2024 is coming to a close, and it’s that time when we reflect on what we’ve achieved and, more importantly, what we’ll do differently in the year ahead. But here’s the hard truth: in the automotive industry, sticking to what’s always worked isn’t enough anymore. This isn’t just transformation—it’s full-blown reinvention.
In this solo episode, Jan Griffiths dives into what this means for supply chain leaders. The old ways of siloed processes, outdated leadership styles, and a “business as usual” mindset can’t keep up with the speed and competition reshaping the industry. And the competition isn’t waiting. Chinese OEMs are making waves globally, producing high-quality vehicles at a pace that’s hard to match. It’s a wake-up call for anyone still thinking the status quo is safe.
So, when you think about your supply chain and what it’s going to look like for 2025, know this: the Auto Supply Chain Prophets team is on a mission to arm you with the content and insights you need to succeed. If you’re wondering where to start, Jan mentions a few stand-out episodes to help frame your strategy for the year ahead.
And while 2024 brought incredible conversations, there’s even more to look forward to, as Jan hints at exciting changes for the podcast in 2025, including a new partnership and the addition of a co-host.
From Jan, Terry Onica at QAD, and the entire podcast production team, thank you for being part of this journey.
About: Jan is the architect of cultural change in the automotive industry. As the President & Founder of Gravitas Detroit, Jan brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for transforming company cultures. Additionally, she is the host of the Automotive Leaders Podcast, where she shares insightful conversations with industry visionaries. Jan is also the author of AutoCulture 2.0, a groundbreaking book that challenges the traditional leadership model prevalent in the automotive world. With her extensive experience and commitment to fostering positive change, Jan is at the forefront of revolutionizing the automotive landscape.
Please visit this link to access our complete collection of podcast episodes.
Transcripts
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We're used to transformation; we throw that term around a lot in the auto industry. I do it myself, but this is much bigger than that. This is complete reinvention. The last episode that we produced this year from the Auto Supply Chain Prophets Podcast was with Dr. Nadya. Now, Dr. Nadya is the Founder of the Reinvention Academy, and she gets it. She understands what's happening in the auto industry and why continuing to do business the way that we've always done it in terms of our processes, our siloed approach, our culture, and our leadership will not cut it anymore.
t it's going to look like for:
Now, a few episodes, I think, would help you frame up your thoughts for 2025. First of all is episode 72 with Dr. Nadya talking about reinvention and why it's so important. Then, go to episode 71, Embracing Ethical AI with Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt. I've known Charlotte for quite some time, and she really is a thought leader in the procurement and supply chain space. So, what about AI? And what is this thing called ethical AI? It's important to embrace AI as much as we possibly can but also to make sure that we've got the right guardrails in place.
And then, Number 70 is the episode that we did with Fred Coe. Now, we love having Fred on the show because he is the Chair of the AIAG EDI Advisory Group. And there's nothing that this man doesn't know about EDI, but he is shaping the future of EDI, and you have a chance to get your voice heard. If you listen to that episode, there are some links in the show notes to help you get your voice into the body of requirements that will surround EDI for the future.
And then, from a leadership perspective, another guest that we love to have on the show is Jim Liegghio from AIAG. And Jim talks a lot about building tomorrow's supply chain leaders and what AIAG is doing to break out of that mold that we once knew them to be the standards organization. Do you remember that? We used to think about AIAG as the blue book company. The company that put the blue books together. I remember when the blue books came out. Yes, I do. But AIAG is a whole new and different company right now. And it's great to talk to Jim to get a little bit of an insight as to what AIAG is all about, but their mission is very much aligned with the mission of this podcast. It is about giving you the tools that you need to be successful in the automotive supply chain.
ou frame up your thoughts for:
Sustainability is a hot topic for us. We have several episodes on sustainability, including episode 55, that you'll find interesting and will help frame up your thoughts on sustainability. And then, MMOG/LE, one of the best examples that we have of a company that has really implemented MMOG/LE successfully, and, yes, seen the impact to the bottom line. So, often, we think that these requirements are there just to make our life difficult, they're not. They have a purpose and a mission, and they can drive significant inventory results and additional results to the bottom line. And we talk to Wendy Horwitz and Jeffrey Baltazar at TS Tech to talk about their journey to success with MMOG/LE.
Pulling it all together is Nichole Felton, Vice President of Materials at the ZF Group. She's episode 49 and she talks about technology, ESG regulations, and strategic collaboration. And then, if you want to take a trip into the world of lean manufacturing, which we often do because supply chain is a critical part of that, we have two episodes with Beth Crowley, who is the lean manufacturing guru that we love to have on the show.
We covered quite a lot in:
Are you ready to find the money in your supply chain? Visit www. autosupplychainprophets.com to learn how or click the link in the show notes below.
