Info

Let's Talk Supply Chain

Let's Talk Supply Chain is not your average supply chain podcast. We feature not just the top of the industry, but also diverse voices from within the community, new innovations and the disrupters making waves in the industry. Don’t listen to the same ol' same ol', be sparked by new ideas and fresh perspectives only on Let's Talk Supply Chain.
RSS Feed Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
Let's Talk Supply Chain
2024
April
March
February
January


2023
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2022
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
July
June
May
April


Categories

All Episodes
Archives
Categories
Now displaying: January, 2022
Jan 31, 2022

Today I’m joined by TransImpact, a game-changing logistics tech company that is transforming business performance through industry-leading technology, relentless customer service, and future-focused knowledge.

TransImpact is an industry leader in the development and application of end-to-end technology-based solutions that optimize shipping operations, create dramatic supply chain efficiencies and transform the business performance of customers.

Today Berkley Stafford, CEO at TransImpact, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; the importance of integrating technology into logistics; and the key challenges and trends, from data to shipping, happening in the industry right now.

 

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

 

[06.52] An introduction to TransImpact – what they do, and how they help their customers – and a look at how and why the company was founded.

“… we can analyze, help you identify efficiencies and ultimately improve your margins – we stay away from soft costs, let’s get right into the hard costs, and what’s in your bank account!”

[09.45] A closer look at TransImpact’s parcel solutions.

“Parcel is such a dynamic industry right now, and extremely volatile.”

[14.33] TransImpact’s unbiased ‘behind the scenes’ approach.

“Our technology and expertise has nothing to do with influencing you... We don’t care if you want to use UPS or Fedex – the savings are on the table, regardless of the carrier you use.”

[16.27] Current industry challenges: what TransImpact has seen, and how their business has pivoted to support their customers.

“Now, we’re taking a different approach – we’re not only saving customers money, we’re giving them an entirely different opportunity to alleviate capacity concerns.”

[20.14] Why complexity leads to opportunity.

[22.27] Why the industry has, on the whole, been slow to embrace new technologies and digitization.

[25.48] A closer look at the integration of TransImpact solutions.

[27.45] Data and visibility: the challenges, and how TransImpact can help.

“You wouldn’t believe the left hand not knowing what the right hand knows, and how disconnected they are – and you wouldn’t believe the amount of data customers don’t actually have, because it’s dirty.”

[32.02] The ideal customer for TransImpact.

[34.29] Case studies: how TransImpact helped two key customers.

[41.49] The future for TransImpact, and for the logistics industry.

 

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

 

Head over to TransImpact’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with TransImpact and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook or Twitter, or you can connect with Berkley on LinkedIn.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Jan 24, 2022

Today I’m joined by Emerge, an exciting software company that is on a mission to empower meaningful logistics relationships through transformative technologies.

The Emerge Digital Freight Marketplace provides access to benchmarked rates and thousands of trusted partners to maximize cost-savings. The platform allows you to grow your network, while leveraging your current connections for spot and contract freight.

Today George Abernathy, President at Emerge, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; bringing accountability to logistics; and why it’s so important to bring all the industry players together in order to build positive and mutually beneficial networks.

 

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

 

[07.01] How and why Andrew Leto came to found Emerge in 2017.

“In procurement, within transportation, there really weren’t any best practices.”

[11.03] An introduction to Emerge – what they do, and how they help their customers.

“There are Fortune 500 shippers that are still using spreadsheets to do their transportation procurement, thinking they’re in the vicinity of best practices – and they’re not!”

[14.13] A closer look at the features and benefits of the Emerge platform for shippers.

[21.23] Carrier’s limited access to freight, and why it’s important not to limit possibilities and to open up the industry.

“In this marketplace, finding the right carrier for a particular shipper and meeting their need… has never been more challenging than it is today, and that’s why Emerge has had so much rapid success.”

[27.53] The ease of integration with the Emerge platform.

“It used to be that you’d go through months and months of working… now we’ll do a demo and within a week or two, a client will be running hundreds of millions of dollars through our system.”

[31.52] The Emerge ethos, and the importance of accountability, transparency and collaboration.

“We are providing an unbiased, transparent solution, which allows for quick turn on – you can’t stand around and wait for value to happen.”

[35.50] The ideal customer for Emerge.

[38.25] A key customer case study.

[42.02] The future for Emerge.

 

 

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

 

Head over to Emerge’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Emerge and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or Twitter, or you can connect with George on LinkedIn.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Jan 19, 2022

It’s episode 16 of Blended: I’m joined by another amazing panel of guests and we’re talking about OCD – obsessive compulsive disorder. This is a really interesting topic because it’s a name I think a lot of people recognize, but I’m not sure it’s something that as many people really understand. And that is why we do this show.

Today we’ll be diving into our guests personal experiences with OCD; the impact of the media; issues around stereotypes and assumptions; and the panel will be sharing their advice for creating more supportive and inclusive workplaces.

 

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

 

[0.37] Introductions to our Blended panellists.

  • Miguel – Student of finance and accounting
  • India – OCD expert, speaker and trainer

[02.04] An explanation of what OCD is, and how it impact a person’s life.

“The OCD brain is highly analytical.” India

[07.14] The panel share their own stories and personal experiences of OCD.

  • Emergence in childhood
  • Biological, psychological and social combination of factors
  • Genetic component
  • Links to factors such as strep virus or trauma
  • Impact on others

“It impacted my marriage – it was taking me four or five hours to get into bed because of my rituals. It can be very confusing and disempowering for a partner.” India

[15.49] The group discuss inaccurate assumptions around OCD, both in the media and in wider society.

  • Personal experiences of other’s understanding, or lack of
  • Stereotypes
  • Different OCD manifestations
  • Lack of belief and accusations that people are exaggerating their condition
  • More education
  • Stop using OCD as an adjective
  • Trivializing OCD and presenting it as comical

“OCD is incredibly serious, it’s often very dark and it’s often so abhorrent, so disgusting and revolting for the person experiencing the thoughts, that it results in these extreme and bizarre behaviours.” India

[24.28] The panel reflect on the prevalence of OCD within society, compared with the lack of understanding.

  • International OCD Foundation statistics
  • Destigmatizing mental ill health
  • Raising awareness
  • Media impact and social media – double edged swords
  • Empathy and not leaping to judgement
  • Seeking help

“Many people think that mental health is exaggerated, that people want attention – but mental health is just as important as physical health.” Miguel

[41.43] The group discuss OCD in the workplace, and the impact on both person and business.

  • Why people don’t inform workplaces
  • Why Miguel shares his diagnosis upfront
  • Discrimination
  • Workplace support – eg training, extended deadlines and time off
  • Education for management and HR
  • Creating safe spaces

“The key is in respect and understanding, without judging in a hasty way.” Miguel

[57.12] The panellists sum-up their thoughts from today’s discussion.

 

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

 

You can connect with India and Miguel over on LinkedIn.

Head over to OCD Excellence’s website to find out more and discover how they could help. You can also connect with OCD Excellence and keep up to date with the latest over on Instagram or YouTube.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

 

Jan 17, 2022

Today I’m joined by Flock Freight, a Certified B Corp that’s reinventing the supply chain by relentlessly eliminating waste and inefficiency.

Flock Freight is a sustainability-focused technology company, aiming to reinvent North America’s freight market. As the first firm in the industry to build algorithms that pool shipments at scale, deliver freight with carbon neutral shared truckload service and to earn a B Corporation certification, their goal is to eliminate freight waste and inefficiency and, ultimately, create a positive impact on our people and planet.

Today Melina Faireleigh, Senior Vice President of People at Flock Freight, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; utilizing shared truckload to meet your sustainability goals; and why it’s so important to put a focus on people.

 

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

 

[06.45] An introduction to Flock Freight – what they do, and how they help their customers.

“We’re taking carriers and customers and connecting them in a way that benefits both sides of the equation.”

[08.50] How Melina’s career experience prepared her for her current role at Flock Freight.

“I’ve focused my career on finding, hiring and training a really customer-centric employee population.”

[11.58] Shared truckload: what it means, how it’s different and its benefits.

[14.24] The typical customer response to shared truckload, and the importance of ongoing education.

[15.48] A closer look at the Flock platform from a carrier perspective.

“When a carrier signs onto the platform, they can access the loads that match their capacity, equipment and lane preferences… The Flock platform is the only place that carriers can self-serve book shared truckloads online.”

[17.43] Integration, and why high levels of connectivity and shared data, without huge investment in tech, is changing the game in logistics.

“The best technology is the technology that makes life easier, not more complicated!”

[20.14] Sustainability, and how Flock Freight offer a carbon neutral service.

[23.28] How Flock Freight’s commitment to sustainability translates into helping their customers to meet their own sustainability targets.

“One of the best ways for organizations to become more sustainable is to partner with companies that are also seeking to do the same.”

[25.34] Flock Freight's B Corp certification – what it means, how you get certified and why it’s so important.

“… it’s businesses that are invested in people and planet, as well as profit – altogether, not at the expense of one another.”

[28.04] The ideal customer for Flock Freight.

[32.53] A case study, showing how the Flock Freight platform helped a key customer to reduce emissions by 48% and save 1.2 million pounds of CO2 emissions.

[35.47] What the future holds for Flock Freight, and for the logistics industry as we continue to navigate COVID disruption.

 

 

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

 

Head over to Flock Freight’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Flock Freight and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, or you can connect with Melina on LinkedIn.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Jan 10, 2022

Today I’m joined by Boardwalktech, a super exciting and innovative developer of transformational enterprise information management technology solutions. Their solutions enable better visibility, collaboration, alignment, and compliance capabilities for your extended value chain so you can make more insightful and actionable decisions, faster.

Boardwalktech were the first to develop a now patented positional data management technology. And they were also the first to deliver a Digital Ledger database designed for collaborative, secure, and compliant multi-party enterprise applications — both disruptive offerings in the market.

Today Andrew Duncan, president and CEO at Boardwalktech, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; using digital to transform supply chain; combining legacy systems with new technologies; and the power of innovation.

 

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

 

[05.43] An introduction to Andrew, his Silicon Valley background and how he came to join Boardwalktech.

“Living in Silicon Valley my whole life, you kind of catch the bug with regard to technology and building companies!”

[06.58] All about Boardwalktech – what they do, and how they help their customers.

“The bottom line is that most companies are still using Excel to run their businesses – it’s astounding!”

[10.52] A closer look at Boardwalktech’s Digital Ledger Technology, and how it’s changing the game in supply chain.

“Having a digital ledger that has a time element to it is a critical component of anyone’s go-forward supply chain strategy.”

[13.53] Digitization, intellectual property and how Boardwalktech is extracting value from legacy systems and utilizing it, without fundamental business change.

[21.28] Unstructured data, and the power of collaboration.

“When you automate collaboration and you move the data into a single version of the truth… it helps people move to a decision point much faster.”

[25.52] The importance of on-going innovation, and the huge potential to be found in low code application platforms.

“Low code application platforms are very exciting – it really is the future, with developers in such short supply.”

[28.47] The ideal client for Boardwalktech.

[30.48] A case study, showing how the Boardwalktech platform drastically reduced response time to increase sales by 35% for a key customer.

[35.57] The future for Boardwalktech.

 

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

 

Head over to Boardwalktech’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Boardwalktech and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or Twitter, or you can connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Jan 3, 2022

In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain, I’m joined by Joanna MacDonald: entrepreneur; fashion designer; communications and training specialist; and philanthropist.

After working in film administration and corporate HR, Joanna discovered a passion, and talent, for fashion design. And, after completing several short courses with London College of Fashion and the University of the Arts, London, Joanna went on to found her own luxury responsible accessory brand, Piper and Skye, where she is creative director. Joanna is also an advisor for fashion tech brand Runway Buy, and founder of non-profit organization Safe Transitions.

Today Joanna will be talking to us about her career so far; her passion for sustainability; the importance of transparent supply chains; 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:

 

This Women in Supply Chain feature was made possible by our sponsor, Emerge. As a company focused on empowering and growing meaningful supply chain relationships, Emerge is proud to sponsor Women in Supply Chain. Through its freight procurement platform, Emerge offers solutions that enhance the spot and contract procurement process, enabling shippers and carriers to make more strategic decisions.

 

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

 

[06.18] Joanna’s journey, from film school to a HR career in the family business, and what she learned along the way.

[10.19] How a desire for change and a talent for creativity led Joanna to re-train and found her own luxury responsible accessory brand, Piper & Skye.

“From the success of our family business… I was lucky enough to watch how they operated… it’s a family, and I knew that’s how I wanted to run my business.”

[12.50] A closer look at Piper & Skye and what it stands for.

“I knew from day one that I wanted to keep my supply chain close to me.”

[16.00] Why socially responsible, transparent and sustainable business is so important.

“The fashion and luxury goods industries have really stepped up to pay attention and be aware of the impact that we’re having as an industry on the environment and the climate.”

[19.43] Sustainability, and how brands like Piper & Skye can innovate in the industry, champion sustainability and transparency and help to move the needle.

“You can’t tackle all 17 (ESG) goals – you have to pick a couple and really do your best to make a genuine impact.”

[25.31] Joanna’s Sigma black belt goals, her role as an advisor for Runway Buy and the rise of ecommerce.

[31.30] Joanna’s organization Safe Transitions, how she came to found it, and how businesses can get involved.

“I’m a risk-taker – I don’t think twice about taking on a new project. If I get an idea, I’ll just go for it, nothing stops me.”

[38.40] How competitive Highland dance helped Joanna find her voice.

[40.15] Joanna’s words of advice to all of the women following in her footsteps.

 

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

 

You can connect with Joanna over on LinkedIn.

Head over to Piper and Skye’s website to find out more, or connect and keep up to date with the latest over on Instagram or Facebook.

Find out more about Safe Transitions over on their website, or connect and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

1