GEOPOLITICAL ANALYSIS AND SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE

EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE

Hosted by the University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business and Economics in partnership with the Institute for Applied Geopolitics

Navigate Global Uncertainty.
Build Supply Chain Resilience.

Format: 3-day intensive program
Schedule: March 11-13, 2026
Time: 8 AM to 4 PM, CST
Location: University of Memphis

Delivery: In-person (preferred) and virtual option available (only 35 in-person seats are available)
Early enrollment ends soon!
Clicking to register will take you to the University of Memphis FCBE registration page.

Course Overview

Developed in partnership with the Institute for Applied Geopolitics, this Executive Certificate equips business and supply chain leaders with the analytical frameworks and strategic foresight needed to anticipate geopolitical disruptions and build organizational resilience. In an era of escalating trade tensions, regional conflicts and shifting alliances, the ability to decode geopolitical dynamics and translate them into actionable strategies has become essential for business continuity and competitive advantage.

Led by Rodger Baker, Founder and Principal of Baker Global Insights, LLC, and Steven Smith, Executive Director of the Institute for Applied Geopolitics, this intensive program combines rigorous geopolitical analysis methodologies with practical supply chain applications. Participants will learn to identify emerging risks, assess vulnerabilities across global supply networks, and develop strategic responses that protect operations while enabling growth.

Through interactive lectures, real-world case studies and collaborative scenario planning exercises, you'll gain the tools to transform geopolitical intelligence into supply chain decisions that matter.
Two professional men and two professional women ,all wearing suits, talking while standing and facing each other

Why This Course Matters Now

Global supply chains face unprecedented complexity. The convergence of great power competition, economic nationalism, climate impacts and technological disruption creates a volatile operating environment where yesterday's assumptions no longer hold. Business leaders are increasingly called upon to understand and respond to:

  • Shifting Trade Dynamics - Tariffs, export controls and economic sanctions reshaping global commerce
  • Supply Chain Concentration Risk - Dependencies on specific regions, suppliers or transportation corridors
  • Geopolitical Competition - U.S.-China tensions, regional conflicts and their cascading effects on business operations
  • Resource Security - Energy transitions, critical minerals and the geopolitics of supply and demand
  • Regulatory Fragmentation - Diverging standards, compliance requirements and political pressure

Traditional supply chain risk management approaches, focused primarily on operational and financial metrics, are insufficient. Building true resilience requires understanding the geopolitical forces that drive disruption and the analytical frameworks to anticipate change before it impacts your operations.

Customized Curriculum

This program has been specifically designed for the business community and regional supply chain ecosystem. The curriculum incorporates:

  • Regional Supply Chain Focus - Case studies and examples relevant to key regional industries including logistics, manufacturing, healthcare and agriculture
  • Memphis Logistics Hub Context - Special attention to the unique geopolitical considerations for North America's logistics capital

What You Will Learn

Course Structure

Format: 3-day intensive program
Delivery: In-person (preferred) and virtual option available (only 35 in-person seats are available)
Schedule: March 11-13, 2026
Time: 8 AM to 4 PM, CST
Location: University of Memphis
Module 1
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
Module 5
Geopolitical Fundamentals for Business Leaders

  • Understanding geopolitics: Geography, resources and power
  • Current geopolitical landscape and key fault lines
  • Translating geopolitical dynamics into business impacts
Supply Chain Geopolitics

  • Mapping geopolitical exposure across supply networks
  • Regional analysis: Indo-Pacific, Europe, Americas and emerging markets
  • Critical dependencies: Energy, semiconductors, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing inputs
  • Trade policy, sanctions and export controls
Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Analysis

  • Building ground-up geopolitical assessments
  • Supply chain node vulnerability evaluation
  • Early warning indicators and monitoring frameworks
  • Using the COMPASS Framework methodology to integrate geopolitical analysis into supply chain risk assessment
Strategic Foresight and Scenario Planning

  • Forecasting geopolitical change
  • Developing actionable scenarios for supply chain planning
  • Stress-testing strategies against alternative futures
  • Building organizational capacity for strategic foresight
Building Resilient Supply Chains

  • Response strategies: Diversification, redundancy and flexibility
  • Nearshoring, friend-shoring and regionalization decisions
  • Supplier relationship management in geopolitical context
  • Integrating geopolitical intelligence into supply chain operations

Investment

  • In-Person Attendance $2,450
    (Early Bird Price: $2,150)
  • Virtual Attendance: $2,000
    (Early Bird Price: $1,700)
Fee includes:
  • All course materials and resources
  • Access to IAG learning management system
  • Breakfast, lunch and networking receptions
  • Executive Certificate upon completion
  • Digital credential
  • Ongoing alumni resources
*Early registration discounts and group rates available through January 31, 2026. 
Clicking to register will take you to the University of Memphis FCBE registration page or you can learn more at memphis.edu/fcbe/exec_training/geopolitical.php

Program Benefits

Practical Tools and Frameworks

  • Receive proprietary analytical templates and assessment tools
  • Access to IAG's learning management system with ongoing resources
  • Certificate upon completion bearing both University of Memphis and IAG credentials

Expert Network

  • Connect with fellow executives facing similar global challenges
  • Ongoing access to IAG's network of geopolitical analysts and practitioners
  • Post-program consultation opportunities

Immediate Application

  • Bring real challenges from your organization for analysis during the program
  • Develop actionable recommendations you can implement immediately
  • Custom scenario planning relevant to your industry and supply chain

Continuing Education

  • Professional development credits and continuing education units (CEUs)
  • Digital credential through University of Memphis for professional recognition
  • Alumni access to future IAG programs and briefings

Who Should Attend

This executive certificate is designed for senior leaders and decision-makers responsible for supply chain strategy, risk management, and global operations, including:

  • Supply Chain Executives - VPs and Directors of Supply Chain, Procurement and Logistics
  • Operations Leaders - COOs and Operations Directors managing global operations
  • Risk Management Professionals - Enterprise Risk, Business Continuity and Compliance leaders
  • Strategic Planning Officers - Corporate Strategy and Business Development executives
  • Business Intelligence Professionals - Business Intelligence Leaders, Competitive Intelligence Analysts and Market Intelligence Specialists
  • Strategy and Analysis Professionals - Corporate Strategists, Strategic Analysts and Management Consultants
  • Economic Analysis Professionals - Economists, Macroeconomists and Market Analysts
  • Trade and Policy Professionals - Government Affairs, Trade Compliance and Regulatory experts
The program is particularly valuable for organizations with:
  • Complex global supply chains spanning multiple regions
  • Significant exposure to geopolitically sensitive markets
  • Critical dependencies on specific countries, suppliers or transportation routes
  • Strategic growth plans requiring market entry or supplier diversification decisions

Program Faculty

Rodger Baker wearing dark grey suit, blue shirt and grey-blue tie
Dr. Steven Smith standing, wearing grey suit and blure tie

Secure your spot today!

In a world of increasing geopolitical volatility, the ability to anticipate disruption and build resilient supply chains is no longer optional, it's essential for competitive advantage and organizational survival.

Join us for this transformative executive education experience and gain the analytical tools, strategic frameworks, and professional network to lead with confidence in an uncertain world.

Only 35 in-person seats are available! Early bird pricing offered through January 31, 2026.*
Clicking to register will take you to the University of Memphis FCBE registration page or you can learn more at memphis.edu/fcbe/exec_training/geopolitical.php