Young Professionals Network presents education track at Modex 2016

How best to attract and retain the next generation of supply chain workers to our industry is a frequent topic of discussion. That’s why MHI’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) is dedicating its first formal educational track to the subject at Modex 2016.

On Tuesday at the show, the “New Generation Supply Chain Workforce” event kicks off at 10 a.m., and includes two panel discussions and two speaker presentations. The day concludes with an informal gathering for networking from 5 to 6 p.m. All of the sessions, including the networking portion, will be held in the Georgia World Congress Center’s Hall B, Room B312.

Participation in some, or all, of the sessions is free and advanced registration is not required. The panel discussions, speaker sessions and networking event are all first-come/first-served.

“There’s been tremendous interest from both seasoned veterans of the industry and from young professionals just entering our field about how to attract more fresh faces to supply chain careers,” said Devon Birch, MHI’s director of membership and coordinator of YPN. “Additionally, there’s a lot more inclusiveness in the field than there has been in the past. We’re seeing more women, more young professionals and more diversity—which is very encouraging.”

The topics and speakers for the track were selected for their relevance to industry professionals, both new and seasoned. Panelists and presenters will share insights into how to recruit and keep the next generation workforce engaged, while supporting their successful career development. That’s why the sessions are open to attendees at every career level.

“We’ve gotten a lot of feedback from the upper management and executive ranks that they’ve learned a lot from our webinars about how to relate to and develop the next generation of industry leaders,” Birch continued. “We hope to see a broad representation of supply chain professionals during each session.

The track kicks off with a panel of women in the field to discuss “The Supply Chain: It’s Not Just for the Guys Anymore,” from 10 - 11:15 a.m. This moderated session of panelists will delve into the challenges that come with being a female supply chain industry professional. They will also examine ways to mentor and support the new generation of women, and share insights into how each excelled in a typically male-dominated field.

Next, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., researcher Seth Mattison, founder of FutureSight Labs, will present “The Future of Work Today: Insights from the World of Work.” Mattison, an internationally known expert on workforce trends and generational dynamics, will help current and future business leaders understand how to lead from a position of influence in the new world of work. He’ll also explain how to win over the hearts and minds of colleagues through courage and better two-way communication to inspire transformational change.

Following a break, the sessions resume with a second moderated panel discussion, “The Changing Faces in Workforce: Diversity in the Supply Chain,” from 2 – 3:15 p.m. Panelists will examine the challenges, dynamics and trends in today’s increasingly diverse supply chain industry. They’ll also share ideas for promoting and encouraging diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

From 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., author Valerie Alexander will share “How Women Can Succeed in the Workplace (Despite having ‘Female Brains’).” Her presentation explores the evolution of the gendered brain through 2 million years of development, and its relationship to what gets recognized and promoted in male-designed businesses. She’ll also examine how women’s natural tendencies can prevent them from succeeding in the workplace, and will provide clear, concise steps women must take to even the playing field.

Modex 2016 is scheduled to be held April 4-7, 2016 in Atlanta’s Georgia World Conference Center. The tradeshow will showcase the latest manufacturing, distribution and supply chain solutions in the material handling and logistics industry. Modern’s complete Modex coverage.