As CIPS launches The Great Conversation – a world-wide dialogue about the future of the profession – we talk to David Shillingford, a leading investor in supply chain innovation. His message to procurement and supply chain professionals: extreme complexity is here to stay.Also on the agenda: why procurement professionals must learn cross-functional scenario planning; where your hidden vulnerabilities lie; why conflict zones are everywhere; and the most important company you've never heard of.Related links:Join The Great Conversation - share your perspectives on the future of the professionVisit the CIPS Situation Room - get more advice and insight on how current events are affecting procurement and supply professionalsWatch the CIPS Webinar assessing the economic fallout from the Middle East conflictFollow David Shillingford for more insight