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On The Margins: How procurement leaders can maintain supplier relationships, support teams, nurture trust and build resilience in volatile markets.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.24] An introduction to Michael van Keulen, and what he loves about travel and spending time with the supply chain community.
“I love to connect, I take so much pride in what I get to do every day… Helping and playing a role in the community we’ve created keeps me energized.”
[08.31] From the opportunities in technology to big macro challenges, the issues that are top of mind for the procurement community right now, and why collaboration remains crucial.
“We’re excited about technology, there’s so much out there… Finding the right solution isn’t easy, but there’s a lot of attention now paid to technology in procurement.”
[12.48] Coupa’s Mind Your Business campaign.
[14.08] The importance of talking about how to thrive through cost-cutting and corporate changes.
[15.09] An introduction to Rendi Miller from GitLab, and what she loves about procurement.
“Like many people, I fell into procurement. And it’s served me so well because of the network of people I’ve met, friends that I’ve made. It’s a really unique group.”
[18.10] How to approach change and navigate transition, and Rendi’s personal experience of managing big corporate transitions.
“The one thing we can always count on is change. You need to be adaptable, and not be afraid of it… Have trust with your employees as a leader, and have a solid foundation built for your people, processes, and technology.”
[21.48] Rendi’s advice to her younger self for navigating change.
“Every time I’ve been through some sort of change, it’s really been for the better in the long run... You can’t be shortsighted.”
[25.14] The challenges Rendi faced, and lessons she learned, from managing corporate transitions.
[27.40] Rendi’s advice for procurement leaders to help maintain supplier relationships in the face of pressure.
“The time when you need them to step in and help you with a reduction is not the time to start building a relationship! The time to build relationships is right from the beginning… Treat them as partners instead of just vendors that work for you.”
[30.13] How leaders can support their teams emotionally during big changes.
[34.18] What procurement leaders can do now to improve resilience for the future.
[35.15] It’s trivia time! Three questions stand between an audience member and a brand new pickleball set.
[40.02] Coupa Inspire returns in 2025 – don’t miss your chance to meet Sarah and Michael in Las Vegas.
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:If you enjoyed the show, there are plenty more episodes of On The Margins to explore, or check out 213: Manage Your Supply Chain Planning Smarter and Safer with Coupa.
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Tom Burke of CargoWise Landside talks about how drayage rating & quoting best practices can improve supply chain management, visibility, & logistics execution.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.59] An introduction to Tom and his career journey, how he founded DrayMaster, and its current place in the extensive CargoWise Landise portfolio.
“You could say that I’ve had my hand in every cookie jar when it comes to this industry, and I’ve gained valuable insights from each experience.”
[09.49] Trend one: The importance of collaboration in supply chain management, the improving integration and interoperability between stakeholders, and how a shared access to pricing is helping to drive improvement.
“A supply chain without collaboration would be fragmented, inefficient, and unable to meet the demands of modern commerce… It’s the glue that holds the entire industry together.”
[13.23] Trend two: What visibility and transparency mean to CargoWise Landside, the areas of supply chain where they’re most impactful, and how they support drayage rating and quoting best practices.
“Forwarders are working across multiple time zones, they need instant access to accurate rates… Waiting for hours or days just doesn’t cut it any more. And for trucking companies, if you’re not providing rates electronically, your likely missing out on opportunities to quote and move freight.”
“Together, they’re the foundation of today’s drayage and quoting practices.”
[18.05] Trend three: The role of automation in shipping logistics and supply chain management – how it’s reducing manual effort, breaking down data siloes, and ensuring accuracy across data, from quote to invoice.
“Ultimately, it’s all about efficiency and transformation. Automation is changing the way businesses operate, enabling them to run leaner and more efficiently with the precision that’s now needed.”
[21.05] From rising customer expectations to issues with change management, the biggest challenges these three core trends present to drayage operators.
[26.26] How drayage operators are managing through these trends and challenges, and why digitalization is no longer a nice-to-have.
[28.47] ‘Good, better, best’ – the three step approach to best practices, why best practices are needed across the industry, and how they pull together the key trends of collaboration, transparency, and automation.
[32.52] How DrayMaster can help truckers to reduce quote turnaround times by up to a huge 95%.
[34.59] A case study detailing how DrayMaster helped a 3PL to achieve 44% lower rates, resulting in annual savings of over $1.5 million, and drastically reducing invoice discrepancies by over 50% and counting.
[39.30] How DrayMaster helps truckers and 3PLs to work together, deliver collaboration, visibility and data, and how drayage rating and quoting best practices can improve supply chain management and logistics execution.
“When truckers and 3PLs work together seamlessly, the ripple effect benefits everybody involved.”
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:Head over to CargoWise Landside’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with CargoWise and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, X (Twitter) or Facebook, you can connect with Tom on LinkedIn.
If you want to hear more from CargoWise, we have plenty more for you! Check out 412: Maximize Warehouse Efficiency and Profitability, with CargoWise, 406: Unlock the Opportunities of Cross-Border Ecommerce, with CargoWise, 346: Enable and Empower Your Supply Chain, with WiseTech, 367: Going Beyond Visibility – Unveiling The Invisible, 369: From Chaos To Clarity: Simplifying Global Customs Compliance, 371: Going Beyond Visibility – From Risk to Resilience: How Technology Is Transforming Global Supply chains, or 373: Going Beyond Visibility – Culture and Digitization.
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Fehlende Folgen?
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Bill Catania of OneRail talks about their recent Series C funding; collaboration with IBM Sterling®; & the challenges for retailers and wholesalers in 2025.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.46] An introduction to Bill, and how OneRail are empowering customers to design and execute their own brand of delivery solutions.
“I love what we do – we’re solving a shopper marketing problem with supply chain and logistics... We’re helping our customers fulfil excellence at scale.”
[09.57] OneRail’s successful Series B funding round in 2022, and the exciting changes they implemented with this initial investment to position themselves for growth.
[12.37] How OneRail are building on that growth with $42 million of Series C funding and an overview of the OneRail vision that this further investment will help propel them towards.
“Venture capital for logistics and supply chain tech start ups has reduced by 90%. We just raised a Series C – a very difficult round under good circumstances – at a time when 90% of funding is gone. And there’s only one way to recognize that – the team.”
[18.32] OneRail’s new partnership with IBM Sterling® Order and Fulfillment Suite, and how it aligns with Bill’s vision for creating frictionless experiences.
“We’re trying to remove friction. When we look at the pandemic, there were a lot of point solutions, solving little pieces of the problem. And now we’re seeing a lot of deprecation in some of those platforms, because they’re not solving enough of the bigger problems.”
[21.17] The customer benefits of the OneRail and IBM Sterling® collaboration.
“The only way to build trust is repeatable success, and then you build a behavior, and then you build loyalty.”
[26.20] Why OneRail built its own fintech platform expansion for freight audit pay and claims, how it helps customers and its pioneering place as the first solution in the market for this category.
[31.49] The biggest challenges facing retailers and wholesalers in 2025.
“Data siloes are what holds up optimization, but optimization is where the value is.”
[33.32] With those challenges in mind, where retailers and wholesalers need to focus, and what they need to prioritize, for the year ahead.
“A decentralized, fully interoperable solution is absolutely the future.”
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:Head over to OneRail’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with OneRail and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or X (Twitter) or you can connect with Bill on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed the show and want to hear more from OneRail, listen to 419: Discover OmniPoint Inventory Visibility and Tackle Shrinkage, with OneRail, 349: Deliver a Frictionless Last Mile, with OneRail, and 393: Get 100% Visibility Over Your Final Mile, with OneRail.
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Mandar Rahatekar of Manhattan talks about unified supply chain planning; breaking siloes; UI design; & leveraging AI and machine learning to reduce complexity.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.47] An introduction to Mandar, and an overview of Manhattan.
[07.48] Mandar’s career, his journey from Manhattan customer to employee, and what he loves about supply chain.
“I’m a mechanical engineer. I started my career in manufacturing and the first lesson I learned, day one on the shop floor, was: I knew nothing.”
[11.13] Why the industry is starting to pay attention to unification, and why technology, the ever-growing complexity of supply chain, and increasing speed of business mean it’s more important than ever to merge supply chain planning with execution.
“We’re at the right intersection of the requirement of us as customers, and the technology that will support it.”
[16.07] Why supply chain has historically been so siloed, and how the changing speed of communication and evolution of siloed working led to a culture of tech integrations.
“As humans, we need to solve problems that are manageable… There’s a limit to how much we can do, so we have departments… And everybody chose to solve the problem they can actually influence.”
[21.38] How creating one single plan can help to break down siloes, and align all resources to a common business objective.
“I learned, as a forecast analyst, as soon as I publish a forecast, I’m lying! Because it’s no longer right, things have already changed… The process is there, but the speed doesn’t match the speed of business. We have to use technology to match that speed.”
[24.58] How organizations can simplify the planning process, to build a plan that works for everyone across departments and priorities.
[29.59] The challenges of different internal and external data sources, and how businesses can leverage AI and machine learning to sift through them and produce more accurate demand forecasts.
“More data is good, but it doesn’t always lead to accurate forecasts.”
[36.29] The importance of UI design, and how it can bring simplicity and transparency for users.
[41.26] Continuous order build – what it means, and why it’s important.
[44.02] How having a broad unified view, and keeping everyone focused on a common business objective, benefits a business’s bottom line; and the key drivers of ROI for customers.
“The biggest cost driver is inventory itself, with the cost of labor to add value and move it around, then warehousing and transportation. About 70% of the cost of goods sold is inventory.”
[48.06] Why generative AI is the trend every supply chain professional should be thinking about in 2025.
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Maria Madrigal talks about her career journey; overcoming challenges in a male-dominated industry; her leadership style; & the achievement she’s most proud of.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.56] An introduction to Maria and WSI.
[07.20] Maria’s 24-year tenure at WSI, and what she loves about the business.
“I built relationships, I just love WSI, it’s like a family… like home.”
[08.02] Maria’s first role as a window clerk and what it taught her.
“I saw a lot of disgruntled drivers, but that started my journey of building a thick skin!”
[09.27] Maria’s perspective on formal education within the industry, and finding the balance between real-life experience and academic learning.
“Education is important, but there’s no textbook that’s going to teach you what you learn hands-on.”
[11.27] The challenges Maria faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
[14.27] How WSI supported Maria in her journey to becoming their first female Director of Operations, and the role of both mentors and advocates in her growth.
[17.45] The three key qualities every mentor should have and Maria’s advice for mentees.
“You’ve got to be brave enough to raise your hand – it’s OK to ask for help… And if you don’t ask, you don’t get.”
[19.25] The biggest challenge, and opportunity, for the industry right now.
“I know we have to be automated to be competitive… but, in doing so, the challenge is making sure we don’t lose the connectivity with individuals, that personal one-on-one touch. With automation, we lose that.”
[21.33] Maria’s leadership style, and how it translates to success for her team.
[24.32] Maria’s biggest achievement.
“I felt vindicated. The fact that I’m here, I am who I am now – that’s a testament to my success.”
[27.37] What winning the Women In Supply Chain ‘Trailblazer’ award means to Maria.
“For those that doubted me, here I am today as a trailblazer and a Director.”
[28.31] Maria’s biggest inspiration.
[29.27] The future for Maria, and WSI.
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Mercedes Pina talks about her career journey; her experience as an immigrant; her passion for logistics; and why she believes that anything is possible.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[07.05] Mercedes’ experience as a young immigrant in Long Island, and why her parents instilled in her a sense of hard work and perseverance.
“The sacrifices my parents made gave me the opportunity to strive for excellence in everything I do.”
[08.47] The challenges Mercedes faced as a young immigrant in a new country, her approach to tackling them, and how those experiences shaped the woman she is today.
[10.11] Where Mercedes’ career began, and how she discovered a passion for logistics.
“Initially, I thought logistics would be something temporary. But as I got deeper into the industry, I became captivated by it’s vastness and complexity, and by the challenges of understanding the full scope of it.”
[11.58] Mercedes’ role as Vice President of Client Services and Expedited Pricing at STG Logistics, and the importance of collaboration.
“I focus on nurturing relationships, and understanding our clients evolving needs.”
[14.25] The increasing focus on client services, and how businesses are leveraging customer experience as a competitive advantage.
“The rising focus on client services marks a pivotal shift in how businesses approach customer relationships. Exceptional service is now vital for retention and brand loyalty, which sets companies apart in the market.”
[15.39] How Mercedes approaches pricing strategies, and finds the balance between value and cost.
“Navigating pricing amongst inflation – it is challenging. We focus on transparency and value creation.”
[17.38] Mercedes’ trend predictions for logistics in 2025.
“In today’s world, it’s hard to predict anything! But, come 2025, I anticipate several key trends with automation, AI and sustainability… And more sophisticated final mile solutions – people want everything faster!”
[18.42] What Mercedes’ Rising Star award at this years Women in Supply Chain Awards means to her, as a young woman and immigrant.
[20.01] Mercedes’ passion for mentoring, and how she’s bridging the gap and meeting young women where they are.
“Mentoring is crucial, especially in supply chain where diversity and inclusion can significantly enhance innovation and problem-solving. My experience as a young woman gives me a unique insight into the challenges people face entering this field.”
[21.41] The biggest challenge for young women looking to find their place in the industry.
[23.23] Mercedes’ belief that anything is possible, and her advice for translating a positive mindset into action.
“Failure is just a stepping stone to success.”
[24.55] The future for Mercedes.
[25.31] Mercedes’ advice for senior leaders thinking about creating safe spaces for young women in the industry.
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from incredible women in the industry, check out 433: Women In Supply Chain, Annie Torikian, 425: Women In Supply Chain, Josephine Coombe or 422: Women In Supply Chain, Kiran Mann.
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Alex Yaseen of Parabola talks about his founder journey; the future of spreadsheets; empowering teams with workflow control; and embracing AI.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[07.34] An introduction to Alex, his background, and the journey that led him to found Parabola.
“Most people seem to engage with new tech with fear and a lack of agency… People describe fighting against technology. And that’s a shame, because you could have such a positive, productive, empowering relationship with technology once you know how to use it.”
[12.48] The challenges Alex saw as a consultant at Deloitte, and the problems he still sees across the industry, when it comes to people and technology.
“Even at Fortune 50 companies, people were still doing incredibly non-scalable, crazy, manual processes on spreadsheets.”
[16.46] An overview of Parabola – who they are, what they do and how they help their customers – and Alex’s take on the mismatch between operations and IT that Parabola is helping to solve.
[21.09] The growing importance of AI, and how Parabola are integrating it into their solution with impact in mind.
“Combining two things together is important – the ability to grab the data, and the ability to action on it.”
[26.16] The ideal client for Parabola.
[28.23] A closer look at the Parabola platform, its intuitive drag-and-drop workflow, and how teams can use it.
[31.37] Why integration isn’t something you need to be scared of with Parabola.
“When people hear the word ‘integration’ they get scared. It’s normally a big long process, you have to work with your IT team and they’re going to get mad at you… We want to do things differently.”
[34.23] How the Parabola platform can help supply chain teams optimize processes from scorecarding and management to audits and track and trace.
[39.43] From improving productivity and facilitating growth, to saving time and giving teams ownership over their own workflows, the impact of that optimization on businesses and their bottom lines.
“Operations people are probably the most important people at a company – they know how things work and have great ideas… We’re trying to shine a spotlight onto them… And our best users have a track record of being promoted pretty quickly.”
[42.05] The impact of leveraging the power of Parabola on the industry.
[45.02] A case study detailing how Parabola helped a large retail brand achieve multiple levels of ROI – saving them money, but also boosting team engagement and job satisfaction, and helping the Director of Operations get a better seat at the table in leadership conversations.
[49.51] From AI to nurturing a better understanding of business problems, what we can expect from the industry in 2025.
“Increasingly, the hard thing within companies is actually understanding the problem... It’s that knowledge of what’s important within the company, and having people on your team who know where the bodies are buried! Companies who are great at cultivating and empowering their people are going to rise to the surface.”
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:Head over to Parabola’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Parabola and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Alex on LinkedIn.
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Tiffany Brewer of Blue Yonder talks about synchronizing supply chain execution; building resilient businesses; & helping clients reduce spend & drive growth.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.23] An introduction to Tiffany, her background, and the expertise she brings to her role at Blue Yonder.
“I’ve been in the shoes of our customers, and I’m able to speak to the product teams and say: “Hey – this is what’s going on in the industry, this is what our customers need.”
[08.24] What synchronizing supply chain execution means to Blue Yonder and their customers.
“We’ve historically had point solutions that solve each problem, from warehousing to transportation… but they’re not really separate processes to the point that systems shouldn’t be talking to each other.”
[12.35] The macro challenges rocking the industry right now; why a lot of current tech architecture isn’t capable of keeping up; and how connected solutions can help.
[20.35] How those big challenges impact Blue Yonder customers, and the challenge of navigating the push and pull between the different perspectives on the right amount of synchronization.
[25.28] What it means to be a resilient and agile company; why it’s so important; and how synchronizing supply chain execution can help achieve that resilience and agility.
“What it comes down to is focusing on bringing the most value to the business.”
[30.09] The paradigm shift that’s needed to increase that resilience and agility; the benefits that will come out of it; and the importance of measuring the right things.
“Getting all of the opinions and perspectives into the room is key… How can we, as an organization, make these decisions together and figure out which thing is the most important for the business, instead of the most important for individual business areas.”
[34.27] An overview of Blue Yonder’s platform and solutions that are enabling a synchronized approach to handling supply chain execution and disruption for customers.
[36.55] The benefits of synchronizing supply chain execution, and how Blue Yonder are helping to reduce transportation costs by 30-40%, decrease labor costs by 10-15%, and lower inventory costs by 8%.
[40.14] What Blue Yonder’s recent Supply Chain Executive Survey can tell us about what teams are thinking about, and focusing on, for 2025.
“Over 80% of execs are getting ready to bring more AI/ML into their businesses.”
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:Head over to Blue Yonder’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Blue Yonder and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Tiffany on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Blue Yonder, check out 417: Fulfill Your Potential, with Blue Yonder.
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Annie Torikian talks about her career journey; her passion for innovation; balancing professional and social responsibility; and being named a trailblazer.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.47] The journey that led Annie from Lebanon to Canada, and what she learned along the way.
“When I first came to Canada, I was really ready to embrace a new chapter in my life. I came looking for stability and security… It was a big shift… and it gave me a new perspective on life.”
[08.30] The surprisingly practical reason that led Annie to supply chain, and how she fell in love with the industry.
“Over the years… I realized how impactful and important the job I was doing was... As I discovered the complexities and global impact of supply chain, it became a no-brainer for me, I thought ‘I’m going to stay in this industry and thrive’… Sometimes, the most rewarding paths are the ones we never planned to take.”
[10.37] An overview of Tecsys, what they do, and how they help their customers.
[11.54] Annie’s role as Vice President of Enhanced Business Solutions at Tecsys, and how she became a driving force in innovation, spearheading initiatives and incorporating new automation technologies.
“Automation in itself is not a new concept, but there’s such a rapid shift in the technology that it’s become a gamechanger. And any company that needs to remain competitive has no choice but to deploy some kind of automation in their warehouses.”
[16.28] Annie’s 26 year tenure with Tecsys, how she evolved from analyst to VP, and some of her biggest challenges and achievements along the way.
“For anyone to stay so long in the same company, there needs to be an alignment between your personal and company values. For me, it was integrity, professionalism, respect and teamwork.”
[20.35] How supply chain and technology has changed over the course of Annie’s career.
“It’s cool to have a front row seat in this evolution.”
[23.07] With a historic lack of women in leadership, how the industry has changed for women.
[25.53] Annie’s take on mentorship.
[30.36] The importance of balancing professional and social responsibility, and why volunteering is key to good leadership.
“For me, it became an integral part of my leadership identity, and I think its crucial for any executive that wants to be impactful to do some kind of volunteering… You meet so many people, of different backgrounds, characters, and personalities… It sharpens your leadership skills and prepares you for complex roles.”
[33.57] Annie’s recent Women in Supply Chain Forum award win, and what it means to be named a ‘trailblazer’ in the industry.
“Never assume that you’ve reached your full potential.”
[35.17] The future for Annie.
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:You can connect with Annie over on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from women who have moved countries and continents to excel in supply chain, check out 389: Women in Supply Chain, Carmit Glik, 326: Women in supply chain™, Paige Wei-Cox, or 275: Women in supply chain™, Amani Radman.
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Jeff Beadle of Manhattan talks about their Unified Forecasting Method; how the hybrid approach is different; & the benefits to supply chain planning.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.28] An introduction to Jeff, his role at Manhattan, and how, as a physicist coming from a job at the “applied chaos lab,” he found his way to supply chain.
“As a data scientist, there’s not a better sandbox than supply chain – and especially at Manhattan, given the breadth of solutions we have across the space.”
[09.10] Why unification is key to both Manhattan’s approach to helping clients and to improving the industry; and its importance in forecasting.
“By unifying demand forecasting methods into a single composite model, it elevates capability, robustness, adaptability, and accuracy – and therefore all of the optimization of supply chain processes, and applications that are consuming that output.”
[12.32] An overview of UFM, how its hybrid forecasting approach differs from more traditional statistical models and standalone machine learning models, and why Manhattan have combined these approaches into one model.
“Hybrid forecasting combines statistical time series models with machine learning algorithms offering a uniquely powerful and balanced approach to demand forecasting.”
[17.38] The challenges with machine learning, and the benefits that UFMs hybrid approach brings to supply chain planning.
“There are still shortcomings to machine learning, and high failure rates… Machine learning builds knowledge strictly from the data it observes. So if it has an incomplete aspect of the data model… it can lead to misleading results.”
[23.56] How UFM allows organizations to make decisions that have benefits across all business areas.
“That combined hybrid approach takes on an inside-out, outside-in demand planning approach… this provides a very adaptive, accurate mechanism… and that impacts all cross-functional processes.”
[27.07] An overview of how UFM continuously learns and updates its forecasts in real-time.
[30.07] The low-management nature of UFM, and how that frees up teams to take on the more strategic and creative work.
“It’s very autonomous and hands-free – it doesn’t require special staffing or oversight.”
[33.30] The ideal client for Manhattan’s UFM.
“The better plans and forecasts we have, the less we have to react through execution systems – that’s sub-optimal. You want a better plan, a better projection, and the more accurate and tighter that is, the better the overall downstream impact.”
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:Head over to Manhattan’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Manhattan and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Jeff on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Manhattan, check out 430: Unify Your Supply Chain Systems, with Manhattan Associates.
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Trace Haggard of TSG Fleet talks about his founder journey; the problem of overcapacity; avoiding delays; & the benefit of providing solutions under one roof.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.45] Trace’s entrepreneurial background, and the journey that led him to found TSG Fleets.
“I came from an agricultural family, and I wanted to get off the farm!... By coincidence, I did an internship at a 3PL… The general manager asked if I’d be interested in coming back for a job, and that sounded much better than law school!”
[14.10] An overview of TSG – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers.
[16.09] The ideal client for TSG.
“I prefer relationship-based customers… When things happen strategically, or when economics aren’t working out, you can sit down and have a discussion and accomplish something. Transactional customers come and go.”
[19.11] The current landscape of trucking and biggest challenges, from theft to over-capacity.
“The pandemic sent a tidal wave of capacity out there, we all thought the world was going to change… And it did for about 18 months… then everything snapped back. And that wave of capacity crashed.”
[23.01] The opportunities in US-Mexico trade, and why TSG are well placed to help clients maximize those cross-border opportunities.
[26.56] TSG’s terminal operations solutions and how they’re helping brands optimize their logistics processes, especially when combined with maintenance and repair services.
[32.36] TSG’s 24/7 secure storage, and how it helps to combat the rising issue of security and theft.
[37.45] Real-life examples of how TSG proactively monitor a range of factors for clients, from temperature and fuel to maintenance, to keep trucks on the move, avoiding delays and saving money.
“When minor issues happen, they cause big delays – and that costs money.”
[42.40] Trace’s perspective on what’s to come for the industry.
“Things are still unpredictable… the rate of motor carriers closing their doors is insane… but I’m cautiously optimistic.”
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:Head over to TSG Fleet’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with TSG and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Trace on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about trucking, check out 404: Parking Your Truck Is As Easy As 1, 2, 3, with Truck Parking Club, 360: Deliver A Great Trucker Experience, with DCLI or 429: Women In Supply Chain, Kameel Gaines.
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Bryant Smith of Manhattan talks about supply chain unification; visibility, resiliency & cost; overcoming siloes; and delivering big results with their TMS.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.52] An overview of Manhattan – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers.
[08.20] The basics of supply chain unification, what it means, and the common misconceptions.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about unification… Sometimes you hear other companies express unification as integrations between different systems… that’s not our definition of unification!”
“There are a lot of different components and workflows that are associated with managing a supply chain… and we have a single platform that manages all those workflows in one central place.”
[10.39] A closer look at Manhattan’s transport management solutions and modernized tech platform, and how the platform has evolved over time.
“Supply chain execution is hard – but using the technology shouldn’t be.”
[18.20] Why supply chain has historically been so siloed, and how we can unify our fractured ecosystems.
“Supply chain tech started as on-premise, and that creates siloes… And the approach was very pointed. People would say “I have this problem, I need to create a software to solve it” – so now we have a bunch of software’s that do really specialized things.”
[23.10] Visibility: what it means to Manhattan, why it’s so important, and the huge potential it has for supply chain, from optimizing buying patterns to improved labor utilization.
“It’s not warehouse versus transportation any more. It’s inbound versus outbound.”
[29.39] The power of resiliency, and what it means for organizations as they face continued global disruption.
“Being resilient is about seeing and understanding, but also about being able to proactively – or reactively – resolve exceptions as they happen.”
[37.06] The impact of supply chain unification on cost, and the range of business areas in which companies can make significant reductions.
[41.30] A case study detailing how Manhattan helped a global specialist in energy management to unify, simplify their technology landscape, and reduce cost, resulting in a huge seven-figure return on investment.
[45.33] The ideal client for Manhattan.
“Our architecture allows you to scale up and down based on your complexity.”
[46.48] The future for Manhattan, and the big role generative AI and automation is going to play in supply chain unification.
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:Head over to Manhattan’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Manhattan and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Bryant on LinkedIn.
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Kameel Gaines talks about her career journey; her business Rig on Wheels; driver recruitment; & the importance of elevating African American women in trucking.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[07.37] Kameel’s career journey, and how she found her way from educational sales to trucking recruitment.
“Trucking chose me!”
[10.38] Why Kameel founded her own business, Rig on Wheels, and why she always had an entrepreneurial mindset.
“I came from an entrepreneurial family, so I wasn’t afraid of it.
[13.42] A closer look at Rig on Wheels; what makes it different; and Kameel’s reputation for innovation and taking a driver-centric approach to business.
“We are very much an advocate of the professional driver. Innovation is very important because evolution is coming, it’s here! We want to make sure that our drivers are ready.”
“Recruitment is changing, and social media is the new CB radio! We need to meet drivers where they are.”
[16.54] Rig on Wheels’ upcoming 15-year anniversary, and Kameel’s laidback approach to the celebrations.
“I’m just excited that my team is excited!”
[18.10] Why Kameel launched the first-of-its-kind Rig on Wheels podcast; her passion for ongoing learning; and why she’s always looking to improve.
“I started educating myself, and looking at other peoples shows. And, instead of looking at them as a spectator, I was looking to learn… How can we do this better? We’re not looking for perfection, but we are looking for excellence.”
[21.46] Kameel’s perspective on the rise of supply chain media, and the innate inclusivity in helping professionals from all walks of life to engage, learn, and communicate in new ways.
“There are a lot of voices, and there’s a voice for everyone – that’s what’s great. Everybody identifies with someone.”
[26.29] Kameel’s previous role as co-chairwoman of the African American Women’s Trucking Association, and the importance of elevating the representation and success of African American women in trucking.
“Representation matters. You can’t be what you don’t see.”
[29.31] The role of mentors in Kameel’s career journey, and how she maintained those relationships over time.
[34.33] Kameel’s advice for the young women looking to follow in her footsteps.
“Open up your eyes to new possibilities, get out of your comfort zone – the world is your back yard.”
[36.47] The one (unexpected) career achievement that Kameel is most proud of.
[37.47] The future for Rig on Wheels.
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:You can connect with Kameel over on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more women in trucking, check out 347: Women In Supply Chain™, Seretha Willingham, 275: Women In Supply Chain™, Amani Radman, or 205: Time To Make A Move, with Knichel Logistics.
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Amit Sharma of Narvar talks about leveraging intelligent communication to boost consumer trust, create memorable shopping experiences & maximize conversions.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[07.56] Amit’s career journey, and how it led him to establish Narvar.
[10.12] An overview of Narvar – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers.
“Online, after we buy, there’s a waiting period. And often that waiting period is overlooked, or under-invested. We help businesses engage their customers with the intention of driving long term loyalty and advocacy.”
[12.54] The ideal client for Narvar.
[14.28] Amit’s take on the biggest e-commerce challenges right now, especially when it comes to the post-purchase experience.
“Once you buy a product, it’s a chore. ‘Find a tracking number; When can I get it?; Do I have to be at home,?; Will the package be secure?’… There are all these questions that lead to anxiety about the order you placed. So the challenge is to build the trust every step of the way.”
“There’s a disconnect... you have to understand the customers context and provide the right information at the right time.”
[17.13] Narvar’s mission to simplify the everyday lives of consumers, and why taking care of retail customers isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good business.
“Everything is “and” now. It has to be cheaper AND it has to be faster AND it has to be on time AND it has to be an amazing customer experience.”
“Consumers want returns policies and processes that are easy to understand and follow… and making it convenient is better for the retailer as well.”
[25.18] Why 60% of shoppers are more likely to choose a retailer that can tell them the exact date a package will arrive at the time of order; and the role of Narvar’s ‘Promise’ solution in helping retailers utilize intelligent delivery estimates to drive conversion and deliver transparency.
“Given a choice, customers select visibility and predictability of delivery dates versus faster delivery. And, from the merchant perspective, we then see consumers buy more, and make less customer service enquiries, because you’ve built trust and confidence…. There’s a big benefit from setting that expectation.”
[31.46] How Narvar helps retailers continue to communicate with consumers using post-purchase marketing and different touchpoints to keep them informed, but also boost trust, keep experience levels high and upsell.
[35.35] The challenge of returns, and how Narvar helps retailers to find the balance of retaining revenue and reducing costs, whilst also offering customers easy, convenient, positive experiences.
“All of the data and sophistication gets applied on the acquisition side, but not much on the retention side. Returns is an opportunity for that.”
[40.38] Why Narvar is fostering collaboration between retailers, and how a unique relationship with Kohl’s is setting a standard for smoother, cheaper, and more sustainable returns experiences for brands and consumers alike.
“Cheaper, convenient, and beneficial for everybody.”
[44.42] The upcoming trends and opportunities in the ecommerce industry that we should be looking out for.
“Using intelligence, the supply chain is going to get more and more intuitive, more consumer-friendly, and more cost-effective for all the players involved.”
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:Head over to Narvar’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Narvar and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Amit on LinkedIn.
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Jeremy Reeves of Relish & Matt Montgomery of SAP talk about how technology can automate supplier data validation and mitigate risk; our data end games; & AI.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[07.15] Introductions to today’s guests and what they do.
[08.59] An overview of the landscape of supplier data and the challenges of validation.
“Supplier management needs to be thought of as the foundation for everything. It’s the knowledge that you need to have for every single decision you’re making.”
“As we look at solutions and talk about supplier data, we can’t just talk about ‘company name and address.’ We have to think: What do you need to know to make the choice to use that supplier, to make a better decision, to streamline processes? … How do you collaborate and drive efficiency so you can spend more time on the good decisions versus data collection?”
[13.25] The supplier data end game – what supplier data should look like, and what it should do for their businesses, if organizations have the right solutions to their challenges.
“Speed and efficiency are the name of the game.”
[17.11] How businesses should be measuring and validating supplier data, and the different techniques and strategies they can use to do it.
“You first have to understand where the problems are lying within the overall process, so measuring that information is key.”
[20.52] The role of technology in automating the supplier data validation process.
“Speed becomes a competitive differentiator.”
[23.26] Whether process drives technology, or technology drives process.
“Technology can really optimize that knowledge of region, industry, commodity, business unit… but as much as the technology can optimize, it becomes much more efficient when you can trust the data source.”
[28.27] How technology can help suppliers be active participants in the risk management process.
[32.51] The hidden prevalence of AI; where the industry is at on its AI journey; and what the future of supplier data validation and risk mitigation is going to look like.
“The term is overused – it means everything! People think Siri, ChatGPT – people’s perception of AI is the microcosm of how they’re experiencing it.”
[36.53] How SAP and Relish are automating supplier data validation, and what we can learn from their approach.
[43.44] The future for Relish and SAP, and for the industry, as we look towards 2025.
“The ability for technology to automate the speed of development – we’re going to see a lot more capabilities, delivered faster.”
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Thomas Bagge of DCSA & Thomas Morris of FINN Partners talk about digitalization in container shipping; drivers & barriers to change; and progress & priorities.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.45] Introductions to today’s guests and what they do.
“DCSA aims to help digitalize and make container shipping more effective. We’re open source and vendor neutral… and our members represent about 75% of the world’s containerized capacity.”
[10.13] An overview of DCSA’s new state of the industry report: what it’s about, why they commissioned it, and what they’re aiming to achieve.
“Decision makers are strongly advocating for more digital tools, more interoperability – they want to improve efficiency… So how do we convert these demands into firm commitments that will help drive digitalization forward?”
[13.41] A closer look at the methodology and analytics that were used in the creation of the report.
“We’re excited. Given the amount of ground we’ve covered, and the amount of research we’ve done – we think it’s one of the most comprehensive reports looking at digitalization within container shipping.”
[17.35] The landscape of digitalization in container shipping, and the historic issues with data, visibility and interoperability.
“There have been a lot of great initiatives and strides made in our industry… but we need to take the next steps. A lot of those previous digital initiatives were invented in siloes. So, the biggest issues we have today are a lack of data and interoperability.”
[21.32] The current sentiment in the industry towards digital, and whether or not that sentiment was a surprise; and the impact being made by increasing standardization.
“I was surprised by the level of manual interventions that we still see in the industry!”
“86% of cargo owners said that digitalization is a tool that would help improve efficiency and process, and they see the opportunity – we saw cargo owners talk about customer satisfaction, operational costs, and competitive advantage.”
[26.18] The key drivers and barriers to digitalization in the container shipping industry.
“Cargo owners are ready to go, but two thirds said they need help and support. Some are fearful of legacy systems… and there’s also some internal company resistance. We need to get the tech right, but businesses are made of people, and we need to bring them along on the journey as well.”
[30.55] Industry progress, and supply chain stakeholders’ priorities for further change.
“We have a complex industry, there are many stakeholders – this is a problem of a whole ecosystem…. Removing the barriers to trade is in everybody’s interest.”
[36.51] Why sustainability has to be one of the industry’s biggest priorities; how organizations are approaching increasingly stringent regulations and impending ESG deadlines; and how digitalization is going to make a difference.
“The fuel transition is not something that’s around the corner, we’re going to have emissions for many years to come… but the industry can save up to 14% on fuel through collaboration and implementation of just-in-time standards – and that’s work we can do today, we don’t have to wait for 2040.”
[39.23] What DCSA are currently working on to help address key industry priorities, and an example of how they helped a retailer save costs, standardize, and integrate quickly through effective digitalization.
[41.05] How enhanced collaboration can help to accelerate the adoption of digital tools.
“Almost a third of cargo owners talked about hesitancy to adopt new technology solutions before their peers or partners. It’s a classic case of ‘who jumps first?’!”
[43.40] DCSA’s vision for the future of container shipping, and how the industry is going to continue to evolve.
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:Head over to DCSA’s website now to find out more and download the report. You can also connect with DCSA and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Thomas Morris on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about container shipping, listen to 340: Container Confusion: Are Shipping Trends Lost at Sea? with Steve Ferreira, or read The Use Cases and ROI of Container Tracking for Freight Forwarders.
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Josephine Coombe talks about her career journey; how marketing has changed; work/life balance; & why it’s never been a more exciting time to be in supply chain.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[07.26] Josephine’s career journey; her transition from the arts to technology and supply chain; and why embracing ambiguity is a good thing.
“I wouldn’t say my career was planned, or at least the first half was more serendipity than planning. But, around halfway through, I started being much more deliberate about where I was going as a professional. And, particularly for young women, allowing a little bit of the unexpected can take you down paths that are very positive.”
[08.49] How marketing has changed over the course of Josephine’s career; why it’s vital to bring creativity and analytics together; and why data isn’t everything when it comes to marketing.
“It’s been a very interesting time to see the shifts in marketing. Back then marketing was, to some extent, more of an arts discipline… And it’s changed dramatically, as digital marketing has enabled a much more analytical approach.”
“We can go overboard with trying to make the data tell us everything – and it can’t. I often see wild goose chases when it comes to attribution, but often what’s lost in those conversations is the influencing factors… Not everything can be perfectly measured but, just because it can’t, doesn’t mean that it’s not delivering value.”
[14.33] Josephine’s role as Chief Commercial Officer at Nulogy – what it involves, how she approaches the role, and the importance of bringing sales and marketing together.
“The ability to get out of your silo and into another area enables you to build empathy for other business areas.”
[18.37] Josephine’s experience of moving from North America to Europe for her latest job role.
[22.10] Nulogy’s vision of collaboration and co-innovation, and the big industry challenges they’re tackling with these core principles.
“More and more, we’re seeing a reliance on external providers to enable growth. But if you don’t know what’s going on out there, it’s going to be difficult to achieve. It’s a big supply chain issue.”
[25.02] The significant momentum driving women’s involvement in supply chain in the UK, and the different culture it’s creating for the industry.
“In the logistics industry in the UK, there’s been a deliberate effort to move beyond the historical reliance and dominance of men to enable more women in leadership positions.”
[27.40] Josephine’s experience as a woman in supply chain, and how things have changed for women over the course of her career.
[29.33] Why it’s never been a more exciting time to be in supply chain, and Josephine’s advice for younger generations, especially women, who may be looking to join the industry and take advantage of that excitement and momentum.
“The pandemic made very clear to the world that supply chain is critical to society. And it made very clear to big businesses that they couldn’t treat their supply chain organizations like an operational necessity, they had to recognize its highly strategic value to the business. So we’ve seen a tremendous focus and investment in supply chain.”
[31.29] The turning point in Josephine’s career; the influential people who played a part in her journey; and why you don’t ever stop learning.
[36.16] Josephine’s passion for the arts; achieving her diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music; and the importance of embracing creativity as part of work/life balance.
“For me, creative endeavors are part of work/life balance. It’s so important to make sure you’ve got that type of time to unwind and give your brain something fresh to think about.”
[38.41] The future for Josephine.
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:You can connect with Josephine over on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more inspiring women in the industry, check out 422: Women In Supply Chain™, Kiran Mann or 380: Women In Supply Chain™, Christine Barnhart.
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Larry Cuddy of Lynxis talks about transforming terminal operations; consolidating solutions; & his vision for the landside logistics facilities of tomorrow.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[05.39] Larry’s career journey and unrivalled passion for supply chain.
“My journey is so special because I love what I do. I have to pinch myself, because it’s really not a job for me… This journey started at five or six years old in a truck with my grandfather.”
[08.53] An overview of Lynxis – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers.
“We’re designing a platform for the asset owner and the operator, and there are three things that are core to that: how do you move cargo; how do you do it in less space; and how do you reduce your operating costs? And the common denominator is optimizing terminals.”
[12.35] The ideal client for Lynxis.
[14.24] The biggest challenges currently faced by cargo terminals and landside logistics facilities, and Lynxis’ approach to tackling them.
“Yes: tech is important, automation is important. But we’ve got to look at the infrastructure and workforce side as well.”
[18.22] Lynxis’ aim to transform terminal operations from the ground up, and drive rapid transformation in the industry, by building teams that ‘think like operators, but act like tech experts.’
[21.14] The importance of consolidation in an inter-connected industry, and how Lynxis is working with customers to pull infrastructure, equipment, tech, and people together into one highly orchestrated model.
[24.50] How Lynxis is utilizing advanced technology to provide the mission-critical solutions that organizations need to tackle challenges, achieve orchestration, and eliminate the risks that slow the flow of cargo.
“It’s about building the tech to proactively monitor, using real-time vision systems, in order to keep the flow of goods moving well.”
“We are in the digital planning game. How do we model something and look at the differences between a hypothetical and real life, and which works better? And you can only do that with data.”
[30.42] The importance of orchestration and optimization, and two case studies showing how Lynxis has helped key clients achieve big results.
[35.24] Lynxis’ vision of the landside logistics facilities of tomorrow, and how they’re working towards making that vision a reality.
“Our goal is to democratize, and make manual terminals more automated, without spending millions of dollars on tech and infrastructure.”
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:Head over to Lynxis’ website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Lynxis and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Larry on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Larry, listen to 325: Build Thriving Supply Chain Communities, with Envase Technologies.
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Ryan Zelhofer of Assent talks about PFAS management & evolving regulations; understanding risk; working with suppliers; & compliance as a competitive advantage.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.35] An overview of Assent – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers.
“We’re a SaaS company, with a flair of personal touch!”
[07.31] The ever-changing regulatory landscape, specifically through the lens of PFAS, and the challenges it’s presenting for businesses.
“You’re seeing a flurry of activity in the U.S. alone, and each state has it’s own twist to the regulations… Companies are having to prepare for a federal reporting requirement, but they’re also having to keep a close eye on each state level.”
“For a lot of people, this isn’t their full-time job. They probably have a more traditional supply chain responsibility, and someone came along with a hat and said: “Wear this too!” So selecting a good partner in that journey is very important; having regulatory experts in your back pocket to help keep an eye on those timelines is huge… It’s becoming extremely burdensome and complicated to keep up with.”
[12.02] The other key drivers for organizations thinking about eliminating PFAS, alongside changing regulation, and how they complicate things for organizations that find themselves struggling with multiple priorities.
Ryan Zelhofer of Assent talks about PFAS management & evolving regulations; understanding risk; working with suppliers; & compliance as a competitive advantage.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[06.35] An overview of Assent – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers.
“We’re a SaaS company, with a flair of personal touch!”
[07.31] The ever-changing regulatory landscape, specifically through the lens of PFAS, and the challenges it’s presenting for businesses.
“You’re seeing a flurry of activity in the U.S. alone, and each state has it’s own twist to the regulations… Companies are having to prepare for a federal reporting requirement, but they’re also having to keep a close eye on each state level.”
“For a lot of people, this isn’t their full-time job. They probably have a more traditional supply chain responsibility, and someone came along with a hat and said: “Wear this too!” So selecting a good partner in that journey is very important; having regulatory experts in your back pocket to help keep an eye on those timelines is huge… It’s becoming extremely burdensome and complicated to keep up with.”
[12.02] The other key drivers for organizations thinking about eliminating PFAS, alongside changing regulation, and how they complicate things for organizations that find themselves struggling with multiple priorities.
“You’re always going to have a regulatory driver that gets everyone into action but, with PFAS, the number one concern from a risk standpoint is part obsolescence. Most folks are craving data to identify where they have PFAS in their supply chain but, a lot of times, they may forget they need to be looking inside the four walls of their own manufacturing facility as well.”
[15.47] How organizations can cut through the complexity, start to identify real, tangible risks, and get an understanding of where to start when it comes to reducing that risk effectively.
“Every company is going to have a different risk profile and risk appetite, but it starts with data... without data you’re making blind choices.”
[18.45] How organizations can use a product compliance program as a profit opportunity and competitive advantage.
“Once you get to a state where you have high-quality data, you’re now in a position to make some competitive choices, you’re starting to showcase the level of supply chain partner you are... And, when it’s no longer about price, you can get that competitive advantage from product compliance and sustainability efforts; showing you’re proactive, you’re ready to support their organization and goals as well.”
[20.50] The importance of suppliers in your sustainability and compliance efforts; and how organizations should be treating suppliers, and nurturing partnerships, in order to get the best results.
“It’s collaborative in spirit and it’s forward-thinking.”
[23.23] How a range of factors, from technology and flexibility to setting clear expectations and working with a sense of fairness, can help organizations create transparent, collaborative win-win relationships for all stakeholders.
“Don’t be the parent that says: ‘Because I said so!’”
[30.53] How, with budgets top of mind, organizations can motivate suppliers, without demanding more whilst paying less.
“Are you pushing down demands, or are you having a collaborative conversation with your suppliers? Because the more you push down demands, the more risk you have of getting questionable data back. They’re not responding to what you really need, they’re just scrambling to respond to your perceived sense of urgency. Supplier relationships are pivotal to getting high-quality data.”
[34.57] A case study showing how Assent worked with a customer’s chemical compliance team to provide improved data, allowing them to uncover hidden risks and work collaboratively across their business to improve product design intelligence, and ultimately leverage their improved sustainability and compliance to win business.
[38.06] Assent’s upcoming Evolve Conference: what you can expect and how to find out more – PLUS a unique LTSC discount.
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:Head over to Assent’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Assent and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook or X (Twitter), or you can connect with Ryan on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed the show and want to hear more about compliance, listen to 369: From Chaos To Clarity: Simplifying Global Customs Compliance or read What your freight broker isn’t telling you about quality and compliance.
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Kiran Mann talks about her career journey; her experience in the male-dominated auto industry; & why she left the corporate world to found her own business.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[07.20] Kiran’s early years, and how an unexpected opportunity led her to a successful career in automotive and manufacturing.
“It was a temporary situation that turned into 22 years! It felt like home. At some point I forgot about fashion designing, and became a full-time professional in automotive and manufacturing!”
[09.49] From viewing challenges as opportunities to setting an example for other immigrants, the things Kiran is most proud of across her career, and what she’s learned along the way.
“At the time, it felt normal. We all look for where we fit in, for opportunities, we grow. But, looking back now, it gives me a different feeling. A feeling of pride, a sense of accomplishment… who am I today is what I went through and what I learned.”
[16.41] Kiran’s experience as a woman in a male-dominated industry; and how the industry changed for women over the years.
[18.34] The question that led Kiran to quit her job and found her own business; and her experience of leaving the automotive industry after 20 years to go it alone.
“Women overlook what we’re good at, because we just think it’s default. But if it was default, every single person around you would be doing it. So you have to find that recipe.”
[22.53] How Kiran figured out how to use her skills in her new business; why she wanted to address the workplace challenges we all complain about; and her approach to fixing the gap between businesses and consultants.
“One of my favorite words is ‘choice’… There’s no right or wrong choice, but every choice has a consequence.”
[32.00] How Kiran came to take on the role of COO at Brar’s, alongside running her consultancy; how she balances her responsibilities; and why she’s come to realize that multitasking is not a good thing.
[38.59] Kiran’s experience in the close-knit community of the dairy industry, and how she gained their trust and earned respect.
[45.29] Kiran’s advice for young people as they start their careers.
“Come out of your comfort zone, but don’t go crazy – be realistic.”
[48.29] Why Kiran lives by the phrase Carpe Diem, and the importance of living in the moment.
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:You can connect with Kiran over on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed the show and want to hear from more incredible women in supply chain, check out 384: Show Me The Money: Why Women Need To Stop Working For Free, 270: Women In Supply Chain™, Sneha Kumari or 212: Women In Supply Chain™, Ana Lucia Alonzo.
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