Yossi Sheffi

Based on his book: The Magic Conveyor Belt: Supply Chains, A.I., and the Future of Work (April 2023), Professor Sheffi analyzes past technological changes and what the future workplace will look like. He will also outline the roles of individuals, companies, and governments in preparing for the future.

In this speech, Professor Sheffi addresses the following questions:

• Will advanced technology replace jobs?
• Will AI make people redundant?
• What will the future workplace look like?

Companies’ fortunes in the face of disruption depend more on the choices made before the shock than actions taken in the midst of it. The interconnectedness of the global economy today means that unexpected events in one corner of the globe can ripple through the world’s supply chain and affect customers everywhere. This presentation includes examples of Yossi Sheffi’s extensive experience working with companies before, during, and after major disruptions. Furthermore, Professor Sheffi will cover:

• How companies can build flexibility throughout their supply chains
• How corporate culture can make or break a company’s flexibility in disruption
• Case studies from leading organizations

In this presentation, Professor Sheffi discusses the impact of the pandemic, as well as current events, on the structure of future supply chains. Sheffi conducted research with multiple companies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he wrote two books concerning the pandemic, The New (AB)NORMAL) and A Shot In The Arm, that were widely acclaimed by academics and business leaders. In this presentation, Professor Sheffi will cover topics such as:

• The Future of Business in China
• JIT
• The notion that supply chains failed during the pandemic (they did not)

For companies, sustainability is not a simple case of “profits versus planet.” Businesses face natural resource costs, public relations problems, regulatory burdens, and a green consumer segment. In this presentation, Professor Sheffi sheds light on:

• What it takes to build a green supply chain
• The difficulties of building a green supply chain and lack of consumers’ “buy in”
• Whether, and to what extent, companies should invest and engage in green initiatives

Yossi Sheffi based this groundbreaking presentation on his research that addresses unexplained business trends that are rooted in logistics clusters – geographically concentrated sets of logistics related business activity. Professor Sheffi covers:

• Why multiple companies of the same type like to luster geographically
• Why competitors benefit from geographical proximity
• What real-world examples demonstrate these phenomena