Fresh perspective

As an innovation community, let’s push beyond ideas to harness the power of real-world stories and conversations that can shape the future. Will you join me?

This week's edition is different—a quick update on changes in my newsletter focus and content. I am passing my second anniversary as a newsletter author, reflecting on my progress, and adjusting my work. But as I write, it's a holiday week, and I'm traveling and celebrating with family. I'll be brief. Please feel free to send your feedback and questions.

Shifting gears and moving ahead

I have many new readers, so I'll start with an introduction. I work as a writer, advocate, and organizer for B2B innovation and the future of the supply chain. Every week, I explore an innovative idea by applying world-class notions from podcasts, articles, and books, and then suggesting a way forward. I aim to offer vision and foresight and provide a roadmap for actions and investments. 

Two changes are coming. Both are the result of my work with innovators and industry associations as well as feedback from readers.

Startup stories and support

Ideas alone will not move the supply chain forward. Ideas inspire, and ideas change mindsets. Ideas are the lifeblood of innovation, but they require people to put them into action.

In coming editions, I will write about startups—innovations in motion launched as new companies by founders or transformations driven at established organizations by change-makers. I'll share what I learn in interviews, offering an insider's view of human ambitions, fired by purpose and the grit required for success. And when possible, I will provide assistance: help from my network to offer knowledge, make connections, or fund operations. Or conversations with kindred spirits to rejuvenate the soul. 

I'm looking for introductions and getting started through collaborations with startup experts, mission-focused venture firms, innovation communities, media companies, and professional associations. Several announcements are in the works, so please watch for them in this newsletter. 

Conversation starters

Every edition is rooted in research but made better by conversations. Through dialogue, I test ideas, gather experiences, and brainstorm solutions. My writing is better with discussions, and my newsletter platform, Substack, has new features that can help.

In addition to my weekly newsletter, I am adding occasional reports on exciting innovations, outcomes, technologies, and divergent ideas that challenge orthodox thinking. I will also offer updates on my progress, announcements about upcoming events, and quick readouts from what I learn from reading, listening, and talking about the future of distribution and the supply chain. Every report will invite your comments, feedback, and suggestions.

My new reports are available in the notes feature on the Substack app, downloadable for iOS (Apple) and Android (Google) devices. If you are not reading my newsletter on the Substack app, I encourage you to try it, especially if you read other newsletters. Substack is continually improving, offering new features for readers and helpful tools for writers.

My weekly articles will continue to arrive by email in your inbox, the Substack app, or both—it's configurable and up to you. If you need help, please let me know. 

A moonshot for our times

The supply chain is complicated and varied, and its future must emerge from an abundance of ideas and startups. But more is needed.

Last week, I pressed our community to take a supply chain moonshot, with an emphasis on advancing a startup mindset. X, a division of Google's parent company, Alphabet, inspires me. X is a moonshot factory, meaning its people kickstart multiple complicated, risky, and expensive initiatives. X takes the long view, inventing new technologies to solve our world's largest problems. Hmmm. 

The global and local supply chain serves every human on our planet, creating wealth, solving problems, enabling innovation, and helping us all live the lives we want to live. As the supply chain evolves to overcome its crisis and become resilient, can it be more? 

Innovating the supply chain is a moonshot worthy of our times.

I need your feedback, advice, ideas, experiences—and help. Please share your comments below, or reach out at mark.dancer@n4bi.com.