As you head out to the beach this Independence Day, be sure to pack these supply management page-turners:

• On-Demand Supply Management: World Class Strategies, Practices, and Technology by Doug Smock, Bob Rudzki, and Stephen Rogers: The sequel to the best-selling Straight to the Bottomline, this tome examines the increasingly important role technology is playing in accelerating supply management transformation. Their take is that technology will support supply management in four areas: 1) Data integration across all functions, division, and companies. 2) Mathematics that allow deep analysis across those boundaries (e.g., optimization). 3) Economics that allow widespread e-tool use (e.g., On Demand/SaaS). 4) Technology applications that extend and integrate supply processes. The book is chock full of case studies on how leading supply management operations have leveraged technology to improve their spending analysis, strategic sourcing, contract management and supplier management operations. Check out my review of the book here. Or tune into the podcast with the book’s authors.
• The Business of Changing the World: Twenty Great Leaders on Strategic Corporate Philanthropy by Marc Benioff and Carlye Adler: Salesforce.com Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff teaches how corporate responsibility and sustainability is good business in the best way possible: by example. The book profiles how leading businesses, such as Dell Computers, Intel, Starbucks, UPS, Hasbro, and Cisco Systems, have turned reponsible and sustainable business strategies into profits. Benioff challenges other businesses to adopt his company’s 1% doctrine: donate 1% of your company’s product, 1% of your company’s equity, and 1% of your employee’s time to social and environmentally responsible causes. This book is not only inspirational, it is practical for supply managers looking to develop environmentally and socially responsible supply strategies.
• Moving Mountains: Lessons in Leadership From the Gulf War by Lt. General William “Gus” Pagonis. The retired General and head of Sears Supply Chain operations shares insider secrets on how he moved thousands of troops and supplies to support the famous “left hook” that led to a quick win during the first Gulf War. Yet, Pagonis’ insights on strategic planning, global sourcing, logistics, and risk management are invaluable to supply management execs in any sector. And his advice on leadership and team building are among the best. (I particularly like his “stand up” approach to meetings.)

As a special bonus for Supply Excellence readers: if you liked these author’s books, you’ll love them in person. Doug Smock and Salesforce.com President Jim Steele will be on the dias at Empower 2007 in October. General Pagonis may also make a suprise appearance on the mainstage. Get more information or register here.

I also encourage you to check out the titles that made Supply Excellence’s recommended summer reading list last year.