Overview of Accenture's Supply Chain Academy Online Capability Building Solution

1. Accenture Supply
Chain Academy
The supply chain learning choice
that drives high performance

2. Addressing a key
business challenge
Supply chain performance is critical to business
success. With increasing complexity and the rise
of a hyper competitive world, an underperform-
ing or unfit supply chain can prove unforgiving.
Across industries, high performance businesses
demonstrate a unique ability to consistently
manage their supply chain to achieve superior
business performance.
In recent years, many organizations have but has become a global commodity Second, the workforce profile of the adapt
invested in process and technology im- that is fought over by multiple competi- to these new sources of labor. Finally,
provements to enhance supply chain per- tors. While many Western economies are young talent demands training that makes
formance. While high-performance busi- grappling with the effects of older and—in use of the latest technologies to provide
nesses have also made these investments some cases—shrinking workforces, the convenience and keeps up with the latest
in supply chain, they have also recognized balance of global labor supply is shifting trends and best practices.
the importance that people play in driving to developing economies owing to their
execution discipline, innovation and the rapid population growth. Not surprisingly, The Accenture Supply Chain Academy
ability to produce results from technology Western multinationals are increasingly addresses these challenges by providing
and process improvements. seeking to tap into these new sources of a comprehensive virtual training cur-
talent. However, these supply side shifts riculum across all supply chain disciplines
According to Accenture research on supply are occurring in tandem with fierce com- that is available to its users on demand
chain that drive high performance, one of petition for skilled employees: not only and from any location in the world. Its
the seven key imperatives for achieving are indigenous companies in emerging blended learning environment combines
high performance is appropriately ad- economies competing head to head with hundreds of supply chain courses with
dressing the talent needs within the supply overseas multinationals for new recruits interactive distance-learning events,
chain. Organizations are in need of well- and experienced managers, they are also simulations and online resources. No other
trained, knowledgeable professionals— seeking to lure diaspora workforces back supply chain training program encom-
those who can integrate across all entities home. Additionally, companies need to be passes this breadth of content with such
and processes within the supply chain able to be able to attract and retain the extensive depth, global reach and variety
arena. Rather than providing educational next-generation workforce by understand- of curriculum-delivery options. It provides
opportunities to only a few leaders or high ing and addressing their career develop- companies with a training program that
potential employees in the organization, ment needs. is flexible, addressing the need for agility,
high-performance businesses invest in consistency and continuous improvement.
educating the broader supply chain organi- Such a high level of competition presents a
zation through a continuous cycle in order number of challenges for employers. First, In forward-looking companies, competen-
to maximize impact and results. it is important for an effective supply chain cies have become the primary driver for
to invest in the development of its talent in employee assessment and development,
At the same time, talent is no longer the order to increase its ability to recruit and the development of training solutions and
exclusive preserve of the Western world, retain the best people. all aspects of talent management.

3. Competencies are defined as a set of entire personal development program formal training in fundamental and ad-
observable behaviors that encompass can then be tracked through advanced vanced supply chain skills—at a time when
the knowledge, skills, attitudes, motives, reporting functionalities. Finally, it is even demand for experienced supply chain
and temperaments that distinguish top possible to integrate the Academy’s course professionals has never been higher.
performers. framework into your company’s exist-
ing learning- management system. The
As companies may develop or adopt highly Academy, therefore, offers a completely
different competency structures, the tailored learning approach that provides
Supply Chain Academy offers a flexible a single platform for the training needs of
architecture that makes it possible to align the entire supply chain organization.
the Academy’s curriculum offerings with
your organization’s specific competencies. The Supply Chain Academy’s courses
Alternatively, the architecture also allows integrate the “best-of-the-best” supply
the adaptation of the Academy’s flexible chain ideas and content from functional,
competency structure to your organiza- industry and academic experts, and lever-
tion’s specific training needs. It there- age Accenture’s unmatched experience
fore doesn’t matter what competency in identifying successful supply chain
structure your company has, the Academy practices and helping clients become
allows you to align courses with your high-performance businesses. Clients ben-
company’s competencies and build the efit from the insights and experience of a
required learning series to close the skill team of supply chain professionals from
gaps that exist in your organization. dozens of organizations around the globe.
These consultants, educators and practi-
Additionally, it is possible for organizations tioners provide learners with leading-edge
to add their own professional develop- thinking and best practices in every aspect
ment content to the Academy’s course of supply chain operations and strategy.
framework, to ensure that all supply
chain training within your organization With its one-of-a-kind combination of
is integrated onto a single platform. The quality content and comprehensive depth,
progress of individual students within their the Supply Chain Academy provides

4. “The Supply Chain Academy has
helped us to uniformly define
processes and terminology across
the business functions.”
Thomas Foerster, Supply Chain Academy Manager
BASF-YPC Company Limited
Figure 1: Supply Chain Academy provides a comprehensive learning resource
Global Supply Classroom Learning
Case
Chain Simulation and Workshops
Based
Learning
Program • Hundreds of online courses/web-casts
Distance
developed over the past 5 years
• 70 new courses and 24 new web-casts Learning
scheduled for development in FY09 Events
400 Online • Available 24/7 to users around the world (2x a month
e-Books • Accessible via any computer (home, for all clients)
White office, hotel)
Papers • Extremely portable (users can print out
courses or download audio-casts to iPods)
and Web • Highly customizable to each user through Customer
Articles use of the SCA’s Curriculum Builder Courses
and
Webcasts
Core Online Content

5. “The most significant impact of the
Supply Chain Academy has been the
improved business results and stra-
tegic transformation of the Caterpil-
lar workforce in support of the long
term corporate vision.”
Pam Craig, Global Purchasing Professional
Development Manager, Caterpillar
Figure 2: Among the distinguishing aspects of the Supply Chain Academy are:
Available online A portal available 24/7/365 through Internet access, with more than 27,500 users in 140 countries.
Comprehensive Hundreds of courses—by far, the largest and most comprehensive supply chain course library available
from any learning provider, anywhere
Complete coverage Designed specifically for supply chain professionals, with full coverage of all supply chain functions,
including procurement, planning, inventory management, logistics, manufacturing and customer service.
Flexible A highly flexible architecture that allows organizations to adapt a competency model to fit their own
needs, add their own professional development content, or integrate with a learning management system.
Leading eperts Course content developed by leading supply chain experts from around the world in consulting, business
and academia.
Blended architecture Education delivered using a blended e-learning architecture—including simulations, virtual instructor-led
training, webcasts, case-based learning and online self-study courses.
Translations Courses available in English, Chinese, Japanese, German and Spanish
Certifications Supports certifications provided by leading academic and professional societies, including APICS, RILA,
ISM, CIPS and ECRA.

6. The Supply Chain Academy: If part of your learning strategy is to The Supply Chain Academy helps orga-
• Provides consistency across the organi- support your top performers in attain- nizations create a better performing,
zation through a common operating ing industry certification, the Supply more proficient and more consistently
language Chain Academy can help. We recognize trained global supply chain workforce,
• Raises the bar on workforce perform- the importance of certification—for while promoting job satisfaction and
ance through a focus on critical supply both the organization and the individ- improving staff retention.
chain competencies ual—and work with leading industry
• Overcomes geographic barriers to organizations to provide a mechanism
workforce skill development: that makes it more convenient to obtain
– Global reach across the organization these industry qualifications, by ensur-
produces greater impact and more ing that most of the preparation work
consistent results can be done online rather than through
– Classroom training can stay focused classroom or workshop sessions. The
on advanced and higher value-add Supply Chain Academy currently pro-
topics vides learning programs supporting five
• Reduces travel costs associated with key industry certifications, by wokring
training delivery with the Association for Operations
• Rapidly begins the process of skill de- Management (APICS), the Retail Indus-
velopment for new employees through try Leaders Association (RILA), Efficient
online access Consumer Response Australasia (ECRA),
• Provides convenience and continuous the Institute for Supply Management
improvement opportunities to address (ISM) and the Chartered Institute of
the changing demographics of today’s Purchasing & Supply (CIPS).
workforce.

7. “…with thousands of highly
experienced retail and supply chain
management professionals, Accenture
was the optimal partner to help make
it happen.”
Gary Maxwell, Senior Vice President,
International Supply Chain, Wal-Mart

8. The Supply Chain Academy serves more
than 36,000 users in 140 countries. Clients
comprise numerous Fortune 1000 compa-
nies, including Air Products and Chemicals,
BASF, Best Buy, BHP Billiton, Bombardier
Transportation, BP, Caterpillar, Honda Trad-
ing America, Mars, MeadWestvaco, Shell,
Syngenta, Tenaris, Unilever, Wal-Mart and
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. When it comes
to supply chain learning, the Supply Chain
Academy is the choice of high-performance
businesses.
Visit www.supplychainacademy.com for
more information about how this unique
learning solution can best support you on
your journey to high performance. Or con-
tact us at info@supplychainacademy.com
for online demos, or to arrange a “virtual
tour.”
Copyright © 2009 Accenture About Accenture About Accenture Supply Chain Management
All rights reserved. Accenture is a global management consult- The Accenture Supply Chain
ing, technology services and outsourcing Management service line works with
Accenture, its logo, and High Performance company. Combining unparalleled experi- clients across a broad range of industries to
Delivered are trademarks of Accenture. ence, comprehensive capabilities across all develop and execute operational strategies
industries and business functions, and ex- that enable profitable growth in new and
tensive research on the world’s most suc- existing markets. Committed to helping
cessful companies, Accenture collaborates clients achieve high performance through
with clients to help them become high- supply chain mastery, we combine global
performance businesses and governments. industry expertise and skills in supply chain
With more than 186,000 people serving strategy, sourcing and procurement, supply
clients in over 120 countries, the company chain planning, manufacturing and design,
generated net revenues of US$23.39 billion fulfillment, and service management to
for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2008. Its help organizations transform their supply
home page is www.accenture.com chain capabilities.
We collaborate with clients to implement
innovative consulting and outsourcing
solutions that align operating models to
support business strategies, optimize global
operations, enable profitable product
launches, and enhance the skills and capa-
bilities of the supply chain workforce.
For more information, visit
www.accenture.com/supplychain