XLRI’s Communication Club, Auracia hosted the inaugural session of the XL Samvaad - Panel Discussion Series on the 24th of June. The esteemed panelists for the event were Vasu Suram, Managing Director, Transporeon India, Shiv Rawat, VP & Head HR, DTDC Express Limited, Jaspal Gandhi, Director - Contract Logistics, 3SC Supply Chain Solutions, Dhaval Thanki, VP APAC & MEA, LogiNext and Sumit Jindal, Director - Supply Chain, Arzooo.

Mallika Chawla and Sugandha Singh, students of the XLRI GMP Program and Executive Members at Club Auracia hosted the online roundtable.

The discussion proved to be an enriching experience, as the panelists shared their expertise on the importance of Multi-Modalilty, Ecosystem Collaboration, Human Resource Training and Technological disruptions in the Supply Chain Industry. The session particularly shed light on the necessity of bringing speed-factor into supply chains, a factor critical in the success of today's disruptive startup supply- chain services namely Dunzo, Zepto, BlinkIt, etc. The panelists' perspectives provided a new outlook, encouraging students to explore innovative approaches to key industry challenges.

Mr. Vasu Suram initiated the discussion around multi-modality of supply-chains, garnering support for synergistic partnerships between various modes of transportation to optimize supply chain operations. fostering partnerships and leveraging shared resources, organizations can improve network efficiency, reduce carbon footprint, and promote environmental responsibility.

Mr. Dhaval Thanki, an industry expert in supply-chain technology, captivated audiences at the roundtable with his knowledge on logistical innovation discussing key aspects shaping the industry's future. Mr. Thanki delved into the significance of Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) delivery in today's dynamic marketplace. Emphasizing on the heightened customer expectations resulting from global positioning metrics. Furthermore, shedding light on the growing importance of cloud solutions to leverage scalable supply-chain solutions. Since, cloud-based technologies can enable real-time data integration, enhance visibility, and drive efficiency across supply networks. Eventually, iterating the importance of ecosystem collaboration for legacy supply-chain organizations to leverage new- age digital transformation solutions.

Though, Industry veteran Mr. Jaspal Gandhi was quick to point out the complexities surrounding the implementation of technology solutions in supply chains. Essentially, focusing on the dilemmas and considerations necessary for integrating technology, even emphasizing on the need for thoughtful evaluation and assessment. His diverse perspective allowed the students to understand the challenges associated with digital transformation implementation at the heart of the supply-chain industry.

Mr. Shiv Rawat added another dimension to this discussion, stating that Human- Resource training is an equally crucial aspect in the era of technology-led disruptions. He stressed the importance of investing in the development and upskilling of the workforce to adapt to evolving technologies and industry dynamics. Primarily focusing on the need for organizations to foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation to stay competitive in the rapidly changing supply chain landscape.

Overall, the first session of XL SAMVAAD - The Panel Discussion Series proved to be an enriching and insightful event, providing a platform for industry leaders to share their wisdom and experiences. The discussions on the last mile in the supply chain and the evolution of warehousing offered valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities present in the industry.

The roundtable was concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Sugandha Singh summarising the whole session & bringing it to a close.