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“I think that we’re going to have a human-level performance on most, if not all, professional tasks. So white-collar work, where you’re sitting down at a computer, either being a lawyer or an accountant or a project manager or a marketing person — most of those tasks will be fully automated by an AI within the next 12 to 18 months.” Mustafa Suleyman, the CEO of Microsoft AI, made these remarks in an interview with the Financial Times that was published on Wednesday, 11 February 2026. Would you agree with him?

AI Agents That Evaluate Themselves

After 17 years of hands-on leadership, Dr. Muddassir Ahmed shares practical, battle-tested advice for making Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) work. Key strategies for success: - Start with a pilot project—prove value on a small product line before scaling - Appoint a dedicated demand planner (not a part-time role) - Build process maturity and data accuracy before investing in expensive forecasting tools - Treat S&OP as a formal project, not an ad-hoc initiative Engagement matters - Use clear accountability mechanisms: - Track meeting attendance - Define ownership - Maintain transparent communication channels The takeaway: With executive sponsorship, disciplined execution, and the right people in place, S&OP becomes a powerful engine for long-term supply chain alignment—not just another planning exercise. #SalesAndOperationsPlanning #SupplyChainLeadership

Ever feel like you’re drowning in data but starving for insights? In the world of logistics, we talk a lot about the Supply Chain Information System (SCIS). But there’s a common misconception that it’s just a shiny new piece of software you buy off the shelf. It’s actually much bigger than that. What is an SCIS, really? Think of an SCIS as the "brain" of your operation. It isn’t just one tool; it’s a system that: - Collects: Pulls data from all your different sources. - Stores: Acts as a central library (repository) for your info. - Visualizes: Turns messy numbers into clear, graphic dashboards. The "Cockpit" Analogy Imagine a pilot flying a massive aircraft. Thousands of things are happening at once—engine heat, wind speed, altitude. The pilot doesn't look at every single bolt and wire. Instead, they look at the instruments in the cockpit. Those instruments take complex data and distill it into simple, actionable visuals. Your SCIS is your cockpit. It takes the "noise" of your global supply chain and gives you the specific insights you need to make quick, smart decisions. The Bottom Line: Don't get distracted by the latest software sales pitch. Focus on building a system that synthesizes your data so you can actually "fly" your supply chain with confidence. #SupplyChain #Logistics #DataAnalytics #SCIS #ManagementTips

Welcome to another exciting episode 88 of The Supply Chain Show! Today, we're joined by none other than Deborah Dull – a global thought leader in Circular Supply Chains and a true pioneer in the circular supply chain movement. Last year we caught up in London, where Deborah was in town for a nonprofit event, and we couldn't miss the chance to dive deep into one of the most urgent topics in the world of supply chain: why circularity isn't just good for the planet – it's smart business. 💡 In this episode, Deborah shares: - How a failed job interview sparked her journey to becoming a global authority on circular supply chains - Why the circular economy is a strategic lever, not just a sustainability goal - The hard truth about global material shortages – and what that means for your future supply chain - How businesses can reduce costs and carbon through reuse, refurbishment, and smarter returns - 3 actionable tips for supply chain leaders to stay ahead of the curve My biggest learning was that Circularity & Sustainability is not the same thing! What is your biggest learning? https://lnkd.in/eH-UzZEY

One of the biggest myths in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) is that better tools guarantee better results. 50% of S&OP success comes from change management Process design and technology play supporting roles—not the lead A common mistake? Buying expensive software before building the right supply chain behaviors. Frameworks like ADKAR help establish adoption, ownership, and discipline long before tools add value. The S&OP maturity reality The Grimson & Pyke five-stage maturity model shows that many organizations move from reactive to more advanced planning—but very few reach true, proactive optimization. Key takeaway: S&OP excellence isn’t installed—it’s built through people, behaviors, and sustained leadership commitment. #SalesAndOperationsPlanning #ChangeManagement

AI Agent in 30 Seconds

“Your Supply Chain Team, Explained in Chess ♟️” ♔ King (CEO / Business Head) Moves slow, but if he falls… game over. ♕ Queen (Supply Chain Director) The real MVP — planning, firefighting, strategy, all at once. ♖ Rooks (Logistics & Warehousing) Strong, reliable, keep things moving from point A to B. ♗ Bishops (Procurement & Sourcing) Working diagonally across suppliers, contracts, and negotiations. ♘ Knights (Planners & Problem Solvers) Unpredictable moves — solving problems no one saw coming. ♙ Pawns (Operations / Execution Teams) Underrated heroes — do the heavy lifting every single day. Do you see different Chess peices in different roles?

I've spent two decades in supply chain and procurement. And in that time, I've watched the same pattern play out repeatedly. The procurement team works hard. They run RFQs, manage suppliers, and negotiate contracts. They do everything right. And yet — they consistently leave 10 to 25% of addressable savings on the table. Not because they lack talent. Because they're not using the very tool explained in this newsletter - https://lnkd.in/eSZn9mBX

The real value of supply chain network design emerges in its final stages—scenario building and validation. This is where data turns into strategy. 🔹 Start with an Adjusted Baseline Before testing the future, fix the past. An adjusted baseline corrects historical anomalies (like pandemic disruptions) to ensure your model reflects a realistic operating environment—not distorted data. 🔹 Explore Strategic Scenarios Different modeling approaches help answer different business questions: 📍 Greenfield Analysis Design the network from scratch to identify the ideal facility locations and flows. 🔄 Optimized Baseline Improve the current network by reallocating flows—without major capital investment. Each approach provides unique insights depending on your strategic goals. 🔹 Balance the Trade-Offs No solution is perfect. Every network design must balance: 💰 Total cost 🚚 Service levels 🌱 Carbon footprint The goal is not to optimize one metric—but to find the best overall balance. 🔹 Validate & Report with Confidence Strong models require: Clear reporting metrics Transparent assumptions Reliable validation against business realities Modern optimization tools make it easier to simulate scenarios and support decision-making at scale. 💡 Final Insight: The best supply chain strategies are not static—they are built on continuous scenario testing, validated data, and clear trade-offs. That’s how organizations move from reactive planning to proactive, future-ready networks. #SupplyChain #ScenarioPlanning