Claim OwnershipThe Zion Experience
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© Zion Solutions Group 2023
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Jim Shaw and Jordan Frank sit down to discuss industry insights.
72 Episodes
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More often than not, problems during a WMS rollout start earlier, when teams move too quickly through planning, requirements, and testing.In our latest Zion Experience episode, Jim Shaw and Drew Eubank talk through what it takes to prepare for a WMS project before vendor selection and implementation begin.In this conversation, they cover:➡️ Why understanding your “why” is the first step➡️ Why process mapping from order creation through shipment matters➡️ How rushed requirements create scope problems later➡️ Why provider evaluation should stay agnostic➡️ Why testing needs more time than most teams expectOne of the clearest takeaways from the episode is that WMS projects are a heavy lift, and spending the time up front will determine how much pain shows up later.
“Data never lies… but it also never tells the whole story.” That line from Drew in our latest Zion Experience episode is the reason Operations Advisory exists.In this episode, Jen Thomas sits down with Jim Shaw and Drew Eubank to break down how advisory really works. They talk through defining the right problem, walking the distribution center floor, identifying quick wins, and building a roadmap grounded in reality. Because the truth usually lives somewhere between what the reports say and what the floor is actually doing to keep things moving.
Automation is a capital investment. Maintenance determines whether that investment delivers long-term value.In our latest Zion Experience episode, we talk with Lee Hobbs about what it actually takes to sustain automated distribution centers over time.In this conversation, we cover:➡️ Why preventive and proactive maintenance protects your original capital investment➡️ How small issues turn into major disruptions when ignored➡️ What a practical maintenance roadmap looks like in modern automated DCs➡️ How technician skill sets are evolving alongside automationStrong maintenance programs reduce downtime, extend equipment life, stabilize operations, and protect capital over the long-term.
2026 Distribution Center Automation: What's Evolving and What's TrendingIn our latest Zion Experience episode, Jim Shaw, Jordan Frank, and Drew Eubank talk through what shifted in 2025 and what they’re watching heading into 2026. Spoiler Alert!1. Systems are getting more advanced while also becoming easier to use, thanks to better interfaces and a stronger focus on the operator experience.2. At the same time, the vendor landscape feels less chaotic than it did during the COVID wave. The market has matured, and teams are getting clearer about what’s sustainable versus what just demos well.
Explore with us how DC automation is transforming healthcare operations at St. Vincent De Paul and helping save lives through smarter, more efficient processes.The Medication Access Program (MAP) at St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy relies on donated medication to serve patients who otherwise wouldn’t have access to it. But donations were arriving faster than they could be inspected, sorted, and made available. Even with volunteers stepping in, the process couldn’t keep up. The SVDP team had a vision to expand the program and serve more patients, which meant automating the process to increase speed and capacity.In this conversation, we talk through:-Why manual processes couldn’t scale, even with volunteers-How automation shifted processing time from months to a single day-What changes when inventory accuracy becomes immediate
Most decisions look good over 12 months. Very few still look good over 7 to 10 years. In our Year in Review podcast, @Jim Shaw, @Jordan Frank, @Drew Eubank, and @Chuck Frank discuss a simple but challenging question: What does it actually mean to be the choice for customers, partners, and team members over the long term?The discussion touches on:➡️Investing in people so they want to stay and grow with you➡️Choosing innovation that solves real problems, not just looks impressive➡️Building recurring, sustainable revenue that supports customers year after yearThis episode offers a transparent look at how we closed out 2025 and how that perspective is shaping our 2026 roadmap.
In our latest TZE episode, our Solutions team, Tori Bennett and Christian Seymour, joined Jim Shaw and Jordan Frank to discuss designing across various industries.Healthcare isn't retail. Aerospace isn't e-commerce. Each operates under its own set of pressures from compliance to throughput, and that’s where design discipline makes all the difference.Tori and Christian share how they adapt engineering strategy across these environments and why listening to the operators on the floor often unlocks the smartest ideas in the room.
In our latest TZE episode, Jim Shaw sat down with Victoria Carlton, founder of Carlton Creative Co, for a conversation about what it really means to lead with care.Victoria brings a fresh perspective on building teams that don't just execute, but thrive. She explains why the best leaders prioritize clarity over control, how small communication shifts (such as audio messages) can strengthen remote teams, and why getting out of your team's way is sometimes the most powerful move you can make.Her approach is to lead with trust, communicate with intention, and create frameworks that empower people to own the outcome.When teams know you care, they show up differently.
In our latest TZE episode, Jim Shaw sits down with Jake Sullivan, one of Zion’s own, to talk about leadership on the warehouse floor. Uptime is everything, and real leaders fix machines and build trust.Jake shares how his journey from the Navy to facility maintenance shaped his approach to leading service teams:✅ Train relentlessly✅ Take ownership✅ Treat maintenance as a service
In our latest TZE episode, Jim Shaw sits down with David Quintilo, Founder of Leverage Supply Chain Group, for a conversation about what it really takes to lead in supply chain. With 36 years of experience shaping logistics for some of the world's largest brands, David brings a hard-won perspective on building trust across massive networks, fostering innovation in an industry built on predictability, and making decisions when there's no clear right answer. His philosophy? Don't just keep score, change the game. Great leaders balance day-to-day execution with long-term vision, stay proactive instead of reactive, and inspire their teams instead of just managing them. Because the leaders who win aren't the ones sitting on the sidelines.
In our latest TZE episode, we sat down with learning and development expert @Dr. Katherine McRae about a truth many leaders struggle with: you can't control your way to success.The best leaders don't just manage tasks. They connect people to the bigger picture, ask the "why" questions in one-on-ones, and trust their teams enough to let go of control. Clarity beats control every time.
Jim Shaw and Aron Kolosik tackle the question nobody's asking: After the 60-hour weeks and constant notifications, how do you actually shut off?Aron shares how he protects creative capacity and why your brain needs rest just like any other muscle. His approach:- Block family time like business meetings- Delay weekend emails to Monday morning- Take every vacation (your creativity depends on it)"There's plenty enough rewards for all of us. We just need to be looking at what's important to us."
In our new Leadership Series on the TZE Podcast, @Jim Shaw and @Jordan Frank kick us off by sharing a truth every supply chain leader faces: sometimes there's no clear right answer, but you still have to move forward.The ability to gather input, make the call, own the outcome, and keep moving sets great leaders apart from good leaders. Because while you're debating the perfect solution, competitors are passing you by.
In our latest TZE episode, our summer interns get real about tackling AI projects they've never seen before and discovering why curiosity beats expertise.Key takeaway: "I didn't know what I was doing and I really had to think outside the box, do a lot of research, figure stuff out on my own, ask questions."Sometimes the best solutions come from those brave enough to admit what they don't know.
Twenty years ago, 3PL success meant having space. Today? It's about making informed technology choices in a sea of options.In our latest TZE episode, Jim Shaw sits down with Chuck Frank to discuss how 3PLs have evolved and what it takes to future-proof operations in today's market.They discuss everything from changing customer expectations to the paralysis of too many automation choices. Chuck shares candid insights about why some 3PLs struggle to scale despite having all the tools available.
You can have the best plan, the right data, and cutting-edge technology, and still struggle if the people side isn’t dialed in.In the latest episode of The Zion Experience, Jim Shaw and Jordan Frank sit down with Lee Kirk of NXTPoint Logistics to explore what really makes automation stick in a 3PL environment.They discuss how to set the stage for success before systems go live, how to involve customers in a more productive manner, and why support must last well beyond go-live.It’s an honest, practical look at what really drives successful projects and the kind of mindset every team should bring to the table.
What stood out most during our Texas Roadshow? It wasn’t the size of the systems. It was the precision of the thinking.In this episode of The Zion Experience, Jim Shaw, Jordan Frank, and Jen Thomas reflect on what 3PLs are actually doing to improve operations, especially when budgets are tight and speed still matters.If you’re in a 3PL environment, this episode serves as a powerful reminder that operational excellence doesn’t always begin with a capital expenditure project. Sometimes it starts by watching where the work is really happening.
You can walk ProMat and fall in love with a dozen automation tools. But the real question is: will it work in your facility tonight, with your team, at your volume? Jim Shaw and Drew Eubank are joined by Jeff Ramella of Port Jersey Logistics, where they unpack how Zion’s approach to solution engineering helps 3PLs avoid costly, misaligned investments. What we cover: ➡️Why good tech can still fail without operator buy-in ➡️The danger of selling to the C-suite over solving for the warehouse ➡️Zion’s role as a true solutions partner, not a product pusher
What’s the real value of speed in warehouse design? It’s not just about timelines, it’s about enabling faster, more informed decisions.In this episode, @Jim Shaw, @Jordan Frank, and @Chip Steffey unpack how Zion brings agility to the design process, helping customers move quickly without sacrificing clarity or control.Here’s what we cover:🔹 Capital vs. labor trade-offs in automation planning🔹 How we rapidly price multiple tech options for smarter decisions🔹 The hidden costs of designing for peak without year-round ROI🔹 Why OpEx matters just as much as CapEx in long-term planning
What does success look like when you're automating inside a 3PL? In our latest TZE episode, Jim Shaw and Jordan Frank sit down with Ryan Martin, SVP of Distribution Services at ITS Logistics, to get real about what it takes to design systems in high-variability, contract-driven environments. Here’s what we cover: 🔹 Why automation must fit the business not just the customer 🔹 How to evaluate ROI when client contracts have limited terms 🔹 Avoiding the “make it work” trap and costly redesigns 🔹 How to plan for flexibility, reuse, and future uncertainty This one’s a must-listen for operators, integrators, and decision-makers navigating multi-tenant fulfillment.
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