2 Babes Talk Supply Chain

Today I’m joined by GoBolt, a fast-growing tech-enabled, sustainably-focused logistics provider for local e-commerce shops as well as national brands. GoBolt provides a technology-driven, customer-centric and sustainable approach to fulfillment, including reliable warehousing, pick and pack, shipping, and last-mile delivery. By operating as an extension of their customer's team, they are able to deliver best-in-class services every step of the way, ensuring faster, more cost-effective, and complete customer deliveries. Today Mark Ang, Co-founder and CEO at GoBolt, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; bringing sustainability to an industry notorious for its heavy impact on the environment; its recent Series B funding success; why logistics is broken; and their goal to reach carbon-negative deliveries by the end of 2023.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.02] How GoBolt began as a different kind of business and evolved based on customer demands and market needs. “Before we knew it, we were

Today I’m joined by Envase Technologies, an innovative and fast-growing transportation software brand that is on a mission to deliver a single, streamlined system that digitizes the lifecycle of a container across the intermodal ecosystem. 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 Allen Thomas, Chief Commercial Officer at Envase Technologies, joins me to chat all about the company: 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.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.24] How Envase Technologies was established, and the challenges that founder, Larry Cuddy, faced that led him to create his own solution. “It all started with the challenges tha

In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain, I’m joined by Grace Sharkey – writer, podcaster and self-confessed freight tech nerd. Grace started her career as an account rep at Fifth Wheel Freight, a 3PL consistently honored on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. Over her time with FWF, Grace honed her skills in roles across sales, operations, business development and strategy, before deciding to pivot in 2021, when she joined FreightWaves. Utilizing all of her supply chain knowledge, Grace thrived as a writer and, earlier this year, also became the host of popular radio show, FreightWaves Drive Time on SiriusXM. Today Grace will be talking to us about her career so far; her love of freight technology innovation; making the leap from brokerage to broadcasting; and why supply chain was built for women. 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.   SHOW SPONSOR:   This Women in

It’s episode 26 of Blended: I’m joined by another fantastic panel of guests and, today, we’re talking about veterans. This is a discussion I like to have every year on Blended around this time. Veterans Day provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the role that veterans have played in our country. As we honor the brave people that have served, it’s important to also hear their stories. Today, our guests will be sharing their life experiences, both professionally and personally; debating the well-known phrases ‘thank you for your service’ and ‘call of duty’; discussing transitioning from military to civilian life; and sharing advice on how we can both support veterans, and help businesses to become more veteran friendly.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [00.52] Introductions to our Blended panellists. Kris – President and co-founder at Gen Alpha Technologies Sylena – General Manager at OwlCrate Jerry – Acquisition Project Manager at Hive Group “It was an interesting period of time in the early 2000’s, whe

Today I’m joined by Ideal Warehouse Innovations, a product innovator that is asking all logistics, transportation and warehousing brands one big question – when it comes to your workplace, how safe is safe enough? With more than 1100 warehouse and loading dock safety products in their arsenal, Ideal Warehouse’s products help saves lives, prevent injury and minimize damage and downtime. Founded in 1982, they’ve long been passionate about providing products and equipment to warehouse and manufacturing facilities that make them safer places to work, protecting people as well as enhancing productivity, profitability and timely delivery. Today Dirk Seis, Director of Marketing at Ideal Warehouse, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; their “thousand-product safety story”; the importance of strategic prevention; and their passion for helping to ensure that the world’s supply chain never breaks a link.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.54] Dirk’s career journey, how the industry has changed, and

It’s the fourth and final episode of our Driving Your Parcel Performance mini-series, in collaboration with Sifted! Last week in episode three, I was joined by Elle Brown for an episode called “Check Engine Light!” We talked all about measuring your contract health; contract compliance; strengthening carrier relationships; and the growing trend in ensuring customer success. And today in episode four, the final episode in the series, we’ll be jumping into Sifted’s virtual sandbox! I’m joined by Cameron Clark, Product and Logistics Engineer at Sifted, to talk all about contract modeling; its role in providing internal visibility, as well as external carrier management; and empowering businesses to negotiate with confidence in a very challenging environment.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [01.32] How Sifted’s virtual sandbox complements the other tools within the carrier management suite, to help support shippers in their contract negotiations, aid understanding and simplify the process. [03.05] The relationshi

Today I’m joined by DM Delivers, a long-standing logistics service provider that is passionate about providing logistics services that deliver time and cost savings across your entire organization. DM manages the inbound, outbound and drop shipment logistics needs for their clients. As well as leveraging DM’s services to reduce costs, clients of all sizes can also benefit from utilizing DM's cost-free services including claims management, freight bill auditing, general ledger coding, consolidated invoicing and vendor compliance. And, customers can manage it all with EasyFreight™, DM’s proprietary cloud-based Transportation Management System. Today Nicholas Isasi, Executive Vice President at DM Delivers, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; acting as an extension of your business; finding the balance between reducing cost and enhancing service; and bringing visibility and control to your supply chain.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.44] Nicholas’s career journey and how he came to fall

It’s episode three of our Driving Your Parcel Performance mini-series, in collaboration with Sifted! Last week, we put the spotlight on the complex area of contract performance. I was joined by Caleb Nelson, Chief Growth Officer and friend of the show, to dive deeper into Sifted’s carrier management suite – we talked all about some of the big challenges happening in the industry right now and where carrier relationships fit in; analyzing and scoring contract performance; and how you can tackle the complexities of your agreements, to drive performance-enhancing outcomes, with Sifted. And today in episode three, I’m joined by Elle Brown, Senior Client Success Manager at Sifted, to chat all about measuring your contract health; contract compliance; strengthening carrier relationships; and the growing trend in ensuring customer success.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [01.45] The different ‘check engine’ lights within Sifted’s carrier management suite, and how they help clients to understand when they have a prob

Today I’m joined by Flexe, an exciting and forward-thinking disruptor in the logistics and supply chain industry, that is on a mission to create an open logistics network that optimizes the global delivery of your goods. Flexe solves the hardest omnichannel logistics problems for the world’s largest retailers and brands. Integrating technology, open logistics networks, and elastic economic models allows Flexe customers to move fast, at scale, and with precision. Founded in 2013, Flexe brings deep logistics expertise and enterprise-grade technology to deliver innovative eCommerce fulfilment, retail distribution, same-day delivery, and network capacity programs to the Fortune 500. Today Jordan Lawrence, Director of Logistics Strategy at Flexe and Head of the Flexe Institute, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; solving logistics problems with technology; helping customers to compete with Amazon; and why the future is fixed AND flexible.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.52] The trends and cha

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could predict the future? Well, with Sifted, you kinda can… We wrapped up our first mini-series with Sifted a few months ago, released the first episode of our second mini-series last week and you all still want more–so of course, we delivered. So, over the course of our new “Driving Your Parcel Performance” series, we’re going to dive even deeper. This time, we’ll be putting the spotlight on their Carrier Management Suite and taking a closer look at how it can help you to take a proactive approach to contract management, from ensuring compliance and negotiating rates, to controlling spend and improving relationships. Today in Episode 2, Better Performance, I’m joined by Caleb Nelson, Chief Growth Officer at Sifted, to talk all about some of the big challenges happening in the industry right now and where carrier relationships fit in; analyzing and scoring contract performance; and how you can tackle the complexities of your agreements, to drive performance-enhancing outcomes   I

In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain, I’m joined by Charlie Saffro – entrepreneur, industry expert, master networker and mindful leader. Charlie began her career as a marketing account manager, working on big name accounts like Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo and Gatorade. But, as a connector by heart, Charlie found her true calling when she embraced a career in supply chain recruitment. Charlie founded her own firm, CS Recruiting in back in 2010 and has gone from strength to strength, growing the business from a team of one to 40 and boasting an impressive client list, whilst earning some top industry accolades along the way. Today Charlie will be talking to us about her career so far; tackling supply chain labor shortages; creating a culture of connectivity; and why recruitment is both a science, and an art. 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.   SHOW SPONSOR:   This Women in Supply Chain feat

You asked, and we are delivering – with another brand new mini-series, featuring the logistics expert, tech innovator and firm Let’s Talk Supply Chain favorite… Sifted! We wrapped up our “Tomorrow’s Insights Delivered Today” mini-series with Sifted back in September and it was a real success. I got to talk to some new faces, and old friends, and start to really get under the skin of who Sifted is and what they do. So, over the course of our new “Driving Your Parcel Performance” series, we’re going to dive even deeper. This time, we’ll be putting the spotlight on their Carrier Management Suite and taking a closer look at how it can help you to take a proactive approach to contract management, from ensuring compliance and negotiating rates, to controlling spend and improving relationships. Today in Episode 1, Contract Monitoring, I’m joined by Jeremy Lee, VP of Business Solutions, at Sifted, to take a closer look at Sifted’s contract monitoring solution: how it works; avoiding surprise costs; switching from a r

Halloween is a notoriously scary time, and what could be more spooky than hearing about some of the nightmares that have befallen supply chain professionals? Join us for a panel discussion with some of the industry's best and brightest as they share their scariest logistics stories. You'll hear more tales than just woes from suppliers who couldn't deliver on time, warehouses that went up in flames, and shipments that were lost (or never even made it to their destination!). This is sure to be a frightfully fun event - so don't miss out on some of the nightmares that have befallen supply chain professionals first-hand. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.56] Introduction to the guests Judd Marcello Hope White Dyci Sfregola Eric Johnston [08.50] Sharing of supply chain horror stories and personal experiences collected from various roles over the years. [10.01] Financial Nightmares Supplier relationships Maintaining cash flow Being a good human "I say it as a bad boyfriend relationship at this point or a bad b

Today I’m joined by Paccurate, a forward-thinking logistics tech brand that is on a mission to make shipping more sustainable for your business, and the planet – all through packing. Paccurate is the only patented cartonization solution that optimizes for transportation costs directly. Designed to save you cost and waste, and deliver impactful efficiency gains, the Paccurate API is fast, flexible and smart. Today James Malley, CEO and co-founder at Paccurate, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; tackling the challenge of rising fulfilment costs; why right-sizing isn't enough; and making a commitment to sustainable solutions.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.51] James’ career journey and how, and why, he came to co-found Paccurate. [07.12] Some of the key challenges Paccurate customers are facing right now, when it comes to packing, fulfilment and logistics. “The costs associated with fulfilment went up extremely fast during the pandemic, and the problem is that the pandemic has started to

Today I’m joined by SEKO Logistics, a global, market-leading provider of logistics services who are small enough to care, but big enough to scale, for shippers around the world. SEKO provides complete supply chain solutions, specializing in transportation, logistics, forwarding and warehousing. Powered by their innovative and customizable IT solutions, SEKO provide a seamless flow of information, giving their ever-growing customer base true supply chain visibility. With over 120 offices in 40 countries worldwide, the SEKO model enables customers to benefit from global implementation experience, coupled with vital in-country knowledge and service at the local level. Today Brian Bourke, Chief Growth Officer at SEKO Logistics, joins me to chat all about the company and exactly how they help their customers; supply chain visibility; the importance of customer satisfaction; and the increasing trend for using supply chain as a competitive advantage.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.30] Brian’s career journey, an

In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain, I’m joined by one of the Let's Talk Supply Chain family - a woman who is helping leaders discover the value of connected planning, with supply chain best practices and stories that matter: it’s Naomi Sylvian. Naomi has 16 years of experience in telling brand stories, powering sales enablement, and increasing brand exposure and online lead generation. Naomi’s marketing career has seen her assume leadership roles at a number of healthcare and technology brands, before taking on her current role in supply chain solution marketing at IT firm, Anaplan. Naomi is passionate about empowering women, and also has a decade of experience in mentoring other marketing and creative professionals. Today Naomi will be talking to us about her career so far; embracing a career in supply chain; collaborating with me on my women in supply chain blog series; and the importance of mentors. Plus, she’ll be sharing her experiences as a woman in supply chain, as well as her words of advice

Today I’m joined by Locus Robotics, a super innovative technology brand that is creating ground-breaking robotics technology, with the right mix of power and flexibility, to improve warehouse productivity. Locus design and build innovative autonomous mobile robots, that work collaboratively alongside people in the fast paced logistics and fulfilment industries. With Locus’s powerful and intelligent autonomous solutions, workers can pick 2x-3x faster with near-100% accuracy and less labor, delivering higher productivity and a better workplace. Today Kait Peterson, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Locus Robotics, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; the importance of flexibility in supply chain; using robots to empower people; and how automation can drive a competitive advantage. With Locus’s powerful and intelligent autonomous solutions, workers can pick 2x-3x faster with near-100% accuracy and less labor, delivering higher productivity and a better workplace. Get your business the com

It’s the fourth and final episode of our Sifted mini-series! Last week in episode three, I was joined by Caleb Nelson, Chief Growth Officer, to talk all about Sifted’s Parcel Audit solution for shippers; how it can identify and recover lost revenue; how the boom in ecommerce has impacted shippers; and the power of strategic automation. And today in episode four, we’ll be turning our attention to Sifted’s Contract Management Suite. I’m joined by Adam Moulding, Chief Innovation Officer, to talk all about the platform; helping customers to go beyond a one-and-done negotiation mindset; the importance of strengthening business relationships; and the role of innovation in the future of supply chain.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [01.43] Some of the big challenges around contract management in the current climate. “Contracts have become even more difficult, there are a lot more vendors… and figuring out all of the supply chain components – contracts, what’s active, what discounts are expiring – has become a real

Today I’m joined by MODIFI, a forward-thinking global financial services technology brand who are on a mission to reinvent global commerce – despite supply chain disruption. MODIFI is a one stop platform for business payments and trade management, founded with the aim to make trade seamless and transparent for businesses around the globe. Designed to challenge the status quo, MODIFI allows exporters and importers alike to gain full control of their cross-border trade. Today Nelson Holzner, CEO and Co-Founder of MODIFI, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; pushing boundaries in the world of finance; how flexible payment terms can help businesses scale quickly; and why it’s so important to bring simplicity and control to global trade.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.25] Nelson’s founder journey, and how a corporate law career led him to become a successful fintech entrepreneur. “My Dad was a sea captain on large container ships, so shipping is deep in my DNA!” [08.10] How, and why, Nelson

It’s episode three of our Sifted mini-series! Last week in episode two, I was joined by Kevin Miller, VP of Data Insights at Sifted, to talk all about what simulation and modeling means; common misconceptions; the benefits of using simulation to make smart supply chain adjustments; and how predictive modeling has the potential to revolutionize your business’s sustainability goals. And today in episode three, it is operational automation’s turn under the Sifted spotlight. I’m joined by Caleb Nelson, Chief Growth Officer, to dive into Sifted’s Parcel Audit solution for shippers; how it can identify and recover lost revenue; how the boom in ecommerce has impacted shippers; and the power of strategic automation.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [01.37] The changing landscape of the industry over the last few years, and how the rise in ecommerce, accelerated by the pandemic, has shifted the entire market. “The carriers are really built to handle a certain number of shipments at a given time, and COVID and the boom