Mentorship in Supply Chain & Logistics: Unlocking Success

Richard Branson is a huge fan of mentoring. As he once said: “I have always been a huge believer in the inestimable value good mentoring can contribute to any nascent business.” SHEVON KOTIAH agrees, noting that mentoring is extremely important within supply chain management.

The pictures accompanying this article have been circulating on social media for a couple of years. They were taken during a trial by Hyundai at Knowsley Safari Park in Prescot, Merseyside, England. The Hyundai was handed over to the park and its baboon troop for 10 hours and left unattended. The designers wanted to assess the quality of the hatchback.

From this picture, we can see and understand that even though the troop has taken control of the vehicle, they are unable to move it forward – because they don’t know how to drive and haven’t been trained.

Looking at this photograph, I started to consider how the same holds true for different industries. Lots of young people or graduates with qualifications are entering the workforce. But are we providing them with the necessary tools, training, and guidance to advance the supply chain and logistics industry? Yes, they have succeeded in entering the supply chain and logistics industry, but have they been adequately equipped, or is the lack of training and mentorship one of the reasons we find the South African supply chain in its current state? (I am referring here to the recent port and trade route dilemmas).

We should never assume any problem in our country is someone else’s responsibility. It is our collective responsibility to find solutions to problems that affect us all. Recent events – such as Covid, civil unrest, looting, and flooding – have demonstrated the impact of such problems on the economy as a whole and the supply chain and logistics sector specifically. We should, therefore, focus on being part of the solution by actively seeking ways to address these challenges. By doing so, we can help build a better future for ourselves and generations to come. One such solution can be found in mentorships.

In an article written for BBrief in April last year, Adebayo Adeleke wrote that coaching and mentoring are teaching pillars that cannot be overlooked in Africa’s supply chain, emphasising: “Africa’s supply chain is in dire need of (an) each one teaching one structure. The continent has over 100 million people practicing supply chain daily and many are making grave mistakes. Africa’s supply chain will continue to grapple with the rest of the world if we don’t teach and coach younger professionals.”

I frequently hear people say, “I wish I had a mentor; I wish I had someone to guide me through the ins and outs of the industry.”

Mentoring is a proven way to benefit everyone involved. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to share your valuable knowledge with others before moving on to new ventures. Take the time to make a difference and leave a lasting impact. My mentors are as diverse as my experiences and represent the many facets that have shaped me both personally and professionally.