2 Babes Talk Supply Chain

Ryan Walicki & Matt Montgomery talk about supplier management - data challenges; complex tech; taking a proactive approach to risk; & the potential of AI.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [06.43] Introductions to today’s guests and what they do. “I completely nerd out about supplier management and third-party risk!” [09.02] From collection and validation to ongoing maintenance, the current processes and challenges of supplier management. “You’d think it was simple… but, in reality, suppliers get asked by a lot of customers to provide data in any number of ways – portals, emails, forms – and if you’re a big supplier, it can be thousands of different ways that you’re transmitting that information, through lots of different people and functions.” “Big organizations use supplier information differently – in sourcing, contracting, supply chain, finance – and all of a sudden there’s multiple versions of this supplier that exists.” [15.26] A closer look at the DNA of a supplier profile, and the importance of ha

Evin Sisemore talks about founding a business alongside her husband; navigating its acquisition; how sales have evolved; & supporting women in supply chain.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.47] Evin’s career journey, and how she found supply chain. “I ended up taking a job and falling in love with it. We always joke, ‘Don’t ever burn any bridges in this industry’ because, once you’re in it, you’re hooked!” [09.22] Why Evin decided to found her own business, Texas Motive Solutions, in 2018; and her advice for budding entrepreneurs. “The reason we were so successful is because we had an amazing team. I would never go into anything without having the best people surrounding me.” [12.52] Evin’s experience founding a business with her husband, and how they achieved a work/life balance whilst living and working so closely together. “My husband is my biggest cheerleader, but he will also push me more than anyone else to be better.” [16.29] How Evin navigated the acquisition of Texas Motive Solutions by Concen

Dwayne Johnson talks about SCI; Section 321 & the rise of borderless e-commerce; & why a well-designed cross-border supply chain can be a competitive advantage. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.45] An introduction to SCI, what they do, and how they help their customers. “Everybody is competing for customers, so it’s important to build a model where the shipping is sustainable, but so is the cost.” [09.15] The ideal client for SCI. [11.09] The changing face of the logistics industry, and why embracing that change is so important. “We, as consumers, are driving the change. Who thought it would take a few days to get something from Asia? Supply chain is changing every day.” [14.10] A closer look at the landscape of logistics, the key challenges and opportunities, and why consumer mindsets are shifting. “Amazon has changed the way we, as consumers, think… but it’s starting to shift – and consumers are thinking ‘do I really need this straight away?’” [18.25] The rise of borderless ecommerce, and how SCI

Martin Hespeler & Graham Burford talk about warehouse management; challenges & opportunities; & how tech is helping logistics providers navigate market forces.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [08.21] Introductions to Martin and Graham, and their roles at CargoWise and AWA Logistics. [09.54] The traditional approach to warehousing and how, and why, that approach has evolved. “The traditional methods are in the rear-view mirror, and we’re moving quite quickly with technology.” “In years past, people would ask ‘how do I reduce my labor cost?’… Since the pandemic, the conversation has shifted dramatically to ‘how do I optimize?’ because labor is not readily available anymore.” [13.10] How the pandemic, and other disruptions, have driven change; and a closer look at the current logistics and warehouse management environment. “The industry has changed, but the labor force has also changed, and that’s the biggest thing we’re seeing with automation. We’re being driven by the labor.” [15.38] The biggest ch

Neil Clover talks about bridging the digital divide; design thinking; the challenges of integrating new tech; & empowering workers by simplifying solutions.    [07.09] Neil’s journey through the world of tech; his reflections on what’s changed and what he’s learned; and why we all need to focus on the art of simplicity. “There’s a lack of simplicity, a lack of elegance… and technology gives us the ability to overcomplicate things – on steroids!” [13.05] Why supply chain is still about people, despite technological advancements; and Neil’s vision for integrating technology with human potential in supply chains. “We have to think of technology as just another tool. When forklifts were introduced, they didn’t replace the people – they augmented the people… There are a lot of repetitive things that machines are built for, but people are the glue, the purpose. You can do a lot of things to a machine, but you can’t put passion into it.” [15.35] The power of design thinking, and how it’s influencing SDI’s approa

Julie Tilenius discusses her career journey; the importance of building skills by trying new things; how the industry has changed; & her biggest achievements.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [08.57] Julie’s early years; how her father’s career ignited a passion for finance; and the job that laid the foundations for her future career path. “I was so fortunate that my first job out of college was for KPMG… working there exposed me to so many industries and different business models.... That was really the stepping stone for my career.” [11.30] How a personal tragedy drove a career change for Julie, and led her to supply chain. “Here I am, a 25-year-old female, going to work for an industrial tool distributor!... But, little did I know, that was going to be the beginning of something amazing for my career.” [13.46] The many and varied roles that Julie experienced during her time at MSC and the importance of trying new things; how she was able to move through disciplines within the business; and her advic

Krenar Komoni talks about Tive; understanding the condition, as well as location, of shipments; sustainability; and why every shipment matters. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.19] Krenar’s education, his passion for start-ups, and the career journey that led him from space stations, chips, and wireless to founding Tive. “I’ve always worked for start-ups since I was a kid… I fell in love with this idea that you can build something out of nothing.” [12.13] An overview of Tive – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. “We make sure our customers have the least amount of shipping problems as they can!” [13.42] The ideal client for Tive. [18.08] From theft to compliance, the biggest logistics challenges currently faced by Tive customers. “Theft is huge right now in the market… just with one company, every week we’re catching two or three events.” [20.57] Visibility – what it means to Tive, and why it’s so important that we recognize its value and translate that into effective supply chai

Ryan Walicki of Relish talks about why enterprise solutions rarely cover all bases; the rise of AI; & the importance of collaboration & customer experience. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.28] The story behind the brand name Relish. “While I’m more of a mustard and ketchup guy personally (!), Relish just really stood out to us – a word that can create certain emotions.” [09.02] Ryan’s background, his love of procurement, and his journey to co-founding Relish. “I fell in love with it… I watched the perception of procurement go from ‘people who buy stuff’ to a strategic function, from analytics and sourcing all the way through invoicing and payment.” [11.53] An overview of Relish – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. “We’re trying to meet users where they are. A lot of users have succumbed to “I’ll just create a workaround” or “Excel can do that for me”… Enough of that!! You should expect more, you should demand more from your enterprise software.” [15.37] The ideal client

Stephen Dascoli & Vincent Lacopella talk about cross-border ecommerce - the challenges & opportunities; the importance of technology; and market growth.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.24] Introductions to Stephen and Vincent, and their roles at CargoWise and Alba Wheels Up. [09.58] The rapid rise in ecommerce, and the factors driving its international growth. “As consumers, we want convenience. You can compare prices, it’s cheap… cross-border ecommerce is going to continue to grow.” [11.54] The impressive growth rate we can expect in ecommerce, and what that growth means for the industry and the different players within it. “The pandemic saw some changes in the way ecommerce was shipped… with more growth comes more opportunities for forwarders, but also more challenges.” [15.04] From compliance and regulations to capacity, the big challenges posed by cross-border ecommerce growth and how they’re affecting the B2B supply chain. “Surging B2C commerce is going to continue to put pressure on sma

Lalitha Rajagopalan talks about her career journey; the experience of founding her own business; her passion for equality; & what she loves about procurement.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [07.40] Lalitha’s early years, and how she went from a degree in economics to the world of procurement and supply chain. [10.20] Lalitha’s extensive education, and her ongoing commitment to curiosity. [12.45] Lalitha’s time at Ariba and SAP; her journey of moving through various functions in product management and marketing; and the big lessons she learned along the way. [17.37] The role of sponsorship and mentorship in Lalitha’s career progression; the culture at SAP and Ariba; and how, and why, Lalitha built her own personal ‘board of directors.’ [22.03] Why Lalitha chose to co-found her own company after a lengthy corporate career, and her experience of making the leap. [24.08] An overview of ORO – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. [26.22] Lalitha’s self-confessed ‘procurement geek’ statu

Evan Shelley of Truck Parking Club talks about creating tech that truckers want to use; why the industry is tough for the small guys; & transforming trucking logistics. [06.49] Evan’s background in real estate, and how his experiences led him to found Truck Parking Club. [08.49] An overview of the current trucking landscape, and the challenges the industry is facing. [12.24] How The Truck Parking Club process works for truckers. [13.30] How Truck Parking Club utilizes networking to access and secure available parking locations. [16.43] How much land an owner needs to sign up to Truck Parking Club, and start monetizing empty and available space. [18.57] The development of the Truck Parking Club app, how it works, and why it was designed entirely with drivers in mind. [21.43] The impact that Truck Parking Club is having on truckers, businesses, and the industry. [24.42] The top three reasons why truckers need local parking; and how Truck Parking Club is evolving as drivers discover fresh ways to use the sol

Amy Leachman of Delivery Solutions talks about the brand & what they do; ecommerce & the importance of omnichannel; and provider and solution diversification. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.58] How, and why, the ecommerce market has evolved so rapidly over the last few years; and the landscape of the industry in 2024. “COVID really shaped or accelerated the business… the need for last mile delivery, and how we think about true retail operations and technologies, has really morphed over the last four years.” [11.13] The challenges and opportunities that retailers are facing in the current climate; and the importance of keeping a close eye on cost and control. “COVID rushed everyone to say ‘I need to integrate here, there and everywhere!’ So, looking at your tech stack, you then have 9, 10 different integrations for everything post-click. How do we simplify that – the cost and the maintenance it takes to uphold all of those API integrations – as well as keep the control?” [12.31] An overview of D

Jill Standish & Laurence Brenig-Jones join Sarah Godet of RELEX to discuss collaboration; surge buying and social media; & balancing cost with service. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [05.37] An introduction to today’s guests, Jill Standish of Accenture and Laurence Brenig-Jones of RELEX, and their roles. [07.20] An overview of an upcoming RELEX report, surveying retail and CPG leaders, that details the industry’s main challenges, opportunities and investment areas; and Jill and Laurence’s reactions to the initial findings. [10.58] Sarah, Jill and Laurence reflect on the rise in surge buying and the role of social media; how companies are starting to tackle these changes; and how the rise of generative AI fits in. [28.04] The guests reflect on the power of collaboration between supply chain partners and retailers; the growing importance of joint forecasting; and the impact this collaborative transparency can have on businesses, and the industry.

Dave Cox of Polaris Transportation Group talks about embracing change; the importance of relationships; cross-border complexity; & the power of digitization.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.38] How Polaris Transportation Group was founded 30 years ago, and the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. [07.38] An overview of Polaris – what they do, and how they help their customers. [08.58] The ideal client for Polaris. [10.30] A closer look at how Polaris has expanded over the years, and the mindset at the forefront of that growth. [12.51] The importance of embracing change; and the challenges and priorities Polaris are seeing across the industry right now. [16.27] Polaris’ cross border services; the complex challenges in cross-border trade; the importance of digitization and strong relationships; and how these elements come together to deliver great experiences for Polaris customers. [19.48] A closer look at Polaris’ supply chain solutions, and how Polaris is utilizing transparency and honest communication

In this episode of the #LetsTalkSupplyChain Podcast, we discuss: [07.11] The early years of Pam’s career, and what she learned along the way. [09.23] Why Pam moved to Brazil, and how she tackled the challenges of living in a new country head-on.  [14.06] How a chance encounter led Pam to produce the very first Entrepreneur Week in Brazil and launch the Latam Founders Awards, which went on to become known as the ‘Oscars for Technology in Latin America.’ [18.21] The importance of breaking down the barriers between the corporate world and disruptive start-ups, and Pam’s advice for budding entrepreneurs looking to take the next step. [22.27] Why Pam embraced a global lifestyle, moving from Rio de Janeiro to San Paulo, and ultimately to Miami to join Lab Ventures. [25.58] How Pam’s ‘Future Of’ event series was acquired and became Manifest, and a closer look at the challenge of producing the very first event during a global pandemic. [29.01] From sponsorship to speaking topics, a peek behind the scenes of producing

Karin Bursa joins Christine Barnhart to launch Supply Chain Unfiltered & talk about industry challenges, bad ERPs & the importance of interoperability. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [09.25] An introduction to Karin Bursa, her long-time friendship with Christine, and her passion for supply chain tech. “I had a practitioner background, and I saw the opportunity for technology to make every day a little bit better… I wanted to be part of helping many companies, not just one, do that – and fell in love with supply chain technology!” [13.15] From innovation and challenges to geopolitical disruption, Karin and Christine discuss the current landscape of supply chain. “It’s a great time to be in supply chain! If you want to make an impact, you’re in the right domain.” “There’s some really cool stuff happening, but we have to get out of our own way. The biggest barrier to automation, innovation, visibility – is something called spreadsheets!” [20.36] An audience poll: “who’s company is currently doing an E

The panel discusses bias - where it comes from; how we call it out; the process of learning and unlearning; the impact of titles; & the top 5 workplaces biases.

Ryan Petersen talks about his entrepreneurial journey; the changes behind the scenes at Flexport; and what we can expect from them and the industry in 2024. [06.30] Ryan’s incredible founder journey, and the ‘why’ behind building Flexport. [09.17] How Ryan sold #logistics tech as an investment opportunity, bringing interest to the industry and raising over $2 billion worth of investment for Flexport to date. [11.27] The role of the press in the ups and downs of Flexport’s history; Ryan’s approach to publicity; and his proactive approach to using marketing to bring transparency to the industry. [14.47] From #acquisitions to internal re-structuring, a closer look at the big changes that have happened behind the scenes at Flexport over the last year. [18.21] Why Flexport acquired Shopify Logistics, and how it fits into Ryan’s vision for the future – particularly when it comes to growth and data. [25.45] The reason for the recent staff layoffs at Flexport, and why Ryan isn’t interested in bad press. [27.54] Why F

Lisa Dolan talks about her 26 year tenure at ALOM; how the industry has changed and the emerging trends to look out for; and why supply chain needs a re-brand. [08.36] Lisa’s career journey, and how her spirit of adventure led her from IT to manufacturing and supply chain. [09.58] An overview of ALOM and what they do; and the forward-thinking woman in supply chain that led Lisa to becoming one of the founding employees of ALOM 26 years ago. [15.15] Lisa’s 26-year career at ALOM, the different ways she’s touched the business, and her current role.  [17.29] The many and varied ways that the industry has changed throughout Lisa’s career so far. [ 23.51] From demand planning and inventory to #AI, the trends to look out for in 2024. [28.43] The varied job roles within supply chain, and why it’s so important to spread the word that there is a place for women in the #industry. [31.17] Lisa’s advice for women looking to build a career in supply chain. [34.10] Lisa’s advice to organizations that claim to struggle when

Yifat Baror & Padhu Raman of Osa Commerce talk about AI & data; the importance of collaboration, connectivity & communication; & the challenges with visibility. [07.11] An introduction to Yifat and Padhu, their backgrounds, and the experience they bring to Osa. [08.36] An introduction to Osa Commerce, what they do, and how they help their customers. [09.10] Why so many organizations are still struggling to achieve #visibility over their supply chains. [10.21] Why supply chain organizations are allegedly spending 3.1 trillion dollars on bad data, and how Osa is tackling those challenges by creating collaborative and connected environments for their clients. [11.46] From the difference between #proprietary and third-party data to accuracy, the biggest challenges with AI right now. [13.05] The importance of #connectivity, and why so many organizations don’t understand that it’s actually their first step to success. [14.03] The current concerns around #cybersecurity and organizations having too ma