Swifter, Higher, Stronger

It's only fitting to recognize the XXX Olympiad in London at this time.  Usually, in August I express some amazement at the challenges of event logistics and project supply chains as a result of our Columbus affiliate pulling off the PurpleStride celebration for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  That noble effort, however, pales in comparison with what is involved in a multi-week series of events involving thousands of athletes, coaches, and families - and an army of spectators in dozens of venues.

It is military in scale, and has the exciting feature of massive  reverse logistics at its conclusion, as well.

All supply chains are faced with the swifter, higher, stronger challenge in year-on-year performance.  I'll submit that this is easier to approach for those chains that have the advantage of continuous operation, in which it is a little less daunting to contemplate continuous improvement. 

For those whose supply chain life is marked by periodic immense one-off planning and operations, and in which flawless performance is the imperative,  the challenge is also complicated by working without a net.  My friend, John Janson, makes the football placekicker analogy: the walk-off field goal is the minimum expectation, forgotten by the time of next week's game; the phrase "wide right" echoes for generations.

Meanwhile, for all of us, it's "swifter, higher, stronger".  Even if we can't take the gold every time out, we can take heart from Ohio's Holley Mangold.  A rookie, hampered with a bum wing, she left it all in the arena, and still managed to be tenth-best in the world in her specialty.