This week on "Thoughts and Coffee", the conversation centered around pivotal supply chain pressures and evolving dynamics in leadership and cybersecurity. Here's a deeper dive into the highlights.
The Tariff Turmoil
The discussion began with the renewed volatility of global tariffs. Once the domain of trade wonks, tariffs have now become headline drivers.
Businesses are grappling with their unpredictability—planning becomes a moving target when new duties can be announced (or revoked) overnight.
This instability disrupts pricing strategies, sourcing decisions, and inventory management, leaving even well-established supply chains scrambling for contingency plans.
Leadership in the AI Era
As AI reshapes every corner of commerce, leadership backgrounds are under new scrutiny. Tim Cook's supply-chain-centric rise to CEO was once hailed as visionary.
But some panelists questioned whether a similar path would be celebrated today, or if companies might now favor leaders with AI or software expertise.
The takeaway: tomorrow’s tech titans may need more than operational mastery—they’ll need vision to navigate a world shaped by data and machine learning.
Cybersecurity Still a Sore Spot
A case study emerged with the closure of a 158-year-old company, reportedly triggered by a cybersecurity breach—specifically, a weak password. It’s a stark reminder that even in an era of AI and automation, fundamental cyber hygiene remains a frontline defense.
Leadership must prioritize not just cutting-edge systems but also employee awareness and enforcement of basic protocols.
Sustainability & the Mahjong Moment
While sustainability remains a staple in supply chain strategy, its urgency seems to ebb and flow with shifting regulations and economic conditions.
Meanwhile, new networking trends—like the surprising rise of Mahjong among startup founders—highlight how entrepreneurs are finding creative, low-pressure ways to build connections and deal flow.
