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In the ever-evolving landscape of supply chain management and logistics, adaptation and innovation are indispensable for sustainable success. At the recently concluded 2nd Supply Chain Leadership Forum 2023 organized by the Global Supply Chain Leadership Alliance, the panel discussion on ‘The Big Picture’ emerged as a pivotal moment. During this session, I had the privilege of sharing my insights on extending the well-known DISC personality profiling tool to enterprises through a business version of DISC profiling. This concept took center stage, offering a fresh perspective on how it can be a game-changer for organizations navigating the current complex landscape while managing their supply chains and logistics operations.
As we are all familiar with the essential flows involved in any supply chain, including product (cargo) flow, information (data) flow, financial (money) flow, risk flow, value flow, and, with the increasing emphasis on sustainability, carbon flow. Unpacking the enterprise DISC profiling concept reveals that its core lies in its ability to align with four critical dimensions that shape the modern business landscape and facilitate the management of these crucial flows:
🔵 D – Digitization, Digitalization, Digital Transformation & Data
🔵 I – Innovation
🔵 S – Sustainability & Security (Physical & Cyber)
🔵 C – Coopetition (Competing & Collaborating at the same time)
In a world dominated by the rapid evolution of technology, the ‘D’ in DISC profiling underscores the significance of Digitization, Digitalization, Digital Transformation, and Data. My objective is to empower organizations to not only survive but thrive in the digital age by assessing their digital maturity and charting a course for their digital transformation. Simultaneously, the tool serves the crucial function of identifying individuals within the organization who possess a natural proclivity for technological innovation and data-driven decision-making. The enterprise DISC framework actively cultivates a culture that embraces the ongoing digital evolution, ensuring that leaders are well-equipped to navigate their organizations through the complexities of digitization.
The ‘I’ in DISC profiling shines a spotlight on Innovation, a cornerstone for maintaining competitiveness in the dynamic realm of supply chain management and logistics. My objective is to assess the current state of innovation within organizations and underscore the transformative power of identifying and nurturing individuals with an innate ability for creative problem-solving and a forward-thinking mindset. The enterprise DISC profiling concept not only identifies these innovative traits but also encourages organizations to leverage the creative potential within their workforce. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation, positioning companies to thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape.
The ‘S’ in DISC profiling extends beyond Sustainability, encompassing the critical facet of Security – both physical and cyber. My primary focus is to assess where organizations stand in their journey towards achieving net-zero targets and to evaluate their vulnerability concerning security risk exposure. Notably, my recent work at the Transported Asset Protection Association Asia Pacific (TAPA APAC) involves the drafting of Cyber Security Standards (CSS) for the supply chain management and logistics sector. This initiative aims to propel the sector beyond the conventional focus on securing cargo to now securing data.
The profiling process places a strong emphasis on identifying leaders capable of championing sustainability initiatives while concurrently safeguarding organizations against evolving threats. By pinpointing individuals with the right skills and attitudes, organizations can bolster their resilience against both environmental challenges and cyber risks.
While the term ‘collaboration’ is often used loosely, and it is widely acknowledged that competition is a constant in the business landscape, the essence of Coopetition, navigating the delicate balance between competition and collaboration, lies at the heart of the ‘C’ in DISC profiling. The underlying goal is to guide organizations and their workforce to excel at both competing and collaborating simultaneously, maintaining a delicate equilibrium between the two. DISC profiling plays a pivotal role in identifying individuals with robust interpersonal skills, empowering organizations to forge strategic partnerships and alliances without compromising their competitive edge.
In conclusion, the enterprise version of DISC profiling that I presented at the 2nd Supply Chain Leadership Forum represents a transformative approach to aiding organizations in navigating uncharted waters in the management of supply chains and logistics operations. Through enterprise DISC profiling, organizations can comprehensively assess their current state of affairs, identifying, nurturing, and leveraging the diverse talents within their workforce. This process fosters a culture of resilience, innovation, and sustainability.
I am enthusiastic about contributing to the ongoing discourse on reshaping organizational futures. This groundbreaking concept transcends theoretical frameworks, offering a practical guide for organizations aspiring to embrace the future with confidence. The insights shared at the Forum are aimed at positioning the enterprise DISC profiling concept as a key enabler for organizations striving to thrive amidst unprecedented challenges.
As we leverage the Global Supply Chain Leadership Alliance’s thought leadership platform in the supply chain management and logistics domain, I aim to underscore the significance of this concept in steering organizations toward success in an era of constant change. The journey has just begun, and I eagerly anticipate witnessing the transformative impact of enterprise DISC profiling on the supply chain landscape.
Written by: Jeffrey Tan – President of Supply Chain Management (SCM) Chapter, Singapore Computer Society | Fellow (FSCS) | UN/CEFACT Expert
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