Imagine a procurement specialist receiving a pop-up tutorial on supplier risk assessment right as they evaluate a new vendor, or a chatbot guiding them through the steps of creating a compliant purchase order in the ERP system. This is lean, just-in-time learning designed to turn new hires into value creators from day one.

Derek Lutz redefines remote work as “work from anywhere”-not just from home, but from coworking spaces, airport lounges, or even a gas station parking lot. Drawing from his experience leading distributed teams across continents, Lutz demonstrates that productivity and innovation thrive when leaders build systems rooted in flexibility, trust, and clear priorities.

The most successful supply chain leaders distinguish themselves through adaptability, communication, and strategic thinking-skills often mislabeled as “soft.” This article challenges the outdated term, arguing these are essential professional skills that drive organizational success