Supply Excellence — Bruce, Clinton, Tamales, and Supply Management

Bruce, Clinton, Tamales, and Supply Management

May 30th, 2006 · by Tim Minahan · No Comments · events, supply management

I am off to AMR’s sold out Supply Chain Executive Conference in Phoenix. Being that it’s my first research firm event as an attendee, I’m certain it will be a surreal experience. I look forward to reporting on my banterings with fellow Boston College alum, the always entertaining Bruce Richardson. I am also excited to hear former President Clinton speak on his new passion — humanitarianism — as well as the role of supply chain in today’s global environment. (I also hope to dine on some authentic Mexican cuisine.)

Few people realize Clinton’s contribution to procurement transformation. I was fortunate enough to be present in the Rose Garden when Clinton signed the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act into law back in 1994. It wasn’t a silver bullet, but it set forth a trend to bring commercial supply management and automation principles into antiquated and cumbersome federal rules. (Coincidentally, it was Clinton that appointed Professor Steve Kelman to head the Office of Federal Procurement Policy in the early 1990s. The soon-to-be-retired Kelman has since shepherded two major federal procurement reform acts into law as well as numerous changes to the FAR.)

But the real stars of the show will be senior supply management and operations executives from Hewlett-Packard, Procter & Gamble, Siemens, Best Buy and Motorola, who will share stories of how their companies have leveraged supply practices for competitive advantage.

Check back here for updates from the conference. I will also report on the last stop on my own Supply Management Forum (Houston), where I was exposed to some tricks of the trade from leading companies, including Cadbury-Schweppes and Hess.

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