2 Babes Talk Supply Chain

Today I’m joined by Makersite, an award-winning, sustainability-driven software-as-a-service provider helping manufacturing enterprises solve complex challenges around their products and supply chains. Makersite develops next-generation product data management tools for the global manufacturing industry, providing AI, data and apps for sustainable product and supply chain decisions at scale. Founded in 2018, the platform is the only cloud-based platform combining data aggregation and live applications for agile product life cycle management. Today Neil D'Souza, Founder and CEO at Makersite, joins me to chat all about the brand and what they do; using automation to help achieve Net Zero; the importance of shortening innovation cycles; and transforming visibility into resilience.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.35] Neil’s background, his early interest in sustainability, and why he founded Makersite.  “I got into the space early.. and it wasn’t so much about carbon… it was more about looking at how much we

It’s episode 29 of Blended: I’m joined by a new panel of incredible guests and, today, we’re talking about fostering an inclusive workplace. Creating an inclusive workplace doesn’t just benefit your employees, it can pay off in dividends for your business. Companies with a strong culture of inclusion—one that encourages innovation and collaboration among staff—are increasingly seen as more attractive to potential employees, clients, and investors. From revising hiring practices to restructuring internal policies, embracing diversity can be an invaluable asset to any organization. Today, we’ll discuss how you can foster a positive atmosphere at work where everyone feels accepted and respected no matter their gender identity or cultural background.         IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [00.58] Introductions to our Blended panelists. Desiree Booker – Founder/CEO of ColorVizion Lab Jonathan Townsley – Senior Business Partner at Sterling Brian Glick – Founder/CEO of Chain.io [04.10] The group shares their defini

Today I’m joined by BlackBerry Radar, a logistics technology brand that delivers asset monitoring, engineered for intelligence, and designed to solve for your most common transportation challenges. Launched in 2016, BlackBerry Radar is an intelligent, secure and user-friendly asset tracking and monitoring solution. It provides reliable industry-leading visibility into a range of fleet assets, including trailers, flatbeds, chassis and intermodal containers, utilizing device hardware, a secure communications network, and a dynamic cloud platform. Today Shannon Hamilton, Vice President of Blackberry Radar Sales, joins me to chat all about the brand and what they do; pioneering the future of hyperconnectivity; making the complex simple; and leveraging real-time insights to deliver better, and faster, customer service.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.03] How the transportation industry’s challenges have evolved, the landscape of the industry in a post-pandemic environment, and the key focus areas for logistics

In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain, I’m joined by multi-award-winning supply chain leader Darcy MacClaren. Darcy MacClaren is a strategic global leader who has spent 30 years growing, differentiating, and improving businesses through technology transformation with a focus on supply chain. She has held various leadership roles at SAP over the last ten years and currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Digital Supply Chain and Industry 4.0 for SAP North America. Darcy is passionate about collaboration, and committed to guiding organizations in their digital transformation journey through innovative technology and next-generation business processes. Today Darcy will be talking to us about her career so far; the role of sponsors, as well as mentors; building a support network for women; and putting a focus on helping companies build resilient, agile, and sustainable supply chains. Plus, she’ll be sharing her experiences as a woman in supply chain, as well as her words of advice for all of the wom

Today we’re putting the spotlight on one of our incredible live shows, LogTech Live With Eric Johnson. Eric is Senior Editor of Technology at the Journal Of Commerce and a long-time friend of the show, and he brings us his unrivaled industry insights – and Dad jokes! – on the first and third Friday of every month at 10am EST. In this episode, Eric is joined by special guest Anthony Miller, SaaS, Tech, Logistics and Supply Chain Consultant, to talk about the hottest news from the biggest brands in logistics right now.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [08.22] From C.H. Robinson CEO Bob Biesterfeld’s shock exit to a new collaboration between an early-stage tech provider and freight forwarders, Eric explores the news of the week. [15.01] An introduction to Eric’s guest, Anthony Miller, his experience at WiseTech, and his love for logistics. “Logistics is so exciting and ever-changing… some people would say it's still stuck in the past, but I don’t see that. It’s a mixture of both – you have the great people and t

Today I’m joined by Nipendo, a forward-thinking software brand that is on a mission to improve how buyers and suppliers work together to combat Source-to-Pay inefficiencies and costs. The Nipendo platform is an intelligent intermediator between buyers and suppliers, using technologies like Robotic Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to streamline interactions and benefit all trading partners. The Nipendo platform is used by cross-vertical medium-sized and large companies across the globe, helping them reduce costs and improve procurement and supply chain efficiencies, as well as supporting their competitive strength. Today Paul Noel, Chief Revenue Officer at Nipendo, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; their recent acquisition by Amex; changing the game in a flooded SaaS market; helping brands to embrace digital transformation processes; and the importance of bringing buyers and suppliers together in mutually beneficial partnerships.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DIS

Today I’m joined by Aera Technology, a forward-thinking company that is on a mission to drive beyond digital transformation and make businesses smarter, dynamic, digital, and wildly successful. Aera Technology is the Decision Intelligence Company that makes business agility happen. Their innovative cloud platform integrates with your existing systems to digitize, augment, and automate decision-making in real-time. In the era of digital acceleration, Aera helps enterprises around the world transform how they respond to the ever-changing environment. Today Fred Laluyaux, CEO at Aera Technology, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; using AI to reimagine how organizations operate; the rise of citizen data scientists; and harnessing the power of Decision Intelligence.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.40] Fred’s background and exciting career journey as a tech entrepreneur. “I’ve spent the last 25 years of my life building technology that helps large organizations manage their performance... (a

Today I’m joined by TraceGains, the world’s only networked ingredients marketplace. Founded in 2008, TraceGains connects people and information so teams can work smarter. As a global technology company, they provide networked innovation, quality, and compliance solutions to consumer brands that want to reduce supply chain risk, innovate faster, speed up business processes, and take control of data. Today Gary Nowacki, Founder and CEO at TraceGains, joins me to chat all about the company: what they do; achieving visibility and productivity through collaboration; overcoming today’s supply chain challenges; and bringing people and ingredient data together in new ways to achieve business agility.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.31] Gary’s background and how, and why, it led him to founding TraceGains. “When we founded TraceGains, I think we used the same trick that I would recommend for anybody founding a tech or software company: find a real pain, and then make sure it’s not being serviced well.” [08.37] A

In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain, I’m joined by Ashley Yentz, a supply chain leader who is passionate about driving sustainability and creating solutions that improve lives. Ashley discovered her love for supply chain during several successful internships at automotive megabrand, Toyota. And, after a stint as a logistics analyst at Hilti, Ashley’s career really took flight at LeanCor Supply Chain Group. She developed, implemented, and managed lean supply chains totalling around $300M in annual transportation spend and, in 2021, she brought all of her experience, knowledge and passion to her current role as VP of Supply Chain and Material Flow at Sleep Number, a leader in sleep and wellness technology. Today Ashley will be talking to us about her career so far; her passion for creating a more inclusive workforce; developing customer-focused solutions; and why her ultimate goal is to influence a priority shift toward climate change and social consciousness in the logistics and supply chain industry.

Today I’m joined by Lean Solutions Group, a super-successful business service provider that’s using its impressive suite of solutions to make scaling simple. Lean Solutions Group is a nearshore and offshore services provider with a highly scalable and flexible workforce of 7,000 employees with operations at seven satellite offices in Colombia, Guatemala, and the Philippines. Partnering with more than 500 U.S.-based companies, Lean Solutions Group’s expanded service offerings include staffing, technology, marketing, sales, and business process outsourcing services, all in one place. Today Hunter Bell, Senior Account Executive at Lean Solutions, joins me to chat all about the company and what they do; overcoming recruitment challenges; making scaling simple; the power of ‘global shoring’; and how to broaden your reach, without borders.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [07.05] Hunter's journey, how he came to join Lean Solutions and why logistics is in his blood. “I’ve been familiar with the industry. My Dad was

It’s episode 27 of Blended: I’m joined by another talented panel of guests and, today, we’re talking about addiction. This is a topic that is still very taboo. But, as with most things in life, it’s not black and white. Not all addicts are the same, and not everyone is addicted to alcohol or drugs. Our rapidly evolving culture has seen the rise of addiction to things like shopping, social media and even work, but our attitudes to addiction are still very much based in the past. And, around a very certain type of addict – the one I’m sure we’re all used to seeing meet a terrible fate in film and TV. And this kind of thing always worries me, because none of our conversations around DEI can move forward if we’re still holding on to stereotypes and judgments. Things are moving forward for women, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community – it’s time to do the same for all those struggling with, or supporting loved ones who are struggling with, addiction. Today, our guests will be sharing their experiences of addicti

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