Supply Chain Resilience

In this episode, our global head of Consumer Goods, Retail, and Logistics practice, Andrew Hogenson, is the guest speaker for the Leaders in Tech and E-Commerce podcast hosted by Alcott Global which regularly interviews the top entrepreneurs, experts, and executives in the supply chain tech and eCommerce space. Andrew shares some great insights on how clients can build supply chain resilience and what big-box retailers can do to “correct” their supply chain and inventory. He gives his perspective into the latest trends and exciting new developments in retail and consumer goods such as ‘endless aisle’ and how it can be extended to partners and suppliers, and the impact of the ‘microchip crunch’.

Transcript

Some of the highlights from the podcast:

• [01:45] From Accenture to Infosys – Andrew’s passion for consumer-facing industries
• [07:14] The consulting company is not there to replace the client’s team but to enhance their strengths
• [17:05] Working with one of the biggest global retailers – endless aisle extended to partners and suppliers
• [23:18] Partnerships and developing networks – why is supply chain resilience critical?
• [27:04] Impact of the microchip crunch and improving supply planning
• [32:38] The value a consultant brings is not limited to their knowledge but also the network of people they can tap into to solve the issue at hand.
• [38:22] Importance of advocating for your own career

Show notes:

• [01:35] Let’s just start with setting the scene and giving our listeners a bit more understanding of yourself and the main milestones of your career.
• [03:58] What do you see are the logistics trends or supply chain oriented trends, short term, and long term? Of course, we are dealing with lots of disruptions but what’s your perspective on it?
• [05:53] This resilience concept at a macro level is a big trend we’re seeing and now we’re seeing that build down into distribution centers and transportation, and into planning.
• [06:50] What principles are you using when somebody asks for your help to build more resilience in the supply chain?
• [09:36] Typically the approach we’ll take is, find an issue, dive in, understand where it is, and then come up with contingencies and alternatives to address that.
• [10:12] Do you see some behavior patterns that are emerging or changing with these disruptions that are happening?
• [13:04] We’re really seeing a shift in the roles within those companies and the tightening of the IT business relationships.
• [13:39] What would you say Infosys is focusing more rather than the other competitors on the market? And if I would have a company or if I am the CEO, how would I choose one over the other and why would I do it?
• [15:12] When we go to our clients we always start from a mindset of how do we bring the best athletes from both of our organizations to bear and how do we work together to solve this problem.
• [16:45] What are the projects that excite you the most?
• [18:38] The endless aisle we were talking about is no longer just an endless aisle within my own four walls or my distribution centers but it also extends to my partners, my suppliers, etc.
• [21:50] I assume that you also need a partner network that helps you implement all of these interesting technologies, how does that partner network work for you? How do you see that?
• [23:18] All of our interest is to serve the client in the best possible way and so we pick our partners in that capacity.
• [26:33] I wanted to ask you about computer chips. It’s interesting to see how crunching in that sector has impacted so many industries, consumers included. I’m just wondering, what’s your take on it?
• [29:24] What is a good company culture for you? And then maybe you can connect it to what you see now in Infosys?
• [30:12] A positive or a good culture is one that embraces the diversity of thought.
• [32:38] The amount of value I personally can bring to a client is not limited to what I know but also the network of people that I have and that I can tap into to bring the best thought leadership, the best ideas, and the best experience for the clients.
• [33:11] Has there ever been a time where a client calls you and says they need help because the process is not working and then you go in and you realize it’s not necessarily a process problem but a human behavior problem?
• [34:52] What are your principles when interviewing?
• [37:22] One of the first questions I always start with when we’re doing introductions is, “Tell me what you’ve been doing. But more importantly, tell me what the next chapter in your career looks like?” and understand how that aligns with the role I’m hiring for.
• [38:10] What would be the best piece of advice for a successful career that you’ve gathered so far?
• [38:32] You need to be your number one advocate for your career.