Welcome Back Listeners!

Traditional forwarders will soon have little choice but to go digital and that is what Kontainers is hoping for. They are the dominant player in helping to make digitizing a reality for most forwarders and creating new and innovative ways for everyone to win.

In this episode, Graham Parker CEO of Kontainers takes us on a journey of how he got started in the industry building a successful forwarding company that led to the creation of Kontainers. Graham will share how they are helping to digitize the industry and announce some exciting news about a new initiative they are launching to help small to mid sized forwarders. The future of forwarding is in digitization, collaboration, consolidation and marketplaces that will ONLY have room for the digital. You wont want to miss this episode as we take you into the future of the industry.

Questions I Ask:

• Let’s get to know your story. Who are you? [0:36]
• How did your journey to success lead you to Kontainers? [0:40]
• What exactly do you do and why did you pick this space to disrupt? [4:25]
• Who are some of the brands you are working with? [6:49]
• What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome that? [8:45]
• Why should a company work with Kontainers? [12:09]
• What advice would you give to other supply chain technology startups? [17:22]
• What would you tell them? What did you have to tell yourself to push through and get to the point where things were taking off? [19:54]
• What would you say is your biggest achievement so far? [22:43]
• What’s next for Kontainers? [24:29]

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Graham’s success story. [1:00]
• How Kontainers got its start. [1:45]
• The biggest challenge the first year. [2:43]
• Customer acquisition. [10:02]
• Acquiring a champion. [11:24]
• Partnering with the right companies. [14:45]
• The platform isn’t about us, it’s about them. [21:50]

Welcome back Let's Talk listeners!

If you aren't familiar with FreightWaves you should be, Recently listed on CNBC's 2018 upstart 100 list as the brightest, most intriguing young start ups promising to become one of the great companies of tomorrow, FreightWaves is a company to watch. In less than a year, FreightWaves grew to the second most trafficked news site in all of freight, globally.

In this episode, Craig Fuller CEO of FreightWaves joins me to talk about the story behind the brand. Craig's journey started in the family business and as his passion for the industry grew so did his vision for the future. Join me as he tells us the story behind the brand, gives us a glimpse into his journey to success, Craig also predicts the future of supply chain and logistics as well as the reasons behind starting BITA (Blockchain Assoc).

Questions I Ask:

• Who is Freightwaves? How did it get started? [0:26]
• As a supply chain professional, what does that mean for me exactly? [1:30]
• Can you run us through what you’re looking at from your website stats? [6:52]
• Can you tell us more about your journey? [14:01]
• What are your thoughts on your future of supply chain and logistics? [20:40]
• Why don’t you tell us what is next for Freightwaves? [25:16]

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Information about Freightwaves and their online presence. [0:30]
• Where to get started. [3:30]
• Data challenges. [5:10]
• Investing in supply chain operations. [13:02]
• Craig’s story. [14:16]
• The playbook at Freighwaves. [18:40]
• Block Chain and Transport Alliance. [21:13]

Hello Listeners!

In this EXCLUSIVE Women in Supply Chain episode, I am live at JDA ICON 2019 and I sit down with CMO, Karen Leavitt of Locus Robotics.

Her journey in technology since the 70s has recently lead her into supply chain industry and she is excited to help drive innovation in this space. Karen talks about how mentorship and collaboration helps to overcome challenges and creates allies that will help amplify messages and encourage others to find their voice.

Karen ends with some advice for the next generation that includes a nugget about career success -  find different perspectives and really look to see how you can incorporate them into your career

Enjoy!

Welcome back Let's Talk listeners!

What is a Tariff?

A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on goods and services imported from other countries that serves to increase the price and make imports less desirable, or at least less competitive, versus domestic goods and services. Tariffs are generally introduced as a means of restricting trade from particular countries or reducing the importation of specific types of goods and services.

These days there are so many rules and regulations to moving products from country to country and with the US leading the most influential changes we have seen in a long time, many are scrambling to keep up.

In this episode, Graham Robins CEO of Borderbuddy and my resident expert is back to talk about this game changing subject rocking industries and the business world right now (right Andy Polk - FDRA?). Graham talks to me about asking the question why, being intentional, some of the biggest mistakes you will make with your tariff database, what your responsibility is and what you can do today to get a handle on costs and compliance.

Questions I Ask:

• What is happening at Borderbuddy since we last spoke? [0:24]
• How can companies self-audit and find savings when it comes to tariffs? [1:54]
• Why do we have tariffs? [4:46]
• What do you think about that (if tariffs are necessary)? [6:38]
• What are the biggest mistakes importers make with their tariff databases? [11:28]
• What should a company’s expectations be of working with a customs broker? [18:37]
• How long does it take to go through 10,000 tariffs? [21:08]
• What would be the most important thing importers can do today to get a handle on those costs and compliance, etc.? [24:40]
• What’s next for Borderbuddy? [26:37]

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Being confident in your tariff database [2:40]
• The massive undertaking that takes place when a tariff changes. [3:30]
• The purpose of tariffs [4:50]
• Battle about why you would want or not want tariffs. [7:00]
• Being intentional about getting involved. [16:10]
• Asking why. [24:45]
• Being confident in tariffs. [25:20]
• Removing friction and obstacles for customers. [26:49]

Welcome back Lets Talk listeners!

"Go with your gut!" is the mantra Michelle is truly living by, from following her gut to Boston to placing hundreds of hard working supply chain professionals on their career paths.

Michelle also loves what she does and encourages everyone to live your passion because it is what drives you, it is what will bring opportunity and help you to live your best life.

In this episode I will introduce you to Michelle Devevo, VP of Talent acquisition in Part 18 of my Women in Supply Chain Series. Michelle tells us the story of how she moved to Boston on a whim, how she was recruited for her current position, how she has helped hundreds of supply chain professionals find their way, why employer branding is so important and why Linkedin should be your best friend as an employer and as talent. You will be inspired by this story of passion, instinct and pure will.

Questions I Ask:

• Where did you start? [0:34]
• What has your journey looked like? [0:34]
• What do you do now? [0:37]
• What are your thoughts on the talent shortage? [7:45]
• Can you tell us why they are crucial to the success of finding supply chain talent? [9:41]
• What do you think are the additional skills that supply chain professionals should be looking to add to their resume? [10:57]
• Do you think supply chain professionals are going to need to have  some sort of addition to the resume in the tech side? [13:51]
• How are companies looking for and finding talent? [14:49]
• What are some of those solutions [15:15]
• What challenges have you faced in your career and how have you overcome them? [20:19]
• Is there another takeaway you think supply chain professionals should take away from this conversations? [24:52]
• What get you excited and what’s next for Michelle? [26:46]

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Michelle’s career story and journey to this point. [1:10]
• Having the right people leading the charge. [7:57]
• Recruiting culture and employer branding. [10:02]
• LinkedIn is where it’s at. [15:42]
• Do your homework on people and don’t chase the money. [23:04]