This posting is to provide our Supply Chain Matters readership with an update on our Ferrari Consulting and Research Group’s 2021 Predictions for Industry and Global Supply Chains Research Advisory report.
Readers might recall that we have provided some initial commentaries summarizing this year’s annual predictions. The full detailed research report, which this year consists of 38 pages, is now completed and is being circulated to our various direct clients and blog sponsors.
Supply Chain Matters readers will be able to download the report on a complimentary basis starting on January 19. We will publish a subsequent blog update when the report is populated into our Research Center.
Starting next week, and for subsequent weeks, we will be featuring on Supply Chain Matters, select extracts of our detailed ten predictions. Upcoming Supply Chain Matters Podcasts in January and February will further feature recognized thought leaders related to specific prediction topics in the coming year.
As Managing Director, I wanted to share with our readers some additional information.
Since our inception in 2008, we have placed a lot of emphasis on our prediction focused report. We do so for two primary reasons.
The first is that the report can and by direct reader feedback, often serves as a reference for supply chain management and other business executives and practitioners as to what to expect in the coming year. It represents our view of the key priorities in business process capability, technology and other dimensions. The second is that the report establishes our research and blogging topics agenda for the coming year.
We further pride ourselves in the notions that predictions are not a one-time event, or a dart throwing exercise, that we actually monitor these areas throughout the year, and scorecard each of our predictions towards the end of the year.
In case of scoring 2020, we acknowledged that very few would have predicted what occurred.
I have to openly state our disappointment in continuing to view prediction formats from other industry analyst or presumed thought leadership firms as by my lens, mostly parroting predictions from individual technology or services providers. That is not to presume that such providers do not have valuable insights into their particular technology and services areas. They certainly do so, and we value such considerations and perspectives when we research and compose our predictions.
Our concern is that such predictions be communicated separately by individual tech providers as well as thought leaders. In other words, if the thought leaders desire to share their perspectives on what to anticipate, than put in the work to research, compose and synthesize your own predictions, as well as evaluate their effectiveness during the year. This is the basis of independent thought leadership.
The value we provide as thought leaders is in either diversity of opinion or consensus as to important areas needing attention and investment. Our role is to sort thru the noise and the hype and provide cogent analysis and arguments.
In the end, supply chain management and respective business leaders will have to make their respective decisions as to organizational focus, investments and prioritization based on unique business needs. Our role is to provide broad perspectives and perhaps push the envelope of thinking.
Some reading this commentary might also question why we provide a comprehensive report on a complimentary basis. We have done so out of a belief that predictions should be open sourced, available to all that require them to succeed in their businesses and careers. Of late, we are beginning to question that approach.
Bob Ferrari
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