Over three days , business units within the bank were invited to pitch challenges to key suppliers , who then came back with solutions . “ VOLT was actively co-creating innovation , and it is amazing how quickly that can happen if you establish the correct forum ,” Halsall comments . “ We learned a lot from this experience and have plans to build on this in the future ”.
Supply chain transformation means having a greater partnership with fewer suppliers and doing it in a more collaborative way . Internally , implementing a new intranet and the P2P system , rebranding the function and kickstarting innovation in just one year , is something Halsall says would have taken three in any other organisation he has experienced . “ We have introduced rapid transformation into the team , and that was necessary because we had to build agility and effectiveness into our operating model . We measure employee engagement using a global benchmark , and over the last year this has risen by 23 % and is now above the global benchmark we use within the group .”
Work in progress for his team is to continue to deliver commercial outcomes for the business , and deepen collaborative working with internal partners and external supply partners . Halsall intends to continue working on analytics using Microsoft Dynamics and Power BI data visualisation , exploring machine learning options and leveraging the LinkedIn ‘ XRM ’ functionality to improve the bank ’ s approach to supplier relationship management . Then , finally , there ’ s sustainability . This is definitely a supply chain matter , says Halsall , from realising the NZ Chief Executive ’ s vision to convert 30 % of the fleet to electric by 2019 , to Westpac ’ s global responsible sourcing initiative , which aims to ensure that all suppliers meet required ethical standards . “ The sustainability agenda is huge . We ’ ve been leading the way in sustainability leadership and we remain a leading sustainable bank globally . Our aim is to build on what we ’ ve achieved and to continue meeting our sustainability targets .
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