“You need to come up with unique solutions to the current problems in logistics.”
Some 30 years ago there was a big push in the supply chain and logistics industry to outsource just about everything, recalls Sudarshan Bahl who has been in the industry long enough to see it evolve and trend back again.
“Now we’re talking about bringing some of it back.”
Bahl, who teaches Logistics and Transportation Management, which starts Saturday, March 16 and other courses in the new Procurement and Supply Chain Management certificate program, observes the industry becoming more cautious about expanding outsourcing operations.
Rising outsourcing costs
“It has become less effective to manage it oversees,” he says noting rising labor costs in China and other obstacles, such as intellectual property infringement, tariffs, and the changing political landscape.
“People will be looking to new, less expensive markets—whether that’s Africa, South America, or any other under developed region in the world. It will mean a change in how logistics specialists select, monitor, and manage global suppliers and their performance.”
Technological impacts
Meanwhile technology is revolutionizing the industry. Logistics professionals have to find solutions for immediate transportation of goods. Online retailers have the burden to provide overnight and same-day service, as well as customer pick-up window. Robots are operating warehouses and transport via drone is becoming popular.
Technology is critical, but it can solve one problem and create another. For example, lax regulations on the use of drones for transportation of goods can result in air traffic control problems.
Now that everybody with a driving license can potentially be in the transportation business, are Uber and Lyft effective choices to manage deliveries?
Collaborative problem solving
In the classroom, students in Bahl’s courses focus on current scenarios playing out in business boardrooms around the world. They work out the best solutions for different kinds of organizations.
“We’ll be using current theories and looking at historic and current approaches,” he says. “Today’s problems can’t be solved just by reading text or case studies. If you’re an entrepreneur, you need to come up with unique solutions to the current problems in logistics.”
About Sudarshan Bahl
SUDARSHAN BAHL, MBA, ME, M. Phil., M.S., a recognized expert in operations, supply chain management, customer care, quality, reliability, and Lean Six Sigma, has managed global quality, supply chain and engineering organizations for close to 30 years. He was senior vice president of Quality and Operational Excellence for several global Fortune 500 corporations. He also managed corporate sustainability, social and environmental responsibility initiatives. Bahl consulted with OEM, EMS and service companies in outsourcing, customer satisfaction, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, compliance and operational excellence. Sudarshan is also a lead auditor for ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and ISO 14001 standards, has served as keynote speaker at industry and tech conferences, and taught widely. He serves on the advisory board of corporations and nonprofit organizations, is a member of the Board of Examiners of the Shingo Institute, and an assessor for the AME Manufacturing Excellence Award. He implemented processes for prestigious awards including the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence. Also an entrepreneur, he has run successful consulting, health food, and sporting goods business. Bahl holds master’s degrees from Santa Clara University, University of Toronto, and from the Institute for Advanced Studies at Meerut University in India.
Here are Sudarshan Bahl’s upcoming courses:
Logistics and Transportation Management
Starts Saturday, March 16
Supply Chain Operations Management
Starts June 1, 2019
Managing Global Supply Chains
Starts May 4, 2019
Logistics and Transportation Management
Starts Aug. 3, 2019