An informational interview is a great way to learn about a company or industry that interests you from a first-hand perspective. I know that it can be nerve-wracking to have coffee with a stranger, but the stakes are low, and what do you have to lose? Jay Reedy, MRED alumna was hesitant about informational interviews at first too.
Actively managing the cash-to-cash cycle in the supply chain requires cutting across multiple functions and processes of a company. Just as in a relay race with passing the baton, flawless handoffs between functions determines if we win or lose this competition. Again, we often assume that having world class tools and processes will make us great, when in fact we’re actually failures at running the business efficiently. This comes from not truly understanding how the company operates from a People, Process and Tool perspective.
The MBA classes, instructed by some of the most knowledgeable and inspiring professors in the field, conveyed invaluable lessons. I learned a variety of skills and had the opportunity to gain experiences, some of which were pivotal for my career and personal development.
As part of the Master of Global Supply Chain Management program, Daniel Wong and I lead the Supply Chain and Value Chain in Asia Field Study. This is a unique, on-the-ground opportunity to explore the challenges in globalized operations strategies. As we start our journey, we need to remember to consider our assumptions and consider when Western values do not apply. When working with global supply chains, social and environmental issues like child labor, unsafe working conditions and dumping of pollutants become core considerations.
