Supply Chain Radio

This podcast will look at the future of how order management will evolve from simply executing orders to truly optimizing how to best serve your customer. Listen as Guy Courtin and Tim Nelson discuss what to anticipate with the evolution of order management: next generation optimization rather than simply execution of orders. The cost to serve a customer will become more important than simply the cost to fulfill.

In this podcast, Infor’s Guy Courtin and Christine Barnhart discuss how manufacturers are adopting learnings from B2C supply chains to be more responsive to end customer needs. From AI and machine learning to greater digitization of the supply chain, modern manufacturers must become more nimble and responsive—creating a true multi-enterprise network to meet their customers’ needs.

In this episode, Guy Courtin speaks with Rachel Grogan of Burton Snowboards to discuss how the winter sports giant leverages its supply chain in today’s consumer-led world. As Burton faces challenges from planning to supplier collaboration to sustainability, it’s the supply chain they count on to score that perfect 10.

Supply chain has come a long way in the nine years and nearly 180 episodes since Supply Chain Radio began. And while some roads end, many others continue to grow. In Matt Gunn’s final episode as host of Supply Chain Radio, we take a look back at the evolution of supply chain since this show began, while looking forward to a bright future of global connectivity. Guy Courtin and Jenny Reese join in to offer their thoughts on the road ahead.

After several years and much debate, Great Britain is on the brink of leaving the European Union. And while politicians are still pursuing a final deal on Brexit, manufacturers and retailers are planning for the worst. In this episode, Matt Gunn and Guy Courtin take a look at how businesses are preparing for any unexpected curve these new trade laws might throw their way, and whether the right mix of technology, innovation, and inventory might help keep the supply chain safe.

Customers want it fast, they want it free, and they want it cheap. And when the order isn’t quite right, they often want to send it back. Especially in the world of e-commerce. While online shopping has been a boon to brands, retailers, and consumers alike, it also has a dark side: returns. By some estimates, returns will cost U.S. companies as much as $550 billion by 2020. And perhaps no part of the business will bear the burden more than the supply chain. In this episode, SEKO Logistics’ Brian Bourke and David Schulhof of Red Hot Penny join Matt Gunn to discuss the rising challenge of returns and the future of reverse logistics.

The process of managing a product’s lifecycle has come a long way since the days of Excel spreadsheets. Or has it? In this episode, Stan Pryzbylinski, vice president of research at CIMdata joins Matt Gunn and Jenny Reese to discuss how PLM software has evolved in the world of manufacturing, and how its role in keeping teams across the supply chain on the same page.

To err is human. To keep the global supply chain running, divine. Supply chain risk isn’t limited to black swan events like fires, floods and hurricanes. Many of the challenges businesses face are the result of human factors as well. Whether it’s something caused internally, or big changes to policies and regulations (Brexit, U.S.-China tariffs, etc.), these man-made issues can be just as disruptive as the largest storm. In this episode of Supply Chain Radio, Matt Gunn and Guy Courtin discuss the human element of disruption, and how businesses are working to keep the supply chain running through unexpected turns of events.

Nine times out of 10, consumers buy things for a reason. Whether putting together an outfit for a special occasion, or planning a DIY project at home, there’s generally some context within the buyer’s journey. But that context isn’t often reflected in stores or e-commerce, where product locations and assortments don’t always reflect a customer’s intended use. Michelle Bacharach, CEO and cofounder of FindMine joins SCR to discuss how putting products in context can improve consumer experiences while helping align the supply chain.

Everywhere you look, the supply chain is ripe for innovation. And as age-old challenges inspire new thinking about products, process, and labor, a new generation of technologists bring fresh ideas to the plate. In this episode, Forge CEO Stacey Ferreira, Simplista CEO Evan Silver, and retired GT Nexus founder Kurt Cavano join Matt Gunn to talk about the next wave of talent coming into the supply chain.

How will you manage your global supply chain now and in the future? Heidi Benko joins Guy Courtin to discuss the evolution of digital technology, multi-enterprise supply chain networks, and what happens when artificial intelligence meets the physical and financial flow of goods.

A pioneer in multi-enterprise supply chain business networks, Kurt Cavano has spent much of his career reshaping how businesses manage global trade. On his retirement from Infor GT Nexus, Cavano sat down with Matt Gunn to reflect on how far technology has come in the last 20 years, and to look ahead to what’s next for the industry.

After a year that saw unexpected innovations, disruptions, and new policies and tariffs, can we truly predict what’s ahead for the global supply chain in 2019? We’ll certainly try. In the final episode of 2018, Matt Gunn and Guy Courtin gaze into the crystal ball to gauge what the near future will bring to the world of supply chain, and whether businesses are better prepared to sense and respond to the many unexpected changes that happen each day.

Most businesses only have access to about 20% of the data in their supply chains. What about the rest? The other 80% is locked away in the systems of the suppliers, trading partners, and other stakeholders enterprises rely on to make and move their goods. In this episode, GT Nexus’ Dave Morgan joins Guy Courtin to discuss what happens when enterprises fully connect their supply chains, and how good data management leads to enhanced supply chain visibility and provides the raw materials needed to power machine learning and AI.

Journal of Commerce editor Eric Johnson returns to Supply Chain Radio to discuss the International Maritime Organization's new maritime emissions rules and their potential effect on the global supply chain when the regulations go into effect in 2020.

New tariffs, Brexit, escalating trade tensions. There's no shortage of drama in the global supply chain. In this episode, American Shipper Editor Ben Meyer joins Guy Courtin to discuss a supply chain in flux, and how big businesses are working to keep the supply chain rolling in turbulent times.

For manufacturers, strong supplier relationships and a technology backbone that supports visibility and collaboration in the supply chain are critical. Bray International Global ERP Director Giuseppe Robbiano joins Matt Gunn to discuss how his company is leveraging modern technology to manage inventory, build stronger supplier connections, leverage data, and help its employees maximize their potential throughout the global supply chain.

Digital transformation has been a common buzzword in the enterprise world for several years. But what does that really mean? And how can digital transformation of the supply chain elevate it from a back office function into a competitive advantage for businesses? Bernie Desmarais and Matt Simonsen join Matt Gunn to define terms and discuss how technology companies and leading enterprises are turning digital transformation into a reality.

It's no secret enterprises see room for improvement across their complex global supply chains. But where will innovation happen next? IDC research manager Victoria Brown joins Guy Courtin to explore major trends in supply chain.

A decades old technology, EDI has long provided an electronic link between businesses and suppliers. But while supply chain collaboration tools have evolved, many businesses still use EDI the same way. Orderful CEO Erik Kiser joins Matt Gunn and Guy Courtin to discuss how he's working to evolve the space.

The third-party logistics industry lives and dies by its ability to provide top-notch supply chain services to its customers. In this episode of Supply Chain Radio, Vickie Burton, head of implementation and systems, global supply chain solutions at CEVA Logistics joins Matt Gunn and Mike Riegler to discuss how her company combines supply chain expertise and revolutionary technologies to gain a competitive edge.

Supply chain management has evolved, and today organizations increasingly collaborate with their broader ecosystem via fully-connected business networks. In this episode, Bryan Nella joins Matt Gunn to discuss the network effect and explore what's on the horizon as more enterprises use their supply chain data to predict the future. 

Cost, complexity and increasing trade tensions have businesses rethinking the breadth of their supply chains. Matt Gunn and Guy Courtin discuss a recent report detailing the move toward greater localization, and take a look at the technologies enterprises rely on to adapt to the changing boundaries of business.

One of the first topics we ever covered on Supply Chain Radio was the Internet of Things. We examined its promise and imagined what it could do for supply chains. Now, three years later, we ask the uncomfortable question, "So, where is this going?" Listen as Suhas Sreedhar and Matt Gunn discuss the state of ultra-hyped technologies like IoT and blockchain, and why moving on from them might not be such a bad thing.

As the retail industry adapts to shifting consumer habits and the increasing demands of online order fulfillment, the role of stores continues to change. In this episode, Suhas Sreedhar and Matt Gunn discuss Sam's Club's novel plan to repurpose shuttered stores as e-commerce fulfillment centers. Will the new spin on warehouse superstores work?

Legendary denim supplier Cone Mills recently ceased operations at its White Oak plant, leaving a massive hole in the American fashion industry. And as brands work through the factory's final rolls of denim, they must also look for new suppliers to fill the void. The supply chain is built on an ecosystem of brands, factories, suppliers, banks, and carriers. Each one has a bottom line. In this episode, Matt Gunn and Guy Courtin discuss what happens when a top supplier shuts its doors, and how businesses can position themselves to react to constant changes in the supply chain.

Ten years ago, the Tesla Roadster hit the streets. It didn’t just bring back electric cars from the dead, it made them sexy. Tesla helped spur a new era of the automotive industry where sensors, AI, and apps intersect with electric drivetrains to create a truly 21st century mode of transportation. But recently, Tesla’s production and quality issues have filled headlines. The disruptive automaker has struggled to meet demand for its brand new Model 3, and a Wall Street Journal article reports that Tesla has been asking its suppliers for deep discounts to help it become profitable. In this episode of Supply Chain Radio, Suhas Sreedhar and Matt Gunn discuss how mismanaged supply chains can decimate even the most innovative disruptors.

Companies face a series of difficult decisions as a trade war between the United States and China sets in. Especially those who are currently planning ahead for another busy holiday season. In this episode, Guy Courtin joins Matt Gunn to continue the conversation about the escalating trade friction between two leading economies, and examine the next steps for retailers and brands who are aligning inventory for the busy seasons ahead.

The United States and China have escalated trade tensions with a series of new tariffs aimed at key industries and products, throwing the global supply chain into a state of uncertainty. In this episode, Matt Gunn and Suhas Sreedhar explore the effects of trade wars and other disruptions on the supply chain, and discuss how businesses are positioning themselves to handle risk and change in the supply chain.

Procure-to-pay automation (P2P) saves money on operations. But automating indirect procurement (buying things like pens and paper) is very different from automating direct procurement (the fabrics, electronics, and ingredients that go into your products). In this episode, host Suhas Sreedhar talks to solution consultant Steve Ontiveros about the unique challenges of each, and why automating direct procurement has proved elusive until now.

Is the supply chain really a chain at all? Bob Ferrari of Supply Chain Matters joins Guy Courtin to discuss the forces that have driven supply chain into a new age of connected networks, and what's on the horizon as all businesses leverage new technology to get closer to the consumer and reach new markets.

From the first mile to the last mile, consumers and the rise of digital technology are transforming the entire supply chain. And from their position as one of the last stops between manufacturers and retailers (not to mention end consumers), warehouses are ripe for innovation. Stacie Immesberger joins Guy Courtin to discuss the evolution of warehouses, and how advances in everything from automation to robotics are changing the game.

If you distilled the impact of every recent tech disruption to one key takeaway, you could say the result was choice. More choice, for the buyer, for the seller. As technologies like IoT and blockchain enter the logistics space, the result will be more choice; from the ways you can optimize your routes, to how you can utilize your assets, 24/7. In this episode, host Guy Courtin talks to industry veteran Bob Ferrari about the key enabler of more choice in the logistics industry: the creation of a great logistics network-of-networks.

Businesses are navigating an ocean of data, often without a map. Especially those in e-commerce, where customers readily provide information about location, pricing, and demand -- all of which have an impact on the supply chain. In this episode, Matt Gunn and Jenny Reese Potter speak with Toolkite's Jordan Roper about building a better map for a sea of supply chain information.

Operations and technology collide! Matt Gunn and Guy Courtin recap Gartner Supply Chain Executive Conference 2018, where they covered everything from the state of digital transformation to the inner working’s of Heineken’s adoption of next-gen technology in this week’s episode of Supply Chain Radio.

The search for a software solution to your supply chain problems can sometimes feel like an ordeal out of a Tolkien novel. Part of the problem is that the buying process for software is a direct reflection of the complexity of the supply chain itself--there are a lot of people to please. In this episode, Brittany Brown, Suhas Sreedhar, and Matt Gunn lay bare the issues involved in obtaining a solution, and offer some essential tips to make the process smoother.

In this episode, George Weise who served as Commissioner of US Customs, joins Greg Kefer to discuss global supply chains, the current regulatory environment, and technology.  Excellence in Global Trade Management and compliance are vital if companies are to avoid disruptions, fines, and potential legal action caused by failing to adhere to the array of rules and documentation requirements. The discussion also touches on the current political situation and how evolving trade agreements and tariffs are elvating complexity and uncertainty to a level that George has never seen over the course of his 44 year career.

Eight out of 10 consumers expect to receive regular updates about the status of their orders, according to a new survey from YouGov and the Infor GT Nexus Commerce Network. In this episode of Supply Chain Radio, Matt Gunn and Greg Kefer dive into the data and discuss why supply chain visibility is more important than ever.

That produce on the shelves? Not always the freshest stuff around. By the time most food reaches the grocery store, it might already be several weeks old. And just how much shelf life remains? It's anyone's guess. Matt Schwartz, CEO of Afresh aims to make the food supply chain smarter, and reduce food waste and stock-outs along the way. He joins Matt Gunn to explain how on this episode of Supply Chain Radio.

From snacks and groceries, to razors and fashion, there's a subscription box for just about everything. As more consumers opt-in to receiving new goodies each month, it's created an entirely new opportunity to introduce new products and build brand loyalty. But as you'd expect, the supply chain plays a significant role in ensuring these products get there on time. In this episode, Georg Richter, CEO of OceanX, and Alon Waks, VP of marketing at Kustomer, join Matt Gunn to discuss how businesses can align the supply chain for subscription-based success.

The more things change, the more the grocery industry stays the same. But in an increasingly digital world, where consumers want personalized service delivered right to their door, could groceries soon go digital? Pradeep Elankumaran is betting the farm on it. The founder and CEO of Farmstead joins Supply Chain Radio to discuss how AI and the personalized supply chain will lead an online revolution in groceries.

The race to digitally transform is on. 3PLs play a vital role in helping their customers run supply chains by providing scale, services and technology at the global and local level.  Companies now prioritize IT capabilities from their partners. In this episode, Ron Park and Greg Kefer talk about how 3PLs have evolved to meet their customer’s digital expectations and how the added value services make a difference.

Artificial intelligence is the new black. Or so it would seem. But will AI reinvent the way the world does business, or is it merely a buzzworthy topic that's captured the minds of consumers and technologists alike? Guy Courtin joins Matt Gunn to discuss the rise of the machines and debate whether this growing technology will change business in the years ahead.

There's a lot of inefficiency in the supply chain, and no lack of ideas on how to streamline global logistics. For many shippers, third-party logistics providers (3PLs) play a vital role in connecting shippers to transportation and warehousing services in order to keep the supply chain running smoothly. But as emerging technologies and new entrants all look for a slice of this nearly $1 billion global industry, are 3PLs at risk of becoming a commodity? Live from the 2018 RILA Retail Supply Chain conference, American Shipper's Eric Johnson joins Matt Gunn to discuss the changing landscape of logistics.

The pace of digital change accelerating. Particularly in the retail industry, where high consumer expectations have a direct impact on sourcing and fulfillment. In this episode, Jess Dankert, Vice President of Supply Chain at the Retail Industry Leaders Association joins Matt Gunn to discuss the effect of digital transformation, and why supply chain leadership is vital if businesses hope to survive.

The explosion of connected devices has immense potential to transform the way companies monitor and control supply chains. Real time, always-on information from devices and 3rd party sources can enrich the supply chain picture, but real value comes when it’s tied to inventory and orders. In this episode, Greg Kefer and John Nadvornik discuss how companies are weaving both public and device level information into their innovation strategies.

Consumer products manufacturers want a supply chain you can set your watch to. They rely on strong forecasting and consistent operations to protect margins and make sure their products are always available on store shelves. But new business models and e-commerce giants like Amazon have begun to change the relationship with these manufacturers and end consumers. Brittany Brown joins Matt Gunn to discuss how the consumer products supply chain is transforming to meet the need.

The retail industry is in a state of massive change and supply chain innovation is a critical piece of the strategy keep up with elevated consumer expectations.  As part of our ongoing series on supply chain visibility, Greg Kefer and John Nadvornik talk about how retailers are leveraging network based visibility systems to modify their global fulfillment strategies, to be agile, and to keep costs under control.

The retail industry is transforming before our eyes. But it's the things that take place behind the scenes that really matter most -- especially in supply chain. Matt Gunn and Guy Courtin discuss how the changes we see at stores or online are only just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to providing great customer experiences and a path to sustainable business growth in the age of ambient commerce.

Consumers are a fickle bunch. And planning to meet their needs, and get the right products in the right place wherever there's demand is a science as much as it's an art. But many organizations still rely on outdated technologies and spreadsheets to get the job done. With consumers increasingly expecting more personalized products and services, can today's methodologies truly meet the need? Matt Jones joins Guy Courtin and Matt Gunn to discuss how machine learning and networked technology might help the industry evolve.

Business models collide! As retailers turn to private labels and manufacturers go direct-to-consumer, both industries are repositioning their supply chains to serve an increasingly influential customer base. An industry veteran who founded two e-commerce companies and helped Amazon build its billion-dollar Kindle brand, Jon Reily knows a thing or two about creating compelling consumer experiences. Live from the NRF 2018 podcast studio at Retail's Big Show in New York, Jon joins Matt Gunn and Guy Courtin to talk about brand convergence, the latest digital technology, and how he's working to help clients evolve as a vice president of commerce at SapientRazorfish.