Earlier this September, we hosted this year’s qualification round of the Global PRO Challenge 2024, powered by the business simulation "The Fresh Connection." The event provided an excellent opportunity for teams to demonstrate their skills in navigating complex supply chain dynamics while learning valuable lessons in strategy and teamwork.
The challenge focused on two key areas: CO2 reporting and profitability. At the start of the simulation, teams struggled with issues like high levels of scrap production, which negatively impacted their CO2 footprint. However, through targeted measures to improve efficiency and reduce waste, they were able to successfully lower their emissions. One of the key takeaways for participants was the importance of having a clear strategy and selecting the right suppliers, especially when considering the SCOPE 3 CO2 footprint, which must align with customer promises.
We have now gathered some feedback from the participating teams about their experience:
- "The Fresh Connection shows how important the alignment of Purchasing, Operations, Supply Chain, and Sales is to lead a successful company. The game advises participants to think outside the box while communicating between different departments to gain economic value. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of sustainability in today’s challenging economic times, showing that positive economic performance can coexist with leading a sustainable company." – Marcel Gschwandtner, Florian Reiter, Wiebke Schladitz, Oskar Śmiałek (Doka)
- "Our team at Tchibo thoroughly enjoyed participating in 'The Fresh Connection' as part of the Qualification for the Fresh Connection PRO Challenge this year. This engaging simulation not only enhanced our understanding of supply chain dynamics but also strengthened our teamwork and strategic thinking skills. We were thrilled to secure second place among well-established companies, which speaks volumes about the value of hands-on learning experiences in our professional development." – Antonia Seifert, Hannah Stühmann, Jamie Steinke, Clemens Rahlfs (Tchibo)
The Fresh Connection empowers teams to apply real-world supply chain challenges and fosters innovative thinking for future business leaders. We’d like to thank all participants for their dedication and insights, and we look forward to seeing how these lessons translate into their professional growth.
P.S.: Did you know that we use the Business Simulation "The Fresh Connection" in (almost) all of our Supply Chain programs? This creates a mini competition between participants in every training session, making each experience engaging and impactful.
