KnowlEdge Series

The Endless Search for Advantage: Supply Chain in Emerging Markets (Part 1)

Join a high-level conversation with fellow industry leaders and experts from The Conference Board to address emerging business issues identified by our members. Each KnowlEdge Series is composed of three or four half-hour programs that build on each other. The interactive, web-based format ensures ease of access. Supplemental materials and online availability keep the discussion going long after the series ends. Provocative and proactive, the KnowlEdge Series informs and deepens your company’s internal dialogue on the most pressing issues of the day.

As companies around the world increasingly turn to emerging economies for investment and growth, the impact on supply chain planning and management has been significant. These countries including China and India and – increasingly – Southeast Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East, provide both low cost labour and the expectation of growing consumer markets. The evolving dynamics of shifting economic advantage have increased the volatility and uncertainty of supply chains, requiring greater flexibility and forecasting capability, a sophisticated understanding of market dynamics and the ability to assess and manage both risks and opportunities.

This two-part KnowlEdge Series program will examine current issues related from the perspective of companies experiencing the pressures of expansion in these countries, including:

The relative advantage and risks of different markets
Barriers to entry and growth
Supply chain integration in emerging markets
Operational challenges and supply chain excellence
The efficiency/flexibility trade-off and achieving the right balance to achieve resiliency
Managing and mitigating risk.

Audience: This Knowledge Series is designed to discuss these issues in a forum setting with practitioners, advisers, and supply chain participants. The Series is targeted at global operations and supply chain executives, including sourcing, planning and general management.

Series Host

	Vipin Suri Program Director The Conference Board Managing Director Shared Services International Inc. Vipin Suri has served as Managing Director of Shared Services International since its establishment in July 2003. As a consulting alliance partner of The Amherst Group Limited he has successfully assisted a number of companies in the Asia-Pacific ... Full Bio
	Warren Sarafinchan CITT, Supply Chain Director Mars Canada, Inc. Warren Sarafinchan has nearly 20 years experience managing supply chain operations with a focus in the consumer packaged food and beverage industry. He is currently the Supply Chain Director for Mars Canada Inc., located in Bolton Ontario. Mr. Sar... Full Bio
	Pat Ressa Former SVP, Logistics Consumer Foods Over his career, Pat Ressa has been able to successfully find ways to leverage the power of an integrated supply chain to improve the bottom line in several companies. He has held several senior roles at Maple Leaf Foods, one of Canada’s lar... Full Bio