Dustin Mattison guest blogs about key trending topics from Logipi.com.

Dustin Mattison is our guest blogger this week. He is the founder of Logipi.com, a forum for supply chain professionals. We asked him to talk to us about key trending topics on his site.

In 2009, we were honored to interview more than 50 supply chain thought leaders who provided the Logipi community with their unique perspectives and insights on a broad range of topics. But there were a few topics that seemed to pop up more than others.

1. THE RECESSION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN

The recession topped the list of industry-changing challenges. As difficult as it has been to navigate, overall, the Logipi community views the recession as a catalyst for positive change, and we concur. It forced us to streamline processes by doing more with less, and as we move forward in the year 2010, we are better prepared to weather the storm. The recession also brought supply chain from the back room to the board room, where, in our opinion, it should have been all along.

2. THE PROS AND CONS OF OUTSOURCING

Many of the themes that floated to the surface overlapped to one degree or another. The recession, for example, forced us to re-examine the practice of outsourcing. What made sound financial sense in the previous decade doesn’t necessarily make sense today. Now, more than ever, we need improved supply chain visibility, and while some see outsourcing as a practice that tends to block the view, many others see it as an opportunity to improve collaboration and communication with their partners. The purpose of outsourcing is to hire experts in areas outside our key competencies. The challenge, of course, lies in making those connections — something we are already seeing as a hot topic for discussion 2010.

3. (and 4.) VERTICAL INTEGRATION AND THIRD-PARTY LOGISTICS

In late 2009, the outsourcing debate evolved into discussions about vertical integration, based on a blog we posted covering a Wall Street Journal article that highlighted companies, like Oracle, Pepsi, Apple, General Motors and others who are reviving the vertical integration concept to provide more visibility and control.”

Throughout 2009, and already in 2010, the topic of third-party logistics (3PLs) is a recurring theme. Most recently, the discussion has revolved around the industry’s evolution from small mom and pop companies to regional businesses that proved attractive to foreign investors. The overarching concern surrounds the industry’s ability to survive as more manufacturers are pulling inventory back to their source plants.

5. THE DAYS OF LEAN MANAGEMENT AND SIX SIGMA AREN’T OVER

And finally, the topic that drew the most responses was an article we posted in response to a Q & A session with Gallup CEO Jim Clifton, at Gallup Management Journal, in which Clifton said, “Businesses have maximized every possible benefit from practices based on neoclassical economics, such as Six Sigma, reengineering, and total quality management.” As you might imagine, the Logipi community had much to say on the topic, and as a group, are not buying into Clifton’s line of thinking.

We are anticipating a fascinating 2010, and already have dozens of interviews in the pipeline, so we hope you’ll stop by and get involved. If you have something you would like to say, post a comment, or better yet, get in touch with us for a one-on-one interview.