How can we make 2021 a better year than 2020?
That will be easy, you might say.
At certain times of year, it just seems right to take stock and start fresh. In late August/early September, we continue to set off “to school” with sharpened pencils and a new box of crayons – long after those things have become memories or metaphors. And, of course, when the clock strikes midnight on December 31, we face those sometimes lauded, sometimes dreaded RESOLUTIONS.
Since March, every supply chain leader has pivoted, mobilized, or innovated – probably all three. Like the women in our community, AWESOME has pivoted, mobilized, and innovated, too. When our signature annual AWESOME Symposium couldn’t happen in person, we held two virtual Mini-Symposiums and a line-up of AWESOME 2020 Virtual Events: Transformative Leadership Panels, “Up-Close” Conversations, Lead-and-Succeed Workshops, Strategic Partnership Sessions, Awards Celebrations, and LIGHTNING Rounds. We invented new ways to bring together senior women in supply chain for connecting, learning, collaboration, recognition and inspiration, and videos of many of those events are available to you now. We expanded our AWESOME Scholars Program so we could reach, encourage and support more young women entering the supply chain field. And we will do even more in 2021.
We caught this spirit of resilience and re-invention from the women in our community, who continue to inspire and energize us every day. Here’s what some have said about 2021:
“Show up as yourself every day.”
“Keep the ingenuity you resorted to in 2020 alive in 2021”
“Expect change and make it work for you.”
My own personal words of inspiration for 2021 are “heal” and “create.” There’s potential there for each of us – and all of us together – to make 2021 a year for tremendous growth and success.
Although 2020 may have been a year of challenges, disappointments and loss, it was also a year of learning, overcoming and resolving – with unwavering perseverance. As for AWESOME, we resolve to advance and transform – in fact, to drive and accelerate – the future of supply chain leadership.
Wishing you all the best in 2021,
Michelle Dilley
CEO, AWESOME
“Although 2020 may have been a year of challenges, disappointments and loss, it was also a year of learning, overcoming and resolving – with unwavering perseverance.”