Here we are, at the end of another year – and wow, what a year it has been. There is a lot to unpack, so in this end of year special, I’m joined by Eric Johnson - journalist, logistics tech expert and friend - to discuss some of the events of the year.
We talk about disruption and the major challenges within the shipping industry; we reflect on key and emerging trends; and look forward to what might be to come in 2022.
[05.47] An introduction to Eric Johnson.
[07.07] Reflections on COVID during 2021.
“It’s the uneven nature of COVID, it impacts our industry a lot – what happens in one region has a knock-on effect in another.”
“We’re even more adaptable and resilient than we ever thought.”
[16.22] The boom in ecommerce.
“We will look back on this period as a catalyst.”
[22.55] Major disruptions in shipping.
[32.22] Practicalities – what we can do and how we can be proactive about managing COVID disruption ongoing.
“The fact that the White House is so focused on this topic is unique, in and of itself.”
“Whether it’s using technology, or creating a partnership with another company, we need to figure out where we can achieve better efficiency.”
[40.29] Key milestones and achievements for Let’s Talk Supply Chain in 2021.
You connect with Eric over on LinkedIn, or catch up on his show LOGTECH Live over on the LTSC YouTube channel.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by Serai, an online B2B platform with a mission to simplify global trade.
Founded by HSBC and based in Hong Kong, Serai has the strength of a global bank and the agility of a start-up. Serai’s mission is to simplify global trade: by helping companies of all sizes connect, build trust and trade; and by empowering them with tools and information to understand their supply chains and manage their risks. Serai want to create new solutions to shape the entire future of international trade, beginning with the apparel industry.
Today Lindsey Hermes, Head of Enterprise Solutions at Serai, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; the importance of collaboration and visibility; and the simplified future of global trade.
[06.42] Lindsey’s career journey, and how she came to join Serai.
[08.53] All about Serai – what they do, and how they help their customers.
[09.57] The importance of collaboration, the Serai ethos, and how that leads to real diversity within the business, both in the workforce and userbase.
“The faster that leadership realizes you are your supply chain, the more collaboration and transparency become critical to doing business.”
[12.47] Serai’s huge growth over the last year, and how they’ve facilitated it.
[13.36] The key Serai offerings.
“We bring information from multiple sources together in a singular view, so businesses can make decisions faster and stay up to date on who they’re doing business with around the world.”
[17.00] A closer look at implementation, and the ease of use you can expect with the Serai platform.
“We’ve designed the solutions strategically to be simple, so it’s as easy as possible to get started.
[19.31] How regulation, and consumer demand, has changed old ways of working, and how Serai can facilitate better business through traceability and visibility.
[22.00] Why Serai focused on the apparel industry first.
[23.26] What the Serai platform can do for different sizes and types of customer.
[25.17] Lindsey’s reflections on her ideal customer for Serai.
“When you’ve publicly made statements around sustainability and environmental initiatives, the key in meeting those business objectives is transparency – and that comes down to traceability and visibility in your supply chain.
[27.11] A case study, showing how the Serai platform resulted in vast time savings for a key customer.
“Technology is the enabler that we need to do business in a more strategic way.”
[30.32] The future for Serai and the global trade industry.
Head over to Serai’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Serai and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, or you can connect with Lindsey on LinkedIn.
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.
[0.32] Introductions to our Blended panellists.
“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.
“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.
“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.
[1.15.20] The panelists sum-up their learnings from today’s discussion.
You can connect with Lisa, Lavinia, Brendan, Leona and Rebecca over on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by FourKites, a market-leading next-generation real-time transportation visibility platform for logistics and supply chain.
FourKites is the world's fastest-growing predictive supply chain platform, delivering real-time visibility and execution for Fortune 500 companies and third-party logistics firms across 70 countries. Using a proprietary algorithm to calculate shipment arrival times, FourKites enables customers to lower operating costs, improve on-time performance, and strengthen end-customer relationships. With a network of more than four million GPS/ELD devices, FourKites covers all modes including ocean, rail, parcel and over-the-road.
Today Chris Brumett, Vice President of Facility & IoT Solutions, and Courtland Halbrook, Director of Product Management at FourKites, join me to chat all about the company: what they do; their Dynamic Yard management solution; the importance of collaboration and visibility in supply chain; and why we all need to be committing to sustainability.
[06.32] An overview of FourKites, what they do and how they help their customers.
“We integrate with the complexities of the shippers' supply chain in order to help standardize and provide actionable insights to each data stream.”
[9.18] A closer look at FourKites’ Dynamic Yard Management software.
“You’d be surprised at the large organizations that still use pen and paper and clipboards, that are not leveraging the technology... We’re in a state now where you just can’t do that, you need to digitize operations.”
[12.49] Exactly how customers can benefit by using Dynamic Yard.
“By providing that level of visibility, and traceability once it’s in the facility, we can help companies better manage that expense.”
[17.13] How integration and implementation works with FourKites Dynamic Yard solution.
“Integration means two different things – operational and technical – and it’s the blending of these two that allow our customers to unlock value.”
[19.52] From collaboration to culture, what makes FourKites so special.
“It’s cliché, but it always comes down to the people… Our people live and breathe the industry.”
[21.47] Collaboration: why it’s so important, and how co-innovation with the community has helped FourKites to grow and strengthen its offering.
[25.49] FourKites commitment to sustainability, and how Dynamic Yard can help businesses to meet their own eco goals.
[28.14] Automation, the key trend for 2022 and beyond.
[30.49] The ideal customer for FourKites’ Dynamic Yard solution.
[31.59] A case study, detailing how the FourKites platform brought efficiencies to a key customer, and paid for itself within three short months.
[33.41] The future for FourKites.
Head over to FourKite’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too.
You can also connect with FourKites and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, or you can connect with Chris on LinkedIn or Courtland on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain, I’m joined by Anne Robinson: Chief Strategy Officer; proven leader in analytics, supply chain, and digital transformation; and the 19th president of INFORMS.
Anne is a supply chain strategy expert who, over the course of her career, has worked at major names like Cisco and Verizon. As well as currently serving as the chief strategy officer at Kinaxis, Anne is also a mentor at Creative Destruction Lab, a non-profit organization that delivers an objectives-based program for scalable, seed-stage, science- and technology-based companies.
Today Anne will be talking to us about her career so far; her passion for supply chain; the power of mentors; 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.
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.
[06.46] Anne’s eclectic educational background, and how fate led her to mathematics, operations research and ultimately a career in supply chain.
“If I learned one thing as a child, it was the importance of transferrable skills – so whatever you learned, you could put that into the industry that was hot at the moment.”
[11.11] How Anne’s experience working for big IT brands Cisco and Verizon allowed her to explore a range of different supply chain disciplines and led to a passion for strategy.
“It’s great to have data, but you need to be able to understand the measurements. And you can only define the measurements, if you know the strategy. And that was my evolution to supply chain strategy.”
[17.06] Anne’s role as Chief Strategy Officer at Kinaxis, and her reflections on empowering supply chain professionals through combining people and technology.
“When you introduce human behavior, along with the best analytics possible, that combination allows you to react and respond to the world around you, to make the best decisions for your supply chain.”
[22.29] How becoming a member of INFORMS as a student inspired Anne, her role as president of the organization and why being a part of an industry body during the course of your career is a must.
[28.52] Anne’s role as a mentor at Creative Destruction Lab, why mentors are so important, why you should have multiple mentors throughout your career, and what makes a good mentor/mentee relationship.
“A mentor of mine, pretty early on, said: ‘It’s important for you to be a chameleon, always be relevant to the conversation.’ ”
[34.20] Anne’s experience of balancing motherhood and a successful career, and why we need to talk about it.
“A lot of people forget that you’re not in the same circumstances that you were before, so it was challenging going back to work – and we don’t talk about that enough.”
[37.35] What the future holds for Anne.
[38.52] Anne’s words of advice to all of the women following in her footsteps.
You can connect with Anne over on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I'm joined by C3 Solutions, a global leader specializing in powerful yard management and software solutions.
Today I’m joined by Shifl, a dynamic software company who are reimagining freight forwarding, by bringing you one piece of software that coordinates your entire global supply chain.
Shifl is dedicated to bringing an outdated industry into the 21st century, with its one-stop platform designed to bring efficiency, creativity and connectivity to shipping. Founded in 2019, Shifl already has offices in China, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Georgia.
Today Shabsie Levy, founder and CEO at Shifl, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; the importance of collaboration and visibility in supply chain; and the future of freight forwarding.
[07.13] The journey that led Shabsie to found Shifl in 2019.
“I was really into programming and software… and so, with my eyes, looking at the industry the way it was, every step of the way I was able to see an opportunity.”
[09.25] A closer look at the Shifl platform – what it does and how it helps its customers.
“We started it, from the ground up, based on our imagination of how this industry could look in a few years from now.”
[18.34] Shipping costs, the impact of rate changes during COVID disruption and how Shifl supports its customers.
[24.34] The technical and collaborative sides of integrating the Shifl platform into your systems.
“Logistics is a puzzle – there are so many parties involved and, traditionally, the industry isn’t used to having those integrations.”
[30.56] How Shifl caters to both smaller and larger customers, but why their approach is always the same.
“As much as we’re going to be automating and progressing into the digital age, in our industry, that personal touch is critical.”
[35.10] How customers can benefit from using the Shifl platform.
[39.29] The future for Shifl.
Head over to Shifl’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Shifl and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Shabsie on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today’s episode is a little different to usual. Instead of putting the spotlight onto an industry brand, I’m joined by special guest Brian Glick, founder and CEO at Chain.io and good friend, to talk about a timely topic in supply chain.
We talk all about what to do when times get tough in supply chain, just like they are right now! We discuss the importance of data; the power of collaboration; and why you should be putting more focus on sustainability in your business. Plus, Brian shares his insights on getting back to basics, refocusing on process and remembering that being good at execution is a core competence that can set you apart from the competition.
[07.04] Reflections on 2021.
“We’ve all learned that there are no simple solutions to singular problems in supply chain.”
[11.00] Despite disruption, why now is the right time to get back to basics with our businesses.
“You can’t sprint a marathon, and you can only sustain the bad or broken business processes for so long before you’re just going to collapse.”
[15.12] How we can start to identify the quick wins within our businesses - key areas to simplify and optimize that will make a big difference.
“There are low hanging fruit. The thing I like about document automation, for example, is that you don’t have to get your extended supply chain to come along on the journey with you.”
[17.21] The importance of data and making the most of data partners and tools.
“You don’t have to do it all yourself anymore.”
[23.32] Sustainability in business and supply chain, and why it integrates more easily than you might think.
[28.18] The power of collaboration and connectivity; plus how, and why, Brian created a collaborative ethos at his business, Chain.io.
“Opening up and elevating your conversations to everyone who’s in your value network and exposing them to data… creates opportunity that you didn’t even think about.”
[36.48] The future for supply chain.
“We need to settle into the fact that we don’t live in the same world we lived in five years ago.”
[39.23] Final words of encouragement for how can we all not just survive, but thrive, during and after this period of disruption.
Head over to Chain.io’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Chain.io and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube or Twitter, or you can connect with Brian on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by Caleb Nelson a leader at Sifted, a leading software platform that is using logistics intelligence to bring your business data-powered insights – so you can make smarter shipping decisions.
Sifted is the number one logistics data-science platform that empowers shippers to make smart, data-powered business decisions, and ultimately save money. Originally founded in 2005, Sifted merged with VeriShip in 2020, and the combination created a new model for managing transportation spend — one that brings together the power of self-service technology and transportation data science to help shippers navigate an increasingly complex shipping environment.
[06.25] An overview of what Sifted does, and how it helps its customers.
“It’s a very cool model, and it’s unique… shippers are looking for ways to be more nimble and make smarter decisions.”
[08.07] An explanation of Logistics Intelligence and the role it plays in the Sifted platform.
“Shippers are overwhelmed with data, but they’re stuck in Excel hell!”
[10.21] A closer look at Sifted’s core solutions, what do they do and the challenges they address for customers.
“A lot of customers focus externally when they can be making more cost-saving adjustments internally by focusing on what’s happening in the four corners of their own business – and it’s all in the data.”
[15.40] The Sifted Score – how it works, and the benefits of addressing a business’s overall shipping health.
[23.39] Why the merger between Sifted and VeriShip came about, and how it’s boosted the company’s overall offering.
“It’s the perfect marriage between personnel and technology, with a client base that absolutely needs it.”
[26.01] The current state of shipping, and how disruptions like COVID have impacted logistics digitization.shipp
“One thing that is consistent in transportation is change.”
[31.55] What the next year or so will bring for the shipping industry.
[33.27] Sifted’s ideal customer.
[34.38] Client case study: how Sifted helped a key customer make $2.5 million in cost savings across their ‘undesirable’ shipments.
[38.01] The future for Sifted.
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, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter, or you can connect with Caleb on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by Logixboard, your one-stop customer engagement platform that helps your customers be more efficient and have more visibility into their processes.
Julian Alvarez, Chief Executive Officer at Logixboard, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; their passion for their customers, for industry trends and the latest tech; and the current challenges in supply chain.
[05.55] Julian's entrepreneurial journey.
[09.45] An overview of what Logixboard does and how it helps its customers.
“We are a white-labeled shipping visibility software.”
[13.29] A closer at look at Logixboard's platform, and the challenges it helps to solve for customers.
“We're really trying to provide them that track-and-trace and visibility data... How do we help tell this entire story of the lifecyle of shipment?"
[22.38] Julian and Logixboard's approach to mindset.
“Having a mindset that data is an asset is ultra critical.”
[33.23] Logixboard's ideal customer.
[35.28] A case study for Logixboard.
[39.00] The future for Logixboard.
Head over to Logixboard’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Logixboard and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, or you can connect with Julian 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.
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.
[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.
You can connect with Donna over on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by Logixboard, an exciting software company who are helping freight forwarders to deliver unparalleled customer experience, by combining logistics expertise and personalized service with a powerful digital platform.
Logixboard is a one-stop customer engagement platform for freight forwarders that helps their customers be more efficient and have more visibility into their processes. With a focus on simplifying logistics and delivering unrivalled customer experience, Logixboard can help you to boost customer retention, supercharge your sales team, scale your operations and confidently compete in a busy market.
Today Julian Alvarez, co-founder and CEO at Logixboard, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; their dedication to customer experience; and the challenges facing the shipping industry right now.
[05.30] Julian’s entrepreneurial journey and how he came to co-found Logixboard.
“We fell deeply in love with the industry and the opportunity for impact that we could have.”
[09.40] An overview of what Logixboard does and how it helps its customers.
“Everybody is always thinking about the ROI, everybody has seen technology as a cost center for a very long time – and we’re flipping the script.”
[13.34] A closer look at the Logixboard platform, and what customers can do within it.
“We’re helping freight forwarders provide better visibility – their customers, in a chaotic supply chain, are trying to understand and answer the basic question: ‘where’s my stuff?!’”
[17.10] The ease and speed of integration with the Logixboard platform.
[21.46] The three signs your business is ready for digitization, and the importance of a people-first mindset.
“Having a mindset that data is an asset is ultra-critical.”
[27.18] Julian reflects on resiliency, Logixboard’s COVID experience and how they were able to support their customers through disruption.
“When you’re an entrepreneur, resiliency and grit is at your core.”
[33.17] Logixboard’s ideal customer.
[35.09] Two case studies, looking at how Logixboard helped their customers to achieve success.
[39.07] The future for Logixboard.
Head over to Logixboard’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Logixboard and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, or you can connect with Julian on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by pioneering software company ToolsGroup, the innovators of service-driven supply chain planning software for companies that face high demand volatility, along with distribution and product line complexity.
For more than two decades, ToolsGroup has been helping companies around the globe achieve the highest service levels in their industries while streamlining inventory and logistics costs. Their flagship software, SO99+, automates and optimizes supply chain planning tasks including demand forecasting and sensing, multi-echelon inventory optimization, replenishment and S&OP to meet target service levels.
Today David Barton, General Manager for the Americas at ToolsGroup, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; how their service-driven approach sets them apart; and exactly how we get our businesses ready for anything.
[07.26] The incredible history, dating back to the ’70s, that led founders Joseph and Eugenio to establish ToolsGroup.
“They discovered that the low hanging fruit in manufacturing was supply chain – that’s where the greatest impact could be had… so they focused the whole company on the use of service-driven planning in supply chain.”
[12.31] The three core ToolsGroup focus areas of ‘predict,’ ‘protect’ and ‘perform.’
“Working with the constraints of the real world of supply chain and the built in uncertainty, you need an automated engine to optimize towards target service level - and it’s probabilistic forecasting that makes that possible.”
[15.28] ToolsGroup’s unique service-driven approach, and its benefits.
“Fundamentally, our focus is about business outcome, and service level can be equated to top-line revenue."
[18.58] David reflects on the challenges of the last 18 months and what we can learn from them.
“Dealing with those disruptions puts even more pressure on having digital transformation in your operating model.”
[22.38] A closer look at the challenges of adopting a just-in-case approach to inventory and current lead-time disruption.
“You can’t just crank up your safety stock as a strategy... Having a real word digital model of how your supply chain operates is essential.”
[27.35] Why supply chain digitization and digital transformation are so important.
“…being able to normalize and reconcile differences in data, so that you can get to a single view of the operating model of inventory, is one of the critical challenges customers face.”
[30.22] A profile of ToolsGroup’s ideal client.
[32.12] Client case study: how ToolsGroup helped a key customer increase service levels, inventory efficiency and ultimately increase market share.
[35.00] The future for the industry, and for ToolsGroup.
Head over to ToolGroup’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with ToolsGroup and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube or Twitter, or you can connect with David on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by Quickbase, a company who are on a mission to unleash the creativity and problem-solving power of everyone in your business, so you can innovate every day.
Quickbase is an application development platform that unites business and IT teams by enabling problem solvers of any technical background to work together to safely, securely and sustainably to create an ecosystem of applications. Quickbase helps businesses accelerate the continuous innovation of unique processes by enabling citizen development at scale across one common platform.
Today Peter Rifken, Principal Solutions Consultant at Quickbase, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; the importance of operational agility; and the power to be found in unlocking the potential of your people.
[06.02] An introduction to Quickbase.
“Our goal, at the highest level, is to help our customers achieve operational agility.”
[08.13] An explanation of the terms no-code, low-code and citizen development.
“No code gives you the ability to create end-to-end enterprise grade solutions – but with no coding experience required.”
[13.45] How the Quickbase platform works and its four common pillars.
[17.59] The key misconceptions or objections around embracing a cloud-based citizen development platform like Quickbase.
“We’re talking about the cloud, so I hear a lot of: ‘if you were in this room, talking about Quickbase, 5 years ago – you would’ve been thrown out!'"
[24.22] Integration, scalability and Quickbase Pipelines.
“Legacy systems aren’t going away… We built Pipelines to both plan for your new integration needs and that connectivity to legacy.”
[28.09] Why empowering your people, and unlocking their potential, is so important.
“No-code taps into everybody’s inherent ability and need to solve problems.”
[32.32] The age of operational agility, and how can Quickbase can help facilitate it.
[35.54] The culture and mindset of Quickbase’s ideal client.
[37.48] Case study: how Quickbase helped transform a key client's approach to establishing a new distribution center.
[41.22] What the future holds for Quickbase.
Head over to Quickbase’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Quickbase and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or you can connect with Peter on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain, I’m joined by Tara St James: a fashion designer, sustainable design strategist and responsible supply chain consultant all rolled into one.
Tara has spent the last 20 years designing and producing collections for both men and women; and she’s overseen development, production and design procedures at factories across the globe. This extensive experience in product development, sourcing, textile research and development, led her to dive deeper into sustainability and supply chain, and she’s never looked back.
Tara established her own sustainable womenswear brand in 2009, successfully running it for over 11 years, and went on to found Re:Source(d), a consultancy and education platform looking to demystify the world of sustainable fashion and textile sourcing. She’s an instructor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as holding leadership roles at a sustainable fashion brand and fashion collaboration platform.
Today Tara will be talking to us about her career so far, her love for fashion; her dedication to sustainability and shaping the future of ethical fashion; and she’ll be sharing her experiences as a woman in the industry, and her words of advice for all of those women following in her footsteps.
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.
[06.02] How Tara’s interest in fashion started at just five years old, her career journey and how fashion has changed.
“I’m really grateful that there’s now more and more focus on supply chain and manufacturing, and the hands that are making the clothes – not just the people that are designing them.”
[08.43] The two key ‘a-ha!’ moments in Tara’s career that pushed her towards a passion for sustainability and a more ethical supply chain.
“I had to either leave the industry altogether and stop polluting unknowingly, as I had been, or try to make change. That was the first pivot towards sustainability.”
[13.28] How and why Tara established her own sustainable womenswear brand, Study NY, as well as her consultancy, Re:Source(d), and what she learned along the way.
“Sustainability isn’t a series of checkboxes, you can’t do everything.”
[20.34] How packaging and technology ties into sustainability.
“I see packaging as low hanging fruit for brands who want to start on their sustainability story… it’s the first touchpoint that most customers have with their product.”
[26.25] The damaging impact of fast fashion, and why change is on the way.
“Government and industry are starting to take the fashion industry more seriously. It’s flown under the radar for a while because people think its frivolous – but it's not!”
[30.00] How Tara manages her busy schedule and multiple roles and responsibilities.
[32.19] The increasingly inclusive and collaborative mindset that Tara has experienced as a woman working across the worlds of fashion, supply chain and sustainability.
[34.36] Tara’s ongoing journey of finding her voice.
[36.56] What the future holds for Tara.
[39.46] Tara’s words of advice to all of the women following in her footsteps.
You can connect with Tara over on LinkedIn.
Head over to Re:Source(d)’s website to find out more, or connect and keep up to date with the latest over on Instagram.
Discover Study NY over on their website, or connect and keep up to date with the latest over on Instagram.
Discover Another Tomorrow over on their website, or connect and keep up to date with the latest over on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
Find out more about Eleven Radius over on their website, or connect and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by Vizion, an exciting supply chain and logistics tech company that offers API's and tools to help businesses integrate quality ocean freight tracking data from almost any carrier in a single, easy to use structure.
Founded in 2018, Vizion provides the technology and data needed to build and deliver end-to-end logistics visibility for shippers, forwarders and software developers. Combining simple APIs for tracking international ocean freight with a global web of carrier connections, the Vizion platform provides you with the data you need to optimize the quality and cost of your visibility.
Today Kyle Henderson, CEO & Co-Founder at Vizion, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; how their real-time technology successfully pulls together shippers and forwarders; and the future of visibility.
[07.21] Kyle’s background, and the entrepreneurial spirit that led him to be a part of nine tech start-ups before eventually founding Vizion.
“I really doubled down on understanding analytics and data as the principle elements in each of the companies I worked for. So lets take what I learned in this industry… and take it to this industry who hasn’t done it yet.”
[12.38] Exactly what Vizion does, and how it helps its customers.
“We were encountering, again and again, issues with the data foundations across international logistics. It was tough to get data, and if you could get it, it wasn’t coming through pipes that any modern tech systems would utilize. And then the data itself was fragmented and incomplete.”
[18.24] The fundamental differences between API’s and EDI’s, and Kyle’s reflections on the pros and cons.
[24.54] Why API’s are truly at the heart of digital transformation.
“API’s force better data quality.”
[28.30] A closer look at the Vizion interface and pricing structure.
“Using an API is the most flexible and close-to-instant way to put the information you need in the places and systems you want in the fastest possible time.”
[33.17] From smallest to largest, why Vizion doesn’t necessarily have an ideal customer.
[35.14] Key customer case studies demonstrating the different ways Vizion can help to solve business challenges, and deliver swift ROI.
“Our customers know before their customers ask.”
[39.18] The future for Vizion.
Head over to Vizion’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Vizion and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or Twitter, or you can connect with Kyle on LinkedIn.
Read Vizion's blog post on how API's are enabling supply chain digital transformation here.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by Notably, a modern PR agency that’s on a mission to help leaders take their companies to the next level.
Notably is a PR agency for high-growth companies that want to scale quickly, raise serious capital, be acquired or go public. Combining traditional public relations with digital marketing and creative services, Notably’s senior-level team takes pride in taking both B2C and B2B brands from unknown to notable.
Today Carin Warner, co-founder at Notably, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do and the different ways they can help your brand; as well as her longstanding career in PR, what’s changed over the years and what the future might bring when it comes to making your business stand out from the crowd.
[05.32] Carin’s career in PR, and the journey that led her to co-found Notably.
“I love to think about how to help companies succeed – and that really was the vision behind Notably.”
[08.17] What Notably do and how they help their customers
“We get under the skin of the company we’re working with, understand their pain points… and tell a story that will help them break through the clutter.”
[13.07] Why notably provides, not just a full range of traditional PR services, but also digital advertising and additional creative services.
“We think as entrepreneurs… and I think about if I was running my clients company, what would I need? I want to have the whole arsenal of marketing tools available.”
[16.32] What makes Notably different.
[18.17] The entrepreneurial spirit of Notably’s co-founders and how that translates throughout the business.
[21.06] Carin’s reflections on how PR and communications have changed since she founded her first company, Warner Communications, back in 1997 - and how it informs her approach with Notably.
“There’s no end to the news cycle now. It’s fast and it’s furious, and if you don’t jump in on it, you’re gone.”
[23.22] Why it’s so important for B2B and supply chain brands to work with a company like Notably.
[25.42] Why Notably’s ideal client needs to have a growth mindset and not shy away from taking a risk.
[27.55] Carin’s experience and thoughts on crisis management.
[32.45] How PR and marketing are going to continue to evolve.
“There will be more and more supply chain companies looking for stories in higher level media... that will tell who they are in a broader and more impactful way.”
[35.32] The future for Notably.
Head over to Notably’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Notably and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Carin on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by Transmetrics, a leading tech company that optimizes logistics planning and asset management by leveraging the power of predictive analytics and artificial intelligence.
Transmetrics is a state-of-the-art AI platform developed exclusively for logistics. Established in Bulgaria in 2013, Transmetrics’ unrivaled technology uses a unique approach for analyzing, modeling and predicting transport flows with very high accuracy. Combining the technical knowledge of big data and predictive analytics with hands-on expertise in transport and logistics, Transmetrics’ solutions have brought significant benefits to top-tier logistics companies worldwide.
Today Marc Meyer, Chief Commercial Officer at Transmetrics, joins me to chat all about the company; what they do; the challenges that the logistics industry is facing right now; and the role data, AI and tech innovation will play in the coming years.
[05.47] How and why Transmetrics was founded.
“In most of the companies the founders were working for, there was an issue of inefficient capacity utilization – with no one out there willing to face that challenge.”
[09.35] An overview of what Transmetrics does, and how it helps its customers.
“We bring just-in-time processes to logistics, with the help of artificial intelligence and machine learning.”
[12.34] How the system's broad areas of ‘analyze,’ ‘forecast’ and ‘optimize’ come together to create a smart and robust all-in-one platform.
[18.50] A closer look at how the Transmetrics platform works, as well as the integration and implementation process.
[24.46] Marc reflects on the power of data, and how the Transmetrics platform cleanses and enriches client data.
“Data is only valuable in the right hands, and with the right intentions.”
[29.00] Transmetrics' unique approach to combining people and AI, with their ‘best of both worlds’ ethos.
“There should always be someone involved – not only controlling and checking the machine, but bringing an empathetic view.”
[32.44] Transmetrics’ ideal customer.
[35.25] An impressive case study, detailing how the Transmetrics platform helped a key customer.
[41.22] The future for Transmetrics.
“We want to reshape and revitalize the industry! By making the industry a nicer place to work, and more sustainable, we can do a lot to change it for the better”
Head over to Transmetrics' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Transmetrics and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Marc on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain, I’m joined by Lisa Morales Hellebo: a truly inspirational VC, entrepreneur, product strategist and community builder, with 25 years of experience working with start-ups and Fortune 500s alike.
After beginning her career in graphic design, Lisa pulled together her talents for creativity, product design and innovation and set her sights on tech. After successfully founding her own start-up, and being named one of the Top 10 Women in DC Tech, Lisa realized the impact she could have helping other start-ups. Her passion and commitment to the acceleration of technologies that advance the industry has only grown and now, as well as advising others, she is also the co-founder of two organizations, that focus on funding innovation and revolutionizing supply chain.
Today, Lisa will be talking to us about her career so far; her love for fashion tech and passion for innovation; her reflections on the corporate world’s approach to sustainability; and she’ll be sharing her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps.
Apex Logistics is 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.
[06.06] How Lisa’s creativity took her on an ever-evolving journey from graphic design to fashion tech, supply chain and sustainability.
“My entire career has been obsessed with data, customization, personalization, on-demand – and it’s led me to what I’m doing now.”
[11.17] A closer look at REFASHIOND Ventures – what it does, what ‘refashioning supply chains’ means and the power of supply chain digitization.
[12.59] Why REFASHIOND Ventures is needed, the complex and fascinating journey that led Lisa to found it, and the many things she learned along the way.
“I learned that VC’s don’t know anything about fashion, or retail… so I decided to found and build a fashion tech accelerator – the one that I wished had existed when I had my fashion tech company.”
[24.39] Lisa reflects on some of the key challenges she’s faced when it comes to industry change, mindset and sustainability – and the opportunities that have come from that.
“We produce 4 times the textile waste of any other country in the world, and so we don’t need to produce or grow another fiber for generations – we’re sitting on mountains of waste that could be generations worth of regenerative textiles.”
[35.35] Lisa’s experiences as a Latina woman, in childhood as well as moving through the industry.
“My entire career, my entire life, every choice I’ve made, has been about proving my worth.”
[41.52] Lisa’s words of wisdom for all of the women looking to follow in her footsteps.
“You have to go through a growth process to learn that your differences are your super powers.”
You can find out more about Lisa over on her website, or you can connect with her on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.
Head over to REFASHIOND’s website to find out more, or connect and keep up to date with the latest over on Twitter.
Find out more about REFASHIOND OS on their website.
Learn more about The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation over on their website.
Head over to Assembly Fashion’s website to find out more, or connect and keep up to date with the latest over on Instagram.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by SourceDay, a leading tech company who believes that supplier collaboration is the first mile of your supply chain – optimize that, and you can stop misses at the source.
SourceDay’s cloud solution digitally transforms collaboration between buyers and suppliers. Pulling together RFQ, Purchase Order, and AP Collaboration with quality control, the SourceDay platform allows business to manage their direct spend more efficiently, providing line-item detail that delivers big picture results.
Today Tom Kieley, CEO & Co-founder at SourceDay, joins me to chat all about the company; what they do; the impact of COVID disruption on productivity; and the importance of collaboration, visibility and good data in facilitating strong relationships between buyers and suppliers.
[06.40] How and why SourceDay was founded, and the story behind the name.
“The number one thing that was killing business day in, day out was their suppliers and ability to communicate, collaborate and share – in real time – the misses that were inevitably going to happen.”
[10.28] Exactly what SourceDay does to help its customers.
“Constant change is really the only constant in the supply chain – and SourceDay helps bridge that gap.”
[12.23] A closer look at the modules within the SourceDay platform.
“Most companies spend millions on automating sales processes, ensuring they can sell faster... But the problem they’ve left unanswered is, how do you deliver those promises to your customers at the lowest cost and highest quality possible?”
[20.11] SourceDay’s ERP compatibility and easy integration.
[22.36] Why SourceDay’s supplier-centric product development has been key to its ethos of collaboration, from day one.
[25.26] How everyday disruptions affect spend and PO accuracy – and the impact of COVID.
“Buyers are the unsung heroes of an organization – nothing happens if parts don’t show up!”
[28.13] Why COVID has helped to drive a mindset shift when it comes to key trends like visibility, collaboration, technology and supply chain transformation.
[29.58] A closer look at SourceDay’s ideal customer.
[31.47] A key case study: how SourceDay saved a customer millions in repeat supplier misses, ultimately paying for itself in less than 3 months.
[34.33] The future for SourceDay.
Head over to SourceDay’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with SourceDay and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or Twitter, or you can connect with Tom on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m excited to be joined by 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.
Packaging is a really important topic, because so much of our economy is based around consumption – an average consumer in the western world will handle more than 50 packaged products or items every single day! – and so the conversations around issues like the air miles of those products, the labor practices and of course, sustainability, are key.
Today Sarah joins me to chat 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 business and the environment.
[06.51] The truth about fossil-based plastic production.
“99% of plastics are made from oil and/or natural gas: so the greater the demand for plastic packaging, the greater the need for fossil fuels.”
[09.18] A closer look at the technicalities around recycling – the different rules and regulations, lack of machinery, lack of consumer understanding and the profitability of used plastics.
“Consumers don’t know how to properly dispose of their plastic packaging, so they simply don’t – they throw it in the trash.”
[13.08] Six ways companies can quickly pivot towards greater sustainability in their packaging – without spending a fortune.
[19.41] How to choose the right packaging for your business.
“All plastic is not bad… multi-use plastic can actually be more sustainable than other types of paper packaging.”
[22.27] How recyclable packaging is driving competitive advantage, particularly with Gen Z consumers, and the brands who are setting good examples.
“If you make that investment… you need to make sure you partner with marketing to leverage that messaging.”
[28.32] New innovations in packaging materials, including IKEA’s mushroom packaging.
[32.16] The ‘resin identification code’ on your plastics – how to identify it, what it means and how it can help consumers to recycle more effectively.
[36.17] Sarah’s top tips for making your packaging lighter.
Head over to Real Sourcing Network’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with RSN and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or Twitter, or you can connect with Sarah on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m excited to be joined by 1-Stop: a trailblazer in port logistics solutions, that is working with communities across the world to lead the way in supply chain innovation, building products that continue to enhance productivity and make life easier.
Established in Sydney in 2002, 1-Stop is a world leader in developing innovative solutions for the global port community. Working closely with industry operators, its suite of tailored and integrated products has been developed to help streamline operations, enhance efficiency and optimize productivity throughout the supply chain. With the aim to deliver efficiency gains for all, 1-Stops’s customers include shipping lines, port and terminal operators, freight forwarders, customs brokers, 3PLs, trucking companies, rail operators, importers and exporters.
Today Michael Bouari, CEO at 1-Stop, joins me to chat all about the company; what they do; some of the biggest challenges facing the global port community right now; and the innovations we should expect in the coming years.
Today I’m thrilled to be joined by a giant in business spend management; a company that is looking to unify supply chain, procurement, payments and treasury in one smart and seamless platform, Coupa.
Founded in 2006, Coupa is the cloud platform for business spend management, empowering companies around the world with the visibility and control they need to spend smarter and safer. In partnership with the Business Spend Management (BSM) Community, Coupa is constantly co-creating new and unique capabilities that deliver transparency, efficiency, actionable insights and solutions to customers, partners and suppliers, so they can understand and manage their spending.
Today Matt Tichon, Vice President of Industry Strategy at Coupa Software, joins me to chat all about the company; what they do; the impact of COVID on supply chain resiliency; and why innovation, collaboration and visibility are the keys to business success.
[3.34] A brief background on Coupa and Matt.
[05.55] How Matt compares Camaro's to supply chain.
[9.05] Coupa's key areas and how help their clients understand efficiencies.
“We allow companies to experiment... Instead of making a gut feel with a little bit of data, we can take a whole lot of data and say, 'what happens if?' and we test these things out.”
[12.26] The value of Digital Supply Chain Twin and how it can be a competitive advantage.
[16.25] Matt's thoughts on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.
“The question is, what do you do with your insights once you have them? 85% of data science projects fail. The trick is understanding to start with the end in mind.”
[20.00] How different execution systems all come together.
“It is magic when you do this right! The value unlocks are massive and it's not hard! I want the whole world to know that this is possible and it's easy to do, and we'll hold your hand getting there. You're going to be amazed so just come on this journey!”
[23:36] Matt on Coupa's "War Gaming" concept.
“It's understanding different plays and what your supply chain will look like while your competitors haven't even thought of what to do yet.”
[29.02] Coupa's perspective on nurturing resilience during and after COVID.
[32.30] An ideal customer for Coupa.
“For food, once you get to 500 million dollars or more in revenue, they start to exhaust their team's abilities and they come knocking on our door. Outside of food, 1 billion dollars and above.”
[36.00] A case study for Coupa
[40.53] The future for Coupa and Matt
Head over to Coupa's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Coupa and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Rujul on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain, I’m joined by Ana Lucia Alonzo: a powerhouse supply chainer, who has held impressive leadership roles at major global consumer brands.
After gaining a degree in industrial engineering and an MBA at INCAE Business School in her home nation of Guatemala, Ana Lucia dived feet first into a career in supply chain. Her career has taken her around the world and seen her climb the ranks of supply chain leadership in huge brands like Chiquita. Ana Lucia is now bringing together everything she’s learned so far as VP of global supply chain at Starbucks.
Today Ana Lucia will be talking to us about her career so far, her take on COVID demand and disruption, the importance of brands embracing sustainability; and she’ll be sharing her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps.
We are finding that a lot of supply chain software takes a lot of time for on boarding and our guest today is here to tell us about their solution that can be implemented in days! Thats right Chris from Right Sized inventory is here to tell us all about how they make that happen and what they are doing for warehouses everywhere,
Chris is the Vice President of Right Sized Inventory, an optimization software that helps companies eliminate inventory imbalances through real life simulations. By gathering the correct data all in one place, RSI helps companies get started with predictive analytics and supply chain optimization.
With safety stock being questioned these days because of Covid and organizations are looking at different solutions to help diversify their inventory such as just in case instead of just in time, Chris tells us how his clients are using the data RSI provides them with differently, and they are seeing requests they have never seen before.
The unique selling point with RSI is that they help companies manage their inventory more efficiently at an affordable price. How? They use their own patented technology that gathers and synthesizes data in a couple of hours. By using their software, clients are able to manage their inventory surplus and excess, helping them save them millions of dollars as well as improve customer service levels.
Since RSI is affordable and based on tech, they are able to work with companies of all sizes. Using one real life example, Chris explains how they decreased a client’s inventory levels by 20% and helped them save over 6 million dollars. With the Covid-19 pandemic, they are still able to help businesses prepare for when demand increases and any other what-if scenarios. For the future, RSI is focusing on growing their organic approach, partnering up with consulting firms and embedding their patented technology into their systems.
In this episode we discuss:
Resources and links mentioned: