If there’s one thing supply chain professionals appreciate, it’s predictability. Obviously, we haven’t experienced much of that in the past few years; in fact, uncertainty has only gotten more acute.
This week, Reuters reports: “President Donald Trump's move to impose sweeping tariffs on U.S. imports on allies and rivals alike sparked threats of retaliation, intensifying a global trade war that threatens to stoke inflation and raising fears of recession. The penalties announced on Wednesday unleashed turbulence across world markets and drew condemnation from other leaders facing the end of an era of trade liberalization that has shaped the global order for decades.”
Indeed, the Trump administration’s frequent and often contradictory tariff announcements are causing supply chain managers around the world to wonder what might possibly happen next. And unfortunately, hiring in volatile times sometimes feels like a gamble: “The tariff chaos has caused a deer-in-headlights moment for many firms,” reports CNN. “Executives don’t know how high tariffs will go, what products will be affected or how long they’ll stay in place. Faced with deep uncertainty, some businesses are pulling back.”
The article cites a new survey of 2,600 CFOs, which found that trade and tariffs top their list of concerns. Economic optimism fell, too. And the data revealed that one-quarter of business leaders believe the changes to trade policy will negatively affect their hiring plans in 2025. Forbes agrees: “Companies historically hesitate to expand workforces or invest in production capacity when future trade conditions remain unpredictable. ... With North American supply chains being so highly integrated, we stand to experience significant workforce adjustments as companies reassess their operational strategies.”
One-stop shop for supply chain education
No matter the trade landscape, there’s one thing we can always depend on: the value of people. So now, at a time when many supply chain organizations aren't hiring, upskilling and reskilling existing team members becomes paramount. Plus, investing in workforce development is rewarding for employees, as it shows a clear interest in their futures, which leads to greater engagement and loyalty.
ASCM offers many avenues for upskilling or reskilling your workforce:
- Our corporate solutions are tailored to fit any organization, with industry-leading standards and benchmarks to identify areas for improvement, implement measurable tactics and optimize operations.
- Talent development is available to equip your people with the knowledge and processes to streamline supply chain operations; implement consistent best practices; and deliver results with flexible, performance-driven training and seminars.
- Our APICS certifications offer comprehensive learning options, including self-study, instructor-led and group programs.
- We have a plethora of certificates to keep your teams up-to-date on the latest tools, skills and technology for the most essential supply chain activities.
Elevate your team’s knowledge base, accelerate transformation and prove your commitment to growing the careers of each supply chain professional in your workforce. Contact us to get started today.
Stay informed and prepared with ASCM's Tariff Tracker, your essential source for navigating complex tariff changes. We deliver expert analysis alongside relevant news, empowering you and your team to understand potential disruptions and develop effective mitigation plans.
