Supply Chain Now Top Priorities for CSCOs in 2026 (And What Boards Are Still Getting Wrong)
Mar 30, 2026
Mike Griswold, VP Analyst at Gartner focused on supply chain strategy and AI, offers sharp perspectives on navigating constant disruption. He revisits pandemic lessons about resilience. He warns boards about simplistic AI views and explains why supply chain and IT must converge. He lays out Gartner’s top priorities for 2026 and shows where agentic AI already speeds decision-making.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Six Year Anniversary And A Pandemic Lesson
- Recording date March 11, 2026 marks six-year anniversary of their series and the pandemic declaration.
- Scott asked what lesson to keep from COVID; Griswold used Carol Lawson's 'handle hard better' as his lasting takeaway.
Handle Hard Better As A Core Capability
- Supply chain teams got dramatically better at handling extreme disruption during the pandemic.
- Mike Griswold cites Carol Lawson's mantra: coach makes things hard, players learn to handle hard better, which improved organizational resilience.
Invest Through Turns To Win Market Position
- Winning in the turns translates to continuing to invest during inflection points rather than contracting.
- Gartner research found leaders invest in technology, people, and growth while others cut spending and shrink portfolios.