2018 is just about in the books. As we reflect on the past 12 months, many of us review our achievements, the opportunities we embraced, the relationships we formed and key lessons learned that can help us improve in the times ahead. With the New Year come new challenges, so we position ourselves to greet 2019 with confidence and positivity.

Here at ASCM, we are also positioning ourselves for the official launch of a brand new association, and we are energized by the boundless potential of ASCM and everyone in supply chain. We are keenly focused on the role we will play to help you and your organization achieve substantial corporate transformation, provide enhanced learning and development for your teams, and make an impact around the globe.

Corporate transformation

Many people see the New Year as a moment to make resolutions that will transform our lives for the better. In the same way, here at ASCM, we are transforming our business to help transform yours. As your unbiased partner and a collaborator you can count on, we will enable you to draw your roadmap to supply chain excellence in 2019 and beyond. Successful supply chains are highly integrated into business strategy and operations, so ASCM was developed with that goal in mind. Our comprehensive standards and expertise — including the new SCOR-Enterprise designation — make it possible to achieve maximum supply chain sustainability, scalability and competitive advantage.

Learning and development

Just as 2018’s innovations and shifting global trends demanded that supply chain professionals act and evolve, 2019 is sure to continue in this direction. The ability to provide excellent Customer Relations while reducing the cost to serve are key to operational success. This starts with clear roles, responsibilities and talent growth across the supply chain, including leadership development and support. To achieve these goals, ASCM partners with highly effective business leaders. Look to us in the coming year for the APICS certifications and training you’ve come to trust, plus an international network of alliances and thought-leadership collaborations and the ASCM Supply Chain Learning Center with on-demand resources.

Making an impact

Making New Year’s resolutions that we hope will improve our own lives is a worthy goal. However, resolving to help others takes this custom a profound step further. Together with our members, partners and customers, ASCM is committed to a set of bold, mission-driven, strategic initiatives that will address pressing global challenges and achieve brighter futures for individuals, companies and communities. We are proud to partner with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help build sustainable communities, manage the evolution of a frontier supply chain maturity model, and introduce globally recognized and locally adapted methods that will improve last-mile availability in public health supply chains.

I hope you will add “make an impact” to your own resolutions for 2019. Begin by visiting ascm.org and learning about how we can work together to shape stronger frontier and humanitarian supply chains, engage K-12 students with supply chain STEM programs, and enable supply chain innovation. This is an opportunity to help ASCM maximize the power of supply chain to create meaningful solutions for people, companies, industries and communities at a truly global scale.