We’ll get through these crazy economic times, and I am predicting faster than many think today, but regardless, I believe most of us should be thankful in this week of the Thanksgiving holiday in the US that our careers are in the supply chain.

Consider:

• The long-term trend for the profession is very bullish. My friend Dave MacEachern of recruiting firm Spencer Stuart has repeatedly said that demand for top tier supply chain talent will exceed supply for at least 10 years.
  
• Whatever fits and starts there will be along the path, globalization is here to stay and, in the end, elevates the profession. Moving materials and information around the world is hard, and requires valuable expertise.
  
• The 21st century is going to see rapid increases in the standard of living of many now very poor countries, and supply chain practices will be at the forefront. As Art Mesher said in his excellent acceptance speech upon winning the Distinguished Service Award at the CSCMP annual conference last month, “It’s very clear that there is a new world order upon us and that our disciplines will be the key driver to making the world a better place in the future.”

So, for these and many other reasons, all told the Supply Chain is a pretty good place to be. There are challenges generally, some less than pleasant aspects of the job sometimes (mostly the constant pressure to reduce costs that many face), and any individual company/’situation can have problems (knucklehead bosses and all that), but relatively, I think being in the supply chain right now beats most alternatives.

Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks to you SCDigest readers!

I’d love your thoughts on this.