Presentation materials from Forum events are available to Forum members and event attendees only. If you are a Forum member, please visit Event Presentation Materials to download event materials. If you are not a member, but would like materials from an event you attended, please contact Tracey Wyatt to request electronic copies.

Upcoming Events

European Supply Chain Forum Annual Meeting
April 17 & 18, 2013, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands

This workshop will focus on how companies can thrive in an age of uncertainty and market turbulence, using their supply chains to ensure competitive advantage. The program is created from three different perspectives. The first is represented by Jim Collins’ latest book, “Great by Choice,” which discusses the key differentiators of agile market leaders.  The second perspective is represented by operations management theory; different methodologies and approaches from academic research will be presented. Finally, a practitioner view on how to cope with supply uncertainties is provided by two case studies from different companies. More information.

Supply Chain Finance Workshop
June 19, 2013, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands

Working capital reductions, risk management, and NPV evaluations: the supply chain manager is increasingly confronted with limitations imposed by financial policies. Integrating the firm’s financial policies with operating decisions can create significant shareholder value for the. In this workshop, you’ll hear about several interesting examples that demonstrate how smart operational financial policies can reinforce each other. Learn more here. 

Supply Chain Talent Development Workshop
September 11, 2013, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands

A survey by Accenture of UK senior decision makers showed that UK that talent recruitment is a challenge at all levels:  61% of the respondents indicate that recruiting middle management with appropriate skills is a challenge, while 59% say the same about executives. Staff retention adds to these difficulties. As SCM professionals are a strategic resource to companies, they must make significant investments in talent development. This workshop discusses various insights on how to attract and retain supply chain talent in your organization. Learn more here. 

Performance Contracts in Global Logistics Workshop
November 20, 2013, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands

Many large manufacturers and retailers have outsource their logistics operations. As a result, these logistics providers have become an important part of these companies’ value chains and are crucial for creating customer satisfaction and loyalty. In this workshop we will explore how large companies tender and contract for complex, global logistics services. We will also discuss the role and importance of using performance-based contracts rather than cost-based contracts. Finally, we will present case studies on how to effectively engage with large global customers, presented from the viewpoint of logistics providers. More information.

Stanford Responsible Supply Chains Conference
February 26, 2014, Stanford Graduate School of Business
Registration will open in Fall 2013. For more information, visit the conference website.

Recent Events

Inside the Data and Analytics-Driven Organization: Technology, Analytics, People and Processes:
March 26, 2013, Stanford University

European Supply Chain Forum Workshop: Managing Scarcity Risks in Supply Chains
February 20, 2013, Eindhoven University of Technology
A supply chain’s ability to innovate to overcome a scarcity of natural resources is a key differentiator between those that manage sustainability risks effectively and those that do not, which is in turn likely to become the key to survival (perhaps even literally!). Innovation in developing sustainable resources for supply chains, including means such as increased recycling, product redesign and substitution can improve the resilience of supply chains in the face of uncertainties in materials availability. The delays involved in implementing these strategies may result in unprepared firms losing market share to competitors who are better prepared to address these challenges. This workshop will enable sharing experience and expertise among participants in understanding, measuring and managing scarcity risks in their supply chains. More information.

Reshoring: Beyond the Buzz
January 31, 2013 Stanford University
As the cost advantages of offshore manufacturing erode, more companies are considering relocating production closer to home. This event explored "re-shoring” and why companies are making the decision to move production from Asia, where they are going, and whether this phenomenon is here to stay.  The conference discussions went beyond the basics of transportation cost and labor rates to explore the factors that influence a company’s manufacturing strategy and footprint. Expert presenters and panelists discussed business drivers, debated leading practices, and shared experiences in the ongoing effort to balance the cost/flexibility tradeoff of local manufacturing. Agenda

European Supply Chain Forum Workshop: Cross Chain Collaboration Centres (4C)
November 21, 2012, Eindhoven University of Technology
In the eSCF workshop on Breakthrough Innovations in Supply Chains on September 29, 2010, we introduced the 4C concept. 4C is about collaboration within and between supply chains. After two years of research and piloting, using 20+ students for developing and implementing solutions to such diverse challenges as information transparency, synchronized decision making, gain sharing and competition legislation, we share our findings. These findings touch upon pitfalls in setting up and executing cross chain collaboration, typical benefits possible, ICT, and the role of financial institutions. The findings are consolidated in a white paper that was distributed at the workshop. More information.

Enabling Electronic Commerce: Social, Local, Mobile
October 23, 2012, Stanford Graduate School of Business
Executives learned how the latest trends and technologies are changing the Electronic Commerce landscape. Speakers included leaders from Intuit, Microsoft, eBay, Payvment, ShopRunner and Fung Capital, who discussed how their companies are enabling growth through social, local, and mobile commerce.  Presented by the Forum in partnership with International Post Corporation. Agenda Read a summary of the days discussions

Shared Value and Supply Chains: Strategies for Success
October 10, 2012, Stanford Graduate School of Business
Presented by the Forum in partnership with the Stanford Center for Social Innovation, this one-day conference brought together supply chain executives, nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and academics to look beyond the perceived trade-offs between economic efficiency, social progress, and environmental protection. They explored how an approach based on creating shared value within the entire supply chain can take responsibility to the next level. Agenda

European Supply Chain Forum Workshop: Supply Chain Agility: Obtaining Dynamism through the Use of Real-Time Information

October 2, 2012, Eindhoven University of Technology
Companies have an amount of information on latest orders, actual prices, late deliveries, health of machines, and so on. One may benefit from this information by being flexible and adapting production and service plans on a daily or hourly time basis. This requires structures to have information available at the right places and to have a decision structure that can benefit from latest developments. Further, one needs a high level of agility in resources and processes. More Information

Creating Business Value with Enterprise Data and Analytics
May 10, 2012, Stanford University
Enterprise data management and associated analytics that support rapid and accurate operational decisions are rapidly evolving management fields. This event supported a community of interest and enabled sharing of best practices among leading practitioners. The event included speakers and panelists from Boeing, Cisco, eBay, Genetech, GE, Google, HP, Intel, Nike, Sears, Sony, Target, Teradata, and Wells Fargo and focused on three key themes:

• Hardware and software for making enterprise data and analytics accessible to business users as efficiently as possible
• Required organizational skills and cross-functional collaboration--and how to train, hire and partner to build analytic capabilities
• Where to start analytics initiatives and who to involve to deliver value quickly and scale efficiently Agenda Read a summary of the days discussions.

April 25, 2012, Stanford Graduate School of Business
The healthcare industry is in the midst of historic change; new paradigms for patient diagnosis and treatment, as well as the design and delivery of healthcare products and services, are urgently needed to overcome these unprecedented challenges. The 2012 Healthcare Innovation Summit explored innovations with the potential to transform the global healthcare marketplace. Open to the public.  More information.

April 11-12, 2012, Eindhoven University of Technology
In the next ten years, many companies will realize most of their growth objectives in emerging markets.  At the 2012 Annual Forum Meeting, hosts Jan Fransoo (TU/e) and Edgar Blanco (MIT) outlined the challenges, learning, and opportunities for the supply chain management discipline. More information.

Stanford Initiative for the Study of Supply Chain Responsibility Consortium Meeting
March 8, 2012, Stanford Graduate School of Business
The Stanford Initiative for the Study of Supply Chain Responsibility is studying the relationship between supplier social and environmental (SER) maturity and supply chain performance.  Stanford researchers presented initial findings and the draft SER dimensions, business practices, and maturity model for review and discussion with consortium members. More information. 

European Supply Chain Forum Workshop: The Interface Between New Product Development & Supply Chain
February 15, 2012, Eindhoven University of Technology
Innovation is important for sustainable competitive advantage and survival. Consequently, a large part of firm revenue and profits are from products introduced in the last three years, demanding closer coordination between R&D and supply chain functions; this workshop addressed the challenges involved in bridging new product development and supply chain processes. More information.

Patagonia Keeps a Close Eye on Its Supply Chain
November 30, 2011, Stanford Graduate School of Business
Seen as a leader in sustainable business practices, Patagonia tracks every step in the manufacture of its products to be sure there are "no unintended consequences of our actions," says founder Yvon Chouinard.  The privately held firm is one of 46 companies backing the implementation of a "Sustainability Index," a rating that would make it easy for eco-conscious consumers to make greener choices. More information.

Workshop: Risk and Resilience in Supply Chains
November 22, 2011 Eindhoven University of Technology
More information

Roundtable: Digital Delivery in a Physical World
September 22, 2011 Stanford Graduate School of Business
As technologies converge and customer expectations change, digital delivery of products, services, and information is rapidly becoming an industry norm.  Digital delivery can slash inventory while improving customer service and enhancing supply chain visibility; if you aren’t yet delivering some or all of your products digitally, chances are you will be in the near future. In this one-day roundtable, attendees learned how leading companies are developing their digital logistics strategies and their vision for the future, as well as how digital delivery can improve supply chain performance and how your company can prepare to take advantage of new technologies. Agenda

Workshop: Global Supply Chain Sustainability: "How Green Was My Supply Chain"
September 20, 2011Eindhoven University of Technology

Executive Education: Strategies and Leadership in Supply Chains
August 21 - 26, 2011 Stanford Graduate School of Business
The growing global economy has redefined the dynamics of competition for modern organizations. With product life cycles shortening and worldwide rivalries increasing, success depends on effective global supply chain management—being able to deliver the right product to the right market at the right time. The complexity involved in managing supply chains that span continents and dominate markets demands strategies and systems that are agile, adaptable, and aligned. Taught by world-renowned thought leaders in the field, this program gives you the tools you need to create and manage market-leading global supply chains. More information

Creating Business Value with Analytics and Big Data
July 20, 2011, Stanford School of Engineering
While "Big Data" means different things to different organizations, all definitions reflect unparalleled growth in data capture that results in datasets so large that they can't be managed by traditional database and analysis tools. The result: difficulty in capturing, storing, searching, sharing, visualizing and analyzing data. At this one-day roundtable, led by Professor Blake Johnson, and presented in partnership with Stanford's Management Science and Engineering department and Teradata Corporation, attendees learned about best practices, lessons learned, and winning ideas for managing Big Data from peers from across industries. Agenda View a summary of the day presented by Blake Johnson or read a summary of the days discussions

Workshop: Impact of Service Differentiation
June 22, 2011Eindhoven University of Technology

Managing Supply Chains in a Flat World: Challenges and Opportunities
June 3-4, 2011 Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
Globalization has intensified market competition and increased supply chain management complexity and flexibility. The forum, co-organized by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Stanford University, brought industrial practitioners and academia together to address the challenges and opportunities in the flat world. Leaders from multiple industrial sectors discussed the best practices in managing their supply chains, and the challenges and opportunities they face in globalization. This forum provided participants great opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration and featured speakers from Cisco, Emerson Electric, Agility Logistics, Luen Thai International Group, Sam's Club China, PCH International, and Lenovo speaking on topics ranging from supply chain disruption to lean transformation to the increasing challenges of managing logistics in China. Agenda More information

The Sustainable Supply Chain: Trend or Necessity
March 2011, Vereniging Logistiek Ontwerpers in partnership with Eindhoven University of Technology
Many companies have failed to implement successful environmental initiatives due to cost justifi¬cations and the vagueness of these initiatives. A move towards sustainability is only possible if management develops a sustainability concept that integrates economic and ecological goals where both companies and consumers can see the bene¬fits. This conference focused on identifying and evaluating high-impact sustainability initiatives that drive profi¬tability improvements.

Innovations in E-commerce
February 2011, Stanford Graduate School of Business
Innovations in mobile technologies and changing consumer behavior are expected to drive an explosion in e-commerce over the coming years, providing unique opportunities to leverage the accompanying growth in cross-border e-commerce. In order to benefit from anticipated growth, logistics organizations must develop flexible, seamless solutions for international e-retailers. These were just some of the findings to emerge from a senior-level roundtable on Innovations in e-commerce co-hosted by International Post Corporation and the Global Supply Chain Management Forum. The one-day roundtable brought together leading online, offline and cross-channel retailers like eBay, Wal-Mart, Gap and Safeway and key figures in the e-commerce value chain from the IT, logistics, and postal industries. Agenda

Turning Supply and Demand Uncertainty into a Competitive Advantage
May 2010, Stanford Graduate School of Business
This event, co-hosted by the Forum and Teradata Corporation, brought together over 70 supply chain executives to discuss supply chain success in today's business environment. Participants learned how leading firms are leveraging detailed end-customer demand data to improve forecast accuracy, and enabling rapid changes in product-level supply chain "run-rates"—at lower cost, risk and inventory—by building flexibility into key planning decisions for capacity, materials and production. Agenda

Collaboration for the Greater Good: Social and Environmental Responsibility in the Global Supply Chain
April 2010, Stanford Graduate School of Business
Co-hosted with AMR Research and Stanford Center for Social Innovation, this conference explored how innovative collaborations between businesses, nonprofits, and governments can solve social and environmental problems while maintaining or even enhancing profits. Agenda