Supply Chain Coaching is a growing field, and many are exploring its benefits. It offers valuable support for improving various aspects of the supply chain.
Trent Morris, a seasoned coach with experience working with businesses worldwide, shares his expertise on how Supply Chain Coaching can drive meaningful improvements and why it might be the right choice for you.
Watch the video below!
Rob: Supply Chain Coaching! What is it and how do you access it? That’s what we’re going to be talking about this week. Welcome back to Trent Morris! Trent, thank you for joining us.
Trent: My pleasure, Rob!
Understanding the Role of a Supply Chain Coach
Rob: So, Trent, you’re known on the channel and within Logistics Bureau as an expert in procurement, ocean freight, and outsourcing. But for the past few years, you’ve been leading our coaching programs. We haven’t talked about that much before. Can you explain what a supply chain coach is, who it suits, how to access it, and what some of the benefits are?
Trent: Sure, sure! A supply chain coach is designed to help a company maximize the performance of their supply chain. This can involve guidance on unknown processes, optimizing existing ones, and even training junior management to prepare the next generation of leaders. Coaching is multifaceted and can help in many areas.
We do a lot of coaching with small and medium enterprises that can’t afford a full-time supply chain manager or director but still need that expertise. We also work with larger organizations looking to build new functions but don’t want to hire a full-time project manager. We provide the necessary guidance as required, helping them develop new functions, services, or even conduct feasibility studies without needing a full-time headcount.
Coaching Compared to Consulting
Rob: That’s great! Just to clarify, our day job is full-time management consulting. When we help someone with a logistics outsourcing process, we handle everything – sourcing suppliers, managing proposals, drafting documents, etc. But in your coaching role, you’re helping the client’s staff do that themselves, right?
Trent: Exactly right! In coaching, we guide the client’s team through the process, helping them develop the skills and knowledge needed to manage their supply chain processes independently. This approach ensures effective knowledge transfer and empowers the organization to handle future challenges on their own.
Trent’s International Coaching Journey
Rob: I’ve seen you take on many coaching assignments between your major consulting projects. You’ve been coaching in Hawaii, Vietnam, Thailand, and New Zealand. Can you share some of those experiences?
Trent: Sure! I’ve done quite a few coaching assignments. Hawaii was one of the first and a major success. It was with a civil engineering company setting up a procurement department. I’ve also worked in e-commerce, Vietnam, Thailand, and New Zealand. We offer brief consultations to help people determine if coaching is right for them. We’ve had queries from Pakistan, the USA, and all over the world. The great thing about supply chain is that once you have experience in one area, it often translates well to other industries.
Locating a Supply Chain Coach
Rob: That’s impressive! So, how do people find a supply chain coach? We don’t run this channel just to plug our consulting services, but what are some other ways people can find a coach? Can they network through industry contacts, for example?
Trent: Absolutely! Industry contacts are a great place to start. Associations like the Supply Chain Association of Australia have experienced professionals. LinkedIn is another excellent resource – just search for “supply chain coach.” Many people find us through Google searches. Networking and digital searches are very effective for finding the right coach.
For detailed information of this topic, watch the video above.
Related articles on this topic have appeared throughout our website, check them out:
- Change Leadership: The Real Key to Transforming Your Supply Chain
- How to Boost Your Supply Chain Knowledge Beyond Certification
- Supply Chain Education: Complementing Theory with Pragmatism
Editor’s Note: The content of this post was originally published on Logistics Bureau’s website dated November 01, 2023, under the title “Supply Chain Coaching – What is it and Why use a Coach with Trent“.
