Today I’m joined by Envase Technologies, a game-changing TMS provider that is on a mission to guide the freight industry into a more sustainable and profitable future.
Envase bring together everything you need to gain visibility and control over your operations, expose inefficiency, and de-clutter your system, including industry-leading TMS options to fit your needs, business intelligence, rate management tools, an integrated mobile driver app, and a complete marketplace.
Today Larry Cuddy, CEO of Envase Technologies, joins me to chat all about the company; the power of strategic mergers and acquisitions; putting a focus on optimization, as well as visibility; and the importance of industry-wide collaboration.
[06.32] An overview of Envase Technologies – what they do and how they help their customers.
“Envase is a digital drayage intermodal platform... and we’re helping optimize terminals.”
[07.25] Larry’s founder journey, and why he decided to tackle a fragmented market by establishing Envase and taking a proactive approach to mergers and acquisitions.
“We all got along as competitors, and now we’re all on the same team!”
[09.00] Why Larry is passionate about ‘getting his hands dirty’ in business, and the importance of collaboration.
“It gets back to culture… so we lead by example. I would never ask anybody to do anything that I haven’t attempted.”
[10.33] Larry announces some breaking news, and explains the impact it will have on the industry, and Envase customers.
“It’s so exciting, because nothing has been attempted like this!”
[12.16] The landscape of the current market, and Larry’s reflections on the key challenges and trends.
“There’s a real big spotlight on visibility and transparency… but ultimately where everyone wants to get to is optimization, and that’s the thing that everybody overlooks.”
[14.47] Larry’s advice for organizations starting their digital transformation journey; how they can identify the available options; and the conversations Envase have with their own clients to discover the best solutions for them.
[17.53] The challenges facing Envase’s customers, and how Envase can help.
“We still fight the fight every day about collaboration… people want to be protective of their data, they don’t want to share, they don’t want to be friends – so we take a very different approach.”
[19.27] From collaboration to data, the future for the industry.
“We’ve got air, we’ve got ocean, we’ve got LTL, we’ve got truckload. We’ve got all these different modes, but nobody shares the same DNA in order to say ‘hey, this is how we do this better!’”
[21.23] The future for Envase Technologies.
“We’re never happy with the status quo!”
Head over to Envase Technologies’ website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Envase and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter, or you can connect with Larry on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode, and want to hear more from Envase Technologies, check out episode 311 featuring Allen Thomas, Chief Commercial Officer at Envase. Allen told me all about the company and what they do; the importance of digitizing drayage; how simplicity empowers growth; and why the freight industry is vital to the future of the nation.
This episode was filmed at Manifest 2023. If you want to hear another fantastic episode filmed at the event, why not check out episode 322, Innovative Asset Tracking Made Easy, with Blackberry Radar.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by Makersite, an award-winning, sustainability-driven software-as-a-service provider helping manufacturing enterprises solve complex challenges around their products and supply chains.
Makersite develops next-generation product data management tools for the global manufacturing industry, providing AI, data and apps for sustainable product and supply chain decisions at scale. Founded in 2018, the platform is the only cloud-based platform combining data aggregation and live applications for agile product life cycle management.
Today Neil D'Souza, Founder and CEO at Makersite, joins me to chat all about the brand and what they do; using automation to help achieve Net Zero; the importance of shortening innovation cycles; and transforming visibility into resilience.
[06.35] Neil’s background, his early interest in sustainability, and why he founded Makersite.
“I got into the space early.. and it wasn’t so much about carbon… it was more about looking at how much we waste from what we create or extract from the environment, and how we can change it.”
[09.52] How things have changed since Makersite was founded in 2018, why they’re still helping clients to do the same thing, but with vastly different decision-making criteria, and why everyone is looking for the next big thing to drive innovation forward.
“Wherever you look across the globe, there is a race like never before.”
[13.07] An overview of Makersite – what they do and how they help their customers.
“The problem fits squarely in the hands of people that make stuff. Very often, we direct attention to how we use it, but it really isn’t... We shouldn’t direct responsibility away.”
[16.10] The ideal client for Makersite.
[17.58] A case study showing how Makersite helped Microsoft figure out where to invest money to reduce impact, by quickly analyzing component data to allow them to optimize and drive effective change.
[22.06] Sustainability and the goal of Net Zero, the struggle with translating big ESG ambitions into practical action and how Makersite are helping businesses to ‘automate their way to net zero.’
“Net Zero is almost theoretical. Practically, there’s no way to get to net zero, unless you look at off-setting as one component… But you cannot just continue to operate as you do today, and just buy credits somewhere else, that doesn’t work.”
[29.26] How Makersite are empowering manufacturers to accelerate product design, and the importance of shortening innovation cycles to design better products faster.
“We want to get to Net Zero by 2050, and lots of countries and companies have pledged for this. That’s 30 years. But the average go-to-market for an innovation cycle for technology today is five to seven years. So if you’re a car designer you have five iterations, at most, to make your car net zero.”
[33.44] Supply chain risk, the importance of resilience and how Makersite are helping to transform visibility into resilience.
“Resilience is the reaction to disruption.”
[39.40] What integration and onboarding looks like with Makersite.
[41.35] The future for Makersite.
Head over to Makersite’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Makersite and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or Twitter, or you can connect with Neil on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more brands talking about sustainability and a Net Zero goal, check out episode 312, featuring Mark Ang, Co-founder and CEO at GoBolt, where he talked all about bringing sustainability to an industry notorious for its heavy impact on the environment, and his organization's goal to reach carbon-negative deliveries by the end of 2023.
Or why not check out my blog, Combating Climate Change with Supply Chain Solutions, for a quick read on going green.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
It’s episode 29 of Blended: I’m joined by a new panel of incredible guests and, today, we’re talking about fostering an inclusive workplace.
Creating an inclusive workplace doesn’t just benefit your employees, it can pay off in dividends for your business. Companies with a strong culture of inclusion—one that encourages innovation and collaboration among staff—are increasingly seen as more attractive to potential employees, clients, and investors. From revising hiring practices to restructuring internal policies, embracing diversity can be an invaluable asset to any organization.
Today, we’ll discuss how you can foster a positive atmosphere at work where everyone feels accepted and respected no matter their gender identity or cultural background.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
[00.58] Introductions to our Blended panelists.
[04.10] The group shares their definitions of what being an inclusive workplace means, and which groups we may be talking about.
“It means figuring out how we can create a level playing field so that everyone has an opportunity to thrive in their respective roles.” Desiree
[11.26] The panel discusses the challenges of creating an inclusive workplace.
“To get it into our DNA you have to get past that tokenism, right? Its the intentionality.” Anonmyous
“Your actions need to speak louder than just the words.” Sarah
[25.30] The group discusses the role that bias plays in inclusive workplaces, how to get over it, how to make it a part of communication, and how to normalize it.
“We have to build up in our cultures and our workplaces that you shouldn't be afraid to make that mistake. Be mindful of it, but don't be afraid.” Johnathan
“We're all human beings so bias is going to creep up at some point, you just have to be able to recognize it and check it.” Desiree
[1.06] The panel sums up their thoughts from today’s discussion.
“Be who you are, love it, be fabulous. Be the world you want to live in and the rest will usually take care of itself.” Brian
Encouraging an inclusive work environment is essential for an organization’s success, as it can help foster communication between teams, promote respect among different cultures and perspectives and lead to better emotional well-being for employees. We hope this article has helped to demystify the term “inclusive workplace” and offered practical steps for cultivating one. Everyone has a role to play in fostering inclusivity at work; from tackling our own biases to helping create an open dialogue about diversity, we can all work together to make sure everyone feels safe and accepted. If you found this post informative and would like to stay connected with us, please follow us on social media where we offer regular tips and tricks related to creating an inclusive workplace. Together we can take steps toward creating a workplace culture where everyone feels respected and valued.
You can connect with Desiree, Johnathan, and Brian over on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more from our guests, check out:
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
Today I’m joined by BlackBerry Radar, a logistics technology brand that delivers asset monitoring, engineered for intelligence, and designed to solve for your most common transportation challenges.
Launched in 2016, BlackBerry Radar is an intelligent, secure and user-friendly asset tracking and monitoring solution. It provides reliable industry-leading visibility into a range of fleet assets, including trailers, flatbeds, chassis and intermodal containers, utilizing device hardware, a secure communications network, and a dynamic cloud platform.
Today Shannon Hamilton, Vice President of Blackberry Radar Sales, joins me to chat all about the brand and what they do; pioneering the future of hyperconnectivity; making the complex simple; and leveraging real-time insights to deliver better, and faster, customer service.
[06.03] How the transportation industry’s challenges have evolved, the landscape of the industry in a post-pandemic environment, and the key focus areas for logistics businesses.
“Coming out of the pandemic we’ve seen a bit of a slowdown, so now it’s really about assessing and right-sizing your fleet, and making better financial decisions about where you’re investing in those assets.”
[07.36] An overview of Blackberry Radar – what they do and how they help their customers.
“Everybody knew Blackberry, back when it was their favorite handset, but most people don’t know what we’re doing today… We’ve been using all of our Intellectual Property, and including all of the design capabilities of building handset software, but now we’re building devices for the transportation industry.”
[09.21] A closer look at the Radar device itself, what it does, and how and where it can be installed.
“Marrying both the physical location with the inside of that piece of equipment is really enabling next-level efficiency.”
[12.12] From helping to reduce empty miles to improved maintenance efficiency, the benefits of installing BlackBerry Radar in your trailers.
[16.49] The most efficient ways to mitigate risk, the importance of good data, and how Blackberry Radar can help.
“Mitigating risk is really about having the information in a usable way, that can improve the way you make decisions. The quality of your decisions is really based on the data that you have – if you have good data, you make good decisions.”
[18.59] The challenges within intermodal and how Blackberry Radar can help with a range of issues from displacement and theft to next-level visibility.
[23.43] A closer look at what reporting, data and customization looks like with Blackberry Radar.
“Every business has different business rules and different logic that they’re working towards. So all of those events can be customized so you’re making use of that information in the best possible way.”
[25.42] The ideal client for Blackberry Radar.
[26.19] A case study showing how Blackberry Radar helped a key client to better utilize existing equipment instead of regularly invest in new assets, ultimately resulting in a vast reduction of capital investment, reduction in maintenance, creation of new revenue streams and enhanced customer experience.
[30.11] The future for BlackBerry Raday.
Head over to Blackberry Radar’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Blackberry Radar and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Shannon on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Shannon, check out her blog for our Women In Supply Chain series, where she shares more about her career journey, who inspires her and her experience as a woman in a historically male-dominated industry.
This episode was filmed onsite at Manifest. Look out for more incredible content from the show - coming soon!
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.
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
[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.
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.