supply chain has on almost every part of our lives. I can't think of a better time to be in supply chain, Scott Abe, I'm with you.
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I'm with you. It's the golden age in so many different ways. And that's very arguable because there's been some previous periods. It's been terrific to be in global supply chain. But one of the big things I took away from your response there is especially now, supply chains and all the professionals are front and center and in some very challenging times and some very fast moving times. And all of that requires us to constantly learn new things and connect with our fellow practitioners to figure out new solutions to old and new problems.
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Would you agree with that?
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Abe?
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I couldn't agree more, Scott. I think when you take a look at the challenges that these individuals are facing today, even comparing it to five years ago, the roles and responsibilities have expanded significantly. Traditionally back office focus, problem solvers, now compliance, collaborative sustainability, strategic and, you know, development, geopolitical, environmental concerns. I mean these are all part of their responsibilities today. So, you know, historically we focused on speed and cost. I mean that was the, you know, the majority of organizations just get it there as quickly as possible and for the lowest cost. Today you're balancing efficiency, adaptability, geographic diversity, political resilience. I mean, this is an extraordinary time for extraordinary leaders and these are true superheroes in today's environment.
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B
That's right. The equation has changed dramatically to your point. That really helps build the why. So as I'd mentioned, the ASCM annual supply chain event, it's been around for a long time. I've been there to it. I've made some great, you know, relationships power the world. I've really enjoyed reconnecting with my fellow supply chain folks at the annual event. But one of the biggest pieces of news here that we're talking about here today is how you and the ASCM leadership team has chosen to reinvent this event. So I'm going to share this graphic here, folks. We're introducing change. Change in this case, change North America, which is coming to Columbus September 9th and 10th, 2025. So Abe, let's speak to your why why did y' all choose to reinvent the annual event into change?
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C
Yeah, that's gotta think you laid the foundation there. You've been to how many events? As we've all been to so many events. You can hear Ted talks. You can hear it on YouTube. There's key learnings that you can get from almost any event. What's the benefit that you got out of it? And you just indicated it. You have the exchange of information, meeting different individuals who are, you know, blazing, you know, their organizations on the cutting edge. They're also learning how organizations are adapting to the environment that they're facing today. So really, the planning that we centered around was the key theme. How do we equip the supply chain professional for what's next? And that what's next is so variable, but that's really where the focus is. We're being called not just to rethink about how fast and cheaply we can move things, but how responsibly, transparently, and resiliently we can operate. And attendees get that from each other. You can listen to any TED Talk today. So that as you and I have, what we're talking focused on is the engagement part. We ran this experiment of the new model in Europe, and we found that the members really enjoyed the engagement. As you talked, as you indicated that relationship development, those key relationships that you develop with other organizations and with other individuals is really the benefit that you get. So we centered the concept around how to equip the supply chain professionals, but not only, you know, from us as an organization, but from each other and developing those relationships, developing those organizations that are, you know, responding to the challenges and having other organizations learn from them, develop those relationships and those collaboration opportunities. That's what really is part of this event. It's an event developed by practitioners for practitioners.
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B
Love that. And I'm going to touch more on these challenges in just a minute. But folks, we've dropped in the link to Change North America. There's an accompanying European event as well, which took place, I think, a couple months ago. But join us in Columbus 9-9-10th. And we're going to make it really easy. We've got the banner with the URL there, and we're even going to give you a link. You're one click away. That will drop in the comments. Okay, Abe, we'll get to those challenges in just a second. But the relationship piece, you know, as we've been out to numerous events this year, as I bet you have the number one thing I've heard, I tell you, I wish I had a recorder for all the sidebar conversations. Because the number one thing, especially supply chain leaders, you know, VP of supply chain C SEO, you name it, they love being around their peers and seeing how they're tackling These again, I keep saying old, new challenges. So much of what we're seeing has been around forever and then there's new wrinkles, new elements that really is throwing curve balls. And I tell you, they are relieved and they really see so much value in interacting with your peers and sharing those best practices. What they're trying, what's working, what isn't working, that's really, really valuable. We'll get to the challenge in just a second, despite the football on that important aspect of change, huh?
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Yeah, I couldn't agree with you more, Stuart. I mean, especially in today's environment, collaboration is no longer optional, it's essential. No single individual organizations can solve the challenges on their own. So whether you're navigating geopolitical issues, risk in their global network, or, you know, driving sustainability, the solutions and the relationships demand cross functional and cross industry collaboration. Events like Change, we can accelerate those conversations and those partnerships. We can help organizations learn from each other and align their shared goals. Today, the csco, the chief supply Chain officer, needs to work with the chief financial officer, chief compliance officer, Chief Sustainability Officer to really drive the impact that supply chain can have on their organization and their economy as well as on the environment. This is no longer a single thread that you can pull and say, okay, just get the, you know, the CSCO on it.
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Now.
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It requires an organizational effort to address the challenges that we're facing today. Today this is really the hallmark of, you know, organizations that are responding and being much more agile. Is that collaboration necessary not only within the organization, but your extended supply chain as well?
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So, Abe, I'm trying to keep up with you and my writing skills are failing me, but you just, you rattled off a bunch of challenges, a bunch of buckets of challenges there. And I want to make sure that see geopolitical, growing risk management and different types of risk. Of course, sustainability, which some would say is taking a back seat, but I would argue leading organizations are finding ways of making more progress. Workforce challenges. Right. Those challenges continue to evolve. Of course, we're in the golden age of supply chain tech. We got to figure out how to use it effectively without burning out our teams and organizations. Abe, when you think of the other challenges, that's really deliberately baked into change there in Columbus in September. What else makes a short list?
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C
Yeah, I think, Scott, I think that's really the key aspect here. You know, what are these issues that they're dealing with today that are going to help them when they get back to their jobs? And we structured the event around several of those Core themes. First, building resilient and agile supply chains. Those are the keys for almost every organization. The resiliency in terms of absorbing the shocks, the agility to take advantage of those disruptions and move your organization forward. Secondly, and you can't get out of any discussion today without leveraging the technologies like AI digital twins. This has now become a core part of every organization. Further, as you just indicated, Scott, advancing sustainability practices, while it may not be front and center in terms of the marketing and the indication in terms of what companies are doing, they're still focused on sustainable supply chain. So I don't think we're getting away from it. Lastly, as you indicated, and most critically for us, addressing the talent gap, and that is having the appropriate individuals with the right knowledge to take advantage of the technology that you're investing in today. That's a winning combination between the talent side and technology to address the resiliency and agility as well as sustainability. That's a winning formula for a lot of organizations and that's where the focus is for the event.
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Well said. Some. We could have a whole podcast series in your last response there. But two quick thoughts folks. If you're doubting sustainability in terms of the imperative that I believe is still out there, you look at lots of data, water stewardship, more and more companies are investing lots of organizational resources and just that one element of making sustainability gains. Then secondly, one of the things that Abe just wrapped on there, your workforce craves development. They crave to learn new skills. And it's on us as organizational leaders to provide those investment opportunities so they can get better and better and better and be in a better position to find success for themselves and the organization. All right, so let's do some compare and contrast. Abe, last time I was at the annual event, ascm, it was there in Chicago, man, we enjoyed the food and the people and the sessions. Knocked out some interviews, had a great time, great time. Columbus new market, but it's an important market for especially manufacturing and supply chain. When you compare and contrast change versus what folks have enjoyed in the past that have come out to the annual event, what are some of the new benefits they're going to enjoy there in Columbus?
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C
The core part of this is the engagement part. As we indicated, we're getting away from those, you know, 40, 50 minute presentations where you can see a slide deck and somebody sharing it with you much more in terms of impactful content and then get them talking to each other. The engagement that we saw in Europe was the highest rated in terms of the attendee, feedback that they enjoy the opportunity to exchange information from each other and develop those relationships. And I think that's what's really separated or, you know, driven us. You don't have to pay, you know, six figure, you know, down payments to get into a conference like you do for some other organizations here. This is an organization that, you know, we were built the supply chain professional and that's where the focus is, expanding the awareness of supply chain as a rewarding career path for those individuals. You talked about the talent side before. That's what's really the defining issue of our time. From our perspective, supply chain has moved from the back office to the border. The demand for skilled professional far outpaces our supply. Today we need to focus on investing in ongoing professional development, creating those inclusive workplaces to attract and retain that diverse talent. That's what the event is about. It's not only addressing your, you know, the supply chain challenges, but the key talent challenges in ensuring that you have the right talent to address the challenges that you're facing today.
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Abe, Love it. I got to go back to the first part of your response because if I heard you right, rather than investing in more one way communication like so many conferences and events and you name it, lean into sounds like a big focus here is creating the two way conversation that so many folks are craving to lean into. Is that right?
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C
Oh, absolutely. I mean, we've all been in our offices or our homes coming on your work style today. And that engagement part is really critical. Making those connections, finding organizations that are advancing supply chain and talent development and learning from them and applying it for your own organizations, Additionally providing insight from your own organization to others in terms of how you've responded. That's really the benefit of having, you know, a thousand individuals together is that exchange of information as opposed to, again, I can send you a deck and you can read it and get whatever you need out of it. I want to talk to you. I want to find out what your challenges were. How did you overcome some of the obstacles that were in your way? How did you engage other, you know, your vendors? How did you engage your tier two and your tier three organizations? That's what organizations are looking for today. Give me the tools, give me the ideas, give me the, you know, things that have worked for you and allow me to adapt it to my own organization.
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I like it. Well, using your example, if you sent me the deck, I'll probably have chat GPT digest it and give me the key takeaways. It's A human interaction to your point. And yeah, I bet everybody out there is watching or listening to us are like, absolutely, man, sign me up. But for me, kind of hearing you describe it, it took me back to college. Raise your hand if you're in a college class where is nothing but a lecture instructor at the front and he or she spoke for 60 minutes or two hours maybe. And then you got those classes where the teacher, the professor encouraged conversation and dialogue. And those were the events. I took lessons home and wanted to create more conversations like. And that's what you're stressing here today. Okay, so let's do this. We know Abe, especially in a year like this has been challenging for a variety of different reasons. Certainly no shortage of uncertainty out there. Right. A lot of supply chain leaders and their organizations are having to as always judiciously choose where to invest their event dollars and resources, where to send their teams, especially amongst this tidal wave of events that are out there. Now, you've already put out there a pretty compelling value proposition, but is there anything else that you would like to communicate to those leaders are making those tough decisions?
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C
I think as organizations are investing in closing the gaps we all experienced during the pandemic between visibility, transparency and traceability and using technology as a tool from advanced analytics, AI digital twins, it's really transforming how we forecast, how we manage risk and how we build resiliency. The real innovation is combining that cutting edge technology with highly skilled, adaptable workforce. It's that combination that really does leverage, you know, the investment that you're making in technology and talent. Technology without the talent to drive it is not can't deliver its full value. And so we're seeing a combination of the talent with the technology really advancing organizations, specifically AI. And it's not just AI in and of itself. I heard a great quote. It's not that AI is going to take your job. It's going to be another individual using AI that's going to take your job. It's that combination of the talent and the technology that's really advancing organizations today. And that's really a major focus for organizations in terms of how they address agility, how they address resiliency in their organization. That combination really does make a difference.
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Well said, Abe. So folks, again I'm just going to stress if you don't get your answers that change, just make sure you get your answer somewhere.
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C
This.
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B
But this is a tremendous opportunity. September 9th and 10th there in Columbus, Ohio. We're going to drop a link for you to click and learn more here in just a second. I want to just. Hey Elias, I see you there. Great to see you again. Tuned in via LinkedIn from Pakistan. We're going to have to get you to Columbus and get you plugged in. I appreciate the great innovation you're driving in your own part of the world and in our industry. Okay Abe, let's do this. Last time you're with us, we walked through some key takeaways from a great piece of research that you and ASCM team invested in the 2025 ASCM supply chain salary and career report and you know, it was chock full. Me and Krin Bursa learned all sorts of key takeaways from you and there are so many we had to put them in two font but you probably can't see that. But one I want to pull out that was really good news to me is that according to Yalls findings, median U.S. supply chain compensation has reached $103,000, which is 52% higher than the national median as reported by the U.S. bureau of Labor Statistics. That is some really good news in my book. But now that the report has been out there, I want to say you joined us in either March or May. The report's been out in the market for a few months. What's been some of the most significant feedback that you've gotten? Nate?
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C
A number of key takeaways. First, there is a strong recognition and reward for supply chain professionals. Companies are recognizing the value that these individuals provide their organization, not only on the bottom line, but as you indicated before on sustainability, on a variety of different compliance issues that these individuals are now not only sharing their experience but enabling organizations to respond to them further career pathways. We're starting to see that individuals are coming into college looking for a supply chain degree and wanting to move into a supply chain. It's got it wasn't that long ago that most of the individuals in the supply chain came out of finance and engineering. Now we're seeing a significant cohort, a huge diversity of individuals coming into the workforce today. A couple of takeaways in terms of recruitment. Women out earning men I think for the third year in a row for starting salaries. Great news in terms of our response to attract more women. The unfortunate part is that the longer they stay in the environment or in the job, the pay gap inverts and men earn more depending on their tenure. We've got to find ways to provide opportunities for leadership, for growth, for, you know, different roles for these individuals in every aspect of it. So there are opportunities. Further, the digital Natives that are coming into the workforce today are significantly different than yours. In my day, when we got into supply chain, we're still looking at the Excel spreadsheets. I'm afraid to say, today's environment where the individuals are much more adept in using technology, whether it's AI or any any other of the tools, they're extremely comfortable. So this presents a reverse mentoring opportunity for individuals coming into the workforce. For guys like you and I to see that there are technological advancements that can enable better decision making, better informed information on our talent side. Lastly, and most importantly, the recognition of the role of the supply chain professional today. For years we've advocated for a seat at the table in the C suite. We now have that seat at the table now. We have to have the supply chain professionals and use their voice, to use their knowledge, to use their experience to help the organizations not only respond, but advance in today's turbulent times.
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B
Well said. And folks, there's a whole bunch more to these highlights and key takeaways Abe has been sharing. So check out the 2025 ASCM supply chain salary and career report. I want to say y' all been publishing this now for three or four years in a row. Is that right?
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C
It's eight years, I believe now.
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B
Yeah.
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Eight. Yeah.
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B
Oh my gosh. Well, as usual, time gets away from me, Abe, but appreciate it.
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C
Supply chain years, the last four or five years are like 20 years, so.
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Right, right. Oh my gosh. Well, regardless, kidding aside, I really appreciate the investment of time, energy and research that you and the team put into these great pieces of analysis that betters industry and betters our view of the industry. And really, despite all the heavy lifting we still got to do, I want to stop and celebrate the gains we've made, which, you know, you pointed out there, which is really important, folks. Okay, so as we start to wrap here with Abe Ashkenazi, CEO with ascm, I want to pull up two more links. So let's share again. Come join us at Change in Columbus, September 9th and 10th. We're going to drop the link. There it is right there. NA Change events. And hey, notice you gotta. You can't miss anything. Notice the creative way that they spelled change. I like that, Abe. I like that. N A change C H A I N G E event. So check that out, folks. And then secondly, let's drop. If you want to learn more about anything that Abe and ASCN team are up to, including that great report, you can go to ascm.org okay? Abe Ashkenazi, always a pleasure. Thanks for joining us here on Breaking News now here at Supply Chain Now. And I look forward to seeing you in Columbus in September.
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C
My pleasure, Scott. Look forward to seeing you as well.
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B
All right, folks, hopefully you've enjoyed and learned from this conversation as much as I have. Abe and the team are on the move. Hey again, be sure to join us at Change North America in Columbus, Ohio. Be on the lookout for the next European version of this newly reinvented event. Again, Columbus, September 9th and 10th. You can learn more NA Change events and you can connect and get your own copy of that salary and career report@ascm.org so with all that said, Scott Luton here on behalf of the whole Supply Chain now team challenging you. Do good, give forward. Be the Change that's needed. We'll see you next time right back here on Supply Chain Now. Thanks everybody.
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