Let's Talk Supply Chain

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.

It’s episode 15 of Blended: I’m joined by another incredible panel of guests and we’re talking about ageism. When it comes to the spectrum of topics in the DEI world, it’s not the most talked about, so it’s important to open it up, hear what others have to say and learn something new. And that’s exactly why we do the show: diving into other people’s experiences, leaning into empathy, engaging with new points of view – it’s what opens up our minds and makes us all better employees, leaders, entrepreneurs, and people. Today we’ll be diving into our guests personal experiences with ageism; why ageism isn’t just an issue for the old; ageism’s place within the larger context of DEI discussions; and the panel will be sharing their advice for creating more inclusive workplaces.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [0.32] Introductions to our Blended panellists. Lisa – Supply Chain Manager at Rapala VMC Corporation Lavinia – Founder and Host of Women in Blockchain Talks Brendan – Founder and CEO at AccidentPlan Leona – Chief Technology Officer at Benefits Data Trust Rebecca – Assistant Director, Vessel Services Division at T&T Salvage LLC “At my dinner table, there’s nobody smarter than the oldest teenager and nobody dumber than a boomer!” Brendan [06.02] The guests share their own experiences with ageism, and reflect on why it continues to be an issue within the workplace and society overall. Dynamic between generations How old you look vs how old you are Capability, experience and knowledge The truth behind assumptions The words we use, their implications and reshaping the conversation “I’ve had people assume that I don’t understand how to use something as simple as Facebook. I’ve built systems more complex than Facebook! …There’s an assumption that, if you’re of a certain age, you don’t understand.” Leona [32.14] The panel discuss how we can better support people as they move through their careers, and ensure that at every stage, it’s working for everyone. Job shadowing and mentorship Cultural belonging and creating safe spaces Allyship and finding your voice Fear of losing your job Policies and procedures Bias – challenging each other and modelling for others Leadership “How do you develop a culture where speaking up is acceptable? We can educate ourselves and have the right motives, but to put that out into the universe requires courage. And that’s the systemic change we need to see, this overwhelming sense of courage to speak for truth.” Rebecca [56.42] The group dig deeper into the reasons that ageism is rife throughout society, and how we can move out of a culture of divided workplaces. “Unless you’re willing to stand up and support someone else’s action, change is very slow and you only see it many years after the damage has been done.” Lavinia [1.06.08] The panellists consider ageism alongside other issues within the world of diversity and inclusion, and why we don’t talk about it as much as we should. Self-reflection, introspection and challenging our own bias Learned bias Creating two-way conversations and non-toxic dialogues Courage to face push back Self-development [1.15.20] The panelists sum-up their learnings from today’s discussion.     RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Lisa, Lavinia, Brendan, Leona and Rebecca over on LinkedIn. Check out our other podcasts HERE.  

In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain, I’m joined by Donna Wilczek: innovator, business leader, tech strategist and inventor. Donna is a SaaS technology executive who, over the course of her 20 year career, has worked at major names like IBM and Accenture. As well as currently serving as the senior vice president of product strategy and innovation at Coupa Software and on the board of Optimizely, a digital experience platform, Donna is also an inventor and technology innovator. Today Donna will be talking to us about her career so far; her passion for tech; her innovative spirit and talent for invention; and she’ll be sharing her experiences as a woman in the industry, and her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps.   SHOW SPONSOR: Apex Logistics are proud to sponsor Let’s Talk Supply Chain’s Women in Supply Chain podcast and blog series. Our leadership team actively works to empower an industry as diverse as our workforce with a focus on inclusion, and we’re passionate about promoting the voices of women leaders to drive visibility around their achievements. Find out more over on the Apex Logistics website.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [05.35] Donna’s background and how her natural curiosity and interest in continuous improvement led her to a career in tech. “I was able to join the field at a really interesting time of change… I loved the notion that we would be creating a new frontier and trying to figure it out.” [07.11] How Donna’s early career and experiences at IT brands like Accenture and IBM fuelled her curiosity; and how the industry has changed. “When I joined Coupa, the company was fully 100% cloud, and even 10 years ago, that was a very difficult conversation to have with IT organizations!” [09.59] Donna’s role as senior vice president of Product Strategy and Innovation at Coupa. “We think ‘how would it work, if we were able to do anything!’ And that is the most thrilling part of my role. We’re not limited by anything, other than our creativity and imagination.” [12.07] Why diversity and inclusion is so important in the workplace. “We have a saying at Coupa: ‘none of us is as smart as all of us!’” [13.28] How Coupa has changed over the last 10 years, Donna’s pride and excitement in playing a part in helping them to scale and go public – and why it’s important to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. [16.40] Donna’s new role as a board member at Optimizely, a closer look at what they do and the key trends of responsive experimentation and personalization. “Optimizely is a recognition that the customer experience is now a digital experience.” [19.07] How Donna came to secure a board position, and her advice for other’s looking to explore a similar position. [22.55] Donna’s talent for invention, why it’s important for her to nurture her creative side and how she supports other’s in gaining their own patents and protecting their work. “The patents from my history show that I was able to take something, look at it differently and then do something special with it.” [26.25]  Donna’s experiences as a woman in the industry, and how she helps to echo minority voices. [30.41] The mentors that have helped to inspire and support Donna throughout her career. [31.26] What the future holds for Donna, and for innovation and collaboration at Coupa. [33.13] Donna’s words of advice to all of the women following in her footsteps.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Donna over on LinkedIn or Twitter. 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 podcasts HERE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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