Let's Talk Supply Chain

Welcome back to Blended! It's episode 31, I'm joined by a brand new panel of inspirational professionals and, today, we're talking about education and bias. It's a topic that's close to my heart, with my own educational and career journey. And, it's a topic that has increasingly come under the spotlight recently in light of the labor shortages and trending workplace changes we've seen industry-wide. So now is the perfect time to really explore what's going wrong, or right, with the way we think about education in the workplace. Today, our guests will be diving into education and sharing their own experiences; exploring the hiring practices that often continue to support bias; reflecting on what the next generation are doing and thinking about when it comes to education and their careers; and sharing their words of advice for how organizations can tackle education bias and create more diverse workplaces. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [00.44] Introductions to our Blended panellists. Rose – CEO and Principal Consultant at The Opening Door Jennifer – Executive Director at TMSA (Transportation Marketing and Sales Association) Stella – Professor at Towson University "Education bias is somebody being treated differently, or unfavorably, based on their educational background, where they went to school and what level of education they have." Rose [02.32] The group give an overview of education bias, and what it means to them. "It was instilled in me from the second I was born: education, education, education… When I finished my degree, I felt that if I wanted to make more money, if I wanted to really excel in the corporate world, I had to have an MBA. And it took me a long time to think deeper about why I felt that way, and if I really needed it to be successful. " Rose [05.09] The panel share their personal experiences, their level of education and how important it has been to their professional career. Sarah's experience of 'only' gaining a high school diploma; then studying at night school, trying different things, and gaining certifications whilst working, in order to boost her professional career Different types of education, eg. degree vs industry certifications, high school vs. higher education Stella's experience of switching fields from her degree to her master's; how a previous employer allowed her flexibility to pursue a PhD; and why she ultimately changed career, from the pharmaceutical industry to academia Stella's experience of opportunity in America versus in India, and her parents encouragement of higher education Rose's experience of being raised with the importance of education, and finally coming to terms with the fact that it might not be as important as she was raised to believe The assumption that additional education equals money and success The cost of education Jennifer's experience of teaching at a community college, and as a parent of a child with ADHD Continued education in the workplace Responsibility "Companies say 'we want to retain more employees, what can we do?' Well, help develop them! Develop them, make them want to stay with you. Sometimes simple questions have simple answers, we just have to take the time." Jennifer [23.14] The group discuss education bias within industry, and the age-old debate of experience vs education. "To be on a tenure track, you typically have to have a PhD. And then once you get into your field, then it becomes rank – are you an assistant professor, associate professor or professor – so you still have a PhD, but rank becomes an issue." Stella Stella's experience working in academia Differing ranks and salaries within the workplace, even with the same level of education Stereotypes and judgements about different types of PhD, eg 'they're just liberal arts' Elitism Ego Affinity bias Importance of diversity "It's hard to acknowledge and recognize your ego… but if we build more self-awareness, we can start to realise when our ego is leading things in the wrong direction, and the more we address that, we would see less bias." Rose [38.57] The panel reflect on what they're seeing in the market around education bias and hiring practices. Job descriptions Expectations The importance of not dismissing people if they don't have the 'perfect' educational background Using technology to pre-filter applications Asking the right questions Role of HR – who is hiring/writing job descriptions? Input from the team who will work with new hires The pace of evolving technology – education getting out of date The structure of a resume How many years' experience equals a degree? What do you actually want out of your career? Self-taught knowledge Power of self-belief "I think we put too much emphasis on education and not experience, but there is a catch 22. Because the requirement for an entry level job is 5 years – that doesn't make sense!" Jennifer [54.13] The group put the spotlight on the next generation, and what they're thinking about when it comes to education and ongoing l

Today I'm joined by GateHouse Maritime, a market-leading ocean tech brand that is using its expertise and deep industry knowledge to make ocean visibility simple. GateHouse Maritime delivers next-generation data insights for end-to-end ocean visibility. Founded in 1992, they help global supply chains, offshore industries, maritime providers and surveillance companies gain easy access to ocean data insights for resilient operations, value to end-customers and efficient, safe navigation for a profitable business. Today Morten Bols, Market Development Director at GateHouse Maritime, joins me to chat all about the company; the power of good data; using technology to support sustainability; and their vision to optimize supply chains, and change the working lives of freight forwarders and visibility providers. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.53] An overview of the challenges for Gatehouse in the current climate, and for the maritime industry. [08.04] An introduction to GateHouse Maritime – who they are, what they do and how they help their customers. "We've been tracking vessels for more than 20 years, we have a lot of history and a lot of data." [08.44] How Gatehouse helps to keep freight moving and tackle disruption; how technology is rapidly changing, as organizations try to keep up; and Morten's vision for optimizing supply chains and changing the lives of freight forwarders and visibility providers. "What's important is that you try to plan better! The industry hasn't done that, and is still struggling to do it. The industry is struggling to work with technology and optimize the options they have available." [10.56] Gatehouse's tracking product OceanIO, its benefits, and how clients use it. "If you don't have any tracking, you trust the carriers. And it's not to say that all carriers are bad, but many are missing key components and key milestones to do this." [12.19] A closer look at Gatehouse's port intelligence solution, why it's so unique in the market, and the 20 years' worth of data and detailed port surveillance that sits behind the product. [15.24] The wide breadth of industries that can work with Gatehouse Maritime. "There's so many people to work with, and that's so exciting!" [16.20] Why Gatehouse doesn't offer user platforms, and focus on what they're good at – the data. [17.26] The ideal client for Gatehouse Maritime. [18.56] A closer look at onboarding and integration with Gatehouse. [20.18] Why sustainability is a key pillar at Gatehouse, and how they're helping the industry meet key ESG goals. [21.34] Why Morten enjoys surprising industry brands with Gatehouse's robust solutions. [23.53] The future for Gatehouse Maritime. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Gatehouse Maritime's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Gatehouse Maritime and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Vimeo, or you can connect with Morten on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, and want to hear from some amazing women in the maritime industry, why not read Lauren Beagen on Protecting and Empowering Women in the Maritime Industry, or listen to episode 185: Chart a Course for Shipping Success, where Alison Cusack chats all about her business Cusack and Co, her career as a lawyer in the maritime industry, the importance of empowering shippers, and of driving better business. This episode was filmed at Manifest 2023. If you enjoyed it, and want to explore some of the other great content filmed at the event, why not check out episodes: 330: Transform Every Move, Every Mode and Every Mile, with Blume Global 329: Future-Proof Your EDI Infrastructure, with Orderful 327: Turn Your Shipping Process Into a Competitive Advantage, with Enveyo 325: Build Thriving Supply Chain Communities, with Envase Technologies 322: Innovative Asset Tracking Made Easy, with Blackberry Radar Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Renewal Logistics, a high-volume, high-throughput, collaborative and sustainability-focused woman-owned logistics company. Renewal Logistics are an e-commerce fulfillment and third party logistics company with a specialty in apparel and consumer goods, partnering with eco-friendly brands that have outgrown in-house fulfillment and require flexible and scalable, on-demand solutions. Today Courtney Folk, CEO and co-founder of Renewal Logistics, joins me to chat all about the company; how fulfillment and logistics are changing; creating exceptional brand experiences; and how they are leading the circular movement, through processing returns from your favorite national retailers. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [08.01] Courtney's background, how her husband's family dry cleaning business led her to co-found Renewal logistics and an overview of the company's growth. "As women… you have to be careful not to turn down opportunities, and not turn down people that are willing to help." [16.12] How the landscape of e-commerce, fulfillment, logistics and sustainability has changed, and the current industry challenges. "The thing that's different now is returns. Returns is what most e-commerce brands are struggling with. If you don't have a solid sustainability and reverse logistics program in place, you end up ditching a lot of product, and not receiving the value out of it." [18.55] A closer look at Renewal's services, and how they're helping customers tackle key industry challenges. "A lot of companies just never really think about how much agility they could have in the marketplace, if they had a really good option when it comes to that repackaging piece." [24.30] The ideal client for Renewal Logistics. [27.40] How Renewal manages the popular trend of subscription boxes. [31.34] The importance of building circular supply chains, and how a focus on returns and sustainability can give businesses a competitive advantage. "It's amazing how much money companies are leaving on the table!" [41.43] The future for Renewal Logistics. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Renewal Logistics website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Renewal Logistics and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube or Instagram, or you can connect with Courtney on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, and want to hear more from Courtney, check out 328: Blended – Breaking the Class Ceiling, where Courtney joins a panel of industry leaders to discuss the sometimes controversial subject of classism. And if you're interested in hearing more about the fashion and apparel industries, why not listen to 223: Women in Supply Chain, Tara St James, featuring Tara St James: fashion designer, sustainable design strategist and responsible supply chain consultant, or 239: Women in Supply Chain, Joanna MacDonald, featuring entrepreneur, fashion designer, communications and training specialist and philanthropist, Joanna MacDonald. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

In today's episode of Women In Supply Chain, I'm joined by the multi-talented Sylena Urbanoski: veteran, business founder, supply chain leader and start-up advisor. Sylena Urbanoski is a strategic and dynamic operations leader with over seven years' experience at the chief executive level, where she built profitable start-up divisions, grew business lines, managed deals, and streamlined operations. A veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, Sylena also co-founded a company that sold at 10 times valuation within 24 month to Flexport. Today Sylena will be talking to us about her career so far; her entrepreneurial success; her long-time business partnership; and why she's so passionate about scaling start-ups. Plus, she'll be sharing her experiences as a woman in supply chain, as well as her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps. SHOW SPONSOR: Women fuel the success of some of the world's most successful businesses, yet barriers still exist. SAP is committed to supporting and elevating a new generation of women to profoundly lead and impact global supply chains and are proud to support the Women in Supply Chain Series and its efforts. Supply chains need to evolve from low-cost and optimized to risk-resilient and sustainable and SAP can help. SAP Digital Supply Chain solutions connect the entire process — design, planning, manufacturing, logistics, maintenance, and service; connecting your supply chains to the rest of your business and all your contextual data; supporting your efforts in alleviating risk in your supply chains. SAP is the market leader in enterprise application software and for the last 50 years has been helping companies to run better. Find out more at sap.com/scm IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [10.16] Sylena's career journey and how a road trip with a friend led to a life-changing business and lifelong partnership. "We went on a road trip and by the end of the trip we had the whole business plan sorted, and a vision about what we wanted to build. We found some investment backing, and jumped into it!" [13.26] The vision behind Sylena's first business, and its successful sale to Flexport. "Customs in Canada are so far behind, and we went through the journey of what would it take to start digitizing and creating an environment where we could re-employ amazing women who weren't staying in the industry, because it didn't support their family and work/life balance." [17.46] Sylena's experience working with Flexport, the next steps in her career journey, and her long-time business partnership with Cindy Christensen. "I love building start-ups, I'm passionate about scaling them." [19.59] How and why supply chain has changed for women in the last decade, and the work that still needs to be done. "Women in the supply chain industry spend so much of our careers fighting for any breath in the room… and it used to be that there were so few women in that room that it was so hard to partner up with other women because there was so little air to take." [22.26] From finance to the military to supply chain, Sylena's experience across multiple male-dominated environments, and her experience of strong, supportive women. "Every room I've ever been in as an adult has been male-dominated… it's better now, but it's nowhere near as good as it needs to be." [25.15] The industry areas that Sylena would like to see changed for women. "The industry doesn't create opportunities… there is no unifying place where continued education and promotion opportunities exist." "We spent so long finding any available space in that room, we really haven't, as women in this industry, embraced the opportunity to step in and take the space we deserve." [30.40] What the future holds for Sylena. "If you look at everybody else that's trying to solve supply chain from a tech perspective, they're all looking at it from a freight perspective. But the only one unifying factor about supply chain… is that every shipment touches a customs broker." [32.49] Sylena's words of advice for leadership, and women in the industry. "Find community first, and lean into it." [35.35] What excites Sylena the most about the future of supply chain, and her advice for jumping in. [38.11] Sylena's biggest top tip for women in supply chain. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Sylena over on LinkedIn. If you'd like to hear more from Sylena, check out episode 26 of Blended – Veterans Voices: Inspiring Stories from Those Who Serve. And if you want to hear even more veteran voices, listen to episode 14 of Blended – Veterans and Civil life: Winning the Battle of Workplace Discrimination. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Blume Global, a market-leading, sustainability-focused software brand that is removing a huge $1 trillion of waste from the global supply chain, and making logistics processes more agile, dependable, and sustainable with innovative execution and visibility solutions. Blume Global is a technology provider committed to an ethical, purpose-driven supply chain ecosystem; and to creating a more sustainable environment through providing an open, neutral platform across all trading partners to drive asset optimization, predictive visibility and traceability. Today Pervinder Johar, CEO at Blume Global, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; why digitization is now a requirement, not a preference; putting sustainability at the heart of everything they do; and helping businesses to utilize the power of visibility to manage their biggest business impacts in real-time. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.24] Pervinder's background, the entrepreneurial journey that led him to found Blume, and the importance of bringing innovation and inspiration from other industries together to solve complex problems. "I'm a computer science graduate, and I wanted to only work on large, complex problems… I started making control systems for nuclear power plants!" [10.51] An overview of Blume – what they do and how they help their customers. "Supply chain is a highly distributed environment… how do you connect all of those dots, and then optimize it?" [11.59] The impact of supply chain on the environment, why Blume puts sustainability at the heart of everything they do, and why businesses need to stop making decisions just based on time and cost and consider modes that are more environmentally friendly. [18.28] How Blume orchestrates an intermodal supply chain, and works as a competitive advantage for its customers. "It's not about visibility alone… it's about: how do you guarantee that all the stuff is going to show up at the same time?… So having a large number of options, and an understanding of what needs to expedited, and what needs to be slowed down is key. And slowing down is equally as important from an environmental perspective… Speed is bad for the environment!" [21.52] A closer look at the Blume platform, and how it can help with risk management. [24.48] Blume's R&D arm, and the importance of fostering innovation in supply chain. [27.19] The ideal client for Blume Global. [28.56] Two case studies showing how Blume services were used to connect small businesses, with no tech infrastructure, to larger ones; and to help shippers ensure quality sourcing and collaboration. [32.00] The future for Blume. "We want the ecosystem to continue to evolve in an organic fashion – and that's what Blume means... a blooming ecosystem." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Blume Global's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Blume and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or Twitter, or you can connect with Pervinder on LinkedIn or Twitter. This episode was filmed at Manifest 2023. If you enjoyed it, and want to explore some of the other great content filmed at the event, why not check out episodes: 329: Future-Proof Your EDI Infrastructure, with Orderful 327: Turn Your Shipping Process Into a Competitive Advantage, with Enveyo 325: Build Thriving Supply Chain Communities, with Envase Technologies 322: Innovative Asset Tracking Made Easy, with Blackberry Radar Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Orderful, a collaborative and forward-thinking software brand that are building the future of EDI. With a pre-connected network, they're aiming to move the needle from months to trade down to minutes. Orderful is a complete cloud EDI platform for manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and technology companies. With an API that enables companies to connect once and trade EDI data with their supply chain, Orderful customers are able to consolidate their EDI software integration complexity and quickly enable trading partners as self-service to reduce costs. Today Erik Kiser, CEO and founder of Orderful, joins me to chat all about the company; the challenges involved with traditional EDI solutions; bringing supply chains together; achieving visibility and addressing risk; and the future of EDI. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [05.59] A reminder of who Orderful are, and how they help their customers. "We're a modern EDI platform focused on making EDI onboarding fast, affordable, and easy." [07.14] An overview of EDI, its place in the industry alongside API, and why it's 'the plumbing of today's supply chain.' "It's become the standard of trade… so we turned this whole legacy experience into a modern software experience for modern developers and modern teams." [10.08] The importance of good data in onboarding, and how Orderful helps to solve some of supply chain's typical data challenges. "We've been able to make it very simple for a company to start trading with a new partner, because we go right into validation and data. Most providers will only validate the structure of a file, but Orderful… can not only check the structure, but we also validate the data that's in that transaction, so they can solve problems in real time." [14.31] What visibility means to Orderful, why it's so important, and how visibility services like notifications can help companies solve challenges in real time. [18.27] How Orderful empowers customers to confidently manage risk, and creates a smoother experience for teams across businesses. [20.51] The ideal client for Orderful. "We're winning with 3PLs, 4PLs and SaaS platforms!" [22.15] A case study showing how Orderful helped a major client to reduce its onboarding time and proccesses for new carriers from 90 steps and 12 weeks down to 30 steps in nine days, and how Orderful sits apart from its competition [26.17] The future for Orderful. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Orderful's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Orderful and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter, or you can connect with Erik on LinkedIn. If enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Orderful, check out episode 281, where Erik talks all about why it's so important to help the small guys get to market; why existing EDI software infrastructures can't keep up; and Orderful's mission to create a world where data trading is not a barrier. Or, you can read their blog A New Cloud EDI Platform: 5 Ways to Simplify EDI, or even watch Erik on a special live episode of Thoughts and Coffee, where Erik and Sarah dive into more issues around EDI and trending industry news. This episode was filmed at Manifest 2023. If you enjoyed it, and want to explore some of the other great content filmed at the event, why not check out episodes: 327: Turn Your Shipping Process Into a Competitive Advantage, with Enveyo 325: Build Thriving Supply Chain Communities, with Envase Technologies 322: Innovative Asset Tracking Made Easy, with Blackberry Radar Check out our other podcasts HERE.

It's episode 30 of Blended: I'm joined by a brand new panel of inspirational professionals and, today, we're talking about classism. Now, some people believe that we've left classism behind. But, sadly, studies show that it's alive and well – and its impacts are huge. The bottom 80% of the United States holds only 12% of its wealth; the bottom 60%, is just 3% of its wealth. And despite this huge disparity, little is being done to drive change. In a world where we're working hard to tackle issues around gender, race, sexuality, religion and more – why are conversations around socioeconomic groupings still so often missing from the conversation? Surely it's high time we address class barriers, build bridges and work harder to become a more equitable society. So today, our guests will be diving into classism and what it means to them; sharing their personal experiences; reflecting on education, privilege and pedigree; and discussing what organizations can do to tackle classism in the workplace and create more truly diverse communities. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [01.01] Introductions to our Blended panelists. Elise – VP of Customer Experience at Parade Courtney – Co-founder and CEO of Renewal Logistics and ReNew Amanda – Associate Director at Savills Christine – VP of Product Marketing and Go-to-Market at Nulogy "When I think about classism, it's really class discrimination. We live in a system where people are valued and treated differently based on their perceived class…. It's so systemic and it reaches every single part of our system." Elise [05.27] The group discusses classism, the complex issues that feed into it, and what classism means to them. "It goes beyond how others perceive you – classism is also about how you perceive yourself. You grow up in a particular socio-economic group, and often you can self-limit." How others see us How we see ourselves Self-sabotage Imposter syndrome and mindset Privilege Access to/relationship with education Etiquette and formality Generational money/mindset/networks Communication between classes Building communities and relationships Meritocracy Criminalization of poverty Entrepreneurship, financial security as a safety net and how money allows you to take more risks Perceptions, and Illusions of social media Power of networks "We would be so much further along as a society if everyone was comfortable talking to other people with an open mind, more like 'what can I learn from this conversation' rather than 'what am I going to disagree with.'" Courtney [47.17] The panel shares their experiences of classism in the workplace, and the impact of pedigree and education. "I didn't think I was enough, I'm not good enough, I don't have the pedigree – I never saw myself being someone that could be at an elite level. And it wasn't because intellectually I wasn't enough, it was because of that class that I was born in and what I saw all around me." Christine Christine's experience of educational hierarchy and her reflections on classism in the Ivy League Elise's experience of start-ups, the 'typical' type of founder, leader and C Suite member, the 'boys club' and how she developed her own biases How we can work on ourselves and tackle bias [58.02] The group share their ideas for how organizations can help to tackle classism in the workplace. Amanda shares how Savills are helping to support young people entering real estate The importance of mentors Stepping out of your comfort zone Celebrating small wins and sharing expectations Creating opportunities for success Creating development plans for staff Respect Thinking about people holistically and making changes Innovative thinking Potential classism in remote work Ensuring class is part of DEI policy Team-building Education and training Translating values into behaviors Tackling classism through supplier diversity "It's the subtle shift from looking for culture fit, to looking at culture add… we want someone to both support and challenge." [1.22.37] The panel sums up their thoughts from today's discussion. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Elise, Courtney, Amanda and Christine over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, why not check out 215: Blended – Shining a light on social inequality, or 323: Blended – How to Foster an Inclusive Workplace. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Enveyo, an innovative logistics software brand that wants to optimize every aspect of a business's shipping operations, with solutions that leverage enterprise-level technology and big data experience to empower organizations to make business-transforming shipping decisions. Enveyo is transforming the way technology drives logistics. As the only parcel TMS provider enabling end-to-end supply chain visibility, from shipping analytics and automation to customer delivery experience management, organizations are optimizing their shipping operations with Enveyo's cloud-based suite of solutions. Today Coby Nilsson, CEO and co-founder of Enveyo, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; letting the data tell the story; the importance of predictive analysis to the future of logistics; and finding the balance between cost reduction and customer satisfaction. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.17] Coby's career journey and his passion for technology. "I'm a psych major who spent my entire career in technology… I have a passion for solving problems." [09.31] How Coby's experience at Adobe inspired him to found Enveyo, the challenges he saw in the market – and why those challenges haven't really changed. "I ran global integrations, so we were measuring all the micro transactions… brands knew everything that was happening prior to purchase, but when you've bought it, it goes into the abyss… so brands wanted us to stitch that together." [13.10] An overview of Enveyo – what they do and how they help their customers. "The underlying challenge for all of these organizations is the data." [13.51] An introduction to Insights, one of Enveyo's five core solutions, the role of visibility, and what it means to Enveyo. "What visibility means to me is bringing the data all together in a consolidated platform, and then allowing you, as a customer, to consume that data in ways that you want." [16.06] A closer look at Cloudroute, Enveyo's innovative TMS software. "Once you understand what's happening and you have the data in one place, you can identify areas of opportunity." [18.13] Coby's perspective on the 'Excel epidemic' and why businesses should be using technology systems like Enveyo instead. "Excel is so ubiquitous, it's a very powerful application but it starts to break down when you hit critical mass of data." [22.27] An introduction to Modeling, and the power of predictive analysis and data-driven decision-making. "You start with Insights, then you see some opportunities. But before you want to pull the trigger on orchestration, test it out. Run a scenario and see if it's going to have the impact you expect." [24.08] A closer look at Enveyo's Alerting solution, its role as the communication bridge with the customer and how it can help to improve customer experience. [25.49] The ideal client for Enveyo. [27.27] A case study showing how Enveyo's modeling solution helped a key customer to make strategic decisions around their carrier choice and distribution center, ultimately helping them to save 16% on shipping costs and grow by 31%. [30.59] The future for Enveyo. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Enveyo's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Enveyo and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter, or you can connect with Coby on LinkedIn. This episode was filmed at Manifest 2023. If you enjoyed it, and want to explore some of the other great content filmed at the event, why not check out episodes: 325: Build Thriving Supply Chain Communities, with Envase Technologies 322: Innovative Asset Tracking Made Easy, with Blackberry Radar Check out our other podcasts HERE.

In today's episode of Women In Supply Chain, I'm joined by Paige Wei-Cox: one of Supply Chain Digital's 'Top 100 Women in Supply Chain,' and a 2022 Pro to Know. Paige Wei-Cox is a global leader with extensive cross-border supply chain experience. Over the course of her 20-year career at SAP, she has held a variety of management positions across the US and Germany. The recipient of Supply Chain and Demand Executives prestigious 'Women In Supply Chain' award, Paige is passionate about transforming today's fragmented supply chains into a unified, collaborative and intelligent network of networks. Today Paige will be talking to us about her career so far; the importance of industry recognition for women; why there's more supply chain disruption to come; and moving countries, and continents, to pursue her dream. Plus, she'll be sharing her experiences as a woman in supply chain, as well as her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps. SHOW SPONSOR: Women fuel the success of some of the world's most successful businesses, yet barriers still exist. SAP is committed to supporting and elevating a new generation of women to profoundly lead and impact global supply chains and are proud to support the Women in Supply Chain Series and its efforts. Supply chains need to evolve from low cost and optimized to risk-resilient and sustainable and SAP can help. SAP Digital Supply Chain solutions connect the entire process — design, planning, manufacturing, logistics, maintenance, and service; connecting your supply chains to the rest of your business and all your contextual data; supporting your efforts in alleviating risk in your supply chains. SAP is the market leader in enterprise application software and for the last 50 years has been helping companies to run better. Find out more at sap.com/scm IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.09] How Paige found supply chain, and her varied career journey through the industry. "My career went from manufacturing to R&D, PLM, logistics, planning, networks – it's travelled the entire supply chain… it's been a fun journey!" [08.11] From a shift to demand driven and embracing a customer-centric approach, Paige reflects on how the industry has changed since the start of her career, and what she's learned along the way. "At that time, not many people talked about supply chain, it was more about 'how do we optimize my enterprise… it was the beginning of digitization." [13.15] How and why Paige moved to Europe, her experiences, and the cultural differences she's observed between Germany and the US. [20.45] Paige's current role as senior vice president, chief product officer and global head of SAP Business Network, and the challenges, highs and lows it encompasses. "The fun part is the creation... the non-fun part is there's no buffer time… when you don't have a full calendar, you almost feel lost!" [25.48] The challenges and changing trends that Paige is observing at an industry level, and from the perspective of SAP and their customers – and how she's tackling them. "We've gone through this incredible globalization, but I also see a trend of localization… the complexity of supply chain is no longer about finding the cheapest supply, or 100% outsourcing. It's about how my whole supply and demand chain can connect." [30.41] Paige's experience as a woman, working for 25 years in a male-dominated industry, and whether the landscape for women has changed. "When I first started, I was the only girl… today if I look at my teams around the world, I see a lot of young women entering with passion… we're much more diversified." [32.34] The importance of mentors, of elevating female voices in the workplace, and of women supporting women. "To really grow and learn, you need someone to challenge and push you, but also support you and open their network to you." [36.23] Paige's industry awards, and the importance of continuing to celebrate women in supply chain. "Hopefully more women will find the topic to be interesting, because if you're a problem-solver, there's no other field more interesting than supply chain. There are so many challenges that nobody has answered that makes this industry super challenging but very fulfilling." [38.37] The personal achievement that Paige is most proud of. [40.34] The future for Paige. [41.56] Paige's advice for girls and women looking to follow in her footsteps. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Paige over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from other inspirational women from SAP, check out episode 321 featuring Darcy MacClaren, Senior VP of Digital Supply Chain and Manufacturing for North America or 283: Blended – The Rise of Asian Discrimination featuring Gale, Director of Global Influencer Marketing at the leading brand. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Envase Technologies, a game-changing TMS provider that is on a mission to guide the freight industry into a more sustainable and profitable future. Envase bring together everything you need to gain visibility and control over your operations, expose inefficiency, and de-clutter your system, including industry-leading TMS options to fit your needs, business intelligence, rate management tools, an integrated mobile driver app, and a complete marketplace. Today Larry Cuddy, CEO of Envase Technologies, joins me to chat all about the company; the power of strategic mergers and acquisitions; putting a focus on optimization, as well as visibility; and the importance of industry-wide collaboration. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.32] An overview of Envase Technologies – what they do and how they help their customers. "Envase is a digital drayage intermodal platform... and we're helping optimize terminals." [07.25] Larry's founder journey, and why he decided to tackle a fragmented market by establishing Envase and taking a proactive approach to mergers and acquisitions. "We all got along as competitors, and now we're all on the same team!" [09.00] Why Larry is passionate about 'getting his hands dirty' in business, and the importance of collaboration. "It gets back to culture… so we lead by example. I would never ask anybody to do anything that I haven't attempted." [10.33] Larry announces some breaking news, and explains the impact it will have on the industry, and Envase customers. "It's so exciting, because nothing has been attempted like this!" [12.16] The landscape of the current market, and Larry's reflections on the key challenges and trends. "There's a real big spotlight on visibility and transparency… but ultimately where everyone wants to get to is optimization, and that's the thing that everybody overlooks." [14.47] Larry's advice for organizations starting their digital transformation journey; how they can identify the available options; and the conversations Envase have with their own clients to discover the best solutions for them. [17.53] The challenges facing Envase's customers, and how Envase can help. "We still fight the fight every day about collaboration… people want to be protective of their data, they don't want to share, they don't want to be friends – so we take a very different approach." [19.27] From collaboration to data, the future for the industry. "We've got air, we've got ocean, we've got LTL, we've got truckload. We've got all these different modes, but nobody shares the same DNA in order to say 'hey, this is how we do this better!'" [21.23] The future for Envase Technologies. "We're never happy with the status quo!" RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Envase Technologies' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Envase and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter, or you can connect with Larry on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, and want to hear more from Envase Technologies, check out episode 311 featuring Allen Thomas, Chief Commercial Officer at Envase. Allen told me all about the company and what they do; the importance of digitizing drayage; how simplicity empowers growth; and why the freight industry is vital to the future of the nation. This episode was filmed at Manifest 2023. If you want to hear another fantastic episode filmed at the event, why not check out episode 322, Innovative Asset Tracking Made Easy, with Blackberry Radar. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Makersite, an award-winning, sustainability-driven software-as-a-service provider helping manufacturing enterprises solve complex challenges around their products and supply chains. Makersite develops next-generation product data management tools for the global manufacturing industry, providing AI, data and apps for sustainable product and supply chain decisions at scale. Founded in 2018, the platform is the only cloud-based platform combining data aggregation and live applications for agile product life cycle management. Today Neil D'Souza, Founder and CEO at Makersite, joins me to chat all about the brand and what they do; using automation to help achieve Net Zero; the importance of shortening innovation cycles; and transforming visibility into resilience. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.35] Neil's background, his early interest in sustainability, and why he founded Makersite. "I got into the space early.. and it wasn't so much about carbon… it was more about looking at how much we waste from what we create or extract from the environment, and how we can change it." [09.52] How things have changed since Makersite was founded in 2018, why they're still helping clients to do the same thing, but with vastly different decision-making criteria, and why everyone is looking for the next big thing to drive innovation forward. "Wherever you look across the globe, there is a race like never before." [13.07] An overview of Makersite – what they do and how they help their customers. "The problem fits squarely in the hands of people that make stuff. Very often, we direct attention to how we use it, but it really isn't... We shouldn't direct responsibility away." [16.10] The ideal client for Makersite. [17.58] A case study showing how Makersite helped Microsoft figure out where to invest money to reduce impact, by quickly analyzing component data to allow them to optimize and drive effective change. [22.06] Sustainability and the goal of Net Zero, the struggle with translating big ESG ambitions into practical action and how Makersite are helping businesses to 'automate their way to net zero.' "Net Zero is almost theoretical. Practically, there's no way to get to net zero, unless you look at off-setting as one component… But you cannot just continue to operate as you do today, and just buy credits somewhere else, that doesn't work." [29.26] How Makersite are empowering manufacturers to accelerate product design, and the importance of shortening innovation cycles to design better products faster. "We want to get to Net Zero by 2050, and lots of countries and companies have pledged for this. That's 30 years. But the average go-to-market for an innovation cycle for technology today is five to seven years. So if you're a car designer you have five iterations, at most, to make your car net zero." [33.44] Supply chain risk, the importance of resilience and how Makersite are helping to transform visibility into resilience. "Resilience is the reaction to disruption." [39.40] What integration and onboarding looks like with Makersite. [41.35] The future for Makersite. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Makersite's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Makersite and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or Twitter, or you can connect with Neil on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more brands talking about sustainability and a Net Zero goal, check out episode 312, featuring Mark Ang, Co-founder and CEO at GoBolt, where he talked all about bringing sustainability to an industry notorious for its heavy impact on the environment, and his organization's goal to reach carbon-negative deliveries by the end of 2023. Or why not check out my blog, Combating Climate Change with Supply Chain Solutions, for a quick read on going green. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

It's episode 29 of Blended: I'm joined by a new panel of incredible guests and, today, we're talking about fostering an inclusive workplace. Creating an inclusive workplace doesn't just benefit your employees, it can pay off in dividends for your business. Companies with a strong culture of inclusion—one that encourages innovation and collaboration among staff—are increasingly seen as more attractive to potential employees, clients, and investors. From revising hiring practices to restructuring internal policies, embracing diversity can be an invaluable asset to any organization. Today, we'll discuss how you can foster a positive atmosphere at work where everyone feels accepted and respected no matter their gender identity or cultural background. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [00.58] Introductions to our Blended panelists. Desiree Booker – Founder/CEO of ColorVizion Lab Jonathan Townsley – Senior Business Partner at Sterling Brian Glick – Founder/CEO of Chain.io [04.10] The group shares their definitions of what being an inclusive workplace means, and which groups we may be talking about. "It means figuring out how we can create a level playing field so that everyone has an opportunity to thrive in their respective roles." Desiree Understanding the individual needs of these groups Understanding the challenges and inequities they face Creating safe spaces in the workplace Giving individuals the platforms they need to be successful Intentionality Listening & understanding the challenges people face Figuring out how individuals would like to be supported [11.26] The panel discusses the challenges of creating an inclusive workplace. "To get it into our DNA you have to get past that tokenism, right? Its the intentionality." Anonmyous Mistakes are going to be made Getting all levels of leadership on board Accountability DEI leader burnout Lack of resources and support Fear around language How we change communication Treating people as individuals Setting boundaries "Your actions need to speak louder than just the words." Sarah [25.30] The group discusses the role that bias plays in inclusive workplaces, how to get over it, how to make it a part of communication, and how to normalize it. "We have to build up in our cultures and our workplaces that you shouldn't be afraid to make that mistake. Be mindful of it, but don't be afraid." Johnathan Being open to receiving feedback without bias To not be afraid of making a mistake Letting actions speak louder than words Embracing change Self-reflection Approaching teams without bias Becoming more vocal about sharing points of view HR's role in removing bias in the workplace Solutions to getting over the bias Bridging skills and talent gaps Hiring based on values alignment Industry expectations Individual Responsibility Being Vulnerable "We're all human beings so bias is going to creep up at some point, you just have to be able to recognize it and check it." Desiree [1.06] The panel sums up their thoughts from today's discussion. "Be who you are, love it, be fabulous. Be the world you want to live in and the rest will usually take care of itself." Brian RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Encouraging an inclusive work environment is essential for an organization's success, as it can help foster communication between teams, promote respect among different cultures and perspectives and lead to better emotional well-being for employees. We hope this article has helped to demystify the term "inclusive workplace" and offered practical steps for cultivating one. Everyone has a role to play in fostering inclusivity at work; from tackling our own biases to helping create an open dialogue about diversity, we can all work together to make sure everyone feels safe and accepted. If you found this post informative and would like to stay connected with us, please follow us on social media where we offer regular tips and tricks related to creating an inclusive workplace. Together we can take steps toward creating a workplace culture where everyone feels respected and valued. You can connect with Desiree, Johnathan, and Brian over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more from our guests, check out: Episode 280 of our women in supply chain series, featuring Margo Waldie Episode 236, Blended – Age Is Just A Number, featuring Lisa Fenton All of our LTSC Asiapac content with Jonathan Kempe Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by BlackBerry Radar, a logistics technology brand that delivers asset monitoring, engineered for intelligence, and designed to solve for your most common transportation challenges. Launched in 2016, BlackBerry Radar is an intelligent, secure and user-friendly asset tracking and monitoring solution. It provides reliable industry-leading visibility into a range of fleet assets, including trailers, flatbeds, chassis and intermodal containers, utilizing device hardware, a secure communications network, and a dynamic cloud platform. Today Shannon Hamilton, Vice President of Blackberry Radar Sales, joins me to chat all about the brand and what they do; pioneering the future of hyperconnectivity; making the complex simple; and leveraging real-time insights to deliver better, and faster, customer service. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.03] How the transportation industry's challenges have evolved, the landscape of the industry in a post-pandemic environment, and the key focus areas for logistics businesses. "Coming out of the pandemic we've seen a bit of a slowdown, so now it's really about assessing and right-sizing your fleet, and making better financial decisions about where you're investing in those assets." [07.36] An overview of Blackberry Radar – what they do and how they help their customers. "Everybody knew Blackberry, back when it was their favorite handset, but most people don't know what we're doing today… We've been using all of our Intellectual Property, and including all of the design capabilities of building handset software, but now we're building devices for the transportation industry." [09.21] A closer look at the Radar device itself, what it does, and how and where it can be installed. "Marrying both the physical location with the inside of that piece of equipment is really enabling next-level efficiency." [12.12] From helping to reduce empty miles to improved maintenance efficiency, the benefits of installing BlackBerry Radar in your trailers. [16.49] The most efficient ways to mitigate risk, the importance of good data, and how Blackberry Radar can help. "Mitigating risk is really about having the information in a usable way, that can improve the way you make decisions. The quality of your decisions is really based on the data that you have – if you have good data, you make good decisions." [18.59] The challenges within intermodal and how Blackberry Radar can help with a range of issues from displacement and theft to next-level visibility. [23.43] A closer look at what reporting, data and customization looks like with Blackberry Radar. "Every business has different business rules and different logic that they're working towards. So all of those events can be customized so you're making use of that information in the best possible way." [25.42] The ideal client for Blackberry Radar. [26.19] A case study showing how Blackberry Radar helped a key client to better utilize existing equipment instead of regularly invest in new assets, ultimately resulting in a vast reduction of capital investment, reduction in maintenance, creation of new revenue streams and enhanced customer experience. [30.11] The future for BlackBerry Raday. 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 Shannon, check out her blog for our Women In Supply Chain series, where she shares more about her career journey, who inspires her and her experience as a woman in a historically male-dominated industry. This episode was filmed onsite at Manifest. Look out for more incredible content from the show - coming soon! Check out our other podcasts HERE.

In today's episode of Women In Supply Chain, I'm joined by multi-award-winning supply chain leader Darcy MacClaren. Darcy MacClaren is a strategic global leader who has spent 30 years growing, differentiating, and improving businesses through technology transformation with a focus on supply chain. She has held various leadership roles at SAP over the last ten years and currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Digital Supply Chain and Industry 4.0 for SAP North America. Darcy is passionate about collaboration, and committed to guiding organizations in their digital transformation journey through innovative technology and next-generation business processes. Today Darcy will be talking to us about her career so far; the role of sponsors, as well as mentors; building a support network for women; and putting a focus on helping companies build resilient, agile, and sustainable supply chains. Plus, she'll be sharing her experiences as a woman in supply chain, as well as her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps. SHOW SPONSOR: Women fuel the success of some of the world's most successful businesses, yet barriers still exist. SAP is committed to supporting and elevating a new generation of women to profoundly lead and impact global supply chains and are proud to support the Women in Supply Chain Series and its efforts. Supply chains need to evolve from low-cost and optimized to risk-resilient and sustainable and SAP can help. SAP Digital Supply Chain solutions connect the entire process — design, planning, manufacturing, logistics, maintenance, and service; connecting your supply chains to the rest of your business and all your contextual data; supporting your efforts in alleviating risk in your supply chains. SAP is the market leader in enterprise application software and for the last 50 years has been helping companies to run better. Find out more at sap.com/scm IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.53] Darcy's ambition as a young person, and how a role at Hewlett Packard in the early days of her career set Darcy on a path to success. "Right from a young age, I knew I wanted to be successful, I knew I wanted to be powerful – but I didn't know what that meant." [09.18] How Darcy found supply chain, why her strengths were such a good match, and why she really fell in love with the industry. [13.02] Why Darcy found her voice early on in her career, and how she came to appreciate the magnitude of supply chain and the impact it had on people's lives. "I do a lot of mentoring for folks entering the field and I always let them know: 'you know more than you think you know. You just don't have the confidence yet.'" [16.59] Why Darcy joined SAP, her journey at the brand over the past 11 years and why she's so passionate about it. "When you work at a smaller niche company, many times you look around the room and you're the most experienced person there. I wanted to learn from senior executives, the best in the world, and really grow myself as a leader." [20.33] Darcy's current role as Senior VP of Digital Supply Chain and Manufacturing for North America, the increasing importance of digital transformation, and what she sees from her perspective at SAP. "It's a journey. But the good news is that digital transformation is finally starting… you don't transform overnight but you have to have a plan, and you have to start now." [25.34] The importance of tackling sustainability in supply chain, alongside risk, agility and resilience. "We all know it's the right thing to do… but if you want the best people, they want to work for sustainable companies; if you want customers, they want to buy from sustainable companies – so it makes good business sense." [29.06] Darcy's experience as a woman in a male-dominated industry across her 30-year career. "It has changed, but not to the extent that I thought it would have, by the time my daughter came into the industry." [34.23] Why Darcy established the award-winning Women in Supply Chain Network, and the impact it's having on the community. "It's great for the career path if you have aspirations to be in the C Suite – supply chain is a great background to have, because of the visibility you get across different industries." [36.43] The difference between mentors and sponsors, and Darcy's advice for making the most of both of them. [40.25] Darcy's reflections on why women should dive into supply chain, and why they're so well-suited to the industry. "There was a study that actually said, statistically, women are better suited to supply chain – and it had to do with empathy." [43.12] Darcy's advice for girls and women looking to follow in her footsteps. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Darcy over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from another incredible woman from SAP, check out 283: Blended – The Rise of Asian Discrimination featuring Gale, Director of Global Influencer Marketing at the leading brand. Check out our other

Today we're putting the spotlight on one of our incredible live shows, LogTech Live With Eric Johnson. Eric is Senior Editor of Technology at the Journal Of Commerce and a long-time friend of the show, and he brings us his unrivaled industry insights – and Dad jokes! – on the first and third Friday of every month at 10am EST. In this episode, Eric is joined by special guest Anthony Miller, SaaS, Tech, Logistics and Supply Chain Consultant, to talk about the hottest news from the biggest brands in logistics right now. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [08.22] From C.H. Robinson CEO Bob Biesterfeld's shock exit to a new collaboration between an early-stage tech provider and freight forwarders, Eric explores the news of the week. [15.01] An introduction to Eric's guest, Anthony Miller, his experience at WiseTech, and his love for logistics. "Logistics is so exciting and ever-changing… some people would say it's still stuck in the past, but I don't see that. It's a mixture of both – you have the great people and the processes, and then you have the tech, and they're all just trying to come together." [19.56] How and why Anthony became a provocative logistics voice on LinkedIn. "I want people to read something and think about it, go and do some research, talk to people and form your own opinions." [27.53] Anthony and Eric discuss CargoWise - its position in the market, why the organization has come under recent scrutiny, how businesses like GoFreight are breaking through to serve the SMB market, and the downside of aggressive acquisition strategies. [41.20] Anthony's thoughts on the future for CH Robinson and Flexport. "Our industry is about consolidation. And as soon as you show some weakness, that's it – sharks are circling." [47.51] Eric ends with his favorite question: 'what's your favorite band and why?' RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Discover more breaking news over on Journal of Commerce, and connect with Anthony 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. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Nipendo, a forward-thinking software brand that is on a mission to improve how buyers and suppliers work together to combat Source-to-Pay inefficiencies and costs. The Nipendo platform is an intelligent intermediator between buyers and suppliers, using technologies like Robotic Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to streamline interactions and benefit all trading partners. The Nipendo platform is used by cross-vertical medium-sized and large companies across the globe, helping them reduce costs and improve procurement and supply chain efficiencies, as well as supporting their competitive strength. Today Paul Noel, Chief Revenue Officer at Nipendo, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; their recent acquisition by Amex; changing the game in a flooded SaaS market; helping brands to embrace digital transformation processes; and the importance of bringing buyers and suppliers together in mutually beneficial partnerships. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.38] How and why Nipendo was founded, and what attracted Paul to the brand. "It was that approach – much more additive than disruptive – that really intrigued me as the new age of spend management." [10.34] An overview of Nipendo – what they do and how they help their customers. [12.55] Buyers: their key challenges, how the Nipendo platform works for them, and the benefits it delivers. [15.02] Suppliers: their unique set of obstacles, and what the Nipendo platform looks like from a seller's perspective. "As buyers get their act together more, it forces more requirements on the suppliers… the big saving for suppliers is having one place where they can work with multiple customers." [17.45] The impact of facilitating buyers and suppliers to work more successfully together, at a business and industry level. "People stop doing tedious things!... The pandemic gave everyone a shot in the arm - people started thinking 'what am I doing that's value add, what am I doing that can be automated?'" [21.15] Paul's thoughts on digitization and what he thinks organizations have been doing wrong, and right. [23.56] What integration and onboarding look like with Nipendo. "The availability of your IT can be a block, but when you've figured that out, the rest of is pretty easy. We're going to do the heavy lifting, because we'll make sure that message is going to flow through whatever pipe you open up, it's just a matter of opening that pipe." [27.44] The ideal client for Nipendo. [29.46] Several case studies showing how Nipendo helped key clients improve efficiency, collaboration and communication, ultimately supporting overall business growth, optimization and cost reduction. [34.06] The future for Nipendo. "2023 you'll see our name out there for a more holistic approach that a mid-market company can use, so they can leverage technology to walk and talk like a big guy, without having to be a big guy." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Nipendo's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Nipendo and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, or you can connect with Paul on LinkedIn. If you're in the mood for a good read, check out our Women In Supply Chain blog interview with good friend of the show Sarah Scudder - she talks all about how, in the early days of her career, learning that procurement and marketing weren't collaborating led to her breakthrough moment. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Aera Technology, a forward-thinking company that is on a mission to drive beyond digital transformation and make businesses smarter, dynamic, digital, and wildly successful. Aera Technology is the Decision Intelligence Company that makes business agility happen. Their innovative cloud platform integrates with your existing systems to digitize, augment, and automate decision-making in real-time. In the era of digital acceleration, Aera helps enterprises around the world transform how they respond to the ever-changing environment. Today Fred Laluyaux, CEO at Aera Technology, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; using AI to reimagine how organizations operate; the rise of citizen data scientists; and harnessing the power of Decision Intelligence. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.40] Fred's background and exciting career journey as a tech entrepreneur. "I've spent the last 25 years of my life building technology that helps large organizations manage their performance... (and) modeling complex problems – I feel like I've been trying to solve a giant puzzle for the last 25 years!" [09.17] From cycle speed to increasing complexity, the key changes and challenges faced by today's supply chains. "All this new technology is allowing us to move the envelope. But the complexity of the problems that we have to resolve is also increasing exponentially. So you have this race between a goal post that's moving very fast, and technology that's trying to catch up... The problem goes beyond supply chain. " [13.10] An overview of Aera – what they do, how they help their customers and their vision for customers, and for the industry. "The vision we had is simple… building a technology that would allow the thinking to be connected to the doing." [16.40] Decision Intelligence: what it means, why Gartner has recognized it as a top industry trend for this year, and how it works with Aera. [25.45] A closer look at Aera's four key product areas: Aera Understands, Aera Recommends, Aera Predicts and Aera Acts. [35.00] Fred's reflections on the balance between people and technology, the importance of collaboration and why Aera is embracing a new era of citizen data scientists. "The operationalization of data science is really the next frontier." [38.04] The ideal client for Aera, a closer look at onboarding and integration, and the importance of finding the balance between time to go live and time to value. "Its not a competition between the human operator and the system – it's a collaboration." [44.03] A case study showing how Aera helped a key client increase their accuracy and response rate, leading to an increase in customer satisfaction, a decrease in order cancellations and, ultimately, higher profit. "What excites me about this adventure is that we're deploying a technology that's new to enable companies to do things that were not happening before." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Aera Technology's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Aera and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or Twitter, or you can connect with Fred on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from another brand that is embracing the power of AI and machine learning, why not check out episode 290, Tomorrow's Insights Delivered Today: Enabling Operational Automation, featuring Caleb Nelson of Sifted. And if you were intrigued by Gartner's top trend, Decision Intelligence, and are keen to discover some of the other trends you need to know about for 2023, make sure to dive into Logtech Live With Eric Johnson. Eric is Senior Editor of Technology at the Journal Of Commerce, so if something's going down in supply chain, he's the first to know! Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by TraceGains, the world's only networked ingredients marketplace. Founded in 2008, TraceGains connects people and information so teams can work smarter. As a global technology company, they provide networked innovation, quality, and compliance solutions to consumer brands that want to reduce supply chain risk, innovate faster, speed up business processes, and take control of data. Today Gary Nowacki, Founder and CEO at TraceGains, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; achieving visibility and productivity through collaboration; overcoming today's supply chain challenges; and bringing people and ingredient data together in new ways to achieve business agility. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.31] Gary's background and how, and why, it led him to founding TraceGains. "When we founded TraceGains, I think we used the same trick that I would recommend for anybody founding a tech or software company: find a real pain, and then make sure it's not being serviced well." [08.37] A closer look at some of the biggest challenges in the food industry right now, why those challenges are forcing companies to re-evaluate their supply chains, and how TraceGains are helping their customers to conquer disruption. "The food industry, like almost all industries, really focused on cost… Now, everything is sky rocketed through inflation and new drivers have come along…" [13.36] An overview of TraceGains – what they do and how they help their customers. "This is an incredibly fragmented supply chain… it was using a hub and spoke methodology… and that's a really bad way to do things! … So we stole a page from the playbook of social media companies, and said: "Forget the hub and spoke. Let's just get all these companies to connect." [15.34] A deeper dive into TraceGains Gather, a marketplace that invites customers to "experience sourcing nirvana." [19.56] A closer look at TraceGains' configurable solutions for product development, which support customers in creating new formulas and finished goods. [24.02] TraceGains' compliance solutions, and the benefit of having a range of complimentary solutions all under one roof. [26.28] Why ingredient agility equals brand agility, and why mastering ingredient data is key to evolving your supply chain. [28.01] Collaboration, the importance of bringing buyers and sellers together with co-manufacturing, and an example of what can go wrong when good collaboration is lacking. "We have a new capability so buyers and sellers can collaborate, not just with the brand owners and ingredient sellers, but also with the co-manufacturers so all three can come together in a workspace – it's almost like Pinterest… because in this problematic issue of supply chain disruptions, we need collaboration more than ever!" [32.08] What onboarding and integration looks like with TraceGains. "There's a lot less integration that needs to be done, because people are just interacting and collaborating in the cloud." [34.06] The ideal client for TraceGains. [36.29] A case study showing how TraceGains helped a leading bakery make fast and responsive manufacturing decisions and ensure product continuity, by providing vital data insights on variable ingredients. [39.30] The future for TraceGains. "These problems exist in every country around the globe… so growing internationally is the next logical step." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to TraceGain's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with TraceGains and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram, or you can connect with Gary on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to find out more about the food and beverage supply chain, why not check out episode 245, featuring Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive. Then check out episode 257, a special episode of our live show Action Items with Dyci Sfregola, in which Dyci interviews Atia Yarbrough, Director of Demand and Supply Planning at Mason Dixie Foods, to discover more about building successful S&OP processes, finding the right partners, and the importance of dual sourcing. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

In today's episode of Women In Supply Chain, I'm joined by Ashley Yentz, a supply chain leader who is passionate about driving sustainability and creating solutions that improve lives. Ashley discovered her love for supply chain during several successful internships at automotive megabrand, Toyota. And, after a stint as a logistics analyst at Hilti, Ashley's career really took flight at LeanCor Supply Chain Group. She developed, implemented, and managed lean supply chains totalling around $300M in annual transportation spend and, in 2021, she brought all of her experience, knowledge and passion to her current role as VP of Supply Chain and Material Flow at Sleep Number, a leader in sleep and wellness technology. Today Ashley will be talking to us about her career so far; her passion for creating a more inclusive workforce; developing customer-focused solutions; and why her ultimate goal is to influence a priority shift toward climate change and social consciousness in the logistics and supply chain industry. Plus, she'll be sharing her experiences as a woman in supply chain, as well as her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps. SHOW SPONSOR: This Women in Supply Chain feature was sponsored by Sifted. As a business dedicated to empowering confidence within the shipping industry, we're proud to support women in supply chain. Sifted is the leading logistics intelligence software, that combines insights with expertise to empower bigger, smarter shipping decisions. As growth and disruptions present ongoing challenges for supply chain leaders, thousands rely on Sifted to set their businesses up for success. Learn more about Sifted here. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.09] Ashley's career journey, from being raised by creative entrepreneurs and gaining a degree in mathematics, to being introduced to supply chain by a mentor. "I met one of my mentors, she was the Vice President of Customer Service at Toyota… and she was the one that looked at me, heard about my skillset in math and my passions and said 'hey – I think you'd be really good in supply chain!'" [11.28] What Ashley learned during her time working for Toyota. "I understood the great care that we had to take to make sure a customer was satisfied. Lean is about 'what is it that this customer really wants, and how do we make sure we're providing them the best value.'" [16.55] Ashley's journey within Toyota, from strategic planning to inventory; how the recession led to a move to Hilti; and why a passion for Lean Systems eventually took her to LeanCor. "I started doing a lot of research on 'what do I want to do, where do I want to be, where do I want to spend my time?'" [23.01] Ashley's experience of being one of only two female senior leaders at LeanCor, and the importance of finding people that value what you have to say. "When we talk about career growth and development, seeking to understand is such a huge part of anyone's job, and it will set you apart." [28.03] Why Ashley moved to Sleep Number, her advice on finding the right career fit, and why Sleep Number values wellness. "You have to be surrounded by a community that you're enjoying, that is getting the best out of you and you feel your best at, where you can bring your authentic self to work... you have to make sure it's aligning to you and your life." [35.21] Ashley's biggest career achievements to date. [38.03] Ashley's experience as a woman in the male-dominated fields of construction, supply chain and automotive, how she built courage over time and her advice for how women can thrive. [42.59] Ashley's favorite thing about supply chain. "My favorite thing about supply chain is that you can learn so much – you'll never get bored!" [44.15] Ashley's thoughts on the importance of sustainability in supply chain. "I believe that profit and sustainability go hand in hand." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Ashley over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, check out 310: Women in Supply Chain, Grace Sharkey, featuring another woman in supply chain who has followed her heart when it comes to her career journey. Or, if you're keen to hear more about the importance of sustainability in supply chain, why not listen to what Mary McNelly has to say in episode 250. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Lean Solutions Group, a super-successful business service provider that's using its impressive suite of solutions to make scaling simple. Lean Solutions Group is a nearshore and offshore services provider with a highly scalable and flexible workforce of 7,000 employees with operations at seven satellite offices in Colombia, Guatemala, and the Philippines. Partnering with more than 500 U.S.-based companies, Lean Solutions Group's expanded service offerings include staffing, technology, marketing, sales, and business process outsourcing services, all in one place. Today Hunter Bell, Senior Account Executive at Lean Solutions, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; overcoming recruitment challenges; making scaling simple; the power of 'global shoring'; and how to broaden your reach, without borders. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.05] Hunter's journey, how he came to join Lean Solutions and why logistics is in his blood. "I've been familiar with the industry. My Dad was in transportation logistics for 25 years… so growing up, I was able to see what that industry is all about, and the amount of hours you've got to put in…" [08.18] How Lean Solutions Group was founded, its evolution, and an overview of what they do now. "We set up satellite offices for transportation logistics companies. We have everything turnkey down there ready to go, office space and a recruiting team… we teach them the industry and then build out an infrastructure." [10.28] How staffing has changed since the pandemic, the current labor challenges, and the opportunities provided by embracing satellite and remote teams. "When COVID hit, everyone was forced to go remote, which opened people's eyes to: companies don't only have to source talent in their cites now… remote work does work!" [12.53] A closer look at the process of working with Lean Solutions, from identifying a business's key needs to working on process efficiencies. [14.19] The challenges involved in remote working, and how Lean works to solve them. "COVID exposed an issue with people's ability to manage expectations and what you really want your staff doing… a lot of companies struggled to figure out what those expectations and KPI's were." [16.17] How Lean can help organizations to mitigate the risks involved in remote staffing. [18.23] Utilizing data to better understand productivity, and how Lean can support in understanding those data insights. "What do you with the data? That's what a lot of companies don't know. They have all this data, they're tracking it, but they don't know how to leverage it." [19.57] The ideal client for Lean Solutions. [20.32] What onboarding and integration looks like with Lean Solutions. "We use a lot of automation, automating your processes is key." [21.37] A case study showing how Lean helped a brokerage with their back end so they could focus on achieving fast growth, ultimately supporting that company to grow from $30-40 million a year to close to $1 billion. [23.19] The future for Lean Solutions. "There are a lot of good people everywhere in this world – we're just looking to find them and connect them with our customers!" RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Lean Solution's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Lean and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram, or you can connect with Hunter on LinkedIn. This episode was filmed at Home Delivery world. If you enjoyed it, and want to explore some of the other great content filmed at the event, why not check out episodes: 311: Step into the Future of Drayage, with Envase Technologies 308: Stabilizing Safety in the Workplace, with Ideal Warehouse Innovations 306: Create Long-Standing Opportunities and Reduce Costs, With DM Delivers 304: Discover Success at the Intersection of Logistics and Technology, with Flexe 299: Modernize Your Ecommerce Supply Chain, with Shipium 297: Make Smarter Packing Decisions, with Paccurate 296: Take Control of Managing Your Demand Chain, with SEKO 294: Optimize Warehouse Productivity, with Locus Robotics 289: Achieve Control, Capacity and Care, with Estes Forwarding Worldwide. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

It's episode 27 of Blended: I'm joined by another talented panel of guests and, today, we're talking about addiction. This is a topic that is still very taboo. But, as with most things in life, it's not black and white. Not all addicts are the same, and not everyone is addicted to alcohol or drugs. Our rapidly evolving culture has seen the rise of addiction to things like shopping, social media and even work, but our attitudes to addiction are still very much based in the past. And, around a very certain type of addict – the one I'm sure we're all used to seeing meet a terrible fate in film and TV. And this kind of thing always worries me, because none of our conversations around DEI can move forward if we're still holding on to stereotypes and judgments. Things are moving forward for women, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community – it's time to do the same for all those struggling with, or supporting loved ones who are struggling with, addiction. Today, our guests will be sharing their experiences of addiction; the power of nature in aiding recovery; loss and grief; tackling addiction in the workplace; and advice on how we can support those struggling, at work and in our communities. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [01.15] Introductions to our Blended panelists. Angie – Founder of Siblinghood of Recovery Podcast Ariel – Herbalist & Intuitive Healer [03.41] The group reflect on what addiction really is, and share their personal experiences, of struggling with addiction themselves and of supporting others. "It really isn't down to one specific thing or specific challenge, it's a result of a lot of things." Angie Lack of control Link to trauma Genetics Intergenerational trauma Mental ill health Blame, shame and judgment Self-worth Compassion and forgiveness Self-medication Loving the person, not the addict Being ill-equipped to support others Trying to find safety and coping mechanisms in unsafe outlets "I grew up in a family of addicts… and through coping and dealing with trauma I, at a young age, got into drugs and drinking." Ariel [25.09] The panel discusses the power of nature in aiding recovery and share their different recovery journeys. Replacing dopamine Learning to trust your instincts Getting active Releasing trauma and stress from the body Empowerment People telling you who you are Expectations and limiting beliefs Re-writing your story Dysregulated nervous systems "Nature provides in every single way – it's not just the biological, it's the spiritual." Ariel [34.22] The group discusses what recovery looks like, tackling addiction in the workplace, and what companies can do to provide support and change mindsets when it comes to addiction. "I would challenge some companies to start using the phrase 'sober curious'." Angie Holding space for people and creating conversations Education Accountability Support and allyship Culture of drinking Changing industry events Speak from the heart, not the ego Never give advice or opinions Offer professional resources Outsourcing and liability "The HR industry has to figure this one out, because there are so many legalities of 'how deeply do you get involved in an employee's personal life?' " Angie [54.03] The panel reflects on the loss that often comes hand in hand with addiction, and how best to support people. Forgiveness Grief Build your own community Support networks Normalize words and conversations Boundaries Triggers Respect Meet people where they are Open-minded [1.07.02] The group sum up their thoughts from today's discussion. "When it comes to addiction, we can put ourselves on a pedestal. 'Oh we don't do that.' There's that stigma that comes with addiction. And once we take ourselves off that pedestal, we realize those people aren't different to us, that we can help and support them and they have a place in this world." Ariel RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Ariel on Instagram, or find out more about Angie's podcast Siblinghood of Recovery over on her website, or on Instagram. If you enjoyed this podcast, why not check out 252: Blended – Hiding in Plain Sight: The Reality of Workplace Discrimination or 158: Blended – Story of my Life. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by GoBolt, a fast-growing tech-enabled, sustainably-focused logistics provider for local e-commerce shops as well as national brands. GoBolt provides a technology-driven, customer-centric and sustainable approach to fulfillment, including reliable warehousing, pick and pack, shipping, and last-mile delivery. By operating as an extension of their customer's team, they are able to deliver best-in-class services every step of the way, ensuring faster, more cost-effective, and complete customer deliveries. Today Mark Ang, Co-founder and CEO at GoBolt, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; bringing sustainability to an industry notorious for its heavy impact on the environment; its recent Series B funding success; why logistics is broken; and their goal to reach carbon-negative deliveries by the end of 2023. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.02] How GoBolt began as a different kind of business and evolved based on customer demands and market needs. "Before we knew it, we were acting more like a logistics business than we thought… I don't think people wake up and dream about starting a warehousing and logistics business!" [09.26] An overview of GoBolt – what they do and how they help their customers. "Essentially what we're trying to create is a unified platform for every single logistics requirement for a scaling, or scaled, brand." [10.23] What GoBolt means when they say "we are the only thing between you and your customers" – and why that interface is so important. "Our NPS [Net Promoter Score] is extremely high, up in the 80's… typically in the last mile space, you see NPS's in the low teens." [12.24] A closer look at the technology that sits behind GoBolt, and what it does. "What we really want to do is unshackle the customer from their day of delivery." [13.55] The areas across North America and Canada in which GoBolt operate, and what differentiates them from their competitors. "What we've found, for enterprise brands and folks that are scaling quickly, is that the last thing they want to invest in is logistics – it's expensive and hard to get it right… but it's the one thing that touches your customer every single time and reliability, or lack thereof, in your supply chain can make or break your brand." [15.56] How GoBolt supports reverse logistics, and facilitates different product outcomes, from donation to refurbishment for resale and recycling. [17.55] What onboarding and integration look like with GoBolt. [19.06] The ideal client for GoBolt. "Part of our vision is to enable commerce by making logistics easy." [20.37] GoBolt's commitment to sustainability, and why carbon offset isn't the answer. "There's only 500 million hectares of re-forestable area in the world, and Shell for example has already committed to planting a tenth of that – so there's not going to be that much land to go around! We actually need to do our part to become net zero as quickly as possible." [22.56] A case study showing how GoBolt helped a client to vastly increase customer satisfaction in last mile logistics, leading them to further leverage GoBolt's skillsets across many other areas, from fulfillment to mid-mile. [25.31] The future for GoBolt. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to GoBolt's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with GoBolt and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or you can connect with Mark on LinkedIn. This episode was filmed at Home Delivery world. If you enjoyed it, and want to explore some of the other great content filmed at the event, why not check out episodes: 308: Stabilizing Safety in the Workplace, with Ideal Warehouse Innovations 306: Create Long-Standing Opportunities and Reduce Costs, With DM Delivers 304: Discover Success at the Intersection of Logistics and Technology, with Flexe 299: Modernize Your Ecommerce Supply Chain, with Shipium 297: Make Smarter Packing Decisions, with Paccurate 296: Take Control of Managing Your Demand Chain, with SEKO 294: Optimize Warehouse Productivity, with Locus Robotics 289: Achieve Control, Capacity and Care, with Estes Forwarding Worldwide. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by GoBolt, a fast-growing tech-enabled, sustainably-focused logistics provider for local e-commerce shops as well as national brands. GoBolt provides a technology-driven, customer-centric and sustainable approach to fulfillment, including reliable warehousing, pick and pack, shipping, and last-mile delivery. By operating as an extension of their customer's team, they are able to deliver best-in-class services every step of the way, ensuring faster, more cost-effective, and complete customer deliveries. Today Mark Ang, Co-founder and CEO at GoBolt, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; bringing sustainability to an industry notorious for its heavy impact on the environment; its recent Series B funding success; why logistics is broken; and their goal to reach carbon-negative deliveries by the end of 2023. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.02] How GoBolt began as a different kind of business and evolved based on customer demands and market needs. "Before we knew it, we were acting more like a logistics business than we thought… I don't think people wake up and dream about starting a warehousing and logistics business!" [09.26] An overview of GoBolt – what they do and how they help their customers. "Essentially what we're trying to create is a unified platform for every single logistics requirement for a scaling, or scaled, brand." [10.23] What GoBolt means when they say "we are the only thing between you and your customers" – and why that interface is so important. "Our NPS [Net Promoter Score] is extremely high, up in the 80's… typically in the last mile space, you see NPS's in the low teens." [12.24] A closer look at the technology that sits behind GoBolt, and what it does. "What we really want to do is unshackle the customer from their day of delivery." [13.55] The areas across North America and Canada in which GoBolt operate, and what differentiates them from their competitors. "What we've found, for enterprise brands and folks that are scaling quickly, is that the last thing they want to invest in is logistics – it's expensive and hard to get it right… but it's the one thing that touches your customer every single time and reliability, or lack thereof, in your supply chain can make or break your brand." [15.56] How GoBolt supports reverse logistics, and facilitates different product outcomes, from donation to refurbishment for resale and recycling. [17.55] What onboarding and integration look like with GoBolt. [19.06] The ideal client for GoBolt. "Part of our vision is to enable commerce by making logistics easy." [20.37] GoBolt's commitment to sustainability, and why carbon offset isn't the answer. "There's only 500 million hectares of re-forestable area in the world, and Shell for example has already committed to planting a tenth of that – so there's not going to be that much land to go around! We actually need to do our part to become net zero as quickly as possible." [22.56] A case study showing how GoBolt helped a client to vastly increase customer satisfaction in last mile logistics, leading them to further leverage GoBolt's skillsets across many other areas, from fulfillment to mid-mile. [25.31] The future for GoBolt. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to GoBolt's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with GoBolt and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or you can connect with Mark on LinkedIn. This episode was filmed at Home Delivery world. If you enjoyed it, and want to explore some of the other great content filmed at the event, why not check out episodes: 308: Stabilizing Safety in the Workplace, with Ideal Warehouse Innovations 306: Create Long-Standing Opportunities and Reduce Costs, With DM Delivers 304: Discover Success at the Intersection of Logistics and Technology, with Flexe 299: Modernize Your Ecommerce Supply Chain, with Shipium 297: Make Smarter Packing Decisions, with Paccurate 296: Take Control of Managing Your Demand Chain, with SEKO 294: Optimize Warehouse Productivity, with Locus Robotics 289: Achieve Control, Capacity and Care, with Estes Forwarding Worldwide. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Envase Technologies, an innovative and fast-growing transportation software brand that is on a mission to deliver a single, streamlined system that digitizes the lifecycle of a container across the intermodal ecosystem. Envase bring together everything you need to gain visibility and control over your operations, expose inefficiency, and de-clutter your system, including industry-leading TMS options to fit your needs, business intelligence, rate management tools, an integrated mobile driver app, and a complete marketplace. Today Allen Thomas, Chief Commercial Officer at Envase Technologies, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; the importance of digitizing drayage; how simplicity empowers growth; and why the freight industry is vital to the future of the nation. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.24] How Envase Technologies was established, and the challenges that founder, Larry Cuddy, faced that led him to create his own solution. "It all started with the challenges that the drivers face... the drivers in supply chain are left to pick up the pieces and deal with the inefficiencies." [09.45] Envase's growth, from start-up to the largest drayage TMS provider in North America, and the role that a strategic acquisition strategy played in that growth. "If you could integrate visibility, streamline processes, create a common mobile application that drivers could use – you could really improve the day to day process efficiencies." [11.56] An overview of Envase Technologies – what they do and how they help their customers. [14.49] The key challenges faced by the industry right now, and why companies that don't use a cloud-based drayage TMS face increasing issues. "Everybody, from very small to very large, has the same two big challenges – visibility, and process efficiency." [19.25] A closer look at the Envase system for intermodal and drayage customers. [24.37] A deeper dive into Envase's over-the-road solutions, and how they're helping carriers and brokers to compete in a difficult market and achieve success. [27.44] The importance of building a wider ecosystem, why simplicity empowers growth, and how Envase is facilitating both of these things for their customers. [31.43] What onboarding and integration looks like with Envase. "We take a lot of time... to analyze and diagnose before we start prescribing." [34.08] The ideal client for Envase Technologies. [35.44] A case study showing how Envase helped a client, that was struggling with cargo stuck in ports incurring costly charges, to overcome their challenges, ultimately reducing charges and increasing efficiency. [39.12] The future for Envase Technologies. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Envase Technologies' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Envase and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram, or you can connect with Allen on LinkedIn. If you want to hear more about drayage, why not check out one of our incredible live shows: No Bullshipping with Hope White. Hope brings an upbeat and uncensored take on key industry issues impacting the ocean freight market, global supply chain, drayage and their suppliers, ocean freight rates, technology, warehousing, and so much more. Or, if you fancy a bit of fun, listen to our Halloween spooktacular, where Sarah and a group of special guests share their favorite supply chain horror stories. Expect financial fails, freaky guests, technology nightmares and highway horror stories! Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Envase Technologies, an innovative and fast-growing transportation software brand that is on a mission to deliver a single, streamlined system that digitizes the lifecycle of a container across the intermodal ecosystem. Envase bring together everything you need to gain visibility and control over your operations, expose inefficiency, and de-clutter your system, including industry-leading TMS options to fit your needs, business intelligence, rate management tools, an integrated mobile driver app, and a complete marketplace. Today Allen Thomas, Chief Commercial Officer at Envase Technologies, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; the importance of digitizing drayage; how simplicity empowers growth; and why the freight industry is vital to the future of the nation. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.24] How Envase Technologies was established, and the challenges that founder, Larry Cuddy, faced that led him to create his own solution. "It all started with the challenges that the drivers face... the drivers in supply chain are left to pick up the pieces and deal with the inefficiencies." [09.45] Envase's growth, from start-up to the largest drayage TMS provider in North America, and the role that a strategic acquisition strategy played in that growth. "If you could integrate visibility, streamline processes, create a common mobile application that drivers could use – you could really improve the day to day process efficiencies." [11.56] An overview of Envase Technologies – what they do and how they help their customers. [14.49] The key challenges faced by the industry right now, and why companies that don't use a cloud-based drayage TMS face increasing issues. "Everybody, from very small to very large, has the same two big challenges – visibility, and process efficiency." [19.25] A closer look at the Envase system for intermodal and drayage customers. [24.37] A deeper dive into Envase's over-the-road solutions, and how they're helping carriers and brokers to compete in a difficult market and achieve success. [27.44] The importance of building a wider ecosystem, why simplicity empowers growth, and how Envase is facilitating both of these things for their customers. [31.43] What onboarding and integration looks like with Envase. "We take a lot of time... to analyze and diagnose before we start prescribing." [34.08] The ideal client for Envase Technologies. [35.44] A case study showing how Envase helped a client, that was struggling with cargo stuck in ports incurring costly charges, to overcome their challenges, ultimately reducing charges and increasing efficiency. [39.12] The future for Envase Technologies. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Envase Technologies' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Envase and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram, or you can connect with Allen on LinkedIn. If you want to hear more about drayage, why not check out one of our incredible live shows: No Bullshipping with Hope White. Hope brings an upbeat and uncensored take on key industry issues impacting the ocean freight market, global supply chain, drayage and their suppliers, ocean freight rates, technology, warehousing, and so much more. Or, if you fancy a bit of fun, listen to our Halloween spooktacular, where Sarah and a group of special guests share their favorite supply chain horror stories. Expect financial fails, freaky guests, technology nightmares and highway horror stories! Check out our other podcasts HERE.

In today's episode of Women In Supply Chain, I'm joined by Grace Sharkey – writer, podcaster and self-confessed freight tech nerd. Grace started her career as an account rep at Fifth Wheel Freight, a 3PL consistently honored on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. Over her time with FWF, Grace honed her skills in roles across sales, operations, business development and strategy, before deciding to pivot in 2021, when she joined FreightWaves. Utilizing all of her supply chain knowledge, Grace thrived as a writer and, earlier this year, also became the host of popular radio show, FreightWaves Drive Time on SiriusXM. Today Grace will be talking to us about her career so far; her love of freight technology innovation; making the leap from brokerage to broadcasting; and why supply chain was built for women. Plus, she'll be sharing her experiences as a woman in supply chain, as well as her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps. SHOW SPONSOR: This Women in Supply Chain feature was sponsored by Sifted. As a business dedicated to empowering confidence within the shipping industry, we're proud to support women in supply chain. Sifted is the leading logistics intelligence software, that combines insights with expertise to empower bigger, smarter shipping decisions. As growth and disruptions present ongoing challenges for supply chain leaders, thousands rely on Sifted to set their businesses up for success. Learn more about Sifted here. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.41] Grace's career journey, from a degree in international relations and affairs to supply chain, and why the two are so well suited. "I was fundraising… And a number of logistics companies would actually come and recruit out of that job because it was the same type of work – on the phone, and being able to be scrappy with what people throw at you." [12.01] How a fundraising role led Grace to a start-up 3PL, and why she fell in love with supply chain. "When you start in a start-up within this industry, you get a whole different view of problems, how they can be solved and how you want to grow a business… it was a great way to learn the industry from a grassroot level." [14.32] Grace's growth and success at Fifth Wheel Freight, and what she learned along the way. "Operations was my favorite. I love the carriers, they're absolutely great – they're more helpful than people think they are, you just have to listen to them!" [18.51] Grace's advice for people that might be eager to give supply chain a try, but are worried they don't have the right education. "If I was going to look at going back to school for something, I think I would stop myself first and say: 'what part of the supply chain do I want to be a part of?' - and find a way to shadow it." [24.15] Why Grace chose to pivot her career in 2021 and take the leap across to media to join FreightWaves, as a writer and host. "I took a risk on something I didn't know I would love so much." [30.39] As a writer and host, one question Grace wishes people would ask her. [35.10] Why Grace founded The Shark Start, and why helping others is so important to her. "If, as an industry, we said 'how about we scrap these non-competes and we change them into partnerships?' How quickly could we have our businesses grow, and have each of us winning?" [40.13] Grace's thoughts on why we are still not seeing enough women in supply chain leadership roles, and her advice for how we tackle the problem. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Grace over on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode, why not check out another woman in media, Marina Mayer. In episode 245, Marina talks all about her role as editor-in-chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive, as well as her views on mentorship and experiences as a working mother. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

It's episode 26 of Blended: I'm joined by another fantastic panel of guests and, today, we're talking about veterans. This is a discussion I like to have every year on Blended around this time. Veterans Day provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the role that veterans have played in our country. As we honor the brave people that have served, it's important to also hear their stories. Today, our guests will be sharing their life experiences, both professionally and personally; debating the well-known phrases 'thank you for your service' and 'call of duty'; discussing transitioning from military to civilian life; and sharing advice on how we can both support veterans, and help businesses to become more veteran friendly. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [00.52] Introductions to our Blended panellists. Kris – President and co-founder at Gen Alpha Technologies Sylena – General Manager at OwlCrate Jerry – Acquisition Project Manager at Hive Group "It was an interesting period of time in the early 2000's, where we looking at what culture used to look like, what used to be acceptable and what isn't now. There was a lot of cross-functional abuse." Sylena [07.27] The group discuss why they chose to join the military, their experiences and how they found supply chain. "Joining the military was something brand new to our family, I was the first generation to join the military, so I had no insight, no clue… everything that I knew of the military was from movies." Jerry Jerry's experience of having an internal calling to sign up Kris's experience of signing up instead of taking her place at University Sylena's experience in the Canadian cadet programme Camaraderie and friendship Challenges for women and queer community – Don't Ask, Don't Tell Loyalty "I joined the military to see the world!" Kris [25.46] The panel explore the phrases 'going above and beyond the call of duty' and 'thank you for your service', and some of the mental impacts around them. Differentiating veterans that have, and have not, undertaken active service PTSD and post-service trauma Self-doubt and imposter syndrome Importance of support roles What people can do Create spaces to have conversations Hire veterans and change recruitment processes Provide advantages to veterans "I like to leave it for the folks that paid the ultimate sacrifice." Jerry [42.54] The group discuss the transition from military service to civilian life and share thier advice to both businesses and veterans. "I did supply chain in the marine corps so my transition out was a little bit easier." Jerry The need for a mindset change Lack of belief that an army career equals a college education Transferable skills Find the right way to describe skills in a way that connects with civilian recruitment Find a mentor and help with resumes Make jobs attractive to veterans Build a network Guilt and loss of purpose Plan the transition Learning a new language (corporate world) Well-funded Employment Resource Group Community Lead with a mission and purpose Training programmes "Have confidence in yourself, you've been trained and you have skills." Kris "Hire veterans! Remove the barriers to your hiring processes, give them their own hiring path, take away the need for a degree and have conversations – they will bring things to your organization that no one else will." Sylena [1.05.25] The group sum-up their thoughts from today's discussion with what surprises them about veterans. "I'm always surprised by how immensely talented, capable and qualified folks are!" Sylena RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Sylena, Jerry and Kris over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, why not listen to episode 231: Blended – Veterans and Civil life: Winning the Battle of Workplace Discrimination, where our guests shared their personal experiences of the military and transitioning to civilian life; inclusion and supplier diversity; employment struggles and entrepreneurship; and their advice and tips for both veterans, and businesses looking to support them. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Ideal Warehouse Innovations, a product innovator that is asking all logistics, transportation and warehousing brands one big question – when it comes to your workplace, how safe is safe enough? With more than 1100 warehouse and loading dock safety products in their arsenal, Ideal Warehouse's products help saves lives, prevent injury and minimize damage and downtime. Founded in 1982, they've long been passionate about providing products and equipment to warehouse and manufacturing facilities that make them safer places to work, protecting people as well as enhancing productivity, profitability and timely delivery. Today Dirk Seis, Director of Marketing at Ideal Warehouse, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; their "thousand-product safety story"; the importance of strategic prevention; and their passion for helping to ensure that the world's supply chain never breaks a link. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.54] Dirk's career journey, how the industry has changed, and what he loves so much about helping businesses tackle their safety challenges. "Back then, it seemed to me that the industry was very siloed… and, over the years, what's happened is that everybody's understood that this is now a vital link in the supply chain. If the goods aren't coming in the door, they're not going out the door – loading docks are very important!" [08.50] An overview of Ideal Warehouse – what they do, how they help their customers and Dirk's key role. [09.55] A closer look at Ideal Warehouse's forklift safety accessories and guarding line. "One of the simple ways we help is to provide guarding systems to help delineate people from things that move, in other words, dangers." [11.27] A closer look at how Ideal Warehouse works collaboratively with their customers to develop innovative solutions to emerging challenges. "I call them our mad scientists! We have an engineering group and an R&D group that basically takes a customer's inquiry or unmet need, and says lets develop something that's a little bit more unique and creative to help solve that problem." [14.31] Collaboration and planning: two key approaches to tackling common industry challenges. "The most important move is planning… and involving all of the key players in the decision making process… when the whole group comes together and builds the solution together, chances are that solution is much better." [15.49] In an ever-evolving industry, why cleaner air is a key focus for many customers in a post-pandemic environment. "The White House commissioned a study and they found that 30% less illness happens when the workplaces air has been cleaned." [18.29] What onboarding looks like with Ideal Warehouse. [19.34] The ideal client for Ideal Warehouse, and some of the questions a potential client should ask themselves before reaching out. "The people that appreciate our solutions the most are the ones that have a deep safety culture." [21.36] A case study showing how Ideal Warehouse developed a new solution to a dangerous dock trailer stand issue for an automotive client, helping to keep people out of harms way, as well as delivering time and cost savings. "It's our 'no boots on the ground' solution." [26.56] The future for Ideal Warehouse Innovations. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Ideal Warehouse Innovations' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Ideal Warehouse and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Dirk on LinkedIn. This episode was filmed at Home Delivery world. If you enjoyed it, and want to explore some of the other great content filmed at the event, why not check out episodes 306: Create Long-Standing Opportunities and Reduce Costs, With DM Delivers; 304: Discover Success at the Intersection of Logistics and Technology, with Flexe, 299: Modernize Your Ecommerce Supply Chain, with Shipium, 297: Make Smarter Packing Decisions, with Paccurate, 296: Take Control of Managing Your Demand Chain, with SEKO, 294: Optimize Warehouse Productivity, with Locus Robotics or 289: Achieve Control, Capacity and Care, with Estes Forwarding Worldwide. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

It's the fourth and final episode of our Driving Your Parcel Performance mini-series, in collaboration with Sifted! Last week in episode three, I was joined by Elle Brown for an episode called "Check Engine Light!" We talked all about measuring your contract health; contract compliance; strengthening carrier relationships; and the growing trend in ensuring customer success. And today in episode four, the final episode in the series, we'll be jumping into Sifted's virtual sandbox! I'm joined by Cameron Clark, Product and Logistics Engineer at Sifted, to talk all about contract modeling; its role in providing internal visibility, as well as external carrier management; and empowering businesses to negotiate with confidence in a very challenging environment. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [01.32] How Sifted's virtual sandbox complements the other tools within the carrier management suite, to help support shippers in their contract negotiations, aid understanding and simplify the process. [03.05] The relationship between shippers and carriers, and the challenges in the current environment from a negotiation standpoint. "It's an interesting dynamic out there right now… you've got to really understand where you're coming from, what kind of shipping profile you have and be able to maximise that for what the carrier's are doing… it's no longer an us versus them, it's really become a partnership." [05.02] How simulation and modeling can give customers a leg up when it comes to difficult contract negotiations in a carriers market. "Modelling is the first step. It's going to show you, in a simplified way: 'here's where your spend is, here's where you can make the biggest impact, here's where you can make improvements' – and really give you that roadmap." [06.50] How data can help shippers to understand the carriers perspective, make themselves more desirable as a client, have more successful conversations and ultimately give them the confidence to make better decisions. [10.40] As both a logistics and product engineer, how Cameron uses his passion and expertise to work with clients to help them engineer and execute strategies. "I get to take all of that information and all of the requests I get and say 'we need a software solution for this.'" [12.13] The many negotiable parts within any one contract, and how Sifted can help shippers model changes. "We have an entire engine built to say… 'you have this discount today, but we really think you should be aiming for this discount' and to help guide you through that process." [15.35] A closer look at how the virtual sandbox works. "It's geared towards doing everything in bitesize chunks, rather than being thrown 150 different variables all at once… you can see those dollar amounts change service by service until you've completed your entire contract." [16.48] How Sifted's virtual sandbox can support the challenges of dual sourcing, and how that functionality will expand, based on customer feedback. [17.53] How the virtual sandbox can help with internal buy-in, stakeholder management and team development. "One of the first bits of feedback we got when we started to show this tool was 'this is the best thing I've ever seen to be able to teach my own teams how a contract works!'" [21.16 ] The ideal client for Sifted's virtual sandbox. [22.00] How shippers have been using Sifted's tools to better understand how contract negotiation works, and shine a light on carrier relationships. [25.42] Cameron's final thoughts for the future of the industry. "The market today is more volatile than ever… and if you're still working from Excel spreadsheets and sticky notes, there's a better way! There are tools out there to make your life easier and help you get more effective results." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Sifted's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Sifted and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, or you can connect with Cameron on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, why not catch up with the rest of our Driving Your Parcel Performance series: episode 301, Contract Monitoring , episode 303, Better Performance and episode 305 Check Engine Light. Don't forget that you can also listen to our Tomorrow's Insights Delivered Today mini-series in collaboration with Sifted. In episode 286, Ami Bensman took a closer look at the Sifted Score; in episode 288, Kevin Miller talked all about simulation and modelling; in episode 290, Caleb Nelson took us on a deep dive into Sifted's Parcel Audit solution for shippers; and in episode 293, Adam Moulding introduced us to Sifted's Contract Management Suite. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by DM Delivers, a long-standing logistics service provider that is passionate about providing logistics services that deliver time and cost savings across your entire organization. DM manages the inbound, outbound and drop shipment logistics needs for their clients. As well as leveraging DM's services to reduce costs, clients of all sizes can also benefit from utilizing DM's cost-free services including claims management, freight bill auditing, general ledger coding, consolidated invoicing and vendor compliance. And, customers can manage it all with EasyFreight™, DM's proprietary cloud-based Transportation Management System. Today Nicholas Isasi, Executive Vice President at DM Delivers, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; acting as an extension of your business; finding the balance between reducing cost and enhancing service; and bringing visibility and control to your supply chain. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.44] Nicholas's career journey and how he came to fall in love with supply chain. "I think that, for most people, that are in supply chain and logistics, they don't get into it on purpose! And my story is pretty much the same… I was going to school to become a recording engineer, all my classes got cancelled, I looked in the paper and got a job driving a forklift!" [07.56] How, and why, DM Delivers was founded, and how it evolved over the years. "We evolved and, as our catalogue guys became e-comm guys, we started having more forward logistics problems, and so we had to come up with a lot of reverse logistics type solutions." [08.31] An overview of DM Delivers – what they do, how they help their customers and their key focus areas. "We consider ourselves a full service company, but the majority of our focus is on ecommerce deliveries and reverse logistics." [10.08] The challenges in reverse logistics, and why DM's unique solutions are so important in helping companies tackle them. "We soon discovered that there were a lot better things we could be doing for the environment, and socially… we've developed a hyper local solution… and we're able to report back to our clients the true ESG's." [12.01] Why DM Delivers is so intentional about sustainability. "We saw a lot of good product, that could've been used to help people, being disposed of. And it didn't sit right with any of us at DM. We kept looking at each other and thinking 'there's got to be a better way.'" [15.32] A closer look at EasyFreight™, the proprietary technology that powers DM's solutions. [16.51] What onboarding and implementation looks like with DM Delivers. "We're able to accommodate whatever our clients want because, for us, it's all about keeping it simple." [17.36] The ideal client for DM. "We're looking for somebody that has non-conveyable freight… something that UPS or FedEx will over max you for... Anything that's big and bulky. You have a kayak? Were all about it!" [18.42] A case study showing how DM helped a fitness equipment client to manage their returns, allowing them to reduce time in home and re-commmerce items locally, resulting in big transportation cost savings and ESG goals being met. [20.11] The future for DM. "We'll continue to find new ways to make returns and reverse logistics easy – and to just do more good in the world." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to DM Delivers' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with DM and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Nichloas on LinkedIn. This episode was filmed at Home Delivery world. If you enjoyed it, and want to explore some of the other great content filmed at the event, why not check out episodes 304: Discover Success at the Intersection of Logistics and Technology, with Flexe, 299: Modernize Your Ecommerce Supply Chain, with Shipium, 297: Make Smarter Packing Decisions, with Paccurate, 296: Take Control of Managing Your Demand Chain, with SEKO, 294: Optimize Warehouse Productivity, with Locus Robotics or 289: Achieve Control, Capacity and Care, with Estes Forwarding Worldwide. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

It's episode three of our Driving Your Parcel Performance mini-series, in collaboration with Sifted! Last week, we put the spotlight on the complex area of contract performance. I was joined by Caleb Nelson, Chief Growth Officer and friend of the show, to dive deeper into Sifted's carrier management suite – we talked all about some of the big challenges happening in the industry right now and where carrier relationships fit in; analyzing and scoring contract performance; and how you can tackle the complexities of your agreements, to drive performance-enhancing outcomes, with Sifted. And today in episode three, I'm joined by Elle Brown, Senior Client Success Manager at Sifted, to chat all about measuring your contract health; contract compliance; strengthening carrier relationships; and the growing trend in ensuring customer success. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [01.45] The different 'check engine' lights within Sifted's carrier management suite, and how they help clients to understand when they have a problem. "The great thing about the suite is that there are different kinds of check engine lights – we have different tools to determine all the different types of problems a shipper may, or may not, have." [04.37] How Sifted works with their customers to look under the hood and determine what's gone wrong, once a problem is identified. "The problems that we're helping shippers solve – they may be similar to other shippers, they may be similar to the market, but each shipper is unique." [07.26] Contract health: what it means, and a closer look at what a healthy contract is vs an unhealthy one. "When a contract isn't in optimal health, it's one that isn't optimized with rates, discounts, minimums, terms, in a way that we know is possible for the types of clients we're working with. Or, it doesn't take into account the specs of that unique shipper in a way that benefits the shipper – and their relationship with the carrier." [10.36] What it means to make your contract health measurable and scalable, and why it's so important. "Measurable contract health allows you to have constant conversations, internally and with your carriers." [15.10] How compliance works within Sifted's carrier management suite, and exactly why compliance is so important. "It allows you to evaluate whether perceived situations are true or not… I've had clients feel some distrust with their rep or carrier…we've been able to audit agreements and see that 'yes the carrier is in compliance' and that this perceived issue is from an unintended situation… so they have that peace of mind." [18.35] From cost savings to improved relationships, the positive impacts of ensuring, and understanding, compliance and achieving optimal contract health. "Having the data you need really does help to strengthen those relationships with your carrier… so that, through collaboration, all parties are benefiting." [22.31] The rise of client success, and the shift in focus towards a 'my customer's success is my success' mindset. [25.31] Why the growing trend in client success is going to continue to grow, and the wider implications for the industry when we start to think more collaboratively about creating environments that breed success for everyone. " 'Let's really make sure we understand your organization, let's understand what success looks like to you, and let's do everything we can to create success for you.' If you're collaborating with someone like that, it's hard to want to stop!" [27.56] Examples around how utilizing the tools within Sifted's carrier management suite has helped customers make data-powered decisions, form better strategies and optimize their operations. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Sifted's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Sifted and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, or you can connect with Elle on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, why not catch up with episodes one and two in our Driving Your Parcel Performance series, episode 301, Contract Monitoring and episode 303, Better Performance [LINK WHEN LIVE]. You can also listen to our first mini-series in collaboration with Sifted. In episode 286, Ami Bensman took a closer look at the Sifted Score; in episode 288, Kevin Miller talked all about simulation and modelling; in episode 290, Caleb Nelson took us on a deep dive into Sifted's Parcel Audit solution for shippers; and in episode 293, Adam Moulding introduced us to Sifted's Contract Management Suite. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Flexe, an exciting and forward-thinking disruptor in the logistics and supply chain industry, that is on a mission to create an open logistics network that optimizes the global delivery of your goods. Flexe solves the hardest omnichannel logistics problems for the world's largest retailers and brands. Integrating technology, open logistics networks, and elastic economic models allows Flexe customers to move fast, at scale, and with precision. Founded in 2013, Flexe brings deep logistics expertise and enterprise-grade technology to deliver innovative eCommerce fulfilment, retail distribution, same-day delivery, and network capacity programs to the Fortune 500. Today Jordan Lawrence, Director of Logistics Strategy at Flexe and Head of the Flexe Institute, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; solving logistics problems with technology; helping customers to compete with Amazon; and why the future is fixed AND flexible. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.52] The trends and challenges the industry is facing right now, and what Flexe are seeing with their enterprise clients. "There's a damned if you do, dammed if you don't, type strategy that's a real challenge. Most shippers have two choices – and there's serious trade-offs on both sides." [08.38] How Flexe was founded, and the challenges it was built to solve. "How warehouse capacity works – essentially you have to build the church for Easter Sunday… so during periods of non-peak, you have periods of wild underutilization… And so the supply-demand matching functions in warehousing are wildly inefficient." [10.02] An overview of Flexe – what they do and how they help their customers. "We serve as a single point of integration that represents this holistic bucket of capacity. And then we match their need with the right operator, that has the right skillset." [12.07] Flexe's strategically placed warehouses, and their approach to evolving consumer behavior and new fulfilment strategies. "As there become more dispersed inventory strategies to service this direct-to-consumer channel, secondary, tertiary and non-traditional warehouse markets become more and more important – and that's exactly where you're going to have a challenge finding the right type of operator." [15.34] All about capacity – the challenges, the impact of the pandemic, and how Flexe can help. "The real challenge with capacity in the traditional model is that you need to make 2, 3, 5, 7 year capacity decisions… people need optionality… the strategy that we work with shippers to employ is this option to wait and see. " [20.18] What onboarding and implementation looks like with Flexe. [22.02] The ideal client for Flexe. [23.26] Two case studies, showing how Flexe work with their clients as a trusted fulfilment partner to help them react quickly, pivot where necessary, meet demand and resolve unexpected issues. "Everyone uses this word flexibility, and it's kind of nebulous… to me, flexibility – especially in warehousing – is one thing, and that's speed." [25.55] The future for Flexe. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Flexe's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Flexe and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, or you can connect with Jordan on LinkedIn. This episode was filmed at Home Delivery world. If you enjoyed it, and want to explore some of the other great content filmed at the event, why not check out episodes 299: Modernize Your Ecommerce Supply Chain, with Shipium, 297: Make Smarter Packing Decisions, with Paccurate, 296: Take Control of Managing Your Demand Chain, with SEKO, 294: Optimize Warehouse Productivity, with Locus Robotics or 289: Achieve Control, Capacity and Care, with Estes Forwarding Worldwide. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Wouldn't it be amazing if we could predict the future? Well, with Sifted, you kinda can… We wrapped up our first mini-series with Sifted a few months ago, released the first episode of our second mini-series last week and you all still want more–so of course, we delivered. So, over the course of our new "Driving Your Parcel Performance" series, we're going to dive even deeper. This time, we'll be putting the spotlight on their Carrier Management Suite and taking a closer look at how it can help you to take a proactive approach to contract management, from ensuring compliance and negotiating rates, to controlling spend and improving relationships. Today in Episode 2, Better Performance, I'm joined by Caleb Nelson, Chief Growth Officer at Sifted, to talk all about some of the big challenges happening in the industry right now and where carrier relationships fit in; analyzing and scoring contract performance; and how you can tackle the complexities of your agreements, to drive performance-enhancing outcomes IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [01.15] An introduction to Caleb Nelson and Sifted's brand new product, their carrier management suite. "It's not just a brand new product for us, but it's brand new for the industry – it's really never been done before!" [01.53] A discussion about what contract performance means Changes to discounts Rate increases Impact on contracts [05.48] A conversation about renegotiating contracts, when you should review, what you should be paying attention to, and what the rate increases mean. "If you do implement the Sifted technology to be able to take a look at everything, you might actually be winner after doing that, regardless of the general rate increase" -Sarah [10.14] Challenges in the industry right now. GRI's Importance of having technology in place [14.43] Sarah and Caleb discuss carrier performance within the Sifted Carrier Management Suite. Discount tiers Service levels Negotiating from data and logic "Clean, simple. easy conversations for you to be able to take a data-driven approach to make a good impact on your business." -Caleb [18.55] A deeper dive into the process of obtaining the data needed for conversations with the carrier rep, the ease of getting the data, the meaning of "30 Seconds Easy" and the use of dashboards within the platform, as well as scoring and transparency. "I think it is really important to make data consumable and make it so that it's very easy to understand." -Caleb [25.00] Who will benefit from using the contract management suite [26.14] Examples of helping someone with Sifted's technology. [29.28] Predictions for 2023. [31.50] Caleb's final words. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Sifted's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Sifted and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, or you can connect with Caleb on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, why not check out our first mini-series in collaboration with Sifted where we really predicted the future. It was called "Tomorrow's Insights Delivered Today". In episode 286, Ami Bensman took a closer look at the Sifted Score; in episode 288, Kevin Miller talked all about simulation and modeling; in episode 290, Caleb Nelson took us on a deep dive into Sifted's Parcel Audit solution for shippers; and in episode 293, Adam Moulding introduced us to Sifted's Contract Management Suite. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

In today's episode of Women In Supply Chain, I'm joined by Charlie Saffro – entrepreneur, industry expert, master networker and mindful leader. Charlie began her career as a marketing account manager, working on big name accounts like Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo and Gatorade. But, as a connector by heart, Charlie found her true calling when she embraced a career in supply chain recruitment. Charlie founded her own firm, CS Recruiting in back in 2010 and has gone from strength to strength, growing the business from a team of one to 40 and boasting an impressive client list, whilst earning some top industry accolades along the way. Today Charlie will be talking to us about her career so far; tackling supply chain labor shortages; creating a culture of connectivity; and why recruitment is both a science, and an art. Plus, she'll be sharing her experiences as a woman in supply chain, as well as her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps. SHOW SPONSOR: This Women in Supply Chain feature was sponsored by Sifted. As a business dedicated to empowering confidence within the shipping industry, we're proud to support women in supply chain. Sifted is the leading logistics intelligence software, that combines insights with expertise to empower bigger, smarter shipping decisions. As growth and disruptions present ongoing challenges for supply chain leaders, thousands rely on Sifted to set their businesses up for success. Learn more about Sifted here. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.12] Charlie's early career in marketing, and her experience of working on big name brands like Proctor and Gamble and PepsiCo. "It feels like it was a different lifetime!... But when I reflect back, it actually makes so much sense that I landed where I am today with those roots." [08.59] How, and why, Charlie pivoted in her career, away from B2C marketing to logistics HR and recruitment. "Starting very scrappy is what got me, not only interested, but it got me very well-rounded exposure to the industry." [13.02] Charlie's experience of being entirely self-taught, and the general move, in recruitment, away from a focus simply on education. "We are seeing more and more employers now really emphasizing: 'We want the right person. We want the personality, we want someone who aligns with our values, who's going to fit in with our culture." [18.59] Charlie's experience of founding CS Recruiting, whilst raising a family. "Looking back, it was so crazy that I never stopped, but that's what gave me that head start. It was almost like I was competing with myself to take advantage of every spare moment I had to either learn or network or put myself out there." [24.25] Charlie's perspective on the current recruitment landscape, and how she is tackling key industry challenges within her business. "The market is very confusing right now! We're talking about this recession, we're hearing about layoffs, but yet what we're seeing is that the demand for people is way greater than the supply. There are more jobs than there are qualified, available, interested people." [28.11] Why Charlie calls herself a master networker, and her top tips for networking success. "Being passive is a big part of networking, finding what you have in common with someone before just trying to sell them something… LinkedIn makes it easy to network, but it also makes it very hard to sift through the garbage to find out who's legit." [33.55] Charlie's role as the very first Blended Pledge grant recipient, how she used the grant, and the potential impact the Blended program could have on the industry. "There's so much talent out there… and I want to see more females in the industry." [40.15] From her parents to a young author, Charlie shares her inspirations. [42.15] Charlie's advice for all of the girls and women looking to follow in her footsteps. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Charlie over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, why not check out episode 21 of Blended - Boost Your Bottom Line: Why You Should Be Retaining Diverse Talent, in which an expert panel discuss the current landscape in supply chain when it comes to talent; how to successfully hire and retain talent; and how we navigate bias to improve company culture. And if you want to hear more from our next Blended Pledge grant recipient, Dr Gennifer – Founder/Executive Director at TransNewYork – check out episode 20 of Blended: DEI in the Workplace – Not Just The Smart Thing To Do, But The Right Thing To Do or episode 22 of Blended: Tokenism: The Wrong Route to Diversity. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

You asked, and we are delivering – with another brand new mini-series, featuring the logistics expert, tech innovator and firm Let's Talk Supply Chain favorite… Sifted! We wrapped up our "Tomorrow's Insights Delivered Today" mini-series with Sifted back in September and it was a real success. I got to talk to some new faces, and old friends, and start to really get under the skin of who Sifted is and what they do. So, over the course of our new "Driving Your Parcel Performance" series, we're going to dive even deeper. This time, we'll be putting the spotlight on their Carrier Management Suite and taking a closer look at how it can help you to take a proactive approach to contract management, from ensuring compliance and negotiating rates, to controlling spend and improving relationships. Today in Episode 1, Contract Monitoring, I'm joined by Jeremy Lee, VP of Business Solutions, at Sifted, to take a closer look at Sifted's contract monitoring solution: how it works; avoiding surprise costs; switching from a reactive to a proactive approach; and exactly how Sifted are helping to drive success for shippers. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [01.42] An introduction to Sifted's brand new product, their carrier management suite. "It's not just a brand new product for us, but it's brand new for the industry – it's really never been done before!" [03.28] A closer look at the development of the suite – why it was a product Sifted was keen to build, what it's designed to do and the feedback from customers so far. "What we really wanted to do, was to take all of the power we have at Sifted, and put it into the hands of the clients." [05.00] An overview of Sifted's contract monitoring solution, part of the carrier management suite. "Shippers move between those tiers quite often and our customers kept asking us where they were in their tiers, what happens if they fall, what happens if they climb?" [07.02] Some of the key challenges when it comes to contract monitoring, what Sifted have seen with their clients, and the impacts of those challenges industry-wide. "We're in unprecedented times – everybody just wants precedented times for Christmas!" [09.06] Exactly how the contract monitoring functionality, within the Sifted carrier management suite, helps to tackle those specific challenges. "You can't control what you can't see, and what you can't measure." [11.24] A deeper dive into exactly what customers can do with Sifted's contract monitoring tool, including alerts before tier or price changes and modeling spend. "Often, when you're negotiating a pricing agreement, reps will use promotional rates or teaser incentives that are set for maybe 12 months, and then they rapidly decrease over time. And as those are decreasing, their general rate increases are going up. It has a compounding impact, so you absolutely have to keep in front of those." [14.19] The positive business impact of shifting your mindset from reactive to proactive, with the help of a tool like Sifted's carrier management suite. "We all want to sell more product and when you have those orders coming in and your carrier says "sorry, we can't take them" – that's a problem." [17.50] The top and bottom line benefits, to shippers, carriers and industry-wide, that come about when businesses start to optimize their contract monitoring, take a proactive approach and feel empowered to make data-driven decisions. "The wider effects to the industry will be streamlining antiquated, or even non-existent processes; eliminating some excess waste… and empowering shippers to do more – and I think, now more than ever, we're all trying to do more with less." [20.40] A taste of how the different solutions within Sifted's Carrier Management Suite work together to create a holistic, bigger picture and ultimately set clients up for success. "This is the first true cradle to grave technology solution for parcel expense management." [21.56] The ideal client for Sifted's contract monitoring solution. "I don't think anybody is too large or too small to benefit from this. If you have a carrier contract with agreed pricing, customized to your business, then monitoring is going to be valuable." [23.26] A case study showing how Sifted's contract monitoring solution helped a parent company to identify an issue with a sub-brand that was not using preferred shipping rules, ultimately saving the business money, providing transparency and allowing the client to optimize their operations. [26.07] Jeremy's final words. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Sifted's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Sifted and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, or you can connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, why not check out our first mini-series in collaboration with Sifted. In episode 286, Ami Bensman took a closer look at the Sifted Score; in episode 288, Kevin Miller talked al

Halloween is a notoriously scary time, and what could be more spooky than hearing about some of the nightmares that have befallen supply chain professionals? Join us for a panel discussion with some of the industry's best and brightest as they share their scariest logistics stories. You'll hear more tales than just woes from suppliers who couldn't deliver on time, warehouses that went up in flames, and shipments that were lost (or never even made it to their destination!). This is sure to be a frightfully fun event - so don't miss out on some of the nightmares that have befallen supply chain professionals first-hand. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [05.56] Introduction to the guests Judd Marcello Hope White Dyci Sfregola Eric Johnston [08.50] Sharing of supply chain horror stories and personal experiences collected from various roles over the years. [10.01] Financial Nightmares Supplier relationships Maintaining cash flow Being a good human "I say it as a bad boyfriend relationship at this point or a bad breakup. I don't really want to hear anything else that you have to say, just me give me the stuff that you owe me and move on" -Hope [15.27] Sarah shares a sting operation horror story [18.10] Hope discusses how a guest on her show freaked her out [19.20] Dyci talks about software vendors & implementation nightmares One listener shares their horror story about software, too: "My company had decided to switch software providers. They were so fed up with the old provider's lack of updates and support. The new provider was supposed to be a life-saver. But it turned out to be a total mess. The implementation was chaotic and the supply chain was totally messed up. Orders were getting mixed up, shipments were being delivered late or not at all, and the customer service department was swamped with complaints. Worst of all, the company was hemorrhaging money as they tried to fix the mess. It seemed like nothing was going right. Maybe they should have just stuck with the old provider after all..." [22.10] Microsoft teams are stumping our team [22.56] Judd chats about emojis and the importance of knowing what they really mean [23.45] Eric discusses mistakes in journalism and owning up to them [27.25] Highway mishaps in Mustang, Oklahoma [30.04] Guests discuss what Halloween costume they would want to wear to work every day and why [36.05] A discussion about Supply Chain Digital's Article on the 10 supply chain disasters in history 1990's Hershey's IT infrastructure Candy trends "Maybe that's the [true] supply chain horror story—that we really haven't learned anything from 1999." -Sarah [41.30] Implementation Horror Stories Crisis mode Rushed timelines Complexity of implementation [41.55] Eric's take on what joining the LTSC family has meant to him & the future of Logtech Live [47.30] Favorite Halloween candy [50.40] Crisis Management Reacting to situations Problem-solving Contingency plans Managing Emotions Owning your mistakes [59.05] Wrapping up with the guests & final thoughts on what joining LTSC has meant to them and the future of their live shows. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Needless to say, we had a blast recording this episode and hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it! If you want to hear more tales of woe (or just learn from the collective experience of some amazing professionals), be sure to tune in every week. Head over to our panelists' social media pages (linked above)! You can also connect with Sarah and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn. Want to binge-watch supply chain solutions? Head over to our YouTube channel. If you enjoyed this episode, why not check out our other collection of podcasts that can help you avoid any supply chain nightmare out there? We cover everything from DEI to drayage and technology to trucking. And if you have any stories of your own that you'd like to share, reach out - we're always looking for new content. In the meantime, happy Halloween!

Today I'm joined by Paccurate, a forward-thinking logistics tech brand that is on a mission to make shipping more sustainable for your business, and the planet – all through packing. Paccurate is the only patented cartonization solution that optimizes for transportation costs directly. Designed to save you cost and waste, and deliver impactful efficiency gains, the Paccurate API is fast, flexible and smart. Today James Malley, CEO and co-founder at Paccurate, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; tackling the challenge of rising fulfilment costs; why right-sizing isn't enough; and making a commitment to sustainable solutions. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [05.51] James' career journey and how, and why, he came to co-found Paccurate. [07.12] Some of the key challenges Paccurate customers are facing right now, when it comes to packing, fulfilment and logistics. "The costs associated with fulfilment went up extremely fast during the pandemic, and the problem is that the pandemic has started to wane, but the costs have not slowed down – they keep rising." [08.45] An overview of Paccurate – what they do and how they help their customers. "We help shippers figure out which sized cartons they need to keep in their warehouses and stores, and then we provide a fast API that helps them generate packing plans in real time." [12.15] James explains exactly what cartonization means. [13.08] Common packing mistakes, how Paccurate are different, and some of the benefits that brands can expect when they work with them, from cost savings to risk mitigation. "Typically people try to make the boxes smaller, but you can go further than that – you can optimize the boxes for the journey that they're going to take." [15.57] The Paccurate algorithm, and how it uses AI to model a space and simulate the best solutions. "Everything with packing is really about finding the balance." [17.22] Why sustainability is so important to Paccurate, and how they are helping their customers to meet key ESG goals. "People have to be mindful that there is an emissions cost to paper as well… so we try to put numbers to that for our customers." [19.11] The quick and easy onboarding and implementation process with Paccurate. [20.09] Paccurate's ideal client. [21.02] From taking additional trucks off the road to improving carrier relationships, a closer look at the positive impacts of utilizing Paccurate's cartonization solution. "In the average package, that looks OK if you eyeball it, there's actually a huge amount of potential." [22.53] The future for Paccurate. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Paccurate's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Paccurate and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or Twitter, or you can connect with James on LinkedIn. If you want to find out more about packaging, why not check out episode 216, Sustainable Packaging Trends, featuring Sarah Scudder, President & CRO at Real Sourcing Network and a superstar in the packaging space, who is helping to change the way we think about how the products we sell, and use, are packaged. She chats all about single vs multi-use plastics, recycling vs reusing, innovations in the packaging space, and the impact more sustainable packaging can have on both businesses and the environment. And if you're thinking about how you can tackle your own sustainability goals, why not read Achieving Sustainability Goals in Supply Chain Delivery, in which FarEye CEO Kushal Nahata talks more about addressing CO2 emissions, and the ripple effects of the COP26 conference on supply chain delivery. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Paccurate, a forward-thinking logistics tech brand that is on a mission to make shipping more sustainable for your business, and the planet – all through packing. Paccurate is the only patented cartonization solution that optimizes for transportation costs directly. Designed to save you cost and waste, and deliver impactful efficiency gains, the Paccurate API is fast, flexible and smart. Today James Malley, CEO and co-founder at Paccurate, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; tackling the challenge of rising fulfilment costs; why right-sizing isn't enough; and making a commitment to sustainable solutions. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [05.51] James' career journey and how, and why, he came to co-found Paccurate. [07.12] Some of the key challenges Paccurate customers are facing right now, when it comes to packing, fulfilment and logistics. "The costs associated with fulfilment went up extremely fast during the pandemic, and the problem is that the pandemic has started to wane, but the costs have not slowed down – they keep rising." [08.45] An overview of Paccurate – what they do and how they help their customers. "We help shippers figure out which sized cartons they need to keep in their warehouses and stores, and then we provide a fast API that helps them generate packing plans in real time." [12.15] James explains exactly what cartonization means. [13.08] Common packing mistakes, how Paccurate are different, and some of the benefits that brands can expect when they work with them, from cost savings to risk mitigation. "Typically people try to make the boxes smaller, but you can go further than that – you can optimize the boxes for the journey that they're going to take." [15.57] The Paccurate algorithm, and how it uses AI to model a space and simulate the best solutions. "Everything with packing is really about finding the balance." [17.22] Why sustainability is so important to Paccurate, and how they are helping their customers to meet key ESG goals. "People have to be mindful that there is an emissions cost to paper as well… so we try to put numbers to that for our customers." [19.11] The quick and easy onboarding and implementation process with Paccurate. [20.09] Paccurate's ideal client. [21.02] From taking additional trucks off the road to improving carrier relationships, a closer look at the positive impacts of utilizing Paccurate's cartonization solution. "In the average package, that looks OK if you eyeball it, there's actually a huge amount of potential." [22.53] The future for Paccurate. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Paccurate's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Paccurate and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or Twitter, or you can connect with James on LinkedIn. If you want to find out more about packaging, why not check out episode 216, Sustainable Packaging Trends, featuring Sarah Scudder, President & CRO at Real Sourcing Network and a superstar in the packaging space, who is helping to change the way we think about how the products we sell, and use, are packaged. She chats all about single vs multi-use plastics, recycling vs reusing, innovations in the packaging space, and the impact more sustainable packaging can have on both businesses and the environment. And if you're thinking about how you can tackle your own sustainability goals, why not read Achieving Sustainability Goals in Supply Chain Delivery, in which FarEye CEO Kushal Nahata talks more about addressing CO2 emissions, and the ripple effects of the COP26 conference on supply chain delivery. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Paccurate, a forward-thinking logistics tech brand that is on a mission to make shipping more sustainable for your business, and the planet – all through packing. Paccurate is the only patented cartonization solution that optimizes for transportation costs directly. Designed to save you cost and waste, and deliver impactful efficiency gains, the Paccurate API is fast, flexible and smart. Today James Malley, CEO and co-founder at Paccurate, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; tackling the challenge of rising fulfilment costs; why right-sizing isn't enough; and making a commitment to sustainable solutions. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [05.51] James' career journey and how, and why, he came to co-found Paccurate. [07.12] Some of the key challenges Paccurate customers are facing right now, when it comes to packing, fulfilment and logistics. "The costs associated with fulfilment went up extremely fast during the pandemic, and the problem is that the pandemic has started to wane, but the costs have not slowed down – they keep rising." [08.45] An overview of Paccurate – what they do and how they help their customers. "We help shippers figure out which sized cartons they need to keep in their warehouses and stores, and then we provide a fast API that helps them generate packing plans in real time." [12.15] James explains exactly what cartonization means. [13.08] Common packing mistakes, how Paccurate are different, and some of the benefits that brands can expect when they work with them, from cost savings to risk mitigation. "Typically people try to make the boxes smaller, but you can go further than that – you can optimize the boxes for the journey that they're going to take." [15.57] The Paccurate algorithm, and how it uses AI to model a space and simulate the best solutions. "Everything with packing is really about finding the balance." [17.22] Why sustainability is so important to Paccurate, and how they are helping their customers to meet key ESG goals. "People have to be mindful that there is an emissions cost to paper as well… so we try to put numbers to that for our customers." [19.11] The quick and easy onboarding and implementation process with Paccurate. [20.09] Paccurate's ideal client. [21.02] From taking additional trucks off the road to improving carrier relationships, a closer look at the positive impacts of utilizing Paccurate's cartonization solution. "In the average package, that looks OK if you eyeball it, there's actually a huge amount of potential." [22.53] The future for Paccurate. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Paccurate's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Paccurate and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or Twitter, or you can connect with James on LinkedIn. If you want to find out more about packaging, why not check out episode 216, Sustainable Packaging Trends, featuring Sarah Scudder, President & CRO at Real Sourcing Network and a superstar in the packaging space, who is helping to change the way we think about how the products we sell, and use, are packaged. She chats all about single vs multi-use plastics, recycling vs reusing, innovations in the packaging space, and the impact more sustainable packaging can have on both businesses and the environment. And if you're thinking about how you can tackle your own sustainability goals, why not read Achieving Sustainability Goals in Supply Chain Delivery, in which FarEye CEO Kushal Nahata talks more about addressing CO2 emissions, and the ripple effects of the COP26 conference on supply chain delivery. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by SEKO Logistics, a global, market-leading provider of logistics services who are small enough to care, but big enough to scale, for shippers around the world. SEKO provides complete supply chain solutions, specializing in transportation, logistics, forwarding and warehousing. Powered by their innovative and customizable IT solutions, SEKO provide a seamless flow of information, giving their ever-growing customer base true supply chain visibility. With over 120 offices in 40 countries worldwide, the SEKO model enables customers to benefit from global implementation experience, coupled with vital in-country knowledge and service at the local level. Today Brian Bourke, Chief Growth Officer at SEKO Logistics, joins me to chat all about the company and exactly how they help their customers; supply chain visibility; the importance of customer satisfaction; and the increasing trend for using supply chain as a competitive advantage. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.30] Brian's career journey, and the huge growth that he's helped to drive at SEKO. "We doubled in a size [within a year]… it's a testament to our investment and expansion in ecommerce, ecommerce logistics, international ecommerce shipping, home delivery and last mile!" [09.29] An overview of SEKO Logistics – what they do and how they help their customers. "Wherever our clients are sourcing from, we can help them bring it into their home market. And, from there, it's all about connecting to ecommerce." [15.31] The exponential growth that SEKO experienced during the pandemic, and what they learned. "It used to be, clients in the same industry followed similar patterns. Well that's no longer the case. Everyone is unique: everyone's implementing different things at different times, launching new sourcing in new countries, slowing down their supply chain, speeding it up… all of these things are happening in real time." [19.53] SEKO Live's easy onboarding and implementation process, and the solutions' ideal customer. "It's a disjointed process. We want to create a seamless, integrated, on-brand and ultimately easy process." [22.15] A case study showing how SEKO Live helped a key customer to identify which vendor was causing the most service issues with their deliveries, so that they could be laser-focused in creating solutions that reduce returns and ultimately save money. "Having agile, nimble, flexible, responsive partners that can help you pivot has been ever more critical." [24.01] From strategic partnerships and acquisitions to the growth of e-commerce, the future for SEKO Logistics. "There's an ecosystem out there, and we should all leverage it… it's so important to partner with, and purchase from, best-in-class providers. Technology is critically important – but you don't need to do it all on your own anymore!" RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Want to dive in a little deeper? Head over to SEKO Logistics' website now to learn more and discover how they could help you. You can also connect with SEKO Logistics and keep up to date with everything they have going on over on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook, or you can connect with Brian on LinkedIn. You have your option, so take control of your demand chain today. If you enjoyed this episode, and are interested in learning more about the challenges and opportunities to be found in shipping, why not check out No Bullshipping with Hope White, one of our incredible live shows, that regularly features the key players, and their suppliers, that support both the global and domestic supply chain. And if you're thinking about how ecommerce has changed as we head into 2023, why not listen to 238: Year In Review, featuring journalist and logistics tech expert Eric Johnson - what a year 2022 has been! Check out our other podcasts HERE.

In today's episode of Women In Supply Chain, I'm joined by one of the Let's Talk Supply Chain family - a woman who is helping leaders discover the value of connected planning, with supply chain best practices and stories that matter: it's Naomi Sylvian. Naomi has 16 years of experience in telling brand stories, powering sales enablement, and increasing brand exposure and online lead generation. Naomi's marketing career has seen her assume leadership roles at a number of healthcare and technology brands, before taking on her current role in supply chain solution marketing at IT firm, Anaplan. Naomi is passionate about empowering women, and also has a decade of experience in mentoring other marketing and creative professionals. Today Naomi will be talking to us about her career so far; embracing a career in supply chain; collaborating with me on my women in supply chain blog series; and the importance of mentors. Plus, she'll be sharing her experiences as a woman in supply chain, as well as her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps. SHOW SPONSOR: This Women in Supply Chain feature was sponsored by Sifted. As a business dedicated to empowering confidence within the shipping industry, we're proud to support Women in Supply Chain. Sifted is the leading logistics intelligence software that combines insights with expertise to empower bigger, smarter shipping decisions. As growth and disruptions present ongoing challenges for supply chain leaders, thousands rely on Sifted to set their businesses up for success. Learn more about Sifted here. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.46] Naomi reflects on what being featured in Let's Talk Supply Chain's Women in Supply Chain series means to her, and she shares her experience as a panellist on Blended. "You, and the women in supply chain who I've been writing about and lifting their voices – you've all inspired me through the most challenging times… it's been a big part of what's kept me hopeful." [11.42] Naomi's journey: how she developed her career in marketing, and discovered a love of supply chain. "In Beyonce terms: I fell crazy in love when I was introduced to supply chain!" [18.53] Naomi shares her experiences as a woman in a typically male-dominated industry, and discusses why she thinks that times are changing. "I think there's been a culture shock, since I broke into corporate, for some people, but I really think that women who are strong make an impact." [21.41] Naomi discusses her work mentoring at-risk teens in her local community, and what that means for her, both personally and professionally. "Being able to show up, as a reliable adult for them, and set a positive example for a healthier future makes a difference." [27.05] Naomi's five key mentors and inspirations. "I'm energized by people who are as tenacious as they are kind." [32.40] How Naomi found her voice, and how it continues to grow and develop. [37.23] Naomi shares what she's learned about herself along the course of her journey so far, and what the future might hold. "I'm continuously learning that you can never stop learning!" [38.56] Naomi's advice for all of the girls and women looking to follow in her footsteps. "Focus on making a habit of raising other people up with you." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Naomi Sylvian over on LinkedIn. If you'd like to hear more from Naomi, check out episode 23 of Blended – The Rise of Asian Discrimination. And if you want to find out more about one of Naomi's inspirations in the industry, listen to episode 287 of our Women In Supply Chain series, featuring the fabulous Jolene Peixoto. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Locus Robotics, a super innovative technology brand that is creating ground-breaking robotics technology, with the right mix of power and flexibility, to improve warehouse productivity. Locus design and build innovative autonomous mobile robots, that work collaboratively alongside people in the fast paced logistics and fulfilment industries. With Locus's powerful and intelligent autonomous solutions, workers can pick 2x-3x faster with near-100% accuracy and less labor, delivering higher productivity and a better workplace. Today Kait Peterson, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Locus Robotics, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; the importance of flexibility in supply chain; using robots to empower people; and how automation can drive a competitive advantage. With Locus's powerful and intelligent autonomous solutions, workers can pick 2x-3x faster with near-100% accuracy and less labor, delivering higher productivity and a better workplace. Get your business the competitive edge it needs with our innovative technology Say goodbye to underperforming warehouses and fulfillment centers – let Locus help you optimize your space for maximal efficiency Keep up with the Joneses (or rather, the Amazon) by implementing Locus into your supply chain – we promise you won't regret it IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.08] The current landscape of the warehousing industry and its challenges, from labor shortages to the knock-on effect of port delays. "Warehouses are the new bottleneck… The key is going to be all about throughput." [08.01] With robot sales reaching record highs, Kait reflects on how the industry is thinking about, and implementing, robotics solutions. "There are two methodologies for implementation, but the key is to have a robotics solution that improves efficiency and productivity, but also makes your workers lives better, so you can keep and maintain the talent you have." [09.31] An overview of Locus Robotics – what they do and how they help their customers. "We focus on collaborative robots in the warehouse – we have robots that work seamlessly with your workforce." [11.19] A closer look at LocusOne, the technology platform that powers the Locus robots. [12.07] How, and why, brands are using Locus as a competitive advantage in a challenging market. "A lot of our customers see it as such as competitive advantage, that they don't want anybody else to know that they're using Locus!" [13.34] The relationship between people and robots, and why Locus's solution is all about empowering people, not replacing them. "We're centered on the people… We were originally a logistics company that saw the problems in the warehouse and used robotics to solve them." [15.56] A closer look at onboarding, integration and training with Locus, and the flexibility that the solution can bring. [17.46] The ideal client for Locus. [19.11] Two case studies showing how Locus work with their customers to design customized solutions for complex omnichannel challenges. [21.07] From safety to customer satisfaction, the many and varied benefits of robotics. "Now is the time to get into robotics!" [23.04] The future for Locus Robotics. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Locus Robotics's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Locus Robotics and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook, or you can connect with Kait on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, why not check out our blog, What are Autonomous Robots? 8 Applications for Today's AMRs, written by Jason walker, co-founder and CEO of Waypoint Robotics, a leading provider of heavy payload capacity and omnidirectional AMRs, that was acquired by Locus in 2021. Or why not read all about The Warehouse of the Future, as predicted by logistics expert Gwynne Richards. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

It's the fourth and final episode of our Sifted mini-series! Last week in episode three, I was joined by Caleb Nelson, Chief Growth Officer, to talk all about Sifted's Parcel Audit solution for shippers; how it can identify and recover lost revenue; how the boom in ecommerce has impacted shippers; and the power of strategic automation. And today in episode four, we'll be turning our attention to Sifted's Contract Management Suite. I'm joined by Adam Moulding, Chief Innovation Officer, to talk all about the platform; helping customers to go beyond a one-and-done negotiation mindset; the importance of strengthening business relationships; and the role of innovation in the future of supply chain. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [01.43] Some of the big challenges around contract management in the current climate. "Contracts have become even more difficult, there are a lot more vendors… and figuring out all of the supply chain components – contracts, what's active, what discounts are expiring – has become a real challenge for businesses… who's profession isn't supply chain!" [03.29] An overview of Sifted's contract management suite – how it helps its customers, and how it helps to tackle those key challenges. "It's about providing visibility… You need to be looking at your contracts. And you need to be comparing those contracts to your every day shipping profile." [07.06] A closer look at what customers can do within Sifted's contract management suite platform, and the different ways they can hone contracts and optimize their shipping strategies. "How do I know what I should be doing on a daily basis, and how do I measure whether or not I am doing it?" [11.28] An explanation of re-rating, how Sifted's solution allows customers to run re-rating scenarios, and how it empowers them to make confident data-driven decisions. "We're breaking down those variables into easily understandable changes… anybody can go in and play with the numbers and understand 'how does this impact?'" [14.01] A closer look at Sifted's contract monitoring, and how it helps take customers beyond a one-and-done negotiation mindset. "They say that data is the new gold but really, data insights are the most valuable thing." [20.02] The role of innovation in setting businesses up for success now, and in the future; and its importance to the overall future of supply chain. [22.56] A closer look at Sifted's newly launched compliance tool, what it does and how it complements the existing range of Sifted solutions. [25.53] The ideal client for Sifted's contract management suite. [26.58] A case study looking at how Sifted helped a key client find solutions to a huge rise in shipping costs, ultimately helping them to reduce costs whilst increasing business. [32.13] Adam's key takeaways from the mini-series, and his predictions for the industry as we head into 2023. "Businesses and shippers have to be flexible and adaptable – to carrier changes, to market changes, to supply chain blockages and all of the different things that are going to be thrown at them." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Sifted's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Sifted and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, or you can connect with Adam on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, make sure you catch up on any episodes of our Tomorrow's Insights Delivered Today mini-series that you might have missed. Listen to Episode 1, Empowering Confident Decisions, Episode 2, A Shipper's Crystal Ball and Episode 3, Enabling Operational Automation. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by MODIFI, a forward-thinking global financial services technology brand who are on a mission to reinvent global commerce – despite supply chain disruption. MODIFI is a one stop platform for business payments and trade management, founded with the aim to make trade seamless and transparent for businesses around the globe. Designed to challenge the status quo, MODIFI allows exporters and importers alike to gain full control of their cross-border trade. Today Nelson Holzner, CEO and Co-Founder of MODIFI, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; pushing boundaries in the world of finance; how flexible payment terms can help businesses scale quickly; and why it's so important to bring simplicity and control to global trade. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.25] Nelson's founder journey, and how a corporate law career led him to become a successful fintech entrepreneur. "My Dad was a sea captain on large container ships, so shipping is deep in my DNA!" [08.10] How, and why, Nelson co-founded MODIFI. "As founders, we were very intrigued by very large markets with almost unlimited growth potential. Global commerce and business payments are massive markets... and when you look at how clunky and complicated they are, we thought: we can make a change for the better." [09.37] An overview of MODIFI – what they do and how they help their customers. "MODIFI stands for modern digital finance, and what we're doing is empowering global commerce with digital business payments and trade management services." [12.13] A closer look at how MODIFI works for buyers, how it helps to mitigate risk, and the many benefits. "It's a win-win – the buyer can buy the goods and pay for them later… they can grow their business and their margins at the same time. It's a very neat solution!" [17.17] How MODIFI works for sellers, and the impact of being able to optimize cashflow. [20.00] How MODIFI helps level the playing field, why it's so important to empower small and medium sized businesses, and the impact that empowerment can have globally. "It's these small and mid-sized businesses that need fast and secure liquidity, especially in developing countries where local economies are often struggling and the banking systems aren't as strong. For us, it's about the financial inclusion of those businesses." [21.55] MODIFI's shipment tracker, and other support solutions, that allow businesses to achieve better visibility into, and control over, their trades – all in one place. [24.39] The quick and simple integration and onboarding process with MODIFI. "With banks, it takes months… with our technology, we can do it all in a day." [28.18] The ideal client for MODIFI. [30.11] A case study detailing how MODIFI helped a key customer, who found themselves struggling and unable to take on new orders because of a lack of capital, to grow and thrive in a volatile market. [34.25] Why MODIFI is working to push the boundaries and challenge the status quo, and why that's so important at this time of global disruption. "The traditional service providers we have in our space lack a holistic view… they focus on their specific solution, their specific field… but I believe that if you leverage technology, you can really change that - you can allow customers to get the full picture and, with that full picture, much more control." [37.07] Big ambitions and growth: the future for MODIFI. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to MODIFI's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with MODIFI and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook, or you can connect with Nelson on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, why not check out episode 185: Chart a Course for Shipping Success, featuring Alison Cusack, another successful lawyer in the shipping space. Or why not try episode 271, featuring Klaus Imping, another forward-thinking entrepreneur, who's helping business leaders to make digital process transformation sustainably successful. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

It's episode three of our Sifted mini-series! Last week in episode two, I was joined by Kevin Miller, VP of Data Insights at Sifted, to talk all about what simulation and modeling means; common misconceptions; the benefits of using simulation to make smart supply chain adjustments; and how predictive modeling has the potential to revolutionize your business's sustainability goals. And today in episode three, it is operational automation's turn under the Sifted spotlight. I'm joined by Caleb Nelson, Chief Growth Officer, to dive into Sifted's Parcel Audit solution for shippers; how it can identify and recover lost revenue; how the boom in ecommerce has impacted shippers; and the power of strategic automation. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [01.37] The changing landscape of the industry over the last few years, and how the rise in ecommerce, accelerated by the pandemic, has shifted the entire market. "The carriers are really built to handle a certain number of shipments at a given time, and COVID and the boom in ecommerce has really tested the stress limits of that carrier capacity network." [04.24] How this evolving market, at a time of business growth for Sifted, helped to shape products like Parcel Audit and the growth of operational automation. "Every shipper is overwhelmed with data… shippers don't need more data, they need more insights into their data." [10.09] A look at some of the main challenges faced by shippers in the current climate. "It's a really challenging time for on-time delivery percentages… for a couple of reasons: excess amounts of volume… but what most businesses have been facing is labour shortages." [14.05] An overview of Sifted's Parcel Audit for shippers – how it helps its customers, and how it uses automation to address key industry challenges. "A lot of shippers are looking for more auditing solutions, and more money that can be achieved outside of the traditional ways." [18.26] A closer look at exactly how Parcel Audit works. [20.57] How automation, with Sifted's Parcel Audit solution, can save shippers an incredible amount of time and resource. "Most shippers use Excel… it takes an average shipper typically two to three hours just to get their data into Excel and formatted correctly! ...With Sifted, they can spend less time manipulating the data and more time consuming the data." [22.14] How shippers can utilize Parcel Audit to gain refunds from FedEx and UPS, for late deliveries and pricing mistakes, and recover money they didn't even know they had. "It happens and goes unnoticed every single day… so having a good safety net, that's continuously looking for areas of improvement and mistakes, for you to go get that money back is what it's all about!" [23.29] How Sifted's Parcel Audit solution can also facilitate revenue recovery across invoices and contracts, helping shippers to become more proactive – both in optimizing their own operational decisions, but also in holding their carriers accountable for service failures. [26.22] The quick and easy integration and onboarding process for Sifted's Parcel Audit solution. "We've made it '30 seconds easy'… because this is often the number one concerned question I get from shippers." [27.36] The ideal client for Sifted's Parcel Audit solution. [29.05] A case study, showing how Parcel Audit helped a key customer to save time and money through identifying refunds and expired contract areas, ultimately delivering much-needed peace of mind. [33.00] Caleb's reflections on the power of utilizing well-chosen and strategic automation within supply chain to optimize, save costs and create efficiencies. "People want to make better, informed decisions when it comes to managing their companies transportation. Their time is best served identifying areas within the process that are not working." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Sifted's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Sifted and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, or you can connect with Caleb on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to check out episode one and episode two (LINK WHEN READY) of this fantastic mini-series. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by unique global freight forwarder, Estes Forwarding Worldwide (EFW). EFW is one of the leading domestic and international freight forwarders in the US, providing customized logistics solutions for clients around the world and across all industries including retail, government, automotive, health services and technology. Whether it's air, ground, or ocean freight, they take a personal approach, and are passionate about fostering the best customer relationships possible, and exceeding expectations each and every time. A subsidiary of Estes Express Lines, and with over 400 employees nationwide, the company earned its billionth dollar in revenue in 2017. Today Michael Campese, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Estes Forwarding Worldwide, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; the rising focus on home delivery; moving from fixed to flexible; and why everyone needs to be thinking about capacity. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.29] The evolution of EFW, and on overview of their broad range of services. "Some of our best customers are those that we get to do a lot of things for. A lot of our relationships start with one or two solutions, and they grow and expand." [10.11] The current landscape of the trucking industry, the main challenges, and how EFW are tackling these challenges to help their customers gain a competitive advantage. "We're not constrained… we have 10,000 asset providers that we work with, and we're backed by this great network." [13.49] A closer look at EFW's Net Promoter Score and the growing importance of customer service and satisfaction. "It's not just: 'on a scale of one to ten, how happy were you, how satisfied were you?' It's: 'how likely would you be to refer us?' And that's a more critical lens." [17.31] The ecommerce boom: the changes EFW have seen over the last few years, the challenges that the industry is still facing, and how EFW are responding. "Supply chain is full of bottlenecks and opportunities for things to go wrong… great partners are the ones that try to get ahead, try to learn 'why did that happen last time and lets avoid it in the future' - but when it does happen, they recover quickly." [19.13] A closer look at EFW's warehousing capacity and solutions, and how they can scale and flex to meet changing customer demand in a volatile market. "Being a forwarder and a logistics provider, and also having space, has allowed us to come to our customers… who couldn't rely on just-in-time inventory anymore, and we've been able to pull that into our facilities and help them in a lot of ways." [21.14] An insight into how, and why, customers typically engage with EFW, and how they work together to create the right solution. [22.52] The ideal client for ESW. "Our ideal clients want to come to the table, in earnest, and have good strategic conversations…. It's collaborative." [24.28] A case study showing how EFW helped a key customer to tackle capacity constraints and delivery restrictions in order to meet quickly rising product demand during COVID. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to EFW's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with EFW and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook, or you can connect with Michael on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, why not check out episode 285, Unlock the Power of Partnerships, with Cargo Chief and Hubtek, or read our blog Managing Crisis and Adversity in Uncertain Times: What We Have Learned from the Covid-19 Pandemic and What to Do and Not Do When Facing a Crisis. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

It's episode two of our brand new Sifted mini-series! Last week on episode one, we took a closer look at the Sifted Score. I was joined by Chief Experience Officer Ami to explore exactly how the Sifted Score works; how it helps to deliver categorized insights for quick actions; and how Sifted are empowering shippers to make confident and future-proof decisions. Today in episode 2, we're turning our attention to predictive modeling. I'm joined by Kevin Miller, VP of Data Insights at Sifted, to talk all about what simulation and modeling means; common misconceptions; the benefits of using simulation to make smart supply chain adjustments; and how predictive modeling has the potential to revolutionize your business's sustainability goals. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [01.36] Exactly what modeling and simulation means, and the differences between the two. "People bucket modeling and simulation together quite often, but they're quite different… most of the tools that people have can't process the amount of data that simulation takes in this industry – we call it Excel hell!" [03.27] Some of the common myths and misconceptions around simulation, and how Sifted address them with their customers. "The biggest thing people say is that they can't do an apples to apples comparison… because this industry always changes... We really try to debunk those myths." [09.09] An overview of Sifted's modeling and simulation solution, and why they call it a 'virtual sandbox.' "We've built these solutions to help our users focus on what's important to their business specifically – because it's different for everybody." [11.51] A closer look at how Sifted's modeling and simulation solution works. [15.27] Integration and connectivity, and the importance of good data. "We've had a lot of really big, enterprise level clients come back and say 'holy cow! It took us a year to get through this, and it took you two weeks – how do you do it?' Well, it's what we do every single day – we've built the infrastructure to handle it." [17.02] Kevin shares the kinds of challenges Sifted's modeling and simulation solution can help solve for clients, and how they're using the software. "It provides clarity and visibility, where previously people didn't have any." [19.17] Kevin reflects on empowering confident decisions through Sifted software, and why it's so important in a climate with a heavy focus on mitigating risk and facilitating agility and transparency. "We live in an ever changing world of transparency… so in order to succeed in this type of environment, you have to have a good grasp on the decisions that you're making, and the impact of those decisions in the future." [21.35] How modelling and simulation can help businesses to tackle key sustainability goals. [25.24] The ideal client for Sifted's modeling and simulation solution. [26.48] A case study detailing how Sifted's modeling and simulation solution helped a key client determine the most strategic location for a new warehouse, ultimately saving them over a million dollars in shipping expenses, helping them to reduce their average transit time, and reduce their carbon foot print. [29.57] Why it's so important for businesses to invest in future-proofing their business, to set themselves up for success. "In order to be sustainable, you've got to be agile and you've got to start thinking about these different scenarios now – or else you're going to be left in the dust!" RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Sifted's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Sifted and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, or you can connect with Kevin on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, why not check out episode 286, the first show in our Tomorrow's Insights Delivered Today mini-series with Sifted. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

In today's episode of Women In Supply Chain I'm joined by Jolene Peixoto, a powerhouse who is as passionate about championing female leadership as she is about bringing stories to life. Jolene launched her career in high tech PR 20 years ago, and has never looked back. Working at leading brands including Emulex, Blue Yonder and now FarEye, Jolene has driven global corporate communications strategies, encompassing brand awareness, public relations, social media, customer and content marketing, to great success. And, during this time, Jolene has always put a focus on empowering women, as a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. Today Jolene will be talking to us about her career so far; her love of storytelling; lifting women up to leadership roles; and some of the evolving trends in supply chain marketing. Plus, she'll be sharing her experiences as a woman in supply chain, as well as her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps. SHOW SPONSOR: This Women in Supply Chain feature was sponsored by Sifted. As a business dedicated to empowering confidence within the shipping industry, we're proud to support Women in Supply Chain. Sifted is the leading logistics intelligence software that combines insights with expertise to empower bigger, smarter shipping decisions. As growth and disruptions present ongoing challenges for supply chain leaders, thousands rely on Sifted to set their businesses up for success. Learn more about Sifted here. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [08.04] Jolene's early career, and how she discovered her natural talent for communication and storytelling. "It started from the very first job I ever had. I was an intern… I had the magic touch right away with pitching media… and it was gratifying from that point on!" [09.55] How a challenging work climate led Jolene to take an internship and discover a passion for technology. "I took an internship… but I got into it really quickly, because it was a challenge…. It was different to representing a consumer brand." [13.29] Jolene's move to Blue Yonder, how she came to embrace supply chain, and the power of building a social media network. "What surprised me the most was how many people in my network, that I'd developed and grown… were in supply chain." [20.35] Jolene's highlights and successes from her time at Blue Yonder, and what she learned along the way. [24.32] Jolene's previous role as marketing lead for Blue Yonder's Diversity, Inclusion, Value and Equality Council: what she loved about it, why it was so important, and her tips for anybody looking to implement something similar in their own workplace. "You don't have to jump on the bandwagon if you don't have a perspective, because you'll just look like you're checking a box." [28.30] Jolene discusses the lack of women in supply chain leadership roles, and how to open up opportunities. [32.07] Why Jolene is so passionate about women championing each other, and how we can tackle mentorship and woman-to-woman relationships in a competitive and male-dominated environment. "It's 2022, why do we still need these types of awareness opportunities? We shouldn't have to, but we do… it's this real push-pull." [36.16] How Jolene found her current role at FarEye, and what she's working on. "I wanted to find a place where I could start from scratch… my role was created for me." [38.44] Jolene reflects on what has changed in the world of PR and marketing during the course of her 20 year career. "Back in the day, the press release was the be all and end all… now the social media community has become a much bigger way of achieving brand awareness and recognition." [41.01] Jolene shares the achievement she's most proud of. "Leaving a job without having a job was a risk, but I'm proud of it because I learned a lot… I firmly believe everyone should do it at least once in their lives." [43.23] Jolene's advice for all of the girls and women looking to follow in her footsteps. "Trust yourself… and take a chance. If it doesn't work, so what?" RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Jolene over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, why not check out episode 249: Making Deliveries Better For Everyone, with FarEye, where Kushal Nahata, co-founder and CEO at FarEye, chats all about the company, what they do, the challenges of last-mile delivery, reducing your carbon footprint while cutting costs, and why, in the e-commerce industry, experience is the new loyalty. You might also enjoy Kushal's blog, Achieving Sustainability Goals in Supply Chain Delivery. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

We're kicking off another brand new mini-series! For this four-part special, I'm joined by Sifted: the number one logistics intelligence platform, who are empowering shippers to make smart, data-powered business decisions. Over the next four episodes, our "Tomorrow's Insights Delivered Today" series is going to take a closer look at Sifted: their market-leading products; the customers they're helping to thrive in times of disruption; the trends, insights and predictions they're seeing in the industry right now; and exactly how they're setting shippers up for success, today and tomorrow. Today in Episode 1, Empowering Confident Decisions, we'll be taking a closer look at the Sifted Score: how it works; how it helps to deliver categorized insights for quick actions; and exactly how Sifted are empowering shippers to make confident and future-proof decisions. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.53] For anyone who missed the last show, a reminder of who Sifted are and what they do. "We help shippers revolutionize decision-making." [04.19] What 'empowering confident decisions' means to Sifted, and to the industry amidst ongoing disruption, and why it's so important. "For us, it means knowing the scope, the risk, and the impact of a particular business decision." [07.02] An overview of the Sifted Score, "a credit score for shipping" – what it does and how it helps its customers. "It's an at-a-glance visibility tool for gauging the success of your shipping operations." [07.51] A closer look at the Sifted Score, the six key categories and over 20 different unique factors that make up the score, and the business areas that clients can expect to see analyzed. [10.24] The Sifted Score dashboard, how clients can see and understand the data within it, and identify the key impacts customized to their industry. "We're all looking for data to inform our decisions right now, and given the conditions that are happening in the market… we all want to make confident decisions and be on steady ground." [13.28] Ami expands on the importance of empowering confident decisions, on removing the guesswork and better understanding the next steps for your business. "It's the nuance in the emotive feeling vs 'let's go and see what the data has to say about it!' With the amount of data that shippers have at their fingertips, we're in a world that no-one should have to 'feel' a costly decision – they should be able to know with clarity and confidence." [15.55] How and why a business's Sifted Score is re-calculated weekly, and the impact that has on agility and improved decision making. "Carriers are constantly making changes – some within their control, some outside of it." [21.46] Sifted Score's simple integration and onboarding process. [24.13] The ideal client for the Sifted Score. "A lot of people talk about being resilient, and agility, and how important that is. But if you're not willing to explore different ways of doing things, you can't become agile and respond to the market." [26.39] A case study looking at how Sifted helped a key customer to make strategic delivery improvements, improving customer satisfaction and reducing costs. [28.12] Ami's predictions for the rest of 2022, looking forward to 2023. "Change is the only constant in supply chain! Plan for the known – we've got peak season, a general rate increase, some market instability…. And start to model out some of the unknowns." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Sifted's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Sifted and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, or you can connect with Ami on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the show, why not check out episode 230, where Caleb first introduced us to Sifted; what they do; the importance of taking a holistic approach to shipping health; and the role that disruptions like COVID have played in the digitization of logistics. You can also check out his fascinating blog, How Sifted Is Shaking Up The Shipping Industry (Goodbye, Excel Hell). Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Today I'm joined by Cargo Chief and Hubtek, not one but two leading technology companies, working in the transportation space, who often partner together to provide the best results for their customers. Cargo Chief enables 3PLs and freight brokers to expand their carrier network, gain visibility into real-time pricing, and streamline their processes. And Hubtek is a tech-enabled talent and automation solutions provider for transportation companies across North America. Today Chris Arredondo, Co-Founder and VP of Customer Success at Cargo Chief, and Andrew Gulovsen, Chief Marketing Officer, at Hubtek, join me to chat all about their respective companies: what they do; how real-time data is helping to drive down costs; why you need to put a focus on collaboration and strategic partnerships; and the importance of customer success. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.39] A introduction to Chris, Cargo Chief and how they help their customers. "We solve some of the industry's biggest issues…. And we serve everything up on our project and procurement software… for an easier way to book freight." [07.28] An introduction to Andrew, Hubtek and how they help their customers. "As businesses look to scale and grow, we offer a three-pronged approach of technology and automation… training, strategy and coaching, and a co-managed talent offering." [08.40] An overview of Cargo Chief and Hubtek's partnership: how they came to work together, how they team up for their shared customers and a closer look at the type of customer who would work with them both. "We started to find solutions that married together: Hubtek with TABi, and us with the power of capacity and pricing." Chris "The broad scope of what's possible – the opportunities that exist out there that are just not captured based on time, energy, resource – the two of these together provide that access to those opportunities that weren't there before." Andrew [11.44] Chris and Andrew reflect on the landscape of the logistics industry right now and some of the challenges, from both Cargo Chief and Hubtek's perspectives. "It's taken 10 years and a pandemic to get tracking automated! And the same thing with technology, we have to work together to move the industry forward." Chris [15.07] A closer look at cost, the challenges of the rising costs involved in booking freight, and how Cargo Chief's real-time pricing data can help protect margins and profits for customers. "It's not just the price... if you can't narrow down to cost per load, it's going to be really difficult to figure out how much the cost of booking freight actually is." Chris [17.45] Andrew explains how time and cost ties into automation, Hubtek's TABi solution, and the impact automating key communications can have on things like staff wellbeing and satisfaction. "The people within your organization can focus on that relationship development, on that important aspect of working with the customer… your people can really focus on improving culture and how you do business." Andrew [21.38] How better data and increased automation and efficiencies can help to increase carrier engagement, and why better carrier partnerships are so important. "Carriers are your lifeline... you've really got to understand their needs and wants, and their willingness to work with you. What separates you from Broker B?" Chris [26.45] Chris and Andrew discuss the importance of customer success, why the industry needs to embrace that mindset and why customer success is at the heart of the Cargo Chief and Hubtek partnership. "Businesses often make decisions based on what they think, and without talking to the customer and understanding what they need. Finding that frictionless experience – that's the direction that needs to happen." Andrew "If you're running a company, yes revenue is important – but so is retention." Chris [30.14] A closer look at integration and onboarding with Cargo Chief and Hubtek. [33.34] Chris and Andrew each give a taste of how they work with customers, and the potential impact or ROI they could achieve by working with Cargo Chief and Hubtek. [38.49] The future for Cargo Chief and Hubtek, and their ongoing partnership. RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Cargo Chief's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Cargo Chief and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook, or you can connect with Chris on LinkedIn. Head over to Hubtek's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Hubtek and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, or you can connect with Andrew on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, why not check out episode 217: Transform collaboration between buyers and suppliers, with SourceDay, or read our blog How Collaboration and Technology Creates Efficiency for SMB's. Check out our other podcasts HERE.