Future proofing the supply chain frontline
In the past few years, the term ‘supply chain’ has gone from a niche term to a regular news headline. We’ve seen first-hand the empty supermarket shelves and lorry queues; evidence of issues faced by the industry, as world events create what Accenture termed a ‘perpetual storm’ for global supply chains.
NKD has been working with a world-leading pallet and container pooling company, who are the backbone of the supply chain industry, to develop a learning program that enables their global supply chain leaders to lead their teams effectively in this unpredictable and fast-moving environment and support the delivery of their ambitious strategy.
What were the challenges?
It’s been a relentlessly busy few years for frontline leaders. Their role has been rapidly evolving, from becoming experts in automation to managing long-term labour shortages.
Many leaders on the frontline are deskless workers. Our challenge was to develop a learning programme tailored to work with, rather than fight against, their busy on-site schedules and set them up for future success.
What was our approach?
Often, supply chain leaders progress to their positions by demonstrating excellent technical skills and knowing their sites inside out. However, having outstanding technical skills alone is not enough. Leaders need to be experts at inspiring and motivating their teams. They need to manage up and down, have a long-term view, and delegate effectively.
From our experience working in the logistics industry, we knew that learning activities needed to be digestible and practical, so that learning is easily applied in a fast-paced and challenging environment where leaders are not often at their desks.
To do this, we worked closely with our client to develop a blended solution for their 350 leaders worldwide, maximizing technology such as their new Learning Management System (LMS), while creating opportunities to come together in person and build networks with their peers.
We created a suite of modules focused on building the core capabilities that future leaders in the organisation need to lead their teams and run their sites effectively, from being a team motivator and coach to a commercial and safety champion. We then tested and refined the learning using our NKD design methodology.
Starting with shorter online sessions and building up to two opportunities to come together in person for three days, each module was designed to have back-to-work activities to practically apply their learnings in their role, and an opportunity to discuss what they learned with their peer network and their manager.
The live modules were supported by a suite of self-guided mini-modules that learners could complete at their own pace on the LMS, giving them the opportunity to find the space and time for learning.
Through listening to the needs of learners and working closely with our client to define and refine our approach, we were able to provide supply chain leaders with the content, tools and resources they need to succeed both today and in the future.
Want to learn more about the work we do? Have a look at some of our case studies or hit the connect button below to talk to one of the team.