Let's Talk Supply Chain

Megan Keith & Shawn Piper talk about Uber Freight; bridging tech & service; bringing product & design together; automation; & the future of freight technology. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.00] Introductions to Megan and Shawn, and their roles at Uber Freight. “I was drawn to logistics because of its complexity and impact. It's a space where smart, intuitive tools can really make a difference, and I love simplifying that complexity so transportation teams can move faster and make better decisions.” [05.21] An overview of Uber Freight, the evolution that brought together deep industry expertise from Transplace with Uber's tech DNA, and how that combination is driving the way they approach logistics today. “That fusion means that we're not just building smart tools or interesting technology, we're building tools that work in the real world. Our approach is to really get that balance of being tech-forward but operationally-grounded, to make customers more agile, resilient and informed.” “Uber Freight's mission is really leading WITH logistics professionals, that's the key word. We really go alongside our customers… The customer is the multiplier for the impact and results we can get.” [07.35] The types of customers Uber Freight typically serves, and how those customers influence Uber Freight's product strategy and service philosophy. [08.49] How Uber Freight combines managed services with advanced technology, why that blend is so important in today's complex logistics environment, and an example of how it helped solve a real operational pain point for a customer. “Identifying opportunities and actualising or contextualising them are two different things… We're able to take those opportunities and make sure those benefits are being realized, so technology and services are working together, in a loop of continuous improvement.” [11.29] The importance of scalability and flexibility, so that customers of all sizes can leverage Uber Freight's high-powered tools. [13.44] How product and design work together to tackle complex challenges across the freight ecosystem, and the core principles Uber Freight relies on to guide platform development. “When you have both in the room, you end up with more thoughtful, more elegant solutions.” [15.44] How Uber Freight builds tools that are powerful enough for complex operations, but intuitive enough for teams that may not have dedicated logistics tech staff. [18.26] How customer feedback, from customers of all sizes, shapes the Uber Freight roadmap, and the importance of putting a focus on usability. “Too much feedback is a great thing!” [22.06] Why AI has always been part of the Uber Freight ethos, why they're investing heavily in automation, and the ways they're using these technologies to empower smarter, faster decisions. [25.42] Uber Freight's Insights AI, and how it helps smaller teams punch above their weight. “It actually interprets the data, it doesn't just visualize it. It's able to identify patterns, flag risks and recommend actions, which shifts teams more to proactive management rather than reactive firefighting.” [27.25] The future of freight technology, and how Uber Freight is leading the charge. “It's connecting these different islands of automation into more systemic automation; it's a shift away from just efficiency, which has been the historical role of automation, to effectiveness.” “It's one thing for a system to identify a change but, in the real world, that change has to be implemented by people.” [29.21] The key takeaway that shippers and industry leaders should walk away with from today's discussion.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Uber Freight's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Uber Freight and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram, or you can connect with Megan or Shawn on LinkedIn.

Anthony & Lyle of ProcurementIQ talk about client collaboration, leveraging data, the growth of procurement & the biggest challenges impacting teams in 2025.  IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.08] Lyle's background and the journey that led him to co-found ProcurementIQ. [09.00] How ProcurementIQ has evolved over the last decade, and where they are now. “We were learning – and so was procurement in its own right. The concept of category intelligence wasn't really a thing in 2013... Back then there was market intelligence so what we really had to learn about was that evolution.” [11.13] Anthony's background, how it sparked a passion for supply chain and why, after years in the industry, he decided to go to school for supply chain. “It's never a bad time to invest in yourself and develop your skillset.” [14.08] The biggest supply chain challenges and disruptions, and the impact they're having on procurement practitioners and their ability to plan ahead and do their jobs effectively. “It's creating a ton of uncertainty – which is the bane of our existence in this industry! It's making it much harder to plan and strategize for de-risking supply chains. And the on-off again approach to tariffs makes it even more difficult, because the calculus is constantly changing.” [16.09] Creating effective feedback loops between vendors and clients, the importance of listening, and the true story of how ProcurementIQ leveraged client feedback and collaboration to create their upgraded product suite. “We've been through a digital transformation to help our clients better navigate the complex environment they live in... Change is constant, whether it's priorities, cost savings, consolidation, risk mitigation, supplier diversity – clients are ultimately leaning on us to help them better understand, from an external market standpoint, what all of this means.” “It created a very open and honest feedback loop… And it all started with conversation and collaboration.” [22.47] ProcurementIQ's interactive website, how its market dashboard helps clients understand their buying power and leverage insights to improve it, and how benchmark pricing allows clients to engage with the marketplace in a way they haven't been able to do before. [25.58] ProcurementIQ's data and category insights, and how enhanced depth into areas like occupation profiles, external demand determinates and price driver profiles helps clients. “There's additional depth and analysis on price driver profiles to help customers construct better ‘should-cost' models and ask better questions.” [29.17] The ideal client for ProcurementIQ. [30.44] A case study detailing how ProcurementIQ helped a manufacturing client, that were looking to centralize their indirect spend and build category plans that supported stakeholder recommendations and transparency, to shorten their speed to information, boosting stakeholder engagement and supporting the team to increase efficiency. [34.20] The big questions facing the industry in the second half of 2025, and what procurement teams should be focusing on. “The big question, especially with the tariff environment, is: 'Is this going to last for the full term of this administration?' And what the heck is trade policy going to look like?! In the short-term, it's about getting creative with manufacturing capacity… and re-working supply chain networks.” “Procurement leaders are facing challenges retaining, developing and attracting strong talent… There's going to be growth in the procurement profession, so leaders and individuals need to think about what they're doing to set themselves up for success, not only for what we're facing now but what we're anticipating in the future.” [38.47] How to take advantage of ProcurementIQ's special deal for Let's Talk Supply Chain listeners.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to ProcurementIQ's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with ProcurementIQ and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or Instagram, or you can connect with Anthony or Lyle on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about procurement, check out 462: Procurement Unlocked: Sourcing Best Practices in a Tariff-Driven World, with ProcureAbility, 243: Reinventing Freight Procurement with Emerge or 211: Transform Your Procurement Process, with Zip.  

Craig Barth of Premier Trailer Leasing talks about understanding if your business needs to buy, rent or lease; & leveraging fleet management for success. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.31] An overview of Premier Trailer Leasing – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. [06.07] What sets Premier apart, and the secret to their success as they celebrate 20 years in business. “There are several companies that will rent or lease you a semitrailer. So why do people come to Premier? The reality is: it's the people. It's the partnerships we form, the services we provide – we take a very personal approach, and we look to help the customer solve a problem first.” [07.57] From economic issues to continued overcapacity, the biggest challenges in the transportation industry right now. “It's one of the most challenging environments we've ever been in. The transportation industry, depending on your measurement, is between two to three years into a recession… And now we have mass uncertainty. Our customers don't know what's happening from one day to the next, they don't know how much their goods are going to cost – or if they're even coming!” [10.31] Premier's inventory of over 65,000 trailers and network of locations across the US, and how customers can work with them. [12.51] The difference between trailer renting and leasing, the benefits to each, the factors businesses need to consider when they're deciding whether to buy, rent or lease, and how Premier help businesses decide what's right for them. “Most companies should own a portion, lease a portion, and rent a portion of their fleet. And we help customers understand where those lines are.” [17.08] The ideal client for Premier Trailer Leasing. [19.18] Premier's trailer and cargo tracking solution, and an overview of some of the most promising innovations they're seeing in the space, from cargo sensors and volume metrics to weight and door sensors. “There's almost too much data available. It's all about helping the customer understand what data they need and what they can actually use.” [24.51] How Premier find the balance between supporting clients and managing their own business in uncertain times, and how Premier data gives clients a competitive advantage. [27.55] A case study detailing how Premier helped a large packaged goods company, that had always owned 100% of their fleet, cut their maintenance costs in half through strategic trailer leasing. “They've taken a far more proactive approach based on what we were able to demonstrate through the leasing side... Trailers for them were a small piece, so they weren't really paying attention. We were able to save them millions of dollars.” [32.18] What we can expect from the industry as we look towards the second half of 2025. “We're approaching the second half of the year cautiously optimistic. There are going to be a lot of opportunities out there, we hope there will be some resolution to a lot of the chaos and uncertainty that's in the market. But we are going to see some price increases.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Premier Trailer Leasing's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Premier and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube, or you can connect with Craig on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about trucking, check out 460: Discover the Limitless Value of Dedicated Freight in Today's Market, with Werner, Where are trucking rates headed in 2025? 7 execs weigh in – Supply Chain Dive, or 429: Women In Supply Chain, Kameel Gaines.    

Alexia McLaughlin talks about making an impact through innovation; her commitment to cultures of excellence; & her big achievement as an industry rising star.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [03.52] An introduction to Alexia and her role at Veho. “If Uber and UPS had a baby, it would be Veho!” [05.08] How Alexia began her career in sales, and her journey through roles at Oracle and Jebbit to her current position at Veho. “I never thought I was going to be in sales! That used car salesman connotation springs to your mind… But, when I was coming out of college, a lot of mentors who's careers I admired started in sales. So I thought: ‘OK, I'm going to give this a try! I don't know if I'll love it, but I'll learn a lot.'” [09.07] Alexia's experience moving from a big, corporate environment to a smaller, start-up culture. “When you're working for a big company, there's a lot of layers, it's very bureaucratic, there's a lot of structure and process. But I wanted ambiguity. Both of my roles after Oracle you were building as you were steering the ship… It was exciting, and every day was different.” [11.08] Making impact through innovation, the importance of ‘selling in' to internal stakeholders, and how Alexia successfully led a new business opportunity, navigating the complexity of managing risk, expectation, and leadership buy-in. “When you're on the front line selling, and then coming back to the business to help inform the products and the offerings that we build, that's a role that drives impact – and that's exactly what I wanted.” [15.31] From working with mentors to backing your approach with data, Alexia's advice for building career confidence. [17.23] Alexia's biggest career achievement, and why it's vital for women to understand their impact and to share and celebrate their successes. [20.54] The challenges Alexia has faced during her career, and the turbulent nature of sales. “I've had so many times of doubt, thinking: ‘I'm done with sales!'… It's an up and down rollercoaster… There have been a thousand little failures along the way.” [22.06] How to foster a culture of excellence, and why that's so important. “You have to lead by example… With new hires there's only so much you can do in the training and onboarding process. The rest has to come from them seeing excellence throughout the organization. If everyone is operating at a high bar, you start to learn from observing the actions that are celebrated, the calibre of the team – and if you hire great, hungry people that want to operate at that level, then there's a nice healthy stimulating environment.” [24.29] What Alexia's Rising Star award at this year's Women in Supply Chain Awards means to her, and her advice for young women looking to follow in her footsteps. [26.02] The future for Alexia, and her ambition for Veho over the next five years.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Alexia McLaughlin over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more inspirational women, check out 444: Women In Supply Chain, Gina Anderson, 429: Women In Supply Chain, Kameel Gaines or 410: Women In Supply Chain, Julie Tilenius.

Dexter Weber of TGW Logistics talks about the trends, challenges & opportunities in warehouse logistics; building strategic partnerships; and TGW's new brand.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.31] TGW's 50+ year journey from small fitters shop in Austria to global manufacturing leader. “Part of our journey was becoming a foundation-owned company... We reinvest our profits into our solutions and capabilities, and to charity. We're not chasing goals and pleasing shareholders – we're focused on that long-term vision.” [09.07] Where TGW are now, their vision for the future, and a why they're unveiling a new brand for a new era. [12.21] The ideal client for TGW Logistics. “What we're really looking for is someone that wants to build a true partnership. We need to be an extension of their team and share a vision to really accomplish the goals they want to achieve. Being collaborative makes sure we're both successful.” “Building relationships and trust is the foundation of any good, solid business project.” [15.03] The landscape of warehouse logistics and, from service level agreements and inventory to skill shortages and temperature control, the biggest challenges in the industry right now. [19.56] From improving fulfilment speeds to facilitating more frequent small shipments from stores, the biggest opportunities in warehouse logistics and ecommerce, and why automation is increasingly important in helping organizations pursue those opportunities. “Automation, at its core, is all about process improvement. The goal is to eliminate multiple non-value-add manual touches, boosting speeds… You can take manual efforts, that may take hours or days, to pick orders – and move it up to minutes.” [23.44] Robotics, conveyor, automatic storage and retrieval systems – the different types of automation TGW uses within their solutions. [25.19] How TGW work with customers to understand their challenges and develop customized solutions, using their warehouse automation technologies, to help customers achieve smarter, more efficient intralogistics. “We have experts in different areas, so we can understand the industries a lot better: what do their typical supply chain setups look like? What are some common challenges?… Then we look at each process in the warehouse, from receiving to outbound.” [29.24] The warehouse management software that sits behind TGW's products, and how that tech pulls everything together. “The WMS is the backbone of your warehouse operations. [31.18] How TGW support both equipment and software with their range of lifetime services, and how they build strategic bonds with customers to empower them to meet their short-term goals as well as plan and prepare for long-term success. [35.28] A case study showing how TGW helped a key client tackle big issues to create a network of 650,000 storage locations, managing 125,000 SKUs, with the ability to handle more than 300,000 order lines per day during peak season, ultimately helping them to achieve the best cost per unit in their entire network. [40.09] From mobile and palletizing robotics to robotic picking, the trends and technologies shaping the future of the warehouse logistics sector.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to TGW Logistics' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with TGW and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube, or you can connect with Dexter on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about warehousing, listen to 412: Maximize Warehouse Efficiency and Profitability, with CargoWise or read The Warehouse of the Future.

Beverly Steele talks about her journey, making a big change mid-career; what it means to be a workforce innovator; and her take on work-life balance. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [04.29] An introduction to Beverly and her role at Inmar. [05.11] Beverly's career journey, and her decades of varied experience. “I've been in reverse logistics well over 20 years. I actually stopped saying how long because I realized I'd been in it longer than some of my colleagues have been alive!” [07.15] Beverly's 20-year tenure at CORT, and an overview of the roles she took on as she climbed the ranks. [08.07] Inmar's joint venture with Blue Yonder to create a returns drop network that reduces costs for brands and makes life easy for consumers. [09.46] Why Beverly made a big change mid-career, what she was looking for in her next step, and her advice for other mid-career professionals considering making a change. “I'd moved up in the ranks and there weren't many places for me to go to make the money I wanted to make and have the challenges that I wanted… It was scary, but sometimes I think: why didn't I leave sooner?!'” [12.33] From sales to reverse logistics technology – why Beverly transitioned to a different space in the industry, and the benefits of pivoting. [14.41] Beverly's Woman in Supply Chain Forum award, what being a ‘workforce innovator' means to her, and the importance of increasing support and success for work from home teams. “I've always had a passion for women in supply chain, and giving them the tools and opportunities to move into leadership.” [15.46] As a part of multiple organizations and a champion for women, the big issue Beverly hears women in the workplace raise, time and again. “Women don't want to complain, it's hard to find a voice without being looked at as angry or difficult.” [17.49] What her ‘workforce innovator' award means to Beverly, and why forums and awards for women are so important. [20.05] Beverly's experience of being a working Mom, the bias and discrimination still in play, and what needs to change to improve workplaces and cultures for working mothers. “I spent most of my life hiding the fact that I was a Mom at work, I never wanted to talk about my kids in case people thought I was less dedicated. Then I dropped my kids off at school and, to my Mom friends who didn't work, I was hiding the fact that I was a working Mom because they would say: ‘oh she's leaving her kids.' It was lonely.” [23.03] Beverly's take on work-life balance, and why it's crucial to build a lifestyle that works for you. “You need to be really clear on what's important to you. And if you're in a work environment where you're not able to live the life you want, maybe it's time for a change. Because not every company is going to have a culture that you'll thrive in.” [26.05] The future for Beverly.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Beverly Steele over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Inmar, check out 372: Women in Supply Chain, T.J. Kragenbrink or SEA 2, EP 87 – Are you getting the most out of your returns?

Phillip Lechter of CXT Software talks about challenges in last mile; building a people-first culture; & how they're helping customers grow, compete & thrive.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.45] How CXT innovated over the past 25 years to meet the changing needs of an evolving logistics landscape. “25 years is a long time in the software space!… In maturation of software, it's easy to want to 'set it and forget it', and live off the benefits. But you can't do that today. Supply chain is changing so rapidly, and our focus is on innovation, connectivity, and our ability to make it easy for our clients to do what they want to do - and not be hamstrung by the business we've created.” [09.13] Where CXT is now, what they do, and how they help their customers. “It's about making ourselves as configurable as possible to our clients... our ability to serve multiple workflows based on the business our clients are doing for their own customers.” [11.08] The ideal client for CXT. [13.25] From the uniqueness of workflows to real-time visibility, some of the biggest challenges in the industry right now, as last mile strives to catch up with changing consumer expectations. “Amazon has done some amazing things, but it's made it very difficult for the average courier service – everyone wants that Amazon experience… And that's the opportunity we have in the TMS space, to even the playing field.” [16.04] How CXT's white-labeled portal empowers clients with the tools they need, without a big costly investment, and how that ultimately drives customer loyalty and boosts satisfaction. “Too often we're in reactive not proactive mode. And the more we can streamline that, the more we can meaningfully create relationships with our clients.” [18.59] How CXT's shipment management technology supports operations teams across a range of functions, and a closer look at the user interface. “We're ensuring that a dispatcher still has the ability to make decisions, but some of the heavy lifting gets done for them. They're managing exceptions rather than every single element along the way.” “We see a ton of waste that's really low margin. Even a 1% increase in profit can be pretty significant in this type of business.” [24.30] The importance of driver management, and how CXT's app integrates with operational and client functions to tackle challenges,  and drive efficiency, accountability and customer service. [30.19] Some of the key opportunities and growth areas CXT are supporting their customers with. [32.53] A case study showing how CXT helped a long-standing client enter the medical space and demonstrate a significant efficiency metric, and the importance of partnerships. [36.44] Why CXT consciously built a people-first culture, and what we can expect from them in 2025. “This business is a people business… We use software as a way to make efficiencies, but it's still somebody delivering to somebody else!” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to CXT Software's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with CXT and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram or YouTube, or you can connect with Phillip on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about last mile, check out 365: Delivering the Amazon effect: how to increase your last mile delivery efficiency by 30%, 348: How COVID Changed Last Mile Delivery Forever, with SEKO or 393: Get 100% Visibility Over Your Final Mile, with OneRail.

Carlos Perico of ProcureAbility talks about sourcing best practices in a tariff-driven world & how to turn procurement from cost center to competitive advantage   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.29] An introduction to Carlos and ProcureAbility. “All we do is procurement! It's our speciality, it's what we're passionate about. And that's key.” [05.59] Tariffs: what they are, and why supply chain professionals need to pay attention. [07.07] Diversification: Some of the strategies companies can employ to build agile supply chains for long-term resilience, the big challenge with long-term strategies, and why your supply chain is like Tetris. “Diversification is the name of the game. You don't want to have all your eggs in one basket – but the challenge now is that the baskets are getting very complex!!” “For those long-term strategies to pay off, you have to start now.” [14.08] How companies can utilize scenario planning or future-proofing to prepare for further tariff fluctuations. “You need to know your risk. It sounds simple… but you need to go deeper. You need to dive deeper into understanding your supply chain at different levels, your supplier network – and data becomes even more important.” [19.17] Dual-sourcing: what it is, and the impact that implementing dual-sourcing strategies can have on risk mitigation. “Communicate to your stakeholders, because we human beings have a tendency to forget the risk when it's not present... Communicate the risk you're trying to mitigate in advance, build that relationship with the business.” [24.57] How to effectively work with suppliers: How fluctuating tariffs are impacting supplier pricing and contract stability, and how businesses can think about strengthening long-term partnerships whilst retaining the need for short-term agility. [31.19] Working with technology: How businesses can leverage AI and data analytics to predict and mitigate tariff impacts. “Live data visibility is critical right now… Technology is allowing us to be immediately alert… So you can prepare and be more educated.” [37.09] How AI helps businesses to shift the focus from damage control to proactivity, and turn procurement into a competitive advantage rather than a cost center. “Everybody wants to mitigate cost… But you need to continuously evolve your procurement organization to become more of a business support and value driver, as opposed to just one cost center.” [39.49] The key lessons to learn from this discussion. [42.01] How Let's Talk Supply Chain listeners can benefit from a limited-time discount with ProcureAbility.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to ProcureAbility's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with ProcureAbility and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or YouTube, or you can connect with Carlos on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about procurement, read The Three Biggest Challenges For Procurement – And What To Do About Them or listen to 243: Reinventing Freight Procurement with Emerge or 211: Transform Your Procurement Process, with Zip.  

Bill Catania of OneRail and Anna Farberov of PepsiCo talk all about their strategic partnership, how it works & the benefits it drives for Pepsi customers. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [03.42] Introductions to Bill and OneRail, and Anna and PepsiCo Labs. [06.22] Why PepsiCo reached out to OneRail to explore partnership opportunities. “They have the solution and we have the problem; they have an entrepreneurial mindset and can move fast, and we have the business expertise and deep industry understanding. And when we're able to feed that back, that's where the magic happens.” [06.48] The PepsiCo Labs model, and how the team proactively seek out companies to partner with. “We want to solve problems in the business versus having shiny toys, saying a lot of buzzwords and ticking boxes.” [08.52] The impact of their strategic partnership for PepsiCo and their customers, and OneRail's business. [11.24] From expanding capacity to maintaining service levels across different customer sizes, the business challenges PepsiCo were looking to solve. [12.19] How OneRail approached the relationship with PepsiCo. “It comes down to being a good listener… There have been a lot of operational changes that had to happen that weren't easy… But we've perfected the model.” [13.54] How OneRail worked flexibly with PepsiCo to achieve strategic alignment and become a true extension of their team. [16.19] The importance of transparency, and the ability to positively give and receive feedback, in building successful partnerships. [17.15] From an increased top line to improved customer experience, the benefits PepsiCo are realizing through their partnership with OneRail. “The vastness of PepsiCo is unbelievable! I get excited when I think about the path forward, because there are so many different things we can do together and problems we can solve.” [18.38] What 2025 is going to bring for the PepsiCo and OneRail partnership.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to OneRail's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with OneRail and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or X (Twitter) or you can connect with Bill or Anna on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show and want to hear more from OneRail, we have plenty more great content for you. Check out: 440: Level Up Your Fulfillment Capabilities, with OneRail 419: Discover OmniPoint Inventory Visibility and Tackle Shrinkage, with OneRail 349: Deliver a Frictionless Last Mile, with OneRail 393: Get 100% Visibility Over Your Final Mile, with OneRail

Eric Downing of Werner talks about dedicated freight solutions, the benefits, and the landscape of freight shipping and logistics in 2025.    IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.54] Eric's background and transition from US Air Force to supply chain, and the different business areas he's moved through in his 27-year tenure at Werner. [08.57] The landscape of freight shipping and logistics and the biggest challenges in 2025, from tariffs to navigating seasonal disruption. “Most carriers are glad to put 2023 and 2024 in the rear-view mirror. 2025 is better, we're seeing more robust bid activity, better engagement with customers… Are we out of the woods? No. But are we seeing some good things? Yes!” [11.39] Why an increasing number of shippers are turning to outsourced dedicated solutions instead of managing their own private fleets. “Customers want to focus their resources, time, and people on what they do – their primary business. Because it's a competitive world… And, let's be honest, running your own trucking company takes a ton of capital investment.” [13.34] The challenges of tracking and visibility when working with multiple third-party providers and the benefit of having a single dedicated outsourced solution. [15.45] The Werner approach and how they work with clients to understand their fleet challenges and opportunities and deliver customized solutions. “The first step is actually listening to your customer! Dedicated providers can get caught up in “I know how to do this, I've done this business before” – but you've got to start out by learning your customer's business… Every business is unique, and you've got to treat it that way.” [18.34] Werner's investment in new equipment, sustainability initiatives, and maintenance programs, and how it's helping to ensure the highest levels of reliability and efficiency for shippers. [23.04] The critical role of driver training, compliance, and proactive safety measures in dedicated fleet operations, and how companies can leverage safety as a competitive advantage. [27.03] The technology that supports Werner's dedicated solutions, and where they are on their own digital transformation journey. “Everybody has limited resources, so how you do not chase every shiny bauble? How do you focus and vet what's going to make the biggest difference?” [32.57] The value in dedicated freight solutions and the impact they have on teams at a business level and at a wider industry level. [35.04] A case study showing how Werner worked with one of their most long-standing clients to optimize their business, from reducing fleet on the road and boosting productivity to improving service and visibility and driving sales in-store. [39.43] From customer service to growth, Werner's focus for the next six months.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Werner's website to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Werner and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, or X (Twitter), or you can connect with Eric on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Werner, check out 446: Keep America Moving, with Werner.

Allen Thomas of Lynxis talks about industry challenges, the biggest buzzwords, and why organizations need to pay more attention to improved orchestration.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.20] An introduction to Allen, and Lynxis. [04.53] The biggest conversations on the show floor at Manifest. “Agentic AI is the new buzzword – it's the new blockchain! There's a lot of hype, but there's also a lot of hope.” [06.29] The biggest problems in the intermodal industry right now. “Visibility is still key, because there's so much complexity when all of this data comes together. We're not certain who's right and who's wrong, there's no system of record as this cargo moves inland and then back through the flow.” “A lot of the technology projects we've seen have been focused on an insular basis, intra-company process improvement versus: how do we make this entire supply chain more efficient and effective for the shippers and carriers that move it?… We're trying to take costs out of our own internal operations, but we're not looking at the big picture on what makes everything more seamless.” [10.24] What Lynxis is building to help solve the industry's biggest challenges. “We're a custodian of technology for our customers... And we add the infrastructure to support it.” [11.59] AI and how it's being talked about, and utilized, across the industry. “Everybody wants to use the AI buzzword, when what they're using isn't actually AI.” [16.11] Why process automation, not robotic automation, needs to be top of the priority list for landside logistics facilities. “Most container operations we see really can leverage more of the process automation.” [18.28] The importance of data and analytics in driving operational performance and competitive advantage. “You either have to invest in-house, or have a good partner to help you mine the data that's critical to your business operation. The thing that differentiates you, and enables your core competencies, is a firm grasp on data.” [22.25] Why AI isn't an easy fix for scheduling, and why organizations need to pay more attention to improved orchestration. “It's nothing that AI needs to solve, or even can solve right now, because there's not even the connectivity between all the players.” “When you say automation and scheduling, we hear ‘orchestration.'” [24.46] How improved planning and orchestration can help shippers eliminate excess inventory and reduce costs. [26.17] From talent shortages to managing infrastructure, the biggest obstacles standing in the way of improved intermodal efficiency. [32.02] The importance of case studies and why Allen wants to talk about proven results, not just hype.

Tony Winters of Rygen Technologies talks about being inspired by customer challenges; why visibility is still a challenge; & investing big in agentic AI. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [04.33] An introduction to Tony, his career journey, and his role at Rygen Technologies. “In college, you learn how to solve these algorithms and problems. And, in supply chain, you really get to implement them.” [06.24] An overview of Rygen Technologies – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. “We're hoping to leave our mark on the industry, solve some problems – and have fun doing it!” [08.14] From visibility to technology, the biggest challenges Rygen customers are facing right now. [09.39] Why Rygen is inspired by customer challenges, and their approach to technology and problem-solving. “We crave what the industry wants. They're asking for things, and we crave that knowledge!.. We take the feedback, learn from it, and make it better.” [11.22] Rygen's Corsair transportation management, and why it's not your typical TMS. [12.32] How Rygen are bringing ‘integration platform as a service' to their customers with their X1 technology. “Integrate at the speed of AI.” [13.40] How Rygen's Blackbird Business Intelligence is solving big data challenges for customers. “We have disparate systems, tech stacks for days, legacy systems, big monster enterprise systems, ERPs, WMS's, TMS's... Blackbird is an attempt to forget the bias and have an industry standard.” [15.39] A case study exploring how Rygen helped a major customer to identify and understand their biggest operational problems, and bring together their disparate systems with Corsair, improving processes, boosting visibility, and allowing them to manage their whole supply chain in one place. [18.27] Tony's hot takes from Manifest, and what Rygen is investing in for 2025 and beyond.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Rygen Technologies' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Rygen and keep up to date with the latest over LinkedIn, X (Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram, or you can connect with Tony on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more of our special episodes filmed live at Manifest, check out 453: Driving Supply Chain Innovation with Reveel and Deposco or 455: Discover Event-Driven Platform Technology, with BlackBerry Radar.

Josh Allen of ITS Logistics talks about challenges & opportunities in 2025; & how they're providing strategic capacity & smart solutions for complex needs. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [05.23] How ITS Logistics has evolved, since its inception in 1999, and the reason behind its sustainable growth. “ITS has always been about smart, customer-driven growth. No acquisitions, all organic – just explosive, consistent expansion. We've grown by solving real problems. Customers don't just stay with us, they expand with us.” [07.25] An overview of ITS Logistics – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. “Customers don't just need capacity. They need efficiency, visibility, and control.” [09.37] The ideal client for ITS Logistics. [13.12] The biggest challenges and opportunities in the market now, and what interests Josh about the transition from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025. “Q4 was a dogfight. The demand is still soft compared to previous years and typical peak environments, and cost of spending and inventory corrections all made it tough. Q1 is now fascinating – because it's bid season... You have a lot of carriers and logistic providers out there that are still in scramble and ‘stay-alive' mode.” “I don't think the market is broken. But it's not thriving yet. So to me the question becomes: how are folks positioning for the future?” [17.21] Capacity – whether it's a challenge or opportunity, and what companies need to be thinking about. [19.20] Why ITS coined the term ‘hybrid capacity', what it means, and why it's so valuable. “It's the best of both worlds!” [21.30] The unique ITS approach – why they focus on going beyond delivering a traditional logistics service, why they invest in customer problems, and how they work with customers to deliver value where they need it most. “You've got to make investment in technology. It's one thing to be able to execute – but can you communicate, can you bring visualization to the environment, can you bring nimbleness and speed? That unlocks power. We find the problems, we fix them, and we make stronger, smarter supply chains for the long run.” [26.13] How ITS Logistics' distribution and fulfilment solutions help customers keep up with the rapidly changing e-commerce landscape. “We have a different approach… Our facilities are built for speed. We know that ecommerce moves fast – so do we.” [28.43] The technology that sits behind the ITS solutions. [33.46] A case study showing how ITS helped a retail client successfully launch a new initiative, giving them a fully functional network, technology and visibility overnight, eliminating complexity so they could focus on successfully scaling their business. [36.45] The trends shaping 2025 and what we can expect from the year ahead. “There's an arms race going on in utilizing AI… but we have a view that might be a bit different to others…” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to ITS Logistics' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with ITS Logistics and keep up to date with the latest over LinkedIn, X (Twitter), YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Vimeo, or you can connect with Josh on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to read more about logistics, check out Above the Fold: Supply Chain Logistics News (December 13, 2024) – Talking Logistics or Global Logistics Industry Expected to Expand – Material Handling & Logistics.

Shannon Hamilton of BlackBerry Radar talks about the digital trends shaping 2025; tech challenges; event-driven data; and the importance of scalable solutions.    IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [04.24] An introduction to Shannon and BlackBerry Radar. “We truly believe that doing more with our partners is a value-add for our customers.” [05.50] From AI and blockchain to IoT, the big digital trends that are going to shape 2025. “Some of the trends are really about: How are we using the information, how are we connecting with partners – and how are we making it smart.” [07.23] The biggest challenges Shannon sees across the industry when it comes to technology. “How do you buy technology that meets your needs today, but is also scalable as your business grows and evolves?” [08.43] The business-level challenges standing in the way of successful tech implementations and digital transformations. [11.00] Why technology is a foundation for process optimization, the importance of focusing on integrating the right tech into our businesses, and why it's OK to try out multiple technologies. “Piloting and testing tech is very important – there's still a time and a place to try out some of the new things we're seeing.” [13.02] The benefits of combining technology implementation with physical assets, and how it can drive business improvement. [16.04] BlackBerry's Radar Asset Tracking Solution, how it works, and how it's delivering more data for customers. “We're seeing more and more customers get excited about the data – but they want more.” [18.57] How BlackBerry Radar pulls data together into one pane of glass, and the benefits for their customers. “We want our data to be intelligent. The last thing we want our customers to do is sift through lots of data. So we easily surface all the critical events… we make life easy.” [20.33] Why, in a climate of cost-cutting, disruption, and failing digital transformation projects, scalable technology solutions are key. [22.32] A case study showing how BlackBerry Radar helped a customer improve turn times and move assets through their lanes faster, ultimately driving operational efficiency, reducing cost, and improving revenue. [25.11] What 2025 has in store for BlackBerry Radar.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to BlackBerry Radar's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with BlackBerry Radar and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Shannon on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from BlackBerry Radar, check out 358: Harness The Power Of Asset Tracking Engineered for Intelligence, with BlackBerry Radar, 322: Innovative Asset Tracking Made Easy, with BlackBerry Radar or read Shannon Hamilton on Authenticity and Bringing Diversity to Transportation & Logistics.

910 Advisors talk about cost-to-serve - the challenges, its impact on supply chain efficiency & profitability; & transforming inefficiencies into opportunities.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.03] Introductions to Greg, Janet, and Robert, and why Greg and Robert co-founded 910 Advisors. “So many consultancies are focused on these long-term, big-dollar transformational programs... Everyone wants to hit you with the strategy book, but no ones there to help guide you there… We make sure we have a lens towards the long-term, but also in helping companies understand what to do in three, six, nine and twelve months, in support of that three-year plan.” “So many people hire technologies to solve commercial and supply chain problems.” [13.48] An overview of 910 Advisors – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. [16.40] The ideal client for 910 Advisors. [19.54] ‘Cost-to-serve': What it means, why it's so often overlooked, and why teams have a handle on their customer acquisition costs, but not ongoing ones. “Most organizations are commercially-focused first, they're all about the customer – and rightfully so! That's who pays the bills, and you need that focus. But, a lot of times, the back end tends to get overlooked.” “Some customers may be costing you money and you don't necessarily realize it... What really improves your business is when you start to understand, and make decisions around, that total cost-to-serve.” [25.25] From lack of data to disparate systems, the biggest challenges in understanding up-front cost-to-serve. [26.36] The impact of that lack of understanding on a company's supply chain efficiency. [29.17] The cost of not understanding cost-to-serve, and its impact on profitability. “It's direct – it's coming straight from the bottom.” [33.18] What organizations can do to better understand cost-to-serve earlier in the journey, and how they can start to build processes and workflows to manage both efficiency and cost. “You can make an improvement in one area, and it may impact another one negatively. You have to have a holistic view. Take that journey yourself – what does a day in the life of that order look like?” [35.43] The role of 910 Advisor's tech implementations and consulting in helping customers tackle challenges and transform inefficiencies into opportunities. “We're the master mediators!... We're really good at taking symptoms, getting to the root cause, and applying it across the process. Most consultancies you hire to fix one thing, and they'll fix the symptom, but they cause something else up or downstream…. We own outcomes.” “Everybody wants to talk about their technology problems. But we try to re-focus that conversation around process-first, and that will lead us to if we need to address technology issues – you may not have to if you fix the process!” [41.14] What organizations can achieve if they better understand efficiency and cost. [42.45] A case study illustrating how 910 Advisors helped a client understand their cost-to-serve, prioritize, refine their process and structure, and save money. [47.24] 910 Advisor's special offers for Let's Talk Supply Chain listeners.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to 910 Advisor's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with 910 Advisors and keep up to date with the latest over   on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Greg, Robert and Janet on LinkedIn.

Marc Aliotta of Reveel & Jack Margeson of Deposco talk about how their strategic partnership helps clients overcome challenges, save money & scale to success. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.50] Introductions to Marc and Reveel, and Jack and Deposco. [07.10] The biggest challenges facing Reveel and Deposco customers right now. “The last few years, some of the biggest challenges have been uncertainty – what does the year ahead hold?! There are a lot of changes that happen, both at the global and domestic scale, that go towards: ‘How do I plan as a business? How do I shape where I need to go next year, knowing that supply chain is changing really quickly?'” “After the pandemic, a lot of shippers realized they couldn't trust the major carriers because of capacity issues. And that uncertainty led itself to diversification strategies… So people are trying to build trust in new carriers.” [10.55] How the Reveel and Deposco partnership developed, and why organizations need to lean into collaboration, not competition. “The business world is changing. Clients don't want to have a group of partners that are pushing away… So it's our responsibility to make sure we're providing, not only the best software and platform that we can, but that we're also looking out into the market, looking at what's out there, what's changing, and helping guide them with partnerships and introductions that help grow their business.” [13.53] Why collaboration is crucial for teams, for businesses, and the industry as a whole. [15.51] How Reveel's Parcel Spend Management and Deposco's supply chain technology work together through deep integration. [19.42] A closer look at the data that Reveel and Deposco clients can access, and what they can do with it. “Make decisions in real time: observe, orient, decide and act. That's what customers really want.” [22.53] The different layers of savings, from direct cost reduction to operational efficiencies, that can be created through the Reveel and Deposco partnership. [25.17] Customer experience: why it's more challenging, but more important, than ever before. “Customer satisfaction is harder and harder to attain. You're not really compared against your competitors any more, you're compared against their best experience – period.” [27.50] How Reveel and Deposco are helping companies to refine their strategies, streamline operations, enhance the customer journey, and ultimately scale for success. “A lot of businesses don't want to focus on their operations. They want to focus on their brand, their product… So the more we can take their focus from: ‘Is my product being handled the right way?' towards: ‘What can I do with my product?' the more successful they'll be in their business.” [30.17] What people can expect from the Reveel and Deposco partnership in 2025. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Reveel's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Reveel and keep up to date with the latest over   on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, or you can connect with Marc or Jack on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Reveel, check out 357: Leverage the Power of Shipping Intelligence, with Reveel.

Christine Barnhart talks about the issues faced by women in supply chain, the impact of bias and changing DEI narratives, and the women who inspire her.  IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.01] An introduction to Christine and her new role at Nulogy. [07.45] Christine's experience as a woman in both US and Canadian companies, the differences in organizations across different territories, and what we can learn from the countries leading the way in gender equity. “For me, it's been interesting to compare and contrast what the culture is like in these companies,  but also what regulation and policy differences there are.” [10.38] The challenges for women in developing countries, the misunderstood areas of supply chain, and why data showing strong female representation across the industry doesn't necessarily tell the whole story. “When we look at developing countries in particular, they need expertise and strong leaders but, in a lot of those countries, it's a very masculine, patriarchal society... They're not going to get the results they need unless they bring women to the table.” “It's more than how many women. It's what percentage are actually in a managerial or leadership position, do they actually have a voice? It's about more than just opening the door and letting people in – it's about making sure you're inviting them to the table.” [14.11] The impact of bias and changing conversations around DEI, and the importance of women coming together towards a shared goal and building ecosystems that make a difference. “I look at representation – does an organization really represent the geographies it's serving?” [28.27] Some of the incredible women in supply chain that inspire Christine and Sarah, and the importance of opening up better methods of communication within the community. [40.21] From transparency to empathy, Christine's advice for organizations looking to empower women and achieve gender pay parity. [42.38] Helpful resources, and the importance of female relationships, as well as of prioritising yourself as a woman. “I love my husband and my children and my job. But I also need the time to nurture me, and to educate me, and to have conversations. Because I'm better in every part of my life when I do that.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Christine over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Christine, listen to 380: Women in Supply Chain, Christine Barnhart or check out her live show Supply Chain Unfiltered.

Bobby Strenk of SecurSpace & Ron Greene of Overhaul talk about cargo theft - the biggest challenges & trends, and best ways to keep your shipments safe.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.38] An introduction to Bobby and SecurSpace, and Ron and Overhaul. [07.54] Exactly what cargo theft is, the different types, and the trends to look out for. “There's a whole new world in cargo theft. We're three years into a significant spike in cargo theft, and the US takes the lead in how much it's increased… There's been an expansion of theft techniques and a lot of criminal organizations, that historically weren't in the cargo theft space, have jumped in with both feet.” [10.09] The current scope of the cargo theft problem, and why gathering data to measure it accurately is problematic. [13.13] The future of cargo theft, and why it's going to continue to rise. “It's going to take a collaborative industry, plus government and associations, joining forces to curb this issue.” [14.47] What shippers can do, from a people perspective, to mitigate freight theft and risk, and why organizations need to focus on security through compliance. [21.35] How technology and security can help shippers mitigate risk and prevent theft. [25.25] Why secure parking and storage is so important, and what organizations should look for in a secure yard. [30.54] How providers can better secure their yards. “What are you doing at your facility, what is your infrastructure, and how does it compare to the gold standard? Not every yard needs to be Fort Knox, so take a ‘good, better, best' approach.” [35.03] How shippers, and their 3PL partners and carriers, can better secure their freight in-transit. “Everybody, the entire organization from the top to the bottom, needs to adhere to a security culture... Building a safety culture is what the industry has to do to help mitigate this problem.” [38.44] Why freight at rest is at risk, and what companies can do to secure it. [43.03] How SecurSpace helps customers with their growing national network of secure parking and storage. [46.18] The role Overhaul play in protecting cargo for their customers.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to CargoWise Landside's website to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with CargoWise and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, X (Twitter) or Facebook,or you can connect with Bobby or Ron on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, you're in luck! We have lots more content from CargoWise, SecurSpace and Overhaul: 412: Maximize Warehouse Efficiency and Profitability, with CargoWise 406: Unlock the Opportunities of Cross-Border Ecommerce, with CargoWise 346: Enable and Empower Your Supply Chain, with WiseTech 367: Going Beyond Visibility – Unveiling The Invisible 369: From Chaos To Clarity: Simplifying Global Customs Compliance 371: Going Beyond Visibility – From Risk to Resilience: How Technology Is Transforming Global Supply chains 373: Going Beyond Visibility – Culture and Digitization 363: Grab On-Demand Access To Yard Space, with SecurSpace 246: Achieve Complete Command & Control For Your Supply Chain, with Overhaul    

Jenny Perlitch talks about her career journey; lessons learned as a woman & immigrant; and supporting diversity within the transportation industry.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.15] Jenny's journey from Ukraine to Germany to Cananda, and what it taught her. “It taught me a lot. All of a sudden you're thrown from your comfortable environment to one with a completely different language and culture… I learned resilience and adaptability, and they really helped me in business. It made me independent and I believed things could be done.” [07.58] Why Jenny's computer science background is so compatible with a career in supply chain. “It's a way of thinking. I'll look at things as a problem that could be solved by building an algorithm. Take something complex and break it down into smaller parts, automate those parts, and put it all back together like a beautiful puzzle.” [11.35] How a summer job became a lifelong career in supply chain for Jenny when she discovered a joy in pushing out of her comfort zone and a talent for problem-solving. [13.39] Why Jenny co-founded IRT Technologies, specializing in equipment for the satellite market, in 2011. [15.14] Why, in the same year, Jenny also founded Perlitch Transport, and the challenges of founding and growing two businesses simultaneously. “I was single, I had to do something!” [19.00] The areas of business Jenny is most passionate about, as a founder and CEO, and why it's important to recognize your strengths and weaknesses. “I really like the strategic side of the business. You try something, look at the results, and try a different way… But I'm very quick to do things, sometimes I lack patience… It's important to be honest about your weakness, fill in the gaps with great people, and then empower those people.” [20.52] Some of the toughest challenges Jenny has faced whilst running her businesses, and her unique approach to overcoming them. [27.31] Jenny's experience as a woman in supply chain, and what she's learned. “It's a very male-dominated industry… You feel it very quickly when you're trying to get in... In the early days, when I had a good idea, a good vision, and I knew how to do things… they brushed me off, didn't take me seriously or let me finish. And eventually your voice becomes low and apologetic. At that point, you have to put yourself back together, and try a different door.” [31.47] How Jenny creates positive and inclusive cultures within her own organizations, and her advice for other businesses looking to do better. [34.28] The importance of awards, and what they mean for the industry as it continues to strive for improved diversity and equity. [38.48] The future for Jenny.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Jenny over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more incredible women, check out 422: Women In Supply Chain, Kiran Mann, 437: Women In Supply Chain, Mercedes Pina or 207: Women in supply chain™, Shana Zheng.  

Greg Dunnell of Buckeye Mountain talks about his founder journey; how big challenges impact workers; & why Buckeye are stewards of technology for customers. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.17] An overview of Greg's journey – how he found supply chain, innovated in technology whilst working for some of the industry's biggest names, and ultimately co-founded Buckeye Mountain. “I grew up working on a farm, so transportation came naturally to me. And, when I graduated from college, I wasn't what you'd call an honors student…! I went back to what I knew, and ended up driving a truck.” [12.43] An overview of Buckeye Mountain – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. [15.47] The ideal client for Buckeye Mountain. “It's really about our history and experience because we feel our role – our obligation – is to share those lessons learned. We've been down the pothole of technology for many years… And the secret to success is failure. We've been on that journey.” [18.25] From visibility to productivity, the biggest challenges currently faced by landside logistics facilities, and how they impact frontline workers. “Those people, when the tech goes down – imagine the frustration. ‘I'm not paid to be a technology troubleshooter, I'm paid to operate.' That's the big migration.” [23.45] How Buckeye are helping customers solve their toughest problems remotely and out in the field with their TechOps teams, who ‘think like operators, but act like tech experts.' “It is about the technology, but it's more about: ‘What is the giant problem you're trying to solve?'” [27.28] Why Buckeye act as a steward of technology for their customers, and how TechOps are changing the game. [31.11] How and why Buckeye developed Rapid Deploy technology, and the importance of guaranteed connectivity. [34.28] A case study showing how Buckeye helped an isolated intermodal facility, with no power or network, to be operated as a modern facility with Rapid Deploy and solar technology. [37.30] What we can expect from the landside logistics facilities of tomorrow, and the future for Buckeye. “If we can pull things into an easy workplace environment, and still provide the benefits operationally, that's a no brainer – but you need the infrastructure to do it.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Buckeye Mountain's website to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Buckeye and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Greg on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, check out 424: Orchestrate and Optimize Your Terminal Operations, with Lynxis. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Nikki Driskill talks about her career journey; the changing face of customer service; people leadership; & why women should pursue a career in logistics.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.08] How Nikki found supply chain, and how the industry has changed over the course of her career. “I started so long ago that when you looked for a job, you looked in the newspaper!” [10.59] Why Nikki's career ambitions changed when she fell in love with supply chain; how she discovered a passion for people leadership; and why strong women inspired her to want to build relationships and make a difference. “I was very young and my intent was: ‘I'm going to take this role, and then figure out what I want to do when I grow up'… Then I realized I loved it. There were so many bold women in leadership roles - and I wanted to be them.” [15.38] Nikki's experience of repeated mergers and acquisitions, and how they gave her opportunities to explore the industry and learn new skills. “Each time that we were acquired, things got better in so many different ways… I feel like I've worked for four different companies.” [23.12] How customer service, and its role in relation to wider business success, has changed throughout Nikki's career, with the impact of factors like technology and new generations of workers. “A verbal conversation is good for relationship-building, but we don't have that so much anymore with tech… you have to work differently.” [32.46] The importance of industry awards, especially for women. “It matters so much for women… We need to be reminded to celebrate each other.” [34.32] Nikki's experience as a woman moving through a male-dominated industry, climbing the ladder, and holding leadership positions. [39.59] Why Nikki wants to inspire others to pursue a career in logistics, and why it's such a good career choice for women. [42.32] The future for Nikki. “I want to spend a lot more time mentoring, and making a difference… I want to share what I have – and I don't plan on exiting the industry, that's for sure!”   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Nikki over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more women excelling in customer service and client experience, check out 437: Women In Supply Chain, Mercedes Pina or 415: Women In Supply Chain, Evin Sisemore.  

Lance Dixon of Werner talks about transportation challenges & opportunities; cross-border potential; & how Werner helps to give companies a strategic edge.  IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.26] An introduction to Lance, and to Werner. “It's an ever-changing, dynamic world. And what a change since 1992 when I started at Werner! Things are so different... There are more rules, regulations – probably good for society in general, but it's a chore to keep up!” [08.23] The ideal client for Werner. “It's someone that's open to multi modes of shipping, whatever is most efficient… Someone that's flexible and wants to partner, someone who doesn't look at Werner as just a service provider. We want to work together to solve these transportation and supply chain issues.” [10.20] How both Werner and the industry have changed, and the huge business potential in Mexico. “The pandemic taught us a lot about how fragile long supply chains are, so there's been a move to source closer to the end consumer.” [16.05] The key challenges facing Werner customers right now, and how Werner help tackle them. “There's a northbound-southbound imbalance, with northbound volume outpacing the southbound – there's a lot more coming into the U.S. than there is going out, and nearshoring is going to exacerbate that.” [19.05] The biggest opportunities for organizations in 2025, and the future for nearshoring. “Nearshoring is in the early stages – it's going to take a decade to play itself out, but I'm excited to see where it's going to go.” [22.58] The cross-border potential in Canada, the difference in logistics execution between Canada and Mexico, and the overall importance of the logistics and transportation industries. “It's complex, it's dynamic, it's challenging – but that's what keeps it interesting!” “I don't think we always fully grasp how important logistics and transportation is to so many people… It can seem like a thankless job but what we do, all of us collectively, is so important to companies, to societies.” [28.36] The challenges and risks shippers might face when shipping to and from Mexico, how Werner are helping mitigate them, and Lance's advice for organizations in the early stages of nearshoring. [34.38] Werner's recent $8 million investment to improve operations and capabilities in Mexico, and the importance of providing flexibility, speed, and capacity to customers. [37.55] A case study detailing how Werner helped a client that needed to double their normal volume to keep transportation costs down and boost ROI. “Flexibility is going to be the key to success for many shippers coming out of Mexico, going forward, as nearshoring ramps up.” [40.44] The future for the industry, and for Werner. “We don't practice any more, we're experts at this game.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Werner's website to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Werner and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, or X (Twitter), or you can connect with Lance on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about cross-border transportation, check out 414: Section 321: Borderless Ecommerce At Your Fingertips,or 406: Unlock the Opportunities of Cross-Border Ecommerce, with CargoWise.

Amber Salley of GAINS talks about being data-driven - its four-stage evolution, misconceptions, the problem with LLMs & the benefits of letting the data lead.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.43] An introduction to Amber, her background, and her role at GAINS. “I've taken all that I learned in the past 25 years and brought it to GAINS, to help them think through: ‘Where should we take our product in the future, and what should we be focusing on to help our customers make the highest-quality decisions for their supply chain?'” [07.42] The evolution of data-driven thinking, as technology and mindsets have changed. “You come up with an instinct, a feel for a decision, and then you use the data you have to back it up. You have a lot of confirmation bias in your decision-making.” [10.50] The new paradigm in data-driven thinking. “The new paradigm focuses on discovering patterns and finding correlations over explaining causality… It's not trying to get into the ‘why' that is – it just IS.” [16.18] From confirmation bias to managing leadership pride and instinctual approaches, the common misconceptions and challenges around being data-driven. [21.12] A case study detailing how GAINS helped a key client to get on top of volatile lead time predictability and utilize full data-driven decision-making. [24.50] The challenges of emerging technologies like Language Learning Models. “Generative AI is ultimately a predictor, and it's trained to predict around text. And it's very good – it knows the rules of language, that are pretty rigid and have been around for a very long time… But, if we're thinking about forecasting or creating inventory plans or production plans – there's not an established pattern.” [27.54] The four stages of data-driven evolution and what they mean for teams. [32.44] The benefits of letting the data lead, for both teams and businesses. “For teams, it allows for faster actionable insights and a reduction in manual effort and bias, so they can start to focus on more value-add activities… And the business can achieve better inventory management, better supply chain design, and increase their overall resilience.” [35.20] Exactly how GAINS can help organizations to adopt a truly data-driven approach.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to GAINS's website to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with GAINS and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, or X (Twitter), or you can connect with Amber on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from GAINS, check out 390: Achieve Real Results And Innovate For The Future, with GAINS, 385: Make The Right Decisions For Your Supply Chain, with GAINS or 374: Achieve Supply Chain Optimization In Record Time, with GAINS.

Gina Anderson talks about her career journey; sitting on boards; mentorship; the power of reinvention; and why she's a self-confessed parcel fanatic.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.54] An introduction to Gina and her role at Reveel. [06.42] Gina's career journey, and how she found supply chain. “Someone early on took a chance on me… Ron wanted to bring me into his freight forwarding business to do sales. So I said: “Well, what does that look like – and what does it pay?!” [08.24] Why Gina has entered her 7.0 era, and the power of reinvention. “If you stay stagnant, it's going to be really hard to feel fulfilled.” [09.53] Why Gina took the leap from corporate America to entrepreneurship to found the Savii Group in 2010. “It was powered by purpose. I wanted to help companies drive efficiencies within their supply chain, but then also take part of the money I was helping them save and reinvest that into their people and social good… I couldn't do the corporate grind at that time in my life. Having kids and being able to create something that was purposeful and impactful was a gamechanger for me.” [12.04] What Gina learned from entrepreneurship, and how to identify opportunities to pivot. “If you pay attention, you'll know when it's time to pivot, when it's time to take a passion and reinvent. Having an entrepreneurial spirit isn't easy, it's not something that everyone has. But recognize it if you do have it. Because it could be something spectacular.” [13.47] Gina's advice for successful networking. “There's no secret sauce – it's just being curious!” [16.02] From AI to a lack of transparency, the tech trends that supply chain teams need to pay attention to. [18.55] Gina's perspective on the industry and where businesses are at with big trends like data, technology, and business intelligence. “It's exciting – people are starting to get out of a fear-based mindset, and they're willing to actually see and experience what's out there.” [21.09] Why Gina is a self-proclaimed parcel fanatic. [22.18] Gina's experience of sitting on boards, and her advice for others looking to get a seat at the table. [26.17] Gina's experience of mentorship, and her perspective on its importance. “I've never had a mentor – but I love mentoring!” [28.59] Gina's advice for young professionals looking to build a career like hers. [30.16] The future for Gina.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from other long-standing women in supply chain, check out 342: Women in supply chain™, Juliette Samson or 191: Women in supply chain™, Lora Cecere.

Eric Johnson & Chris Mazza of Shippeo talk about visibility, how big challenges in 2024 impacted the market, & overcoming data quality challenges.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.06] A closer look at two key upcoming conferences: TPM 25 – listen out for a special discount! – and Journal of Commerce's Breakbulk and Project Cargo. [08.19] From an Uber Freight product launch to how technology is enabling companies to pursue smaller incidents of overbilling in freight payments, Eric dives into the big supply chain news of the week. “They announced a product… which you might think looks like a product from Convoy, a company that's now out of business, released a few years ago. And you'd be right.” [14.12] An introduction to Chris Mazza, his career journey, and an overview of Shippeo. “All of a sudden this thing called the internet happened (!), and it began to change the things ocean carriers did internally and how they began to view their customers externally.” [17.51] From the Baltimore Bridge collapse to ongoing port strikes, the biggest challenges of 2024, and how they impacted the visibility market. “At TPM last year you had Robert Gates speaking. And when you have somebody who's basically a geopolitical and defence specialist speaking at what is arguably a transportation and supply chain conference, you know you probably have a problem.” “People are realizing that the first requirement to resiliency in their supply chain is visibility. And, for the vast majority, they do that in an older, more outdated way. They may still be relying on systems or methodologies that were developed in the 90s or 2000s.” [22.07] A closer look at visibility in the ocean and over-the-road markets, the different levels of demand and maturity, and the increasing focus on boosting ocean visibility. “We've seen an enormous jump in the quality of the data, but at the same time, we've seen a huge degradation in the underlying service. The on-time performance, the scheduling integrity – it's not good.” [31.54] A listener question: Should we consider contingency planning as part of the visibility function? [35.55] Carrier APIs – their role in accessing the best data and the challenge of navigating multiple layers of business relationships. “APIs don't clean data. But what they do, ideally, is provide you with easier access. The question in the market is: Are you going to get the best access to the best data via API, EDI or some other methodology?” [40.04] How visibility can be used to prevent missing shipments. [44.13] What Shippeo customers want when it comes to accessing, understanding, analyzing, and reporting their data. [47.02] Chris's favorite musician and why. [49.18] Eric's Dad joke of the week!   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Explore more industry news over on Journal of Commerce, and connect with Eric on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, there are lots more episodes of Logtech Live With Eric Johnson to explore. You can also hear Eric on episode 238, episode 300 and episode 420.

On The Margins: How procurement leaders can maintain supplier relationships, support teams, nurture trust and build resilience in volatile markets.     IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.24] An introduction to Michael van Keulen, and what he loves about travel and spending time with the supply chain community. “I love to connect, I take so much pride in what I get to do every day… Helping and playing a role in the community we've created keeps me energized.” [08.31] From the opportunities in technology to big macro challenges, the issues that are top of mind for the procurement community right now, and why collaboration remains crucial. “We're excited about technology, there's so much out there… Finding the right solution isn't easy, but there's a lot of attention now paid to technology in procurement.” [12.48] Coupa's Mind Your Business campaign. [14.08] The importance of talking about how to thrive through cost-cutting and corporate changes. [15.09] An introduction to Rendi Miller from GitLab, and what she loves about procurement. “Like many people, I fell into procurement. And it's served me so well because of the network of people I've met, friends that I've made. It's a really unique group.” [18.10] How to approach change and navigate transition, and Rendi's personal experience of managing big corporate transitions. “The one thing we can always count on is change. You need to be adaptable, and not be afraid of it… Have trust with your employees as a leader, and have a solid foundation built for your people, processes, and technology.” [21.48] Rendi's advice to her younger self for navigating change. “Every time I've been through some sort of change, it's really been for the better in the long run... You can't be shortsighted.” [25.14] The challenges Rendi faced, and lessons she learned, from managing corporate transitions. [27.40] Rendi's advice for procurement leaders to help maintain supplier relationships in the face of pressure. “The time when you need them to step in and help you with a reduction is not the time to start building a relationship! The time to build relationships is right from the beginning… Treat them as partners instead of just vendors that work for you.” [30.13] How leaders can support their teams emotionally during big changes. [34.18] What procurement leaders can do now to improve resilience for the future. [35.15] It's trivia time! Three questions stand between an audience member and a brand new pickleball set. [40.02] Coupa Inspire returns in 2025 – don't miss your chance to meet Sarah and Michael in Las Vegas.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   If you enjoyed the show, there are plenty more episodes of On The Margins to explore, or check out 213: Manage Your Supply Chain Planning Smarter and Safer with Coupa.

Tom Burke of CargoWise Landside talks about how drayage rating & quoting best practices can improve supply chain management, visibility, & logistics execution.    IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.59] An introduction to Tom and his career journey, how he founded DrayMaster, and its current place in the extensive CargoWise Landise portfolio. “You could say that I've had my hand in every cookie jar when it comes to this industry, and I've gained valuable insights from each experience.” [09.49] Trend one: The importance of collaboration in supply chain management, the improving integration and interoperability between stakeholders, and how a shared access to pricing is helping to drive improvement. “A supply chain without collaboration would be fragmented, inefficient, and unable to meet the demands of modern commerce… It's the glue that holds the entire industry together.” [13.23] Trend two: What visibility and transparency mean to CargoWise Landside, the areas of supply chain where they're most impactful, and how they support drayage rating and quoting best practices. “Forwarders are working across multiple time zones, they need instant access to accurate rates… Waiting for hours or days just doesn't cut it any more. And for trucking companies, if you're not providing rates electronically, your likely missing out on opportunities to quote and move freight.” “Together, they're the foundation of today's drayage and quoting practices.” [18.05] Trend three: The role of automation in shipping logistics and supply chain management – how it's reducing manual effort, breaking down data siloes, and ensuring accuracy across data, from quote to invoice. “Ultimately, it's all about efficiency and transformation. Automation is changing the way businesses operate, enabling them to run leaner and more efficiently with the precision that's now needed.” [21.05] From rising customer expectations to issues with change management, the biggest challenges these three core trends present to drayage operators. [26.26] How drayage operators are managing through these trends and challenges, and why digitalization is no longer a nice-to-have. [28.47] ‘Good, better, best' – the three step approach to best practices, why best practices are needed across the industry, and how they pull together the key trends of collaboration, transparency, and automation. [32.52] How DrayMaster can help truckers to reduce quote turnaround times by up to a huge 95%. [34.59] A case study detailing how DrayMaster helped a 3PL to achieve 44% lower rates, resulting in annual savings of over $1.5 million, and drastically reducing invoice discrepancies by over 50% and counting. [39.30] How DrayMaster helps truckers and 3PLs to work together, deliver collaboration, visibility and data, and how drayage rating and quoting best practices can improve supply chain management and logistics execution. “When truckers and 3PLs work together seamlessly, the ripple effect benefits everybody involved.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to CargoWise Landside's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with CargoWise and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, X (Twitter) or Facebook, you can connect with Tom on LinkedIn. If you want to hear more from CargoWise, we have plenty more for you! Check out 412: Maximize Warehouse Efficiency and Profitability, with CargoWise, 406: Unlock the Opportunities of Cross-Border Ecommerce, with CargoWise, 346: Enable and Empower Your Supply Chain, with WiseTech, 367: Going Beyond Visibility – Unveiling The Invisible, 369: From Chaos To Clarity: Simplifying Global Customs Compliance, 371: Going Beyond Visibility – From Risk to Resilience: How Technology Is Transforming Global Supply chains, or 373: Going Beyond Visibility – Culture and Digitization.  

Bill Catania of OneRail talks about their recent Series C funding; collaboration with IBM Sterling®; & the challenges for retailers and wholesalers in 2025. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.46] An introduction to Bill, and how OneRail are empowering customers to design and execute their own brand of delivery solutions.  “I love what we do – we're solving a shopper marketing problem with supply chain and logistics... We're helping our customers fulfil excellence at scale.” [09.57] OneRail's successful Series B funding round in 2022, and the exciting changes they implemented with this initial investment to position themselves for growth. [12.37] How OneRail are building on that growth with $42 million of Series C funding and an overview of the OneRail vision that this further investment will help propel them towards. “Venture capital for logistics and supply chain tech start ups has reduced by 90%. We just raised a Series C – a very difficult round under good circumstances – at a time when 90% of funding is gone. And there's only one way to recognize that – the team.” [18.32] OneRail's new partnership with IBM Sterling® Order and Fulfillment Suite, and how it aligns with Bill's vision for creating frictionless experiences. “We're trying to remove friction. When we look at the pandemic, there were a lot of point solutions, solving little pieces of the problem. And now we're seeing a lot of deprecation in some of those platforms, because they're not solving enough of the bigger problems.” [21.17] The customer benefits of the OneRail and IBM Sterling® collaboration. “The only way to build trust is repeatable success, and then you build a behavior, and then you build loyalty.” [26.20] Why OneRail built its own fintech platform expansion for freight audit pay and claims, how it helps customers and its pioneering place as the first solution in the market for this category. [31.49] The biggest challenges facing retailers and wholesalers in 2025. “Data siloes are what holds up optimization, but optimization is where the value is.” [33.32] With those challenges in mind, where retailers and wholesalers need to focus, and what they need to prioritize, for the year ahead. “A decentralized, fully interoperable solution is absolutely the future.”   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to OneRail's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with OneRail and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or X (Twitter) or you can connect with Bill on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show and want to hear more from OneRail, listen to 419: Discover OmniPoint Inventory Visibility and Tackle Shrinkage, with OneRail, 349: Deliver a Frictionless Last Mile, with OneRail, and 393: Get 100% Visibility Over Your Final Mile, with OneRail.

Mandar Rahatekar of Manhattan talks about unified supply chain planning; breaking siloes; UI design; & leveraging AI and machine learning to reduce complexity.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.47] An introduction to Mandar, and an overview of Manhattan. [07.48] Mandar's career, his journey from Manhattan customer to employee, and what he loves about supply chain. “I'm a mechanical engineer. I started my career in manufacturing and the first lesson I learned, day one on the shop floor, was: I knew nothing.” [11.13] Why the industry is starting to pay attention to unification, and why technology, the ever-growing complexity of supply chain, and increasing speed of business mean it's more important than ever to merge supply chain planning with execution. “We're at the right intersection of the requirement of us as customers, and the technology that will support it.” [16.07] Why supply chain has historically been so siloed, and how the changing speed of communication and evolution of siloed working led to a culture of tech integrations. “As humans, we need to solve problems that are manageable… There's a limit to how much we can do, so we have departments… And everybody chose to solve the problem they can actually influence.” [21.38] How creating one single plan can help to break down siloes, and align all resources to a common business objective. “I learned, as a forecast analyst, as soon as I publish a forecast, I'm lying! Because it's no longer right, things have already changed… The process is there, but the speed doesn't match the speed of business. We have to use technology to match that speed.” [24.58] How organizations can simplify the planning process, to build a plan that works for everyone across departments and priorities. [29.59] The challenges of different internal and external data sources, and how businesses can leverage AI and machine learning to sift through them and produce more accurate demand forecasts. “More data is good, but it doesn't always lead to accurate forecasts.” [36.29] The importance of UI design, and how it can bring simplicity and transparency for users. [41.26] Continuous order build – what it means, and why it's important. [44.02] How having a broad unified view, and keeping everyone focused on a common business objective, benefits a business's bottom line; and the key drivers of ROI for customers. “The biggest cost driver is inventory itself, with the cost of labor to add value and move it around, then warehousing and transportation. About 70% of the cost of goods sold is inventory.” [48.06] Why generative AI is the trend every supply chain professional should be thinking about in 2025.

Maria Madrigal talks about her career journey; overcoming challenges in a male-dominated industry; her leadership style; & the achievement she's most proud of.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.56] An introduction to Maria and WSI. [07.20] Maria's 24-year tenure at WSI, and what she loves about the business. “I built relationships, I just love WSI, it's like a family… like home.” [08.02] Maria's first role as a window clerk and what it taught her. “I saw a lot of disgruntled drivers, but that started my journey of building a thick skin!” [09.27] Maria's perspective on formal education within the industry, and finding the balance between real-life experience and academic learning. “Education is important, but there's no textbook that's going to teach you what you learn hands-on.” [11.27] The challenges Maria faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry. [14.27] How WSI supported Maria in her journey to becoming their first female Director of Operations, and the role of both mentors and advocates in her growth. [17.45] The three key qualities every mentor should have and Maria's advice for mentees. “You've got to be brave enough to raise your hand – it's OK to ask for help… And if you don't ask, you don't get.” [19.25] The biggest challenge, and opportunity, for the industry right now. “I know we have to be automated to be competitive… but, in doing so, the challenge is making sure we don't lose the connectivity with individuals, that personal one-on-one touch. With automation, we lose that.” [21.33] Maria's leadership style, and how it translates to success for her team. [24.32] Maria's biggest achievement. “I felt vindicated. The fact that I'm here, I am who I am now – that's a testament to my success.” [27.37] What winning the Women In Supply Chain ‘Trailblazer' award means to Maria. “For those that doubted me, here I am today as a trailblazer and a Director.” [28.31] Maria's biggest inspiration. [29.27] The future for Maria, and WSI.

Mercedes Pina talks about her career journey; her experience as an immigrant; her passion for logistics; and why she believes that anything is possible.     IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.05] Mercedes' experience as a young immigrant in Long Island, and why her parents instilled in her a sense of hard work and perseverance. “The sacrifices my parents made gave me the opportunity to strive for excellence in everything I do.” [08.47] The challenges Mercedes faced as a young immigrant in a new country, her approach to tackling them, and how those experiences shaped the woman she is today. [10.11] Where Mercedes' career began, and how she discovered a passion for logistics. “Initially, I thought logistics would be something temporary. But as I got deeper into the industry, I became captivated by it's vastness and complexity, and by the challenges of understanding the full scope of it.” [11.58] Mercedes' role as Vice President of Client Services and Expedited Pricing at STG Logistics, and the importance of collaboration. “I focus on nurturing relationships, and understanding our clients evolving needs.” [14.25] The increasing focus on client services, and how businesses are leveraging customer experience as a competitive advantage. “The rising focus on client services marks a pivotal shift in how businesses approach customer relationships. Exceptional service is now vital for retention and brand loyalty, which sets companies apart in the market.” [15.39] How Mercedes approaches pricing strategies, and finds the balance between value and cost. “Navigating pricing amongst inflation – it is challenging. We focus on transparency and value creation.” [17.38] Mercedes' trend predictions for logistics in 2025. “In today's world, it's hard to predict anything! But, come 2025, I anticipate several key trends with automation, AI and sustainability… And more sophisticated final mile solutions – people want everything faster!” [18.42] What Mercedes' Rising Star award at this years Women in Supply Chain Awards means to her, as a young woman and immigrant. [20.01] Mercedes' passion for mentoring, and how she's bridging the gap and meeting young women where they are. “Mentoring is crucial, especially in supply chain where diversity and inclusion can significantly enhance innovation and problem-solving. My experience as a young woman gives me a unique insight into the challenges people face entering this field.” [21.41] The biggest challenge for young women looking to find their place in the industry. [23.23] Mercedes' belief that anything is possible, and her advice for translating a positive mindset into action. “Failure is just a stepping stone to success.” [24.55] The future for Mercedes. [25.31] Mercedes' advice for senior leaders thinking about creating safe spaces for young women in the industry.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from incredible women in the industry, check out 433: Women In Supply Chain, Annie Torikian, 425: Women In Supply Chain, Josephine Coombe or 422: Women In Supply Chain, Kiran Mann.    

Alex Yaseen of Parabola talks about his founder journey; the future of spreadsheets; empowering teams with workflow control; and embracing AI.    IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.34] An introduction to Alex, his background, and the journey that led him to found Parabola. “Most people seem to engage with new tech with fear and a lack of agency… People describe fighting against technology. And that's a shame, because you could have such a positive, productive, empowering relationship with technology once you know how to use it.” [12.48] The challenges Alex saw as a consultant at Deloitte, and the problems he still sees across the industry, when it comes to people and technology. “Even at Fortune 50 companies, people were still doing incredibly non-scalable, crazy, manual processes on spreadsheets.” [16.46] An overview of Parabola – who they are, what they do and how they help their customers – and Alex's take on the mismatch between operations and IT that Parabola is helping to solve. [21.09] The growing importance of AI, and how Parabola are integrating it into their solution with impact in mind. “Combining two things together is important – the ability to grab the data, and the ability to action on it.” [26.16] The ideal client for Parabola. [28.23] A closer look at the Parabola platform, its intuitive drag-and-drop workflow, and how teams can use it. [31.37] Why integration isn't something you need to be scared of with Parabola. “When people hear the word ‘integration' they get scared. It's normally a big long process, you have to work with your IT team and they're going to get mad at you… We want to do things differently.” [34.23] How the Parabola platform can help supply chain teams optimize processes from scorecarding and management to audits and track and trace. [39.43] From improving productivity and facilitating growth, to saving time and giving teams ownership over their own workflows, the impact of that optimization on businesses and their bottom lines. “Operations people are probably the most important people at a company – they know how things work and have great ideas… We're trying to shine a spotlight onto them… And our best users have a track record of being promoted pretty quickly.” [42.05] The impact of leveraging the power of Parabola on the industry. [45.02] A case study detailing how Parabola helped a large retail brand achieve multiple levels of ROI – saving them money, but also boosting team engagement and job satisfaction, and helping the Director of Operations get a better seat at the table in leadership conversations. [49.51] From AI to nurturing a better understanding of business problems, what we can expect from the industry in 2025. “Increasingly, the hard thing within companies is actually understanding the problem... It's that knowledge of what's important within the company, and having people on your team who know where the bodies are buried! Companies who are great at cultivating and empowering their people are going to rise to the surface.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Parabola's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Parabola and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Alex on LinkedIn.

Tiffany Brewer of Blue Yonder talks about synchronizing supply chain execution; building resilient businesses; & helping clients reduce spend & drive growth. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.23] An introduction to Tiffany, her background, and the expertise she brings to her role at Blue Yonder. “I've been in the shoes of our customers, and I'm able to speak to the product teams and say: “Hey – this is what's going on in the industry, this is what our customers need.” [08.24] What synchronizing supply chain execution means to Blue Yonder and their customers. “We've historically had point solutions that solve each problem, from warehousing to transportation… but they're not really separate processes to the point that systems shouldn't be talking to each other.” [12.35] The macro challenges rocking the industry right now; why a lot of current tech architecture isn't capable of keeping up; and how connected solutions can help. [20.35] How those big challenges impact Blue Yonder customers, and the challenge of navigating the push and pull between the different perspectives on the right amount of synchronization. [25.28] What it means to be a resilient and agile company; why it's so important; and how synchronizing supply chain execution can help achieve that resilience and agility. “What it comes down to is focusing on bringing the most value to the business.” [30.09] The paradigm shift that's needed to increase that resilience and agility; the benefits that will come out of it; and the importance of measuring the right things. “Getting all of the opinions and perspectives into the room is key… How can we, as an organization, make these decisions together and figure out which thing is the most important for the business, instead of the most important for individual business areas.” [34.27] An overview of Blue Yonder's platform and solutions that are enabling a synchronized approach to handling supply chain execution and disruption for customers. [36.55] The benefits of synchronizing supply chain execution, and how Blue Yonder are helping to reduce transportation costs by 30-40%, decrease labor costs by 10-15%, and lower inventory costs by 8%. [40.14] What Blue Yonder's recent Supply Chain Executive Survey can tell us about what teams are thinking about, and focusing on, for 2025. “Over 80% of execs are getting ready to bring more AI/ML into their businesses.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Blue Yonder's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Blue Yonder and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Tiffany on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Blue Yonder, check out 417: Fulfill Your Potential, with Blue Yonder.

Annie Torikian talks about her career journey; her passion for innovation; balancing professional and social responsibility; and being named a trailblazer.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.47] The journey that led Annie from Lebanon to Canada, and what she learned along the way. “When I first came to Canada, I was really ready to embrace a new chapter in my life. I came looking for stability and security… It was a big shift… and it gave me a new perspective on life.” [08.30] The surprisingly practical reason that led Annie to supply chain, and how she fell in love with the industry. “Over the years… I realized how impactful and important the job I was doing was... As I discovered the complexities and global impact of supply chain, it became a no-brainer for me, I thought ‘I'm going to stay in this industry and thrive'… Sometimes, the most rewarding paths are the ones we never planned to take.” [10.37] An overview of Tecsys, what they do, and how they help their customers. [11.54] Annie's role as Vice President of Enhanced Business Solutions at Tecsys, and how she became a driving force in innovation, spearheading initiatives and incorporating new automation technologies. “Automation in itself is not a new concept, but there's such a rapid shift in the technology that it's become a gamechanger. And any company that needs to remain competitive has no choice but to deploy some kind of automation in their warehouses.” [16.28] Annie's 26 year tenure with Tecsys, how she evolved from analyst to VP, and some of her biggest challenges and achievements along the way. “For anyone to stay so long in the same company, there needs to be an alignment between your personal and company values. For me, it was integrity, professionalism, respect and teamwork.” [20.35] How supply chain and technology has changed over the course of Annie's career. “It's cool to have a front row seat in this evolution.” [23.07] With a historic lack of women in leadership, how the industry has changed for women. [25.53] Annie's take on mentorship. [30.36] The importance of balancing professional and social responsibility, and why volunteering is key to good leadership. “For me, it became an integral part of my leadership  identity, and I think its crucial for any executive that wants to be impactful to do some kind of volunteering… You meet so many people, of different backgrounds, characters, and personalities… It sharpens your leadership skills and prepares you for complex roles.” [33.57] Annie's recent Women in Supply Chain Forum award win, and what it means to be named a ‘trailblazer' in the industry. “Never assume that you've reached your full potential.” [35.17] The future for Annie.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Annie over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from women who have moved countries and continents to excel in supply chain, check out 389: Women in Supply Chain, Carmit Glik, 326: Women in supply chain™, Paige Wei-Cox, or 275: Women in supply chain™, Amani Radman.

Jeff Beadle of Manhattan talks about their Unified Forecasting Method; how the hybrid approach is different; & the benefits to supply chain planning.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.28] An introduction to Jeff, his role at Manhattan, and how, as a physicist coming from a job at the “applied chaos lab,” he found his way to supply chain. “As a data scientist, there's not a better sandbox than supply chain – and especially at Manhattan, given the breadth of solutions we have across the space.” [09.10] Why unification is key to both Manhattan's approach to helping clients and to improving the industry; and its importance in forecasting. “By unifying demand forecasting methods into a single composite model, it elevates capability, robustness, adaptability, and accuracy – and therefore all of the optimization of supply chain processes, and applications that are consuming that output.” [12.32] An overview of UFM, how its hybrid forecasting approach differs from more traditional statistical models and standalone machine learning models, and why Manhattan have combined these approaches into one model. “Hybrid forecasting combines statistical time series models with machine learning algorithms offering a uniquely powerful and balanced approach to demand forecasting.” [17.38] The challenges with machine learning, and the benefits that UFMs hybrid approach brings to supply chain planning. “There are still shortcomings to machine learning, and high failure rates… Machine learning builds knowledge strictly from the data it observes. So if it has an incomplete aspect of the data model… it can lead to misleading results.” [23.56] How UFM allows organizations to make decisions that have benefits across all business areas. “That combined hybrid approach takes on an inside-out, outside-in demand planning approach… this provides a very adaptive, accurate mechanism… and that impacts all cross-functional processes.” [27.07] An overview of how UFM continuously learns and updates its forecasts in real-time. [30.07] The low-management nature of UFM, and how that frees up teams to take on the more strategic and creative work. “It's very autonomous and hands-free – it doesn't require special staffing or oversight.” [33.30] The ideal client for Manhattan's UFM. “The better plans and forecasts we have, the less we have to react through execution systems – that's sub-optimal. You want a better plan, a better projection, and the more accurate and tighter that is, the better the overall downstream impact.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Manhattan's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Manhattan and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Jeff on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Manhattan, check out 430: Unify Your Supply Chain Systems, with Manhattan Associates.

Trace Haggard of TSG Fleet talks about his founder journey; the problem of overcapacity; avoiding delays; & the benefit of providing solutions under one roof.     IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.45] Trace's entrepreneurial background, and the journey that led him to found TSG Fleets.  “I came from an agricultural family, and I wanted to get off the farm!... By coincidence, I did an internship at a 3PL… The general manager asked if I'd be interested in coming back for a job, and that sounded much better than law school!” [14.10] An overview of TSG – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. [16.09] The ideal client for TSG. “I prefer relationship-based customers… When things happen strategically, or when economics aren't working out, you can sit down and have a discussion and accomplish something. Transactional customers come and go.” [19.11] The current landscape of trucking and biggest challenges, from theft to over-capacity. “The pandemic sent a tidal wave of capacity out there, we all thought the world was going to change… And it did for about 18 months… then everything snapped back. And that wave of capacity crashed.” [23.01] The opportunities in US-Mexico trade, and why TSG are well placed to help clients maximize those cross-border opportunities. [26.56] TSG's terminal operations solutions and how they're helping brands optimize their logistics processes, especially when combined with maintenance and repair services. [32.36] TSG's 24/7 secure storage, and how it helps to combat the rising issue of security and theft. [37.45] Real-life examples of how TSG proactively monitor a range of factors for clients, from temperature and fuel to maintenance, to keep trucks on the move, avoiding delays and saving money. “When minor issues happen, they cause big delays – and that costs money.” [42.40] Trace's perspective on what's to come for the industry. “Things are still unpredictable… the rate of motor carriers closing their doors is insane… but I'm cautiously optimistic.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to TSG Fleet's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with TSG and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Trace on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about trucking, check out 404: Parking Your Truck Is As Easy As 1, 2, 3, with Truck Parking Club, 360: Deliver A Great Trucker Experience, with DCLI or 429: Women In Supply Chain, Kameel Gaines.

Bryant Smith of Manhattan talks about supply chain unification; visibility, resiliency & cost; overcoming siloes; and delivering big results with their TMS. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.52] An overview of Manhattan – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. [08.20] The basics of supply chain unification, what it means, and the common misconceptions. “There are a lot of misconceptions about unification… Sometimes you hear other companies express unification as integrations between different systems… that's not our definition of unification!” “There are a lot of different components and workflows that are associated with managing a supply chain… and we have a single platform that manages all those workflows in one central place.” [10.39] A closer look at Manhattan's transport management solutions and modernized tech platform, and how the platform has evolved over time. “Supply chain execution is hard – but using the technology shouldn't be.” [18.20] Why supply chain has historically been so siloed, and how we can unify our fractured ecosystems. “Supply chain tech started as on-premise, and that creates siloes… And the approach was very pointed. People would say “I have this problem, I need to create a software to solve it” – so now we have a bunch of software's that do really specialized things.” [23.10] Visibility: what it means to Manhattan, why it's so important, and the huge potential it has for supply chain, from optimizing buying patterns to improved labor utilization. “It's not warehouse versus transportation any more. It's inbound versus outbound.” [29.39] The power of resiliency, and what it means for organizations as they face continued global disruption. “Being resilient is about seeing and understanding, but also about being able to proactively – or reactively – resolve exceptions as they happen.” [37.06] The impact of supply chain unification on cost, and the range of business areas in which companies can make significant reductions. [41.30] A case study detailing how Manhattan helped a global specialist in energy management to unify, simplify their technology landscape, and reduce cost, resulting in a huge seven-figure return on investment. [45.33] The ideal client for Manhattan. “Our architecture allows you to scale up and down based on your complexity.” [46.48] The future for Manhattan, and the big role generative AI and automation is going to play in supply chain unification.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Manhattan's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Manhattan and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Bryant on LinkedIn.

Kameel Gaines talks about her career journey; her business Rig on Wheels; driver recruitment; & the importance of elevating African American women in trucking.  IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.37] Kameel's career journey, and how she found her way from educational sales to trucking recruitment. “Trucking chose me!” [10.38] Why Kameel founded her own business, Rig on Wheels, and why she always had an entrepreneurial mindset. “I came from an entrepreneurial family, so I wasn't afraid of it. [13.42] A closer look at Rig on Wheels; what makes it different; and Kameel's reputation for innovation and taking a driver-centric approach to business. “We are very much an advocate of the professional driver. Innovation is very important because evolution is coming, it's here! We want to make sure that our drivers are ready.” “Recruitment is changing, and social media is the new CB radio! We need to meet drivers where they are.” [16.54] Rig on Wheels' upcoming 15-year anniversary, and Kameel's laidback approach to the celebrations. “I'm just excited that my team is excited!” [18.10] Why Kameel launched the first-of-its-kind Rig on Wheels podcast; her passion for ongoing learning; and why she's always looking to improve. “I started educating myself, and looking at other peoples shows. And, instead of looking at them as a spectator, I was looking to learn… How can we do this better? We're not looking for perfection, but we are looking for excellence.” [21.46] Kameel's perspective on the rise of supply chain media, and the innate inclusivity in helping professionals from all walks of life to engage, learn, and communicate in new ways. “There are a lot of voices, and there's a voice for everyone – that's what's great. Everybody identifies with someone.” [26.29] Kameel's previous role as co-chairwoman of the African American Women's Trucking Association, and the importance of elevating the representation and success of African American women in trucking. “Representation matters. You can't be what you don't see.” [29.31] The role of mentors in Kameel's career journey, and how she maintained those relationships over time. [34.33] Kameel's advice for the young women looking to follow in her footsteps. “Open up your eyes to new possibilities, get out of your comfort zone – the world is your back yard.” [36.47] The one (unexpected) career achievement that Kameel is most proud of. [37.47] The future for Rig on Wheels.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Kameel over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more women in trucking, check out 347: Women In Supply Chain™, Seretha Willingham, 275: Women In Supply Chain™, Amani Radman, or 205: Time To Make A Move, with Knichel Logistics.

Amit Sharma of Narvar talks about leveraging intelligent communication to boost consumer trust, create memorable shopping experiences & maximize conversions. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.56] Amit's career journey, and how it led him to establish Narvar. [10.12] An overview of Narvar – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. “Online, after we buy, there's a waiting period. And often that waiting period is overlooked, or under-invested. We help businesses engage their customers with the intention of driving long term loyalty and advocacy.” [12.54] The ideal client for Narvar. [14.28] Amit's take on the biggest e-commerce challenges right now, especially when it comes to the post-purchase experience. “Once you buy a product, it's a chore. ‘Find a tracking number; When can I get it?; Do I have to be at home,?; Will the package be secure?'… There are all these questions that lead to anxiety about the order you placed. So the challenge is to build the trust every step of the way.” “There's a disconnect... you have to understand the customers context and provide the right information at the right time.” [17.13] Narvar's mission to simplify the everyday lives of consumers, and why taking care of retail customers isn't just the right thing to do – it's good business. “Everything is “and” now. It has to be cheaper AND it has to be faster AND it has to be on time AND it has to be an amazing customer experience.” “Consumers want returns policies and processes that are easy to understand and follow… and making it convenient is better for the retailer as well.” [25.18] Why 60% of shoppers are more likely to choose a retailer that can tell them the exact date a package will arrive at the time of order; and the role of Narvar's ‘Promise' solution in helping retailers utilize intelligent delivery estimates to drive conversion and deliver transparency. “Given a choice, customers select visibility and predictability of delivery dates versus faster delivery. And, from the merchant perspective, we then see consumers buy more, and make less customer service enquiries, because you've built trust and confidence…. There's a big benefit from setting that expectation.” [31.46] How Narvar helps retailers continue to communicate with consumers using post-purchase marketing and different touchpoints to keep them informed, but also boost trust, keep experience levels high and upsell. [35.35] The challenge of returns, and how Narvar helps retailers to find the balance of retaining revenue and reducing costs, whilst also offering customers easy, convenient, positive experiences. “All of the data and sophistication gets applied on the acquisition side, but not much on the retention side. Returns is an opportunity for that.” [40.38] Why Narvar is fostering collaboration between retailers, and how a unique relationship with Kohl's is setting a standard for smoother, cheaper, and more sustainable returns experiences for brands and consumers alike. “Cheaper, convenient, and beneficial for everybody.” [44.42] The upcoming trends and opportunities in the ecommerce industry that we should be looking out for. “Using intelligence, the supply chain is going to get more and more intuitive, more consumer-friendly, and more cost-effective for all the players involved.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Narvar's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Narvar and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Amit on LinkedIn.

Jeremy Reeves of Relish & Matt Montgomery of SAP talk about how technology can automate supplier data validation and mitigate risk; our data end games; & AI.    IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.15] Introductions to today's guests and what they do. [08.59] An overview of the landscape of supplier data and the challenges of validation. “Supplier management needs to be thought of as the foundation for everything. It's the knowledge that you need to have for every single decision you're making.” “As we look at solutions and talk about supplier data, we can't just talk about ‘company name and address.' We have to think: What do you need to know to make the choice to use that supplier, to make a better decision, to streamline processes? … How do you collaborate and drive efficiency so you can spend more time on the good decisions versus data collection?” [13.25] The supplier data end game – what supplier data should look like, and what it should do for their businesses, if organizations have the right solutions to their challenges. “Speed and efficiency are the name of the game.” [17.11] How businesses should be measuring and validating supplier data, and the different techniques and strategies they can use to do it. “You first have to understand where the problems are lying within the overall process, so measuring that information is key.” [20.52] The role of technology in automating the supplier data validation process. “Speed becomes a competitive differentiator.” [23.26] Whether process drives technology, or technology drives process. “Technology can really optimize that knowledge of region, industry, commodity, business unit… but as much as the technology can optimize, it becomes much more efficient when you can trust the data source.” [28.27] How technology can help suppliers be active participants in the risk management process. [32.51] The hidden prevalence of AI; where the industry is at on its AI journey; and what the future of supplier data validation and risk mitigation is going to look like. “The term is overused – it means everything! People think Siri, ChatGPT – people's perception of AI is the microcosm of how they're experiencing it.” [36.53] How SAP and Relish are automating supplier data validation, and what we can learn from their approach. [43.44] The future for Relish and SAP, and for the industry, as we look towards 2025. “The ability for technology to automate the speed of development – we're going to see a lot more capabilities, delivered faster.”  

Thomas Bagge of DCSA & Thomas Morris of FINN Partners talk about digitalization in container shipping; drivers & barriers to change; and progress & priorities.     IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.45] Introductions to today's guests and what they do. “DCSA aims to help digitalize and make container shipping more effective. We're open source and vendor neutral… and our members represent about 75% of the world's containerized capacity.” [10.13] An overview of DCSA's new state of the industry report: what it's about, why they commissioned it, and what they're aiming to achieve. “Decision makers are strongly advocating for more digital tools, more interoperability – they want to improve efficiency… So how do we convert these demands into firm commitments that will help drive digitalization forward?” [13.41] A closer look at the methodology and analytics that were used in the creation of the report. “We're excited. Given the amount of ground we've covered, and the amount of research we've done – we think it's one of the most comprehensive reports looking at digitalization within container shipping.” [17.35] The landscape of digitalization in container shipping, and the historic issues with data, visibility and interoperability. “There have been a lot of great initiatives and strides made in our industry… but we need to take the next steps. A lot of those previous digital initiatives were invented in siloes. So, the biggest issues we have today are a lack of data and interoperability.” [21.32] The current sentiment in the industry towards digital, and whether or not that sentiment was a surprise; and the impact being made by increasing standardization. “I was surprised by the level of manual interventions that we still see in the industry!” “86% of cargo owners said that digitalization is a tool that would help improve efficiency and process, and they see the opportunity – we saw cargo owners talk about customer satisfaction, operational costs, and competitive advantage.” [26.18] The key drivers and barriers to digitalization in the container shipping industry. “Cargo owners are ready to go, but two thirds said they need help and support. Some are fearful of legacy systems… and there's also some internal company resistance. We need to get the tech right, but businesses are made of people, and we need to bring them along on the journey as well.” [30.55] Industry progress, and supply chain stakeholders' priorities for further change. “We have a complex industry, there are many stakeholders – this is a problem of a whole ecosystem…. Removing the barriers to trade is in everybody's interest.” [36.51] Why sustainability has to be one of the industry's biggest priorities; how organizations are approaching increasingly stringent regulations and impending ESG deadlines; and how digitalization is going to make a difference. “The fuel transition is not something that's around the corner, we're going to have emissions for many years to come… but the industry can save up to 14% on fuel through collaboration and implementation of just-in-time standards – and that's work we can do today, we don't have to wait for 2040.” [39.23] What DCSA are currently working on to help address key industry priorities, and an example of how they helped a retailer save costs, standardize, and integrate quickly through effective digitalization. [41.05] How enhanced collaboration can help to accelerate the adoption of digital tools. “Almost a third of cargo owners talked about hesitancy to adopt new technology solutions before their peers or partners. It's a classic case of ‘who jumps first?'!” [43.40] DCSA's vision for the future of container shipping, and how the industry is going to continue to evolve.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to DCSA's website now to find out more and download the report. You can also connect with DCSA and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Thomas Morris on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about container shipping, listen to 340: Container Confusion: Are Shipping Trends Lost at Sea? with Steve Ferreira, or read The Use Cases and ROI of Container Tracking for Freight Forwarders.

Josephine Coombe talks about her career journey; how marketing has changed; work/life balance; & why it's never been a more exciting time to be in supply chain.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.26] Josephine's career journey; her transition from the arts to technology and supply chain; and why embracing ambiguity is a good thing. “I wouldn't say my career was planned, or at least the first half was more serendipity than planning. But, around halfway through, I started being much more deliberate about where I was going as a professional. And, particularly for young women, allowing a little bit of the unexpected can take you down paths that are very positive.” [08.49] How marketing has changed over the course of Josephine's career; why it's vital to bring creativity and analytics together; and why data isn't everything when it comes to marketing. “It's been a very interesting time to see the shifts in marketing. Back then marketing was, to some extent, more of an arts discipline… And it's changed dramatically, as digital marketing has enabled a much more analytical approach.” “We can go overboard with trying to make the data tell us everything – and it can't. I often see wild goose chases when it comes to attribution, but often what's lost in those conversations is the influencing factors… Not everything can be perfectly measured but, just because it can't, doesn't mean that it's not delivering value.” [14.33] Josephine's role as Chief Commercial Officer at Nulogy – what it involves, how she approaches the role, and the importance of bringing sales and marketing together. “The ability to get out of your silo and into another area enables you to build empathy for other business areas.” [18.37] Josephine's experience of moving from North America to Europe for her latest job role. [22.10] Nulogy's vision of collaboration and co-innovation, and the big industry challenges they're tackling with these core principles. “More and more, we're seeing a reliance on external providers to enable growth. But if you don't know what's going on out there, it's going to be difficult to achieve. It's a big supply chain issue.” [25.02] The significant momentum driving women's involvement in supply chain in the UK, and the different culture it's creating for the industry. “In the logistics industry in the UK, there's been a deliberate effort to move beyond the historical reliance and dominance of men to enable more women in leadership positions.” [27.40] Josephine's experience as a woman in supply chain, and how things have changed for women over the course of her career. [29.33] Why it's never been a more exciting time to be in supply chain, and Josephine's advice for younger generations, especially women, who may be looking to join the industry and take advantage of that excitement and momentum. “The pandemic made very clear to the world that supply chain is critical to society. And it made very clear to big businesses that they couldn't treat their supply chain organizations like an operational necessity, they had to recognize its highly strategic value to the business. So we've seen a tremendous focus and investment in supply chain.” [31.29] The turning point in Josephine's career; the influential people who played a part in her journey; and why you don't ever stop learning. [36.16] Josephine's passion for the arts; achieving her diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music; and the importance of embracing creativity as part of work/life balance. “For me, creative endeavors are part of work/life balance. It's so important to make sure you've got that type of time to unwind and give your brain something fresh to think about.” [38.41] The future for Josephine.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Josephine over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more inspiring women in the industry, check out 422: Women In Supply Chain™, Kiran Mann or 380: Women In Supply Chain™, Christine Barnhart.

Larry Cuddy of Lynxis talks about transforming terminal operations; consolidating solutions; & his vision for the landside logistics facilities of tomorrow.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.39] Larry's career journey and unrivalled passion for supply chain. “My journey is so special because I love what I do. I have to pinch myself, because it's really not a job for me… This journey started at five or six years old in a truck with my grandfather.” [08.53] An overview of Lynxis – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. “We're designing a platform for the asset owner and the operator, and there are three things that are core to that: how do you move cargo; how do you do it in less space; and how do you reduce your operating costs? And the common denominator is optimizing terminals.” [12.35] The ideal client for Lynxis. [14.24] The biggest challenges currently faced by cargo terminals and landside logistics facilities, and Lynxis' approach to tackling them. “Yes: tech is important, automation is important. But we've got to look at the infrastructure and workforce side as well.” [18.22] Lynxis' aim to transform terminal operations from the ground up, and drive rapid transformation in the industry, by building teams that ‘think like operators, but act like tech experts.' [21.14] The importance of consolidation in an inter-connected industry, and how Lynxis is working with customers to pull infrastructure, equipment, tech, and people together into one highly orchestrated model. [24.50] How Lynxis is utilizing advanced technology to provide the mission-critical solutions that organizations need to tackle challenges, achieve orchestration, and eliminate the risks that slow the flow of cargo. “It's about building the tech to proactively monitor, using real-time vision systems, in order to keep the flow of goods moving well.” “We are in the digital planning game. How do we model something and look at the differences between a hypothetical and real life, and which works better? And you can only do that with data.” [30.42] The importance of orchestration and optimization, and two case studies showing how Lynxis has helped key clients achieve big results. [35.24] Lynxis' vision of the landside logistics facilities of tomorrow, and how they're working towards making that vision a reality. “Our goal is to democratize, and make manual terminals more automated, without spending millions of dollars on tech and infrastructure.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Lynxis' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Lynxis and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Larry on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Larry, listen to 325: Build Thriving Supply Chain Communities, with Envase Technologies.

Ryan Zelhofer of Assent talks about PFAS management & evolving regulations; understanding risk; working with suppliers; & compliance as a competitive advantage.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.35] An overview of Assent – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. “We're a SaaS company, with a flair of personal touch!” [07.31] The ever-changing regulatory landscape, specifically through the lens of PFAS, and the challenges it's presenting for businesses. “You're seeing a flurry of activity in the U.S. alone, and each state has it's own twist to the regulations… Companies are having to prepare for a federal reporting requirement, but they're also having to keep a close eye on each state level.” “For a lot of people, this isn't their full-time job. They probably have a more traditional supply chain responsibility, and someone came along with a hat and said: “Wear this too!” So selecting a good partner in that journey is very important; having regulatory experts in your back pocket to help keep an eye on those timelines is huge… It's becoming extremely burdensome and complicated to keep up with.” [12.02] The other key drivers for organizations thinking about eliminating PFAS, alongside changing regulation, and how they complicate things for organizations that find themselves struggling with multiple priorities. Ryan Zelhofer of Assent talks about PFAS management & evolving regulations; understanding risk; working with suppliers; & compliance as a competitive advantage.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.35] An overview of Assent – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. “We're a SaaS company, with a flair of personal touch!” [07.31] The ever-changing regulatory landscape, specifically through the lens of PFAS, and the challenges it's presenting for businesses. “You're seeing a flurry of activity in the U.S. alone, and each state has it's own twist to the regulations… Companies are having to prepare for a federal reporting requirement, but they're also having to keep a close eye on each state level.” “For a lot of people, this isn't their full-time job. They probably have a more traditional supply chain responsibility, and someone came along with a hat and said: “Wear this too!” So selecting a good partner in that journey is very important; having regulatory experts in your back pocket to help keep an eye on those timelines is huge… It's becoming extremely burdensome and complicated to keep up with.” [12.02] The other key drivers for organizations thinking about eliminating PFAS, alongside changing regulation, and how they complicate things for organizations that find themselves struggling with multiple priorities. “You're always going to have a regulatory driver that gets everyone into action but, with PFAS, the number one concern from a risk standpoint is part obsolescence. Most folks are craving data to identify where they have PFAS in their supply chain but, a lot of times, they may forget they need to be looking inside the four walls of their own manufacturing facility as well.” [15.47] How organizations can cut through the complexity, start to identify real, tangible risks, and get an understanding of where to start when it comes to reducing that risk effectively. “Every company is going to have a different risk profile and risk appetite, but it starts with data... without data you're making blind choices.” [18.45] How organizations can use a product compliance program as a profit opportunity and competitive advantage. “Once you get to a state where you have high-quality data, you're now in a position to make some competitive choices, you're starting to showcase the level of supply chain partner you are... And, when it's no longer about price, you can get that competitive advantage from product compliance and sustainability efforts; showing you're proactive, you're ready to support their organization and goals as well.” [20.50] The importance of suppliers in your sustainability and compliance efforts; and how organizations should be treating suppliers, and nurturing partnerships, in order to get the best results. “It's collaborative in spirit and it's forward-thinking.” [23.23] How a range of factors, from technology and flexibility to setting clear expectations and working with a sense of fairness, can help organizations create transparent, collaborative win-win relationships for all stakeholders. “Don't be the parent that says: ‘Because I said so!'” [30.53] How, with budgets top of mind, organizations can motivate suppliers, without demanding more whilst paying less. “Are you pushing down demands, or are you having a collaborative conversation with your suppliers? Because the more you push down demands, the more risk you have of getting questionable data back. They're not responding to what you really need, they're just scrambling to respond to your perceived sense of urgency. Supplier relationships are pivotal to getting high-quality data.” [34.57] A case study showing how Assent worked with a customer's chemical compliance team to provide improved data, allowing them to uncover hidden risks and work collaboratively across their business to improve product design intelligence, and ultimately leverage their improved sustainability and compliance to win business. [38.06] Assent's upcoming Evolve Conference: what you can expect and how to find out more – PLUS a unique LTSC discount.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Assent's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Assent and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook or X (Twitter), or you can connect with Ryan on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show and want to hear more about compliance, listen to 369: From Chaos To Clarity: Simplifying Global Customs Compliance or read What your freight broker isn't telling you about quality and compliance.

Kiran Mann talks about her career journey; her experience in the male-dominated auto industry; & why she left the corporate world to found her own business.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.20] Kiran's early years, and how an unexpected opportunity led her to a successful career in automotive and manufacturing. “It was a temporary situation that turned into 22 years! It felt like home. At some point I forgot about fashion designing, and became a full-time professional in automotive and manufacturing!” [09.49] From viewing challenges as opportunities to setting an example for other immigrants, the things Kiran is most proud of across her career, and what she's learned along the way. “At the time, it felt normal. We all look for where we fit in, for opportunities, we grow. But, looking back now, it gives me a different feeling. A feeling of pride, a sense of accomplishment… who am I today is what I went through and what I learned.” [16.41] Kiran's experience as a woman in a male-dominated industry; and how the industry changed for women over the years. [18.34] The question that led Kiran to quit her job and found her own business; and her experience of leaving the automotive industry after 20 years to go it alone. “Women overlook what we're good at, because we just think it's default. But if it was default, every single person around you would be doing it. So you have to find that recipe.” [22.53] How Kiran figured out how to use her skills in her new business; why she wanted to address the workplace challenges we all complain about; and her approach to fixing the gap between businesses and consultants. “One of my favorite words is ‘choice'… There's no right or wrong choice, but every choice has a consequence.” [32.00] How Kiran came to take on the role of COO at Brar's, alongside running her consultancy; how she balances her responsibilities; and why she's come to realize that multitasking is not a good thing. [38.59] Kiran's experience in the close-knit community of the dairy industry, and how she gained their trust and earned respect. [45.29] Kiran's advice for young people as they start their careers. “Come out of your comfort zone, but don't go crazy – be realistic.” [48.29] Why Kiran lives by the phrase Carpe Diem, and the importance of living in the moment.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Kiran over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show and want to hear from more incredible women in supply chain, check out 384: Show Me The Money: Why Women Need To Stop Working For Free, 270: Women In Supply Chain™, Sneha Kumari or 212: Women In Supply Chain™, Ana Lucia Alonzo.

Evan Smith of Altana talks about his mission to fix globalization; the role of AI in making data actionable; & the changing face of supply chain visibility.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.59] Evan's early fascination with global issues, and how that curiosity, combined with his unwavering work ethic, ignited a passion that has driven his career and led him to co-found Altana. “I was kind of a weird kid, focused on big global issues – I actually wrote my high school senior thesis on the impending collapse of globalization… I was really curious about how the world works.” [11.07] From geopolitical consequences to environmental and social impacts, how globalization has gone wrong; and Altana's mission to fix it. “The side effects, and unintended consequences of globalization, have resulted in its demise.” [17.30] Exactly what a value chain is; an overview of Altana and what they do; and how Altana's Value Chain Management System is helping them to work towards a vision of better global commerce for everyone. “We need to create a ‘Google Maps' of the world's supply chain. There needs to be a common operating picture that everyone taps into, and you can only get so far with commercially purchasable data.” [25.55] The ideal client for Altana, and how a variety of different organizations can leverage Altana's data and tools to meet their needs. “The blessing and the curse of Altana is that we can do so much for so many!” [32.20] The changing face of supply chain and logistics visibility; how Altana are achieving more than twice the supply chain visibility of any other provider; and how organizations can translate that data into actionable insights. “An outsourced just-in-time supply chain is only efficient when things are stable.” [38.19] AI; its vital role in making data accessible and actionable; and how Altana utilizes active learning to make connections and create a single source of truth for customers. [44.22] A case study showing how Altana helped a global apparel brand tackle a huge issue with detained imports, helping the brand to reveal a hidden forced labor problem, take action to fix it, and collaborate within their organization to optimize and develop ways to manage their whole value chain, not just their buyer-supplier relationships. [52.14] The future for Altana.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Altana's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Altana and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or X (Twitter), or you can connect with Evan on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, and want to hear more about the power of data, check out Women In Supply Chain™: Procurement Leader, Stephany Lapierre on Using Supplier Data to Empower a More Connected, Diverse Supply Chain, Why Data, Focus and Follow-Through Are Shaping the Future of Supply Chain, or How To Leverage Your Logistics Data to Drive Demand.

Eric Johnson of LogTech Live talks about the new FMC detention and demurrage billing rules - the changes, challenges & what they mean for businesses.     IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.58] The latest from Eric – an update from Home Delivery World, two upcoming events, and how to get involved with the Blended Pledge. “Remember when everyone said ‘when the pandemic is over, everything will slow down' – it didn't, it never slows down!” [11.52] The big industry news of the week. “Now we've had Convoy and Transfix, within 6 months of each other, become defunct as brokerage brands… A lot of people are talking about whether the digital brokerage model worked on its own (as it was pitched to VC's a decade ago).” [17.31] An introduction to Eric's guest, Alexandra Griffon, and her company BlueCargo. “Historically truckers and drayage providers were the ones risking the per diem, detention, and demurrage costs, but this has changed. Shippers want to internalize this cost, and have control… Between 2020 and 2022, US importers, forwarders, and drayage companies paid $15 billion – that's the lack of control they don't want to go back to!” [23.35] The new detention and demurrage rules issued by the FMC – the big changes and what they mean for businesses. “Now it's 30 days to issue an invoice, and another 30 days to issue a dispute or challenge – it's a very strict timeline. And there are new data requirements that have to be on an invoice for it to be deemed valid.” [33.03] From data to the burden of responsibility, the biggest challenges with the new rules and regulations. “It's very hard to make sure your data is accurate. Just something as simple as the start or end date sometimes varies based on the source…. Having the data is a good thing… but there are lots of gray areas.” [47.16] When the new rules took effect, and how the dates impact what you can dispute now. “You need to engage to get your own access to the original source of data.” [50.57] Alexandra's favorite song. [53.18] Eric's best ‘Dad Joke' of the week!   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Explore more industry news over on Journal of Commerce, and connect with Eric on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, there are plenty more episodes of LogTech Live to explore. And if you want to hear even more from the super-knowledgeable Eric Johnson, you can also catch him on episode 238 and episode 300.

Bill Catania of OneRail talks about inventory, visibility & shrinkage; empowering customers by normalizing data; & optimizing customer experience.    IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.07] An overview of OneRail, what they do, and how they help their customers. “Don't ever think of us like a parcel shipping solution! What we're doing is delivering in localized markets – think about turning a store into a warehouse, turning a warehouse into a localized delivery zone.” [07.52] The latest at OneRail, and some of the big challenges they're focusing on right now. “These days, you can't hear an earnings call from a retailer without hearing about product shrinkage – and about 65% of that is theft.” [08.38] Why inventory, visibility, and shrinkage – particularly related to theft – is a growing concern for retailers. “It was easy when it was single-channel commerce. But now there's so many different channels, so many different shipping options – customers have demands they didn't have before. When product starts to move more, there's more risk.” [10.03] The recent survey, conducted by OneRail, dives deeper into the problem of inventory and shrinkage. “Customers are counting on that product being at the store. But if it goes missing 500 miles ago, and the retailer doesn't know it, there's a mismatch in supply and demand. A lot of money goes into demand planning, and all that work goes out the window when items go missing.” [13.53] How OneRail utilized their findings to develop OmniPoint Inventory Visibility, a brand-new solution for their customers; and how it tackles inventory and shrinkage challenges. “When you look at what it takes to be competitive in 2024, you have to be operating from data.” [17.17] The ideal client for OneRail's OmniPoint Inventory Visibility solution. [1946] The challenges with data; the importance of empowering customers with the right data; and how OneRail is adding an extra layer that helps systems to connect and normalize data, helping retailers to make the right decisions. “An organization could be working with 50 to 100 couriers – all sending data in different ways, some of them aren't even sending data! – and we're normalizing that data layer, so they can make sense of it and decision on it.” [22.25] The opportunity to be found in achieving improved inventory visibility and optimizing customer experience. “Optimization is taking data and making iterative business decisions to reduce cost and improve experience.” [25.15] Why OneRail is moving up the order stream with delivery management solutions, and how they're helping customers to improve order decisioning and fulfillment logic. “It's so much more than visibility – it's the ability to actually change an outcome.” [28.02] A big announcement, and the future for OneRail  

Jon Phillips of Newage Software and Solutions & Chuck Simmons of E-Freight Solutions talk about collaboration, developing new software, & helping SME's compete.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.51] Introductions to today's guests and what they do. [08.33] How, and why, Newage was founded, and its evolution over the years. “Our view has always been that a customer is looking for a forwarder to be their solution across multiple modes and activities – so how do we enable that?” [13.27] Newage's varied client base, and how their tools are helping small and mid-size companies to keep up in a competitive market. “Our goal is to provide those enablement solutions to the small and mid-size forwarders that have always viewed them as unachievable.” [15.14] The early days of Newage and E-Freight's partnership; and how they decided that Newage was the right partner for them. [16.27] Newage's wide range of products and services. [19.19] The big challenges Newage is helping customers tackle with their solutions. [21.38] The challenges faced by E-Freight before their partnership with Newage; how they determined which solutions they needed; and why they partnered with Newage. “Newage wasn't just selling us a software. They were selling us a partnership.” [24.34] The Newage solutions used by E-Freight, what they love about them; and how collaboration is key to both helping E-Freight tackle their biggest challenges and helping Newage to constantly innovate and improve their solutions. “Collaboration has been really helpful for us. The landscape is changing all the time, we only know as much as we know, and the more feedback and information we're able to get, the more we can quickly adapt and bring value for our customers.” [27.13] Newage and E-Freight's partnership; the importance of collaboration and customer experience; and Jon and Chuck's advice for how organizations can achieve effective, collaborative relationships with their own supply chain partners. “Effective collaboration is about finding a partner that will listen, but also act. That doesn't just take your feedback, but implements the changes you want to see... It utilizes and leverages everybody's strengths – and that's a win for the industry.” [31.23] The onboarding process with Newage. [36.45] A case study showing how Newage helped E-Freight keep up with rapidly changing detention and demurrage rules, helping them to achieve 100% invoice compliance and avoid potentially costly liability. [40.29] Newage's recent launch of new solution NXT, and what we can expect; and why Chuck is so excited about getting to grips with the new software. “One of the biggest challenges with operating systems is how the data is visualized… being able to tailor data allows us to be more efficient and reduces oversights.” [46.11] The big trends and predictions to look out for in the second half of 2024. “It's the role of AI, and how it will continue to make our lives easier... ultimately these technologies are increasing our efficiency.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Newage Software and Solution's website now to find out more, and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Newage and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Jon or Chuck on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show and want to hear more about logistics, check out Nicole Glenn on the Power of Hope and Transforming the Logistics Industry, 205: Time To Make A Move, with Knichel Logistics or 335: What You Need to Know About Space Logistics, with Ryan Duffy.

Ann Marie Jonkman of Blue Yonder talks about using tech to solve labor challenges; empowering teams & organizations to fulfill potential; & future supply chains. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.42] An introduction to Blue Yonder, what they do, and how they help their customers. “We're your technology partner… if you want new innovation, advice on reducing your labor cost, reducing your tech stack debt… we have the chops and vision to execute with you.” [09.19] The ideal client for Blue Yonder. “Our clients are looking for innovation and differentiation; in this volatile market, they're looking to reduce costs… and they're looking for a partner.” [13.02] The current landscape of supply chain, and the biggest challenges faced by Blue Yonder customers. “2024 has been a slow recovery. When you look at transportation, post-pandemic, there was a lot of excess capacity… Now volume is down, we have a lot of healthy competition, and shippers were smart – they locked in rates… So people are looking to increase utilization with what they have. So labor and cost, as opposed to scale for growth, is driving most of the portfolio.” [15.43] Blue Yonder's transportation management solution, and how it's helping customers to overcome challenges, as well as transform their transportation operations. [22.10] The evolution of warehousing, and how Blue Yonder's range of warehouse management and execution solutions are helping customers to keep up with rapid change, pivot, and set themselves up for the future. “I've seen the most change in this space. We see heavy automation, automation cost investment - but we see the labor cost driving automation.” [28.46] Blue Yonder's Edge technology solutions, how they integrate into customer organizations, and the incredible results they can help customers to achieve. “Robotics has been around for a while, but what we've seen in the last 2-3 years is an explosion.” [34.42] How Blue Yonder helps customers with labor management, helping them to find the balance between people and technology, and achieve employee engagement as well as peak operational performance. [40.25] A case study exploring how Blue Yonder provided solutions to allow a key client to better understand and utilize analytics, helping them to make operational changes and achieve a 25-30% reduction in labor cost, worth millions of dollars. [43.50] Why Blue Yonder is committed to helping customers fulfill their potential, and the impact that empowering people and organizations is having on the industry. “We want to be your technology partner, we don't want to just sell you a product. We look at your utilization, and help you during implementation… we want you to be successful.” [47.32] The supply chains of the future, and the Blue Yonder innovations that are helping to drive the industry forward. “That's the next vision – it's not just the products and solutions, it's connecting them. And it's not just visibility – it's decisioning, its orchestration, where we're all working collaboratively.” RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Blue Yonder's website now to find out more, and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Blue Yonder and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Ann Marie on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more amazing supply chain content, check out 377: How AI is Improving Supply Chain Sustainability, with Dyci Sfregola and Hope White or Nicole Glenn on the Power of Hope and Transforming the Logistics Industry.

Ryan Walicki & Matt Montgomery talk about supplier management - data challenges; complex tech; taking a proactive approach to risk; & the potential of AI.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.43] Introductions to today's guests and what they do. “I completely nerd out about supplier management and third-party risk!” [09.02] From collection and validation to ongoing maintenance, the current processes and challenges of supplier management. “You'd think it was simple… but, in reality, suppliers get asked by a lot of customers to provide data in any number of ways – portals, emails, forms – and if you're a big supplier, it can be thousands of different ways that you're transmitting that information, through lots of different people and functions.” “Big organizations use supplier information differently – in sourcing, contracting, supply chain, finance – and all of a sudden there's multiple versions of this supplier that exists.” [15.26] A closer look at the DNA of a supplier profile, and the importance of having visibility over that data. [19.47] Supplier validation – the challenges of payments and banking, and finding the balance between security and maintaining speed and efficiency during the validation process. “Efficiency is coming, and AI will be a part of that, but it's really difficult – getting valid information for a supplier is the biggest roadblock for the onboarding process.” [22.59] How Matt works with his suppliers, and the processes that help him find that balance. “We've watched this evolution. Originally we were really just focused on data – ‘How do I pay this company?', and collected just enough for that. Now it's much more than that. Now it's ‘Are they compliant with regulations?'; ‘Do they have certain certification levels?'; ‘Are they in a particular region?'… It becomes much less about the accounts payable piece and much more about the supply chain piece.” [27.14] A case study exploring how Relish and SAP helped a shared client to prevent a case of fraud, worth a huge $2.1 million, and what we can all learn. [33.11] The risk inherent in supplier management, and how organizations should work to identify, assess and manage risk proactively. “Most companies are doing the assessment of risk… but the challenge is that it's very reactive… You know there's a risk, but what do you do with it? So how can technology help you to become more predictive?” [34.36] The role technology, specifically AI, plays in this space now – and its potential for the future. “AI is here… but without the context to answer the question properly, you're going to get bad steering. The next evolution is how to put context to that data.” [39.36] The complexity of the current IT landscape; why we should all be looking to simplify; and how organizations can find the right solutions for their supplier management. “We're going to stop thinking about supplier management as a module, and we're going to start thinking about it the same way we think about user group management that goes across everything… Suppliers are so core to everything in procurement that you're going to see it more as a horizontal rather than a vertical.” [44.46] All about solutions: what's to come in episode 430, our upcoming collaboration with Relish.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Relish's website now to find out more, and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Relish and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Ryan or Matt on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Relish, check out 408: Strategically Extend Your Enterprise Applications, with Relish.