Welcome to the December newsletter.
What a rollercoaster ride 2020 has been – one of those years that tests our ability to weather the storm, bounce back and emerge stronger and more resilient. We have seen yet again that change is the only constant, and preparedness is key.
COVID-19 made us explore new ways of working and connecting – we may have been pushed out of our offices, but the digital medium has brought us closer across worldwide markets. The global work-from-home experiment helped us realise that our homes could be great workspaces too. Webinars, industry briefings, virtual business missions, site visits and B2B meetings are making it easier to connect with markets across the globe and to stay on top of current trends and projects.
Digital transformation continues with its exponential growth. Digital technologies such as AI are accelerating automation and supporting complex decision making – while allocating more creative and imaginative tasks to humans, allowing innovations to be fast-tracked. The Internet of Things continues to grow, and web technologies help advance interoperability by integrating platforms, devices, and cloud services.
Disruptions to supply chains and export markets as a result of restrictions highlighted the critical importance of understanding your suppliers and connecting with your customers along tiers in the supply chain. There is a greater emphasis on connecting with local suppliers and customers, supported by the Modern Manufacturing Strategy. ICN has also made it easier for businesses to connect with each other through ICN Connect, helping solve service and supply needs in the local economy.
2020 has certainly reshaped the way we look at things and taught us the importance of considering new ways of working, new supply chain opportunities and new markets.
The ICN SA office will be closed from 23 December 2020 to 11 January 2021, and we wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a successful 2021.
Bettina Venner
Manager Supply Chain Development
Read the full newsletter here.