Rick Watson, CEO and Founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, LLC., he’s an eCommerce veteran with over two decades of experience. He founded RMW Commerce Consulting and played a crucial role in creating the WHP+ platform. Rick also hosts "The Watson Weekly'' podcast and has appeared on various news programs and industry events like Shoptalk.Nate Skiver, Founder of LPF Spend Management, is a parcel transportation and eCommerce delivery expert with 20 years of experience. He previously worked for Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap Inc., managing global parcel programs. Nate is a thought leader in parcel and eCommerce delivery, contributing articles to PARCEL Magazine and being featured in publications like The Wall Street Journal and Business Insider.SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, hosts Dan Coll and Ninaad Acharya are joined by e-commerce veterans Rick Watson and Nate Skiver to provide valuable insights into the e-commerce peak season in 2023. The discussion covers various aspects, including capacity concerns in small parcel delivery, the influence of promotions and discounts on consumer spending, and the challenges of managing inventory and avoiding out-of-stocks during peak season.The guests emphasize the importance of preparation and scenario planning, sharing their own experiences and lessons learned from past peak seasons. They also discuss the evolving dynamics of peak season, with a shift towards earlier sales and the need for retailers to stay agile and responsive to changing consumer behaviors and economic conditions.Overall, this episode offers valuable advice and strategies for navigating the e-commerce peak season successfully in 2023QUOTES[00:22:51] "Capacity itself, I don't see being a constraint or challenge. But allocating the volume and managing it between carriers might be kind of the other direction." - Nate Skiver[00:28:44] "Returns cost six to eight dollars. If you want to return to them directly now, um, you can't just drop it by the UPS store anymore." - Rick Watson[00:26:12] "The decisions were made six months ago, and I remember six months ago, even thinking about our own business, there was an environment of fear." - Ninaad Acharya[00:34:34] "If less than 50 percent of your digital orders are shipped from the store, then you should probably be very careful what you're offering." - Rick WatsonFind out more about Rick and Nate in the link below:Rick’s LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ecommercestrategyconsulting/Nate’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levelplayingfield/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

Mark Lavelle has over 20 years of experience growing businesses at the intersection of commerce, payments, and internet technology. He’s Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Deep Lake Capital. Previously, Mark was SVP of Commerce at Adobe as a result of the $1.7B acquisition of Magento where he was CEO. Other senior leadership roles include eBay, PayPal and Bill Me Later.SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, Mark Lavelle discusses the changing landscape of e-commerce logistics and the opportunities for disruption in the market. He emphasizes the importance of meeting customer expectations for fast and transparent delivery, and how companies can optimize their shipping processes to achieve this. Mark also highlights the potential impact of Amazon entering the small parcel delivery space and the need for consolidation in the final mile segment. He shares insights on Maergo's approach to solving the shipping problem and the benefits of their end-to-end solution. Mark concludes by discussing the future of e-commerce logistics and the need for sustainable business models in the industry.HIGHLIGHTS[00:01:28] Mark's background and his involvement with PayPal Mafia[00:05:32] The changing landscape of small parcel delivery[00:06:11] Opportunities for disruption in the market[00:08:00] Tackling the end-to-end problem in shipping[00:09:00] Defining the problem of growing consumer expectations for delivery[00:10:23] Solving the logistics challenge for small to medium-sized sellers[00:15:16] New entrants like DoorDash and Instacart change the delivery equation.[00:16:26] The control over the pre-click experience is valuable.[00:17:15] Shipping transparency and costs are crucial to consumers.[00:18:49] The gap in consumer expectations needs to be addressed.[00:27:14] Need for A/B testing to show the impact of faster delivery[00:28:29] Challenges of splitting inventory and the need for cost containment[00:30:07] Advantages of operating out of a single node for efficiency[00:38:02] Frustration with slow-moving warehouse systems[00:38:35] The need for multi-carrier systems to easily add new carriers[00:39:12] Amazon's announcement of charging a 2% cut for self-fulfilled orders[00:41:01] Amazon's focus on customer expectations and delivery promise[00:44:39] Lack of dominance in the logistics industry and opportunity for strategic VCsQUOTES[00:21:44] "You have to orient your supply chain and your parcel chain, and your consumer brand strategy really to meet their needs of up leveling expected delivery date, transparency around cost, and transparency around every stage of delivery." - Mark Lavelle[00:22:55] "If you want it expedited, there's going to be a way, it's going to be this. It builds more trust than waiting until the end of the process and having the customer abandoned."Find out more about Mark Lavelle in the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mklave/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

 Ninaad Acharya, Co-founder and CEO of Fulfillment IQ, is a dynamic supply chain leader with 20 years of experience in digital transformation. He's driven by simplicity and effectiveness, having spearheaded disruptive tech solutions for Fortune 50 firms, retailers, 3PLs, and eCommerce brands, including Nordstrom and FedEx. Ninaad accelerates supply chain startups to market, saving costs and enabling $500M in capital automation and 135+ warehouse tech projects. His dedicated team counters rising costs and fosters tech-enabled supply chain solutions, helping companies reach their supply chain's full potential.Dan Coll, partner and Chief Revenue Officer at Fulfillment IQ and an award-winning supply chain leader, is well-known in the industry for creating winning e-commerce strategies and solutions for global e-commerce brands, retailers, 3PLs and many emerging companies (including unicorns).He has dedicated over 20 years of his life to fixing eCommerce fulfillment problems by driving notable results through the sheer power of his knowledge, network and expertise. Currently, Dan leverages his previous experience of leading the largest 3PL’s in North America to help 3PL’s, eCommerce and retail companies grow.Harshida Acharya, Partner and Chief Marketing Officer at Fulfillment IQ. She’s a full-funnel marketer with hands-on experience in brand & performance marketing for hyper-growth tech startups, enterprise brands and supply chain and logistics companies. She’s also the creator and producer of the hit eCom Logistics Podcast. With almost 15 years of experience in the space, Harshida has led successful go-to-market campaigns for supply chain and logistics firms by flipping the industry mindset to focus on valuable content creation, demand generation, and building long term relationships. SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, hosts Dan Coll and Ninaad Acharya are joined by Harshida Acharya, the CMO and Partner of Fulfillment IQ, to reflect on their one-year journey of hosting the Ecom Logistics podcast. They discuss the growth and evolution of the supply chain tech market, the current state of affairs, and the impact of the pandemic on the industry. They also highlight the importance of proactive planning and strategic initiatives for the future. The hosts emphasize the need for brands and 3PLs to invest in supply chain software, integrate systems, and adapt to changing consumer expectations. They express optimism for the upcoming peak season and provide advice for organizations to stay ahead in the ever-evolving supply chain landscape.HIGHLIGHTS[00:01:15] Reflection on the podcast's one-year journey[00:04:15] Importance of community feedback and engagement[00:08:03] Discussion on the current state of the supply chain tech market[00:11:20] Enterprise players' increased investment in supply chain software[00:13:23] Importance of proactive planning for 2024[00:20:37] Growing focus on integrations in the supply chain space[00:23:00] Trends in supply chain software investment and automation projects[00:30:11] Importance of choosing the right technology for scaling[00:39:14] Optimistic outlook for peak season and advice for 3PLs and brandsQUOTES[00:26:44] “A lot of different systems play. But at the end of the day, the ‘why’ is because the consumer expectation continues to shift. And we thought maybe the Amazon prime two day experience was going to maybe go away or stay or stick or whatever, but it's here to stay. So consumers are still looking for their goods at a very low cost or free and fast.” - Dan Coll[00:33:30] “The tech that helped you scale up to $10 million in revenue is not the same tech that's gonna help you get to a hundred. You're gonna have to make some adjustments and you're gonna have to prepare yourself and prepare to kind of meet that kind of scale.” - Harshida Acharya[00:38:25] “Find great partners, find great tools. It's gonna help you in the long run. Don't write code for the sake of writing code.” - Ninaad AcharyaConnect and find out more about us through the links below.Dan Coll’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcoll/Ninaad’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninaad/Harshida’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harshida/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

Jorrit Steinz is the Founder of ChanngelEngine.com, a platform that helps stores, brands, and distributors find millions of new customers by connecting them to marketplaces globally. He has been active in eCommerce for almost 20 years building expertise in areas such as B2C, B2B, and D2C eCommerce, marketplaces, SaaS, and international platform strategies. He is a public speaker at various events and an adviser on the rapid changes in the global retail landscape for brands, distributors, and large retailers.SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, Jorrit Steinz, CEO and founder of ChannelEngine, shares his insights on the state of multi-channel eCommerce and the opportunities for brands and retailers to expand into new markets. He discusses the shift from channel conflict to channel expansion, the rise of direct-to-consumer sales for brands, and the importance of connecting to marketplaces to stay competitive. Jorrit also highlights the cultural nuances and logistics challenges of expanding internationally and emphasizes the need for brands to partner with logistics providers and agencies to navigate these complexities.HIGHLIGHTS[00:02:14] Guest's journey in eCommerce and the founding of ChannelEngine[00:08:01] The current state of multi-channel eCommerce and international expansion[00:11:24] Importance of connecting to marketplaces and the concept of the buy box[00:19:44] The impact of delays in the one P model and the need for a three P contingency plan[00:24:28] Cultural nuances and advice for expanding into international markets[00:30:11] The balance between sales-driven goals and product-centric objectives[00:34:59] The importance of building a strong logistics infrastructure[00:38:14] The growth of ChannelEngine and the focus on product development[00:44:30] Where to learn more about ChannelEngine and connect with the guestQUOTES[00:10:48] "If you're not ready as a brand, you're just clearly missing out on revenue if you don't connect to these marketplaces." - Jorrit Steinz[00:17:53] "Winning the buy box is based on seller performance and price optimization. It's crucial to have the right technology and automation to compete effectively." - Jorrit Steinz[00:37:11] "Don't try to do everything yourself if you're a brand or retailer. Leverage the expertise of partners and focus on your core competencies." - Jorrit SteinzFind out more about Jorrit Steinz in the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorritsteinz/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

In this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, Udai Tennati discusses the evolution of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and the shift towards cloud-based solutions. He explains how technology has advanced from mainframe systems to distributed architectures and now to cloud-native applications. Udai emphasizes the importance of being API-savvy and highlights the benefits of using cloud-based WMS, such as increased scalability, reliability, and security. He also shares insights on when it is the right time to engage with a tier one WMS solution and the role of professional services in the implementation process. Udai concludes by discussing the future of WMS, including the use of AI and natural language processing to simplify user interfaces and provide real-time insights.ABOUT UDAI Udai Tennati is a supply chain software applications expert with an impressive track record spanning over 20 years. He has dedicated his career to enhancing end-user experiences, making supply chain processes smoother and more efficient.Udai's leadership skills have been honed through his 23-year journey at Manhattan Associates, where he held pivotal roles, including Vice President, Technical. In this position, he led global teams and was responsible for delivering essential product suites such as Distribution Management and Enterprise Order Management.Beyond his professional accomplishments, Udai is also passionate about making a positive impact on the community. He played a key role in establishing the Atlanta Chapter of Asha for Education and actively contributed to research as a Research Associate at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.HIGHLIGHTS[00:00:00] Introduction to the podcast and guest, Udai Tennati[00:02:25] Evolution of WMS technology from mainframe to cloud-based[00:04:56] Factors to consider when choosing a WMS solution[00:09:02] Importance of being API-savvy in using cloud-based applications[00:12:55] Shift in resource allocation for WMS implementation[00:16:03] The future of WMS and the role of AI[00:19:10] Simplification of user interface and access to information[00:22:07] The role of professional services in WMS implementation[00:26:12] The impact of cloud technology on WMS implementation time[00:42:13] Exciting developments in WMS, such as AI and digital twinsQUOTES[00:10:42] “The leap of faith there was not that large. Because most technologists, most consumers of software saw that hey, this thing actually scales and the response times are really great and it's highly resilient.” - Udai Tennati[00:29:33] “It's not really the size of your network, because you may have a very simple box in box outflow. Big boxes coming in, big boxes going out. You may have 50 such buildings spread all over the country or many countries, but the flow is fairly simplistic” - Udai TennatiFind out more about Will Udai in the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/utennati/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

In this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, Will Lovatt discusses the challenges and opportunities in the European eCommerce logistics landscape compared to the North American market. He highlights the fragmented nature of the European market due to different languages, legal jurisdictions, and tax regimes. Will also emphasizes the importance of understanding consumer expectations in the UK, such as fast and reliable delivery, sustainability, and the rise of pickup spots and lockers. He also touches on the adoption of automation in European warehouses and the impact of Brexit on supply chain operations.ABOUT WILLWill Lovatt is the General Manager and Vice President of Deposc. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Will has worked with companies like IBM, JDA, and Llamasoft. He specializes in helping direct-to-consumer supply chains optimize their operations and navigate the complexities of the European market. Currently working with some of the world's most demanding, innovative and fast-growing direct-to-consumer supply chains to improve their responsiveness and efficiency. Deposco native web SaaS solutions power the supply chains of Consumer Packaged goods, 3PLs, and a wide spectrum of eCommerce operations. HIGHLIGHTS[00:02:13] Will Lovatt's background and experience in the logistics industry[00:05:02] The evolution of supply chain and the need for flexible and dynamic solutions[00:08:03] The accessibility of enterprise-level solutions for mid-market brands[00:10:18] The challenges and complexities of expanding into the European market[00:15:07] The differences in consumer expectations between the UK and the US[00:18:34] Considerations for brands entering the UK or European market[00:21:53] The importance of location and planning laws in setting up a warehouse[00:23:24] The adoption of pickup spots and lockers in the UK[00:26:09] The importance of reliability in meeting customer expectations[00:29:04] The adoption of automation in the UK and Europe[00:32:50] The importance of having a holistic omni-channel strategy[00:40:31] How to learn more about DePosco and connect with Will Lovatt QUOTES[00:25:49] “Customers are openly comparing. And if you have a look at forums, they're talking about the courier that we have. Either failed them or satisfied their order openly.” - Will Lovatt[00:22:26] “I guess the point is that the country governments have got a role to play in either being attractive to eCommerce operators or not. Um, and whether they realize that or not, that they're making some small decisions, which are, which are pushing. Boundaries one way or the other and or the preference for one side of a boundary or the other.” - Will Lovatt Find out more about Will Lovatt in the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willlovatt/?originalSubdomain=uk  Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

In this episode, Corey Apirian, Founder and CEO of DaVinci Micro Fulfillment, discusses his experience in the supply chain industry, starting with his major in supply chain management at Syracuse University. He then shares his experience working for a wholesale distributor, where he learned inventory and receiving. Corey talks about his experience starting a multi-million dollar business with Amazon's drop-ship program and how he helped brands build their online strategies through a wholesaler. The episode is filled with insights on micro-fulfillment, Amazon's regional fulfillment model, and the benefits of micro-fulfillment for small and medium-sized businesses. ABOUT COREYAs an accomplished Supply Chain and Operations Leader with more than 15 years of senior management experience, Corey finds that his successes have been achieved by effectively developing and executing strategies to drive significant growth, savings, and exceptional service. He specializes in eCommerce and channel merchandising, aligning operational initiatives with corporate objectives, and building and leading high performing teams that succeed through a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and engagement. He is also proficient in product development and management, conducting successful contract negotiations, implementing continuous improvements and emerging technologies, and cultivating key relationships and partnerships. HIGHLIGHTS(00:02:14) Corey's Background(00:03:39) Starting a Multi-Million Dollar Business with Amazon's Drop-Ship Program(00:15:08) The Benefits of Micro-Fulfillment(00:15:10) The Importance of Understanding Your Assortment and Selling Strategy(00:35:11) The Potential for Automation in Sortation(00:36:14) Micro-Fulfillment vs. Quick/Fast Commerce(00:40:35) Ideal Inventory Turns for Micro-Fulfillment(00:40:38) Inventory Control and Dead Inventory(00:41:11) The Importance of Merchandising and Automation for Micro-Fulfillment(00:42:15) Finding a Good Partner for Micro-Fulfillment QUOTES (00:17:21) Explanation of direct fulfillment and earning and maintaining metrics for prime eligibility. - Corey: “You have to ship on time so that those goods not only have to be manifested on time, but they have to be scanned into the carrier network on time. They have to be delivering at the same time that Amazon told the customer that it's delivering and that has to be accurate. Right? There's like really four levels of metric. To maintain what they call a GD, Guaranteed Delivery status. And in many cases, it requires up to a six hour cycle time on orders.”(00:32:08) The disruption and innovation in last mile delivery and the potential for consolidation. - Corey: “Not to disrespect UPS, FedEx and the post office, because what they have built is just incredible over the past couple of decades. And they're the pioneers, right? And maybe on some level dealing with an innovator's dilemma, they drive down the last block to go deliver packages, but they're not a last mile carrier in the sense of that of that word, this point to point delivery and this quality delivery and the cost of that delivery, I think that's the unlock that they're trying to bring.” Find out more about Corey in the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-apirian/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

In this episode, Simon Kalouche, founder and CEO of Nimble, joins the hosts to discuss the future of ecommerce logistics and the role of automation and robotics. Simon emphasizes the importance of automating core warehouse processes while acknowledging the challenges of handling edge cases. He shares his background in robotics and the application of deep learning in the field. Simon also highlights the potential of gecko adhesive technology for gripping and handling objects in logistics. The conversation explores the need for warehouses designed for robots and the vision of creating fully autonomous warehouses. Simon concludes by emphasizing the value of human involvement in the evolving landscape of ecommerce logistics. ABOUT SIMONSimon founded Nimble in 2017 after dropping out of his PhD at Stanford. He's spent the last 5 years inventing and scaling intelligent next-gen autonomous logistics systems. Previously Simon led development of dynamic legged robots for the Department of Defense while completing his masters in robotics at Carnegie Mellon, International Space Station robots for NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab and autonomous off-road vehicles for the Air Force Research Lab. HIGHLIGHTSIf you try to automate all the one-offs, your warehouse will end up costing way too much.There's always edge cases and one-off things you have to solve for in logistics.Deep Imitation Learning allows robots to learn tasks through human demonstration.Designing warehouses conducive to robots opens up new possibilities for automation.The future of ecommerce logistics lies in a balance between automation and human involvement. QUOTES Real-World Automation Strategist, Variability Management Specialist. Simon: “I saw an opportunity to deploy this in the real world. There are so many monotonous, repetitive tasks out in the real world that are, you know, that are very repetitive, but yet too hard to automate because there's a lot of variability involved. And eCommerce to film is a classic example, right? If you think about a warehouse. You know, all day long is picking and packing and picking and packing. Uh, but the part that makes that task hard to automate is that you could be picking and packing 10 million or 20 million different objects, right? And every object has a different size and shape and weight and texture and stiffness and something you're fragile.”Labor Optimization, Warehouse Automation. Simon: “Running a warehouse today is very hard because of the labor problem, right? The, it's, it's very hard to find, to recruit, to train and to retain hundreds or thousands of people. Um, and, and that is what makes a warehouse very challenging to operate. And then when you wanna run a network of warehouses, you're multiplying that challenge by. You know, by the number of nodes in, in your network by three nodes, four nodes, five nodes, you know, whatever it might be. And so that, you know, you're quickly managing thousands of people. It takes a lot of money and, and effort and overhead to manage all of that. If you can automate the warehouses and reduce the amount of labor that's needed, um, you know, by an order of magnitude, warehouses all of a sudden don't become, you know, rocket science, uh, to run, you know, if the robots are working and the, you know, the system is highly automated. You know, the, the warehouse is not that hard to run” Find out more about Simon in the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-kalouche-98883343/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

HIGHLIGHTSThe pivotal experiences of Joe's journeyMaking the chaos work to your benefitShould I do it myself or seek a partner to fulfillment for me?You can now get a WMS that is affordable and you can implement quicklyThe customer is your most important stakeholderUtilize software that helps you do your job QUOTESFocus on what's going to drive revenue - Joe: "I think that's really the question you have to answer for yourself, "What do you want to do? Do you want to be great at fulfillment?" Because you can if you really focus on it. But if you don't have that in-house muscle and a founder or co-founder loves, lives, and breathes supply chain and fulfillment, then you probably shouldn't do it."You need operational rigor to execute but recognize difficulties - Joe: "I said before, fulfillment's hard. It is just an underrated, really difficult task to pull off because you are dealing with very large costs, very variable business and nobody knows how to forecast. I don't care who tells you great of forecasting, nobody is." Find out more about Joe in the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephpgullo/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Andreu Marco, Former Global SVP of Supply Chain at Burberry. Transforming luxury brands with the approach of innovation in tech and strategy can mean a world of difference, especially in today's time. Andreu shares his  insights on the importance of customer centricity and how this can propel your performance overall. ABOUT ANDREUAndreu Marco has Over 25 years of End to End Retail SC experience with leading Luxury, fashion, retail, and FMCG brands (Burberry, Inditex, Firmenich etc.). He has been one of the first leaders in Retail to move towards Omni Channel solutions, achieving the big success we all saw in Burberry, which became number one company in its sector in Supply Chain, Technology and digitalizations during the years he was leading its Supply Chain-omni channel operations. Andreu has operated in all key markets, with special focus on China, Europe, and USA, and also in all retail, digital, B2B, B2C, and B2B2C channels. His passion is digitalization, strategy, customer centricity, and building very strong, performing teams. Andreu lives between Barcelona and London, where he is currently COO for a big international omni channel brand.  HIGHLIGHTS03:31 Supply chain needs to be a servant to the consumer08:10 The luxury war, is one of the most inefficient supply chains areas15:02 How Andreu managed to put the customer at the center23:24 Tackling challenges in the omni channel30:05 What to do when the margin is really low and consumers needs their product in 2 hours35:57 Andreu's approach to tech and IT in the logistics space QUOTES11:14 Eliminate friction so the customer has access to the product - Andreu: "The decision is inventory belongs to the customer. We put the customer at the center and that means that we have to change the dynamics of the company, which for 150 years were built around building channels, wholesale, retail, travel, and e-commerce. And we kind of eliminated all these artificial barriers that the company built during many years."17:39 Going from 36 distribution centers to 2 globally - Andreu: "We were dramatically reducing our inventory and our working capital while we were increasing sales. How did we achieve that? We were putting all the inventory that we had in the company, including vendors, goods in transit, the stores, including B2B2C partners. We were putting all of this inventory at the service of customers" Find out more about Andreu in the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreu-marco-82835817/  Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Brittain Ladd, Strategy Advisor Shatranj Capital Partners. Amazon is technically one of the biggest players in the eCommerce space, so you would not expect them to make pretty crucial mistakes when it comes to online grocery retail. Aside from explaining why this is the case, Brittain takes us through a master class of online retail overall in today's episode! ABOUT BRITTAINBrittain has 20 years of experience in supply chain management and logistics. He has lived and worked in China, India, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Europe, and the United States. Brittain is a global strategy and supply chain consultant and a writer for Forbes and his own website, brittainladd.com.  Brittain is also recognized as being one of the most accurate analysts in business. He successfully predicted multiple major acquisitions more than a year in advance of them occurring including Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods, Microsoft and Walmart partnering to bid on TikTok, and most recently, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.  Brittain is frequently quoted in the press and often appears on major news networks like CNN, Fox Business, and the BBC.  HIGHLIGHTS01:18 How Amazon is playing the grocery space08:22 The ROI of a good micro-fulfillment system14:39 How Target potentially playing in the next years19:28 Brittain's experience with ecommerce in India24:40 What is the ONDC28:08 How India would look to the future QUOTES04:22 The math in groceries works differently - Brittain: "Unlike other businesses where you can scale and you can lower costs the more scale that you have, it doesn't work like that in groceries. For simple math, if it cost me $10 to fulfill one online order, it's still gonna cost me $10 to fulfill a thousand online orders."22:47 Mom-and-pop stores at the center of India's retail - Brittain: "For those of you who don't know, what makes India so fascinating is they have what's called the kiranas, these little tiny mom-and-pop shops that have been in those families for generations. And there are literally millions of these kiranas throughout India. And so instead of trying to put them out of business, which at one point Amazon was trying, and it was a terrible decision, Flipkart, Walmart, and now Amazon are saying, well, how do we make friends with the kiranas." Find out more about Brittain in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittainladd/Website: https://brittainladd.com/ Check out our first conversation with Brittain:How to Revamp eCommerce Fulfillment Through Partnerships    Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Erin Van Zeeland, Chief Commercial Officer and Group SVP/GM of Logistics at Schneider. A lot has changed for providers of transportation and logistics services over the pandemic. Erin shares her insights on sustainability in the trucking and distribution management industries and how much the space has been evolving over time. ABOUT ERINErin Van Zeeland is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Logistics at Schneider, a premier provider of transportation, intermodal, and logistics services. In this position, she is accountable for the strategy, execution, and growth/profitability of Schneider’s fastest-growing segment including brokerage, supply chain and distribution management, and the power-only service offerings. Additionally, Van Zeeland is the company’s Chief Commercial Officer. In this capacity, she is responsible for the commercial strategy and the development of the organization which includes activities relating to marketing, sales, sales force effectiveness, product development, and service that drives business growth and expanded market share. Van Zeeland started her career at Schneider in 1993 and has subsequently held several leadership roles in a variety of positions with increasing responsibility for customer growth and business expansion throughout operations, tech, business transformation, human resources, enterprise/global customer engagement, and logistics. Van Zeeland holds a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wis. She also received a Corporate Governance certificate from the Harvard Business School Van Zeeland was the recipient of Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s first-ever Women in Supply Chain Award. Van Zeeland currently serves on the board of directors for the United Way – Green Bay. She also co-leads the Schneider Women’s Network and various other women in leadership and business programs.  HIGHLIGHTS03:44 How Erin's journey in Scheider started 13:29 Sustainability in trucking operations 19:54 Production costs of green products versus non-green products 27:42 How the autonomous truck industry is reshaping 33:29 Erin on the importance of relationships in the industry38:54 Erin's advice for people looking to get into logistics QUOTES19:24 We're leaning more and more into enviroment-friendly products - Erin: "They will have laundry detergent on the shelf right next to each, other one that's green one that's not green, it will be priced differentially. And they are seeing more and more of us as consumers going for the green option, the better option for the environment. And so it's good for business, people want to feel good about what they're buying and spending money on and they can prove it down to the details of their operation. So they're investing more there."33:36 The importance of connection in the industry - Erin: "The kind of work that we do with customers has changed as you have AI automation, kind of API connections with customers, there's a lot less rub or rigor between the way that our systems work together and communicate information, we now have direct lines of communication to many shippers right into their TMS or WMS so that you don't need that much friction." Find out more about Erin in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-van-zeeland-a567317/Website: https://schneider.com Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Kevin Lawton, Founder of The New Warehouse. Today, he talks about the innovations that are starting to take over warehousing operations today.Kevin shares how he started his podcast and how the warehousing space has changed over time with the emergence of technology. From AI and computer vision being utilized in training to more practical applications on the job. He also discusses how he got into the micro-fulfillment space and what he expects moving forward. ABOUT KEVINKevin has been involved in the distribution industry for 11 years, primarily focusing on inventory control. He started The New Warehouse Podcast in 2019 with over 350 episodes published. He is also an adjunct professor in supply chain at Rider University.He has grown The New Warehouse into a 3PL services business with a recently opened Micro-fulfillment center in Philadelphia. HIGHLIGHTS02:28 How Kevin started The New Warehouse podcast11:22 Understanding demographic replacement today15:55 Using technology for warehouse training and operations26:52 What excites Kevin about the micro-fulfillment space35:45 Observable changes in micro-fulfillment over the years QUOTES21:10 Using virtual reality for warehouse training - Kevin: "I love the training stuff just with the safety aspect overall. Training in the warehouse should be the same every time. I think programs like that allow you to do that same type of training every time.24:07 Any tools that help understand what's happening in the warehouse are extremely impactful - Kevin: "When you think about reducing staff by bringing in automation and robotics and just having member shortages in general with less people wanting to work in warehouses. Think about 4-5 managers having to cover half a million square feet, you can't be everywhere at the same time. Find out more about Kevin in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinclawton/Website: https://www.thenewwarehouse.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Mark Delaney, Vice President of Global Industry Strategy at FourKites. Making sure that customers' expectations are met every time they come to your store is much harder than it sounds. Mark talks about the overall value of visibility not only for customer experience but for more efficient processes on the business side.  ABOUT MARKMark Delaney is currently VP Industry Strategy at FourKites. In this role, he engages with retailers’ C-level leaders and their teams to understand and address industry-specific workflows and use cases. He serves as an SME to help drive the product roadmap and support our global sales teams. He keeps a strong pulse on industry trends and frequently solicits customer and partner’s feedback on the technology investments that they are making to help inform and advance FourKite’s innovation with a customer-first mindset. He represents FourKites at industry events and briefings. Prior to FourKites, Mark was a Retail Industry Principal at Zebra Technologies where he led customer briefings, met with the press and analysts and worked with their Ventures organization evaluating potential investments. Mark has more than 20 years of experience in the retail industry and has worked with most large retailers globally. Before joining Zebra, Mark held leadership roles at Nielsen and General Mills and owned his own retail technology and analytics consulting firm. Mark holds a BS in Marketing from SUNY Oswego and serves on several boards in his community. He is also the mayor of a village on the north shore of Long Island where he and his family live. HIGHLIGHTS01:40 Mark's 20-year journey in the logistics space.04:16 Is same-day or two-day delivery really necessary?10:09 Driving value and achieving the experience that customers demand.17:16 There's a lot more willingness to share data now.21:46 Employee satisfaction is now top of mind for many.26:25 What's happening in the robotics space?31:31 The role of labor market push in bringing in automation QUOTES13:41 Visibility and transparency help you make sure consumer expectations are met - Mark: "You need to have that level of accuracy at the store because otherwise, you have a consumer who now jumped in their car, drove 10 minutes away, walked in the store, now you've given them a terrible experience. Now because that loyalty's been shattered, there's a very good chance they're going to go across the street to your competitor." 21:56 The importance of listening to consumers and customers - Mark: "One other area that's top of mind with our customers these days is employee satisfaction. Because it's very expensive to lose a good employee, especially someone who's been there for a period of time and you've invested in all that training. For them to be mired down by spreadsheets and phone calls and all that, if you can give them that visibility and confidence that they're communicating something that's accurate, they feel better as associates."  Find out more about Mark in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjdelaney001/Website: https://www.fourkites.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Sucharita Kodali, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research. Today, she shares a wealth of knowledge on retail and the consumer goods space. We go through topics including trends in the ecommerce and retail world today, strategies for retention and improvement, and the potential of technology in the space.  ABOUT SUCHARITASucharita serves digital business strategy professionals. She is an expert in e-commerce, omnichannel commerce, consumer behavior, and trends in the retail and consumer goods space. She is also an authority on technology developments that affect the online commerce industry and vendors that facilitate online marketing and merchandising.  In her research, Sucharita covers areas such as e-commerce trends and global, regulatory, and technology issues shaping commerce. She is the author of Forrester’s “The World’s Most Future-Proofed Brands” report, which reviews global consumer-facing brand manufacturers. She is often the keynote speaker at retailer conferences around the world and is frequently featured in national media such as NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Information, and more. Prior to Forrester, Sucharita was the director of marketing at Saks Fifth Avenue, where she managed the customer acquisition, retention, and market research efforts for the $2 billion luxury retailer's online channel. Prior to Saks, she held management positions at Toys R Us, where she was a merchant in the Babies R Us division and a store manager in one of the company's largest toy stores. She also worked for the Walt Disney Company, where she was part of the strategic planning team. Sucharita holds a BA in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. HIGHLIGHTS02:18 How Sucharita's journey in retail started09:10 The boom in online commerce during the pandemic14:51 The bullwhip effect in retail supply chain recently21:05 Can we expect more automation and robotics in warehousing?27:07 Don't try to match what Amazon is doing34:24 Will there be conflict in CPG when working with consumers and being a direct-to-consumer brand? QUOTES16:58 Don't diversify only when there are issues - Sucharita: "One of the things we learned from the pandemic was that maybe we are too concentrated with our supply chains in Asia, particularly in China, then you add on some of the geopolitical issues. I think companies are gradually recognizing that maybe they do need to diversify their supply chains. But it's a painful decision to have to make because then you have to increase the costs of your inputs." 27:07 Look inward instead of trying to compete with top players like Amazon - Sucharita: "I think that the companies that created a lot of the frenzy around shipping were the ones that fundamentally didn't really have differentiated offerings. They were selling the same things Amazon is selling and net-net all being equal, if you are slower than Amazon, you have the same products, and you're not even pricing better, you really don't have a choice  but to either lower your prices or increase your speed of shipping." Find out more about Sucharita in the links below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sucharitamulpuru/Website: https://www.forrester.com/bold Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Scott Weiss, Vice President Technical Sales-Warehousing and Distribution Services at Maersk North America. Today, he shares his thoughts on why many brands and 3PL relationships end up falling apart and how to approach issues that arise within the partnership. ABOUT SCOTTScott Weiss has over 25 years of 3PL warehouse and distribution leadership experience.  As Vice President of Technical Sales, Scott oversees the Warehouse and Distribution sales for Maersk North America.  Founded in 1904, A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated, asset-based logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers’ supply chains from factory to door.   As the global leader in logistics services, the company operates in 130 countries and employs more than 100,000 people worldwide with 550 global warehouses.  Maersk is one of the leading omni-channel logistics providers in North America that operates over 7,000 trucks, 158 warehouses, and 26 million square feet of warehouse space with an extensive list of e-commerce, wholesale, and retail companies ranging from start-up to CPG Fortune 500 companies.  Scott holds an M.B.A. degree in Management from California State University, Fullerton; a B.S. Degree with a triple concentration in Finance, Banking, and Real Estate from San Francisco State University; and Global Logistics Specialist (GLS) designation from California State University, Long Beach.  He resides in Malibu, CA. HIGHLIGHTS01:31 Majority of brand-3PL relationships end in a divorce07:00 3PLs are at a good position to be supply chain advisors for midmarket brands09:49 What clients ask for when it comes to helping with sourcing a product13:01 Pros and cons of a single node network15:42 Are customers asking for automation and robotics? QUOTES10:35 What to consider from sourcing the product to delivery - Scott: "You need to look at the whole picture. Inbound, real estate,  labor, and outbound, before you can give them the answer. So with global supply chain, looking at that whole piece of a puzzle is the only way you're going to give the best possible answer and recommendations."  16:37 Protect your workforce - Scott: "Employee retention, I've seen a big increase for companies that have their own warehousing 3PLs. The value of treating an employee and taking care of them has never been higher. That's one thing that came out of COVID that companies frankly did not pay as much attention to before." Find out more about Scott in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottweisslogistics/Website: https://www.maersk.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Josh Jewett, Operating Partner at NewRoad Capital Partners. Today, he shares his time and experience in working with enterprises and exploring opportunities in supply chain and operations using the technological advancements of today. He also shares his thoughts on professional services and how they interact with logistics overall. ABOUT JOSHJosh Jewett is an operating partner at NewRoad Capital Partners, a private equity firm investing in opportunities in Supply Chain, Logistics, Retail, and Consumer Packaged Goods sectors in the lower middle market. He leverages his executive experience driving value for two large retail enterprises to improve the performance of his firm’s portfolio companies and the return for his firm’s investors. Before his current roles, Josh was CIO at Dollar Tree, Inc. and its subsidiary, Family Dollar, Inc., from 2002 to 2020. Following the close of the $11B acquisition of Family Dollar in 2015, Josh led the effort to create IT as a shared service for all Dollar Tree banners.  In his role at Dollar Tree, Josh also partnered with fellow senior executives to drive several major corporate initiatives in supply chain and logistics, customer engagement, human capital management, and back office operations by leveraging a variety of advanced technological solutions to capitalize on the scale of the new $24B retail organization. Josh’s leadership and expertise has been recognized by multiple regional and national industry organizations. Most notably, he was named CIO of the Year, “Strategic Impact” by RIS News in 2013. He was also chosen as CIO of the Year later that same year by the Charlotte Business Journal.  HIGHLIGHTS01:01 What brought Josh into the private equity world and taking a mentorship role05:51 Understanding a company as an enterprise-class buyer09:17 Is there ever a world where professional services and logistics do not exist13:03 Buy vs build from the technology standpoint16:22 Generative AI and the impact of similar technology QUOTES 06:40 It can be natural to become an enterprise-class buyer - Josh: "There's much more to it than just a great product. You have to have a great team, you have to have momentum in the marketplace, you have to have added competition and all that. But invariably that's the first thing I look at is what's the business problem it's trying to solve and do I believe that this is a good way to solve that problem"   10:15 Few organizations have the bench strength to implement a new product - Josh: "There's always a burn-in and optimization phase with a new platform. If you don't have skills or the resources to do that, there's no way to get around professional services supplementing your activity." Find out more about Josh in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshjewett-cio/Website: https://newroadcp.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Patrick Nikoletich and Nima Elyassi-Rad, the CTO and the Vice President of Global Business Development of Shippo respectively. We sit with the amazing duo to talk about understanding fulfillment from different perspectives, creating a great delivery experience, and the innovations shaping the space for businesses and consumers alike. ABOUT PATRICK AND NIMAPatrick is a technology executive and founder. He currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Shippo managing both product and engineering organizations. Previously, he served as the VP of Product at Truveta focused on developing AI/ML applications to improve the outcomes of patients receiving treatments, at Microsoft in Azure and AI & Research divisions as an engineering and program manager, and working for and leading small businesses developing applications with larger enterprises. In his spare time he enjoys skiing, riding motorcyles and hiking in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two dogs.Nima, on the other hand, is a technology executive, investor, and founder. He currently serves as the VP of Business Development at Shippo. Previously, he started a soccer brand, spent time as a VC, knows how to sling pizza, and put in time on the 1st and 2s as a Hip Hop radio DJ.HIGHLIGHTS02:25 Logistics from a cost and customer experience perspective09:25 You don't need to have an Amazon-like delivery experience especially early on.15:14 Many copycat brands will start going away.21:13 Innovations and their practical applications in the eCom space today.QUOTES03:53 Any warehouse shipper has to consider someone to be their infrastructure - Nima: "Tech forward folks don't like it, you come for the integration and you stay for the switching cost because it's too expensive to rip something out. But in reality, things are breaking down. So when you are picking a new partner, I think it's important to really vet them to understand are they enterprise-ready and what that readiness means for your organization."23:12 AI and ML applications have been "invading" everyone's lives for many years - Patrick: "The thing that you have to recognize is that 85-90% of ideas around AI and ML applications will probably fail, they won't return any meaningful value and won't be used as something stand-alone that can drive growth and revenue for your business but really the power is in how they augment capabilities."Find out more about amazing guests in the links below:About Patrick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-nikoletich-99a42918/About Nima: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nima3rad/Website: https://goshippo.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Prashant Shah, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Swag Up at Prologis Ventures. Today, he shares his from being part of the Marine Corps to now leading businesses in the supply chain side.Prashant talks about what he learned in the military that has transitioned through the supply chain and logistics side of his career today. He also shares insights on driving growth while also making sure to reduce costs at the same time. ABOUT PRASHANTPrashant Shah, who joined SwagUp in 2021 runs Supply Chain as the Chief Supply Chain Officer, based in Piscataway, New Jersey. Prashant joins SwagUp with 17 years of senior level management experience in Supply Chain. He was born and raised in India, and came to the USA in 2001. He started his studies in engineering but quickly found his way into the United States Marine Corps office a day after 9/11 to serve his country against terrorism. He served 8 years in the Marines and was medically discharged due to injuries in the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.After his medical discharge from the Marines in 2009, he returned to New Jersey and started working in Target as an unloader in the overnight shift while trying to finish his Bachelor's in Criminal Justice. In 2010, after graduating, he became a Sales-floor Executive at Target which led to his promotion to Sr. Logistic Executive in Jersey City, New Jersey Target location. Following from Target, he soon landed a role at the largest Macy’s Distribution Center and moved up the rank of Director of the Distribution Center in a unionized environment and successfully led 200+ members to the best-engaged building in the country. This was when Prashant tasted the success of being a leader in the distribution and logistics role and found his real passion in the supply chain world.From this moment, the sky was the limit and he worked in Bed Bath and Beyond, Drive Medical and Lasership as Head of Supply Chain. In his current role in SwagUp, his vision while it aligns with CEO and Founder of SwagUp, Michael Martocci, is to become a $1Billon company within 5 years. HIGHLIGHTS01:21 Prashant's journey with the Marines04:50 How does the warehouse get set up from the technology side09:56 Spending time in Casper and addressing the impactful issues in the bottom line19:29 Helping fuel growth while also reducing costs23:06 SwagUp and disrupting and industry through digitization28:11 Technology to be excited about in supply chain today today QUOTESThe human nature of camaraderie will show regardless of industry  - Prashant: "Military is also just like any other organization made of individuals form different cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, and so for. That really preps them for the camaraderie piece because you're literally having your life put in somebody's hands and you have each other's back."Going from zero to ninety-nine is tremendous, especially with personnel - Prashant: "If we want to get to 99-100%, then I will need additional individuals. But who is going to volunteer to go to Afghanistan and stay with me for 6 months? So getting to the preparation, we need to be 100% so that way we don't need additional personnel so they can be used somewhere else. The mindset is we don't have anybody, that's all you have. Whatever you see, that's it." Find out more about Prashant in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prashant-shah-mba/Website: https://www.swagup.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome William O’Donnell, Managing Director at Prologis Ventures. Today, he shares his expertise in supply chain technology and real estate and adjusting to the changes in these spaces.William gives a few insights on the Silicon Vally Bank failure before diving deep into supply chain logistics technology. How it's slowly becoming a C-suite priority, learning from and adjusting to adjacent industries, and what it could like for the rest of the year. ABOUT WILLIAMWilliam O’Donnell is the Managing Director of Prologis Ventures, the innovation platform and venture capital arm of Prologis. With over 24 years of experience in both real estate and technology he heads this new group’s efforts to invest in cutting-edge technology for supply chain logistics and real estate. Mr. O’Donnell joined legacy AMB in 2003 and established a successful track record of building and acquiring investment platforms and companies globally.  In addition, he has private equity fund management expertise including capital raising, joint venture negotiation, asset management, work-outs, debt structuring and disposition.  Mr. O’Donnell also has acquisition and development experience throughout Asia, Europe, and North America.Prior to joining AMB, Mr. O’Donnell was Director of Acquisition Solutions at Acxiom Impact a leading digital marketing company, and a management consultant at Cambridge Technology Partners.  Mr. O’Donnell received his Bachelors of Arts in English and Spanish from Duke University. HIGHLIGHTS01:34 The impact of the Silicon Valley Bank failure09:23 Things to be excited for in the supply chain tech space 17:03 Look at adjacent areas to learn from23:30 Myth or Truth: Professional services revenue has a negative impact on valuation29:00 What the rest of 2023 looks like from the supply chain perspective34:23 Will there be a slowdown in 3PL logistics valuation? QUOTES10:21 Supply chain is an incredibly complex system - Will: "There's a lot of opportunities for improvement. Innovation occurs when you remove constraints and suddenly new white space and opportunities open up. A lot of times it's changing a business model."25:16 There has to be development because B2B SaaS is always challenging - Will: "It is important that if you do have integration or you're doing development to be able to recoup the cost. The challenge you want to avoid is building bespoke products for a party of one." Find out more about Will in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-o-donnell-85b25120/Website: https://www.prologis.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

In today's episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Supriya Iyer, Director of Google Global Networking Supply Chain & Commercial Operations at Google. For this part of our Women in Supply Chain, Retail, and Ecommerce series, we dive into the power of value chain, establishing reliable partnerships, and operating network at scale.Supriya talks about the need for transparency and establishing connections, especially with today's global ecosystem in supply chain. She shares her insights on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and other innovative solutions in the industry today. ABOUT SUPRIYASupriya leads Supply Chain and Commercial Operations for Google’s Global Networking division, with a focus on predictable materials supply and operations to operate the network at scale. She is a business leader with 20+ years of experience in transforming value chains and growing small teams into mature organizations to deliver high-quality products and services. Supriya also enjoys fast-paced and dynamic environments and has lots of experience in balancing this with fostering a people-first culture and stakeholder engagement. Previously, she has held global leadership positions at VMWare, GE, and Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). She embraces the values of integrity, inclusion, belonging and leading with empathy. Supriya is passionate about bringing and growing diverse talent into Google in both technical and business roles.Supriya holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and a Master’s degree in Mathematics. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, and traveling. HIGHLIGHTS01:55 How Supriya's journey in supply chain and logistics started09:54 There are specialized lines of GCP solutions that are centered on supply chain17:06 Utilizing AI/ML in today's world26:12 Tackling partnerships in the supply chain ecosystem34:55 Leaning into sustainability at a global scale QUOTES12:10 Know when GCP can come into place - Supriya: "So there is a maturity before you are able to truly leverage AI/ML. So I just want to focus about, know your data, know what you need to run your business, make sure that data health is in a good place, and then you can leverage AI and ML, right?"33:00 Leverage third-party solutions if they make sense - Supriya: "You don't have to be vertically integrated, you can rely on partnerships. Not in every location, I do not want to manage our own warehouses and do all of that. So there are great partners who specialize in this. So who has the latest when it comes to technology? Who has the best practices and the best people who do it day in and day out?"Find out more about Supriya in the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/supriyaiyer/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

In today's episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Alicemarie Geoffrion, President of Packaging for DHL Supply Chain in North America. For this part of our Women in Supply Chain, Retail, and Ecommerce series, we dive into packaging operations and what has changed for the packaging space over the last few years.Alicemarie talks about the different innovations and practices that are now shaping packaging operations today. She shares her insights on the automation and technology trends being used in the space and improving sustainability processes all throughout. ABOUT ALICEMARIEAlicemarie Geoffrion is President of Packaging for DHL Supply Chain in North America where she is responsible for growing end-to-end packaging operations to drive innovations, create efficiencies, and realize savings for customers. She is also a member of the DHL Supply Chain North America Board. In her role, Alicemarie leads a team focused on helping customers increase return on their packaging investment through a holistic, integrated approach that has been proven to lower total costs, increase agility needed to meet changing demands, support late-stage customization, and enhance sustainability through continuous innovation.Before stepping into her current role, Alicemarie worked in DHL’s Strategy group where she developed sector and product-specific strategies to drive top and bottom-line growth for all North American Operations. She was also the Head of Global Solutions for DHL’s former Williams Lea Tag division. Prior to joining DHL Supply Chain, Alicemarie held positions as a management consultant, she led multiple strategy and operations projects for customers across industries and served as Vice President of eCommerce/Business Solutions for a Merchandising Fulfillment organization.Alicemarie earned both a bachelor’s degree in Management Science and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. HIGHLIGHTS05:46 How has packaging evolved over 20 years?13:04 Brands now navigate packaging differently in this omnichannel era18:48 Innovation in packaging specifically in terms of labor27:00 Trends in the packaging space outside of automation and technology33:54 High expectations for sustainability agendas  QUOTES14:10 Flexibility is essential in the omnichannel world today - Alicemarie: "You have to be flexible to understand what it is that the customer wants and you have to have the right processes and the right equipment in place to allow you to make those changes very quickly."22:27 Turning to automation for more efficiency and productivity - Alicemarie: "Although we still always need labor, we need to start to balance it differently so that we can leverage the automation and the technology more so that we don't ever get to a point where we have to say to a customer well we don't have the capacity because we didn't get the labor." Find out more about Alicemarie in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicemarie-geoffrion/Website: https://www.dhl.com/us-en/home/supply-chain/solutions/packaging.html Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

In today's episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Melissa Minkow, Director of Retail Strategy at CI&T. For this part of our Women in Supply Chain, Retail, and Ecommerce series, we talk about the role of consumer insights when it comes to success in retail.Melissa shares her early experience with Target Canada and how doing retail coverage at a global research company essentially widened her perspective on retail and commerce overall. She also dives deep into the various models we are seeing today that significantly affect not only the businesses but also the consumers directly. ABOUT MELISSAMelissa Minkow is the Director of Retail Strategy at CI&T, a global digital solutions provider for some of the world's largest retailers and companies. Previously, she was a senior principal advisor focusing on omni-channel retail, e-commerce, and social commerce at global research and advisory company, Gartner and was a business analyst in merchandising strategy at Target. At CI&T, Melissa is responsible for synthesizing strategy, insights and data to help identify actionable retail services trends and lead strategic sales and client engagements. She is a RETHINK Retail Top Influencer, a RetailWire BrainTrust Expert, and a retail futurist whose methodology is rooted in cross-industry consumer insights and innovation. HIGHLIGHTS04:18 What happened with Target Canada?09:46 Understanding the model that Shein created16:26 Identifying what is important to the midmarket25:18 The importance of one-to-one creation models29:26 Taking a "less is more" approach to combat expenses in retail QUOTES20:07 Start shaping demand as a retailer- Melissa: "So many retail models can be aggregated over time. You'll see maybe there are some types of products in particular that need to be delivered before Wednesday but there are other types of products that people just aren't ordering over the weekend. There's so much advancement that could still happen with demand forecasting that trickles into logistics."27:03 We need to recognize the fragmentation of interests for consumers - Melissa: "There are so many diverging interests when it comes to both wants and needs at a product level. Retailers that are able to cater to an individual will see repeat business in that way. That's ultimately what personalization is." Find out more about Melissa in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-minkow/Website: https://ciandt.com/us/en-us/our-work/retail-and-commerce Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

This episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast is the first in our series, Women in Supply Chain, Retail, and Ecommerce running for the month of March. Today, we welcome Stephanie Cannon, SVP Operations Excellence and Collaborative Innovation at Pitney Bowes.Stephanie talks about her leadership role at Pitney Bowes and her experience in handling multiple functions including automation and systems innovation, ops excellence, workforce optimization, and more. She also discusses how they integrate automation in daily processes for more productivity and better results. ABOUT STEPHANIEStephanie oversees the Operations Excellence and Collaborative Innovation Group for Global Ecommerce at Pitney Bowes Inc. to accelerate network modernization and expansion and support operational excellence and long-term growth. Her prior roles include Vice President of Operations Practices and Innovation, Senior Director of Automation and Systems Innovation, Director of Operations for Fulfillment Services, and leader of the Industrial Engineering Group for Fulfillment Services.She previously consulted for West Monroe Partners, serving as an SME in operations and engineering strategies and creating operational assessments to provide unique solutions to customers. Stephanie started her career at UPS, rotating through various roles during her tenure in hub, package, and transportation. HIGHLIGHTS02:01 How Stephanie started in supply chain and logistics 07:16 Handling multiple functions at the same time14:17 Cutting through the noise when it comes to innovation and automation26:51 The impact of automation on the workforce33:03 Can we apply gamification in the innovation standpoint? QUOTES16:04 The ecommerce world is ever-changing - Stephanie: "Flexibility has actually become one of the most important things because you don't want to buy just this traditional automation that isn't viable to use in two years because your profiles have changed."25:27 Refine ideas for operational optimization in the real world - Stephanie: "When I partner with these people, it's really critical that I help them bridge how do we solve a real-world problem but also how is it commercialized in the long-term. " Find out more about Stephanie in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-cannon-68b15196/About Pitney Bowes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pitney-bowes/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Ben Emmrich, Co-Founder and CEO of Tusk Logistics. Today, he talks about how delivery providers can provide the most value not only for their own service but also for their shippers.Ben shares his experiences and insights in the small parcel industry and the philosophy behind Tusk. He discusses the importance of carrier diversification and the strategic roles that regional and national carriers have been playing for the last 10 or so years.  ABOUT BENCo-Founder and CEO of Tusk. Ben has spent his career at the overlap of small parcel shipping and ecommerce and led operations and strategic partnerships at Google Shopping and Shippo before building Tusk. Having seen the small parcel industry from many angles — as an operator, software provider and start-up — Ben is a firm believer that any small parcel delivery provider’s sole focus should be on making a meaningful, honest impact for its shippers and that volume follows value. HIGHLIGHTS01:36 Accidental business? The funny story behind Ben's Dry Ice07:12 How Tusk came about09:49 Are regional carriers transitioning to a different model?13:50 How UPS nailed the strategy of utilizing Amazon20:40 Carrier diversification is the correct way25:58 Addressing fears of not having enough volume as a brand30:32 The strategic roles of national carriers QUOTES20:59 Carrier diversification is important but there needs to be adjustments - Ben: "We are too much of a professorial industry. Where experts tell an operator what they should do. Like, 'hey, you should diversify', you should-you should, you could-you could, it's very advice-based."27:19 Regional carriers make incredible partners - Ben: "They do right by their shippers and I would encourage every shipper out there to call a regional. The reason being is, because their op is smaller their operation is often more flexible. For example, if you have 25 pieces bound for a regional's footprint, they might give you a discounted pick-up fee or waive your pick-up fee because they already have trucks on your block. So, why not?" Find out more about Ben in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benemmrich/Website: https://www.tusklogistics.com/Email: [email protected] Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Sandra MacQuillan, Chief Supply Chain Officer of Mondelēz International. Today, she shares her experience in supply chain leadership and provides meaningful insights to excel in this field.She talks about how it was leading Mondelēz at the beginning and during the pandemic and the regional differences between Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America when it came to innovation in supply chain efforts.Sandra also shares advice on building teams for maximum growth and how to go about as a new leader in supply chain. ABOUT SANDRASandra MacQuillan is Chief Supply Chain Officer for Mondelēz International, a global company leading the future of snacking with 2019 net revenues of approximately $28.7 billion. In this role, Sandra leads all aspects of the organization’s global supply chain including Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, Engineering, Sustainability, and Safety.  Sandra is passionate about the role the supply chain plays in leveraging deep understanding and partnership to drive value to the business.Sandra joined the company in June 2019 from Kimberly-Clark where she was their first-ever Supply Chain Officer. She built their Supply Chain and Supply Chain Leadership team and under her leadership, this work resulted in best-in-class performance in cost-savings and step-changes in cash, customer service, quality, safety, and sustainability.Before her time at Kimberly-Clark, Sandra worked at Mars Incorporated for more than 20 years, holding supply chain positions of increasing responsibility worldwide. In her last role at Mars, she served as Global Vice President of Supply Chain for its $15Bn Global Petcare business.Sandra has extensive international experience and has lived and worked in North America, Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. She is on the Board for Trimble, serves on the SCM World’s Executive Advisory Board, and is a Trustee for Atlanta International School, Atlanta, Georgia. Sandra is a chartered mechanical engineer and was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in 2011. She was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in recognition of her work in encouraging young students, particularly women, into engineering.  HIGHLIGHTS02:31 How Sandra led as the first-ever Chief Supply Chain Officer of Kimberly-Clark09:33 Must-have attributes when building a team for supply chain13:29 The top priorities leading Mondelēz at the start of the pandemic23:26 On moving to digital27:54 Comparing regional innovation and sustainability36:51 What we can expect with automation in the CPG QUOTES04:28 Sandra's advice for future supply chain leadership: "Don't lose sight of what supply chain is, is what I would say at the start. There are key principles that we have in supply chain around who we are and what we are. They apply anywhere. So if anybody tells you, you have to rethink everything, that's not true. There's core, basic fundamentals, service quality, safety, and all these kinds of things.29:13 We should connect together where we can - Sandra: "If they've not had recognition, they feel the need to be seen, so it has to be theirs. And as opposed to when we get to, hopefully at some point when business and the corporate world gets to the place where we're gonna share with each other for the better of everything. It sounds a bit naive, but I do believe that's what we should be doing corporately."Find out more about Sandra in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandramacquillan/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Essa Al-Saleh, CEO and Board Member of Volta Trucks. Today, Essa shares his experience as a leader in the logistics space and how he used this background to innovate in the electric fleet market.He talks about building a culture as a leader that encourages creativity and drive especially during challenging moments like economic crises. He also tackles how fleet owners and operators can smoothly transition to the electric models from the traditional combustion engine systems.Essa recognizes how much of a challenge this change can be but also discusses the overall benefit of the sustainable truck for urban distribution. ABOUT ESSAEssa Al-Saleh is the CEO and a Board Member of Swedish electric-vehicle manufacturer Volta Trucks, an electric commercial vehicle company that is leading the transition from the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) ecosystem to a safe and sustainable truck for urban distribution. Volta Trucks is driving the transition with its re-imagined, superior product and its “Truck as a Service” solution which seeks to de-risk the transition for fleet operators.He previously spent more than two decades at Agility Global Integrated Logistics in Baar, Switzerland, where he was appointed president and CEO in 2007. During his time at Agility, he transformed the company from a 300-person, single-country operation into one of the top ten global logistics businesses, operating in over 100 countries, employing more than 18,000 people, and with over $4 billion in revenues. HIGHLIGHTS03:05 Essa's journey with Agility Global Integrated Logistics06:28 Advice for leaders in logistics when dealing with crisis moments11:34 On building culture and "punching above your weight"21:22 What the banning of diesel engine trucks in Paris would mean for fleet operators26:55 Opportunities in the North American market34:03 Understanding the challenge of transitioning to an electric fleet QUOTES13:46 The elements that allow you to "punch above your weight" - Essa: "We want everybody in the organization and find ways to make everybody in the organization feel empowered to make the right decision, not be afraid to make the decision, and if they do make a mistake they own up to that mistake and learn from it. That's an empowerment opportunity."38:56 Utilizing fleet management services in their platform - Ninaad: "Most of what we have seen up until now is there is a truck mount solution that is running a Zebra Terminal Insight in there using LTE or 5G, communicating through a software that does not really communicate with the truck other than the GPS information. Now, the truck itself starts becoming a device that gives you the information in real-time." Find out more about Essa in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/essa-al-saleh-122b821/Website: https://voltatrucks.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

Dan Coll and Ninaad Acharya welcome Mike Simpson, Vice President of E-Commerce at NFI, joined for this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast. They discussed Mike's impressive career, which began with him serving in the Army and went on to include him becoming President of Retail and E-Commerce for Jenko, which was later acquired by FedEx and is now known as FedEx Supply Chain. Mike is now the executive sponsor for NFI Veterans Committee and is leading FedEx's expansion in the E-Commerce fulfillment space.The three start off their conversation about the peak season, which had just ended. Mike shared his insights on the importance of automation and scalability in this new era of eCommerce, and why it's important to find the right balance between labor and technology. He also discussed the need to invest in people and facilities to ensure success in a market that is growing rapidly and becoming increasingly competitive. Learn more from Mike in this latest episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast. ABOUT MIKEMichael Simpson is the Vice President of eCommerce at NFI. He graduated from the University of Connecticut and was an Officer in the US Army stationed in Louisiana prior to moving to Texas to start his supply chain career. Has spent over 20 years in supply chain leadership roles, mostly in the Retail and eCommerce industry.  Vast experience in eCommerce, forward, reverse, repair, inventory management, value-added services, quality control, customer service, team development, and many other areas to support growing businesses. Exec sponsor for Veterans committee at NFI.  Supports attracting veterans to NFI, and then supporting, retaining, and developing Veterans that join NFI, as well as supporting the local Veterans community.  HIGHLIGHTS03:02 Key takeaways from peak season09:30 How the housing crisis will impact the industry in 202015:21 How to attract and retain employees21:38 The biggest return for the company26:56 The fundamental basis of automation is no longer efficiency29:09 What is the progression of automation in retail34:38 Understanding Scalability44:31 NFI’s strategy for expanding into major markets QUOTES39:51 Deeper understanding of scalability’s definition - DAN: "Scalability isn't just I went from 100 orders a day to 5000 orders a day Scalability means I might have gotten into different sales channels. And maybe I was digital, native, and all direct to consumer. Now I'm heavily involved in marketplace and Amazon, I'm also doing some retail distribution and drop shipping."43:46 Use niche tools to prevent supplier misses - MIKE: "What we've done is we've taken that time to really listen to the customer, the voice of the customer piece that you had mentioned, Dan, a big component of that was making sure we knew what the market wanted and needed, and how do we modify and enhance our offerings and NFI." Find out more about Mike in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-simpson-mba/Website: https://www.nfiindustries.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Sarah Scudder, Chief Marketing Officer of SourceDay and host of the What the Duck podcast. Today, Sarah digs into building partnerships between suppliers and procurement organizations.She discusses how the sheer volume of orders makes first-mile critical in the operations of manufacturers and the role of technology in automating manual processes. Sarah also gives actionable tips on how to build partnerships, from hiring the right talent to making it easy for suppliers to work with procurement to reevaluating payment terms to become more attractive as a partner.Sarah also talks about how midmarket companies and suppliers can utilize a tech stack to reduce risk. By utilizing niche software, the back and forth that happens with line item changes can be tracked to avoid supplier misses. Finally, Sarah gives advice to brands with seasonal products and how they can plan for 2023 and beyond. ABOUT SARAHSarah Scudder is a self-proclaimed manufacturing supply chain nerd. She is a sustainability nut and loves all things Bradley Cooper. In fact, she has been trying to get a dinner date with him for over two years. The struggle is real. She is good at loading the dishwasher but can’t keep potted plants alive. Green is her favorite color.Sarah hosts the direct materials podcast What the Duck?! and a monthly Voice of Supply Chain show that features people in supply chain doing extraordinary things. She also hosts monthly Manufacturing Woes and Women In ERP shows and enjoys speaking about marketing and supply chain-related topics.Follow her hashtags #ManufacturingMaven and #WomenInERP to get daily manufacturing and direct materials supply chain news. HIGHLIGHTS02:48 Sarah’s journey from student leader to CMO 10:04 Midmarket companies: Avoid costly mistakes by automating manual processes of first-mile delivery19:52 Become a partner and build collaborative working relationships27:36 A single solution will not address every PO problem; use niche tools36:29 Brands must assess their supplier base in 2023 QUOTES26:31 Price should no longer be a top consideration in selecting suppliers - Sarah: "The days of trying to save a penny here and then on price are, just in my opinion, gone. And if I were running a procurement organization, I don't even think costs would be in my top three focus areas. Now, of course, do you need to make sure that what you're buying is market competitive? Absolutely. But I think there are many more priorities than looking at price. And one of the main ones is supply. And if you can't get supply, no matter how much it costs, it does you no good because you're not gonna have anything to manufacture."30:54 Use niche tools to prevent supplier misses - Sarah: "When a company is issuing a purchase order, 52% of the time, our research has shown from the usage of our platform that line items change. So if I'm issuing a purchase order with a hundred line items, we're saying that on average, 52 of those hundred line items are going to have have changes, and that means then, significant back and forth via email and spreadsheet with your supplier, and then we go back to that risk."37:55 Brands with seasonal products must assess their supplier base - Sarah: "One of the most important things you can do to prepare is one, do a full assessment of your supplier base. Who are your suppliers? What is their availability? What sort of relationship do you have with those suppliers? Anything that's questionable or a red flag, I would go immediately start sourcing alternative suppliers to make sure you can have supply." Find out more about Sarah in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manufacturingmaven/Website: https://sourceday.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-the-duck/id1606314974 Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Dusty Holcomb, CEO of Red Stag Fulfillment. Today, Dusty drills into everything about increasing client value. He talks about how he quickly found a common mission with Red Stag in being people-focused, client-centric, and having a get-stuff-done mindset.Dusty discusses how being people-first is also a strategy for a business's longevity and becoming a 3PL partner that people want to work with. He then focuses on creating a customer experience by doubling down on areas of expertise and gives technical and financial considerations if you are planning on going big and bulky. ABOUT DUSTYDusty Holcomb, an exemplary executive with a 20+ year senior leadership career, is passionate about building innovative and high-performance leadership teams. He is known for solving complex competitive challenges and being able to “connect the dots” between what currently exists and what can and should exist in the future. He has leveraged these skills to reimagine products, services, and systems utilizing his extensive expertise in leadership, technology, and logistics. Dusty is known for his deep belief in the value of creating a differentiated customer experience as the primary driver of predictable recurring revenue growth.As the CEO of Red Stag Fulfillment, a rapidly growing third-party ecommerce fulfillment and logistics services provider, Dusty has a breadth of experience in logistics, strategic governance, and the navigation of dynamic and fast-moving industries. Throughout his extensive career, Dusty held numerous roles at AAA, a multi-billion-dollar organization, including VP Operations, CMO, President, Head of Innovation, and more.Dusty is Board experienced, currently serving as an Independent Director and compensation committee member for HeroWear Exo, an innovative wearable technologies company. Additionally, he has given back to six different non-profit organizations during his career. He enjoys educating CEOs and leaders on the value of building exceptional and intentional customer experiences as a speaker. He is available for select private or public company engagements.Dusty earned a BBA in Business Administration from Columbus State University, and later completed the MBA program at Auburn University. He also completed the Advanced Management program at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. Dusty is an active member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). He resides with his family in Knoxville, TN, is an avid sportsman, triathlete, and 5-time Ironman Finisher. HIGHLIGHTS03:45 Joining Red Stag due to a desire to create client value09:51 Be forward-thinking and see through a client-centric lens14:25 What makes a good 3PL partner19:11 A culture that people come first28:39 Do big and bulky if inventory load balance is your expertise QUOTES15:18 Create client value by removing the logistical hassle from customers - Dusty: "I think it really comes down to a mutual alignment of what value creation is. And so what I mean by that is I think a brand has to understand what their core competencies are, and they have to understand the value that they are creating for their customer. And what is debiting that value? So our mission statement as an organization is to do the heavy lifting of e-commerce so our clients can focus on what they do best."26:10 Your core values will enable technical competencies - Dusty: "There are certain core values that are absolute buzz saws. And if you run into that one, it's a buzz saw. You're not gonna make it here if you just don't believe that. So looking for people that are core-value-focused, are people-focused, they understand that what we do is done through the hard work of people, who have a get-stuff-done bias or just GSD, it was get it done, and are client-centric. So it was kind of four big buckets of things that I'm looking for that transcends or enables technical competency." Find out more about Dusty in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustyholcomb/Website: https://redstagfulfillment.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Maia Benson, Partner and Managing Director at Forum Ventures. Today, she shares her journey as an entrepreneur and the different levels of investment Forum offers to founders.She discusses her insights on how Shopify became the catalyst for reaching new markets in fast-growing segments, as well as the prospect of new tech helping create a new and affordable delivery promise that drives conversion. Maia also digs into the unit economics of parcels and the challenges of bringing them down.Maia then discusses Amazon's unique DNA, the obstacles that software-only solutions encounter today, and how focusing on creating a great product should be every SaaS company's first principle, especially with the recent double-digit layoffs in the tech world. ABOUT MAIAMaia Benson is a Partner and Managing Director at Forum Ventures where she invests in and works with early-stage B2B SaaS founders from inception to scale. She has spent over 20 years founding, building, and scaling award-winning SaaS products and platforms for entrepreneurs and SMBs at places like LexisNexis, Pitney Bowes (SendPro platform/apps) and most recently at Shopify.For over 5 years, she helped found, launch, and scale their shipping and fulfillment products from inception to 60%+ merchant adoption and $Bs of transportation spend. In addition to her venture work at Forum Ventures, Maia continues to angel invest and advise next-gen ecommerce and logistics tech founders. HIGHLIGHTS04:01 Starting entrepreneurship in SEO and eventually joining Forum Ventures08:46 Providing a spectrum of funding options and partnering with friends for success17:11 Shopify drove demand for tools that integrate legacy pieces in an evolving market22:25 Tech innovations challenge the idea that owned infrastructure is better31:49 With recent layoffs, companies should focus on building great product for and with customers QUOTES15:30 Asking for help and partnering are especially important in the logistics space - Maia: "I think founders with a DNA of asking for help are naturally outsize winners, period hard stop. And the advisors they can attract to support them in the journey and to unlock opportunities faster for them is really a reflection of them fundamentally understanding that DNA."24:40 Today's environment is characterized by innovation and creating optionality - Maia: "We are in a state of innovation and fragmentation right now that is making the what, so the what strategy of I need a great, affordable delivery promise, that's what I need, I need a delivery promise that drives conversion that I can afford at a unit economic level, period hard stop." "Does that mean it's a space race to 1 or 2 day for everyone? No, that's not what it means. But that is the end state and there has been so much exciting innovation and then the birth of so many different companies to empower that, that we're now looking at a how that has optionality." Find out more about Maia in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maiabenson/Website: https://www.forumvc.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Steven Ciemcioch, President of Warehouse Anywhere. He discusses how they created a preferred partner network of other mid-sized to large independent storage operators. This network allowed them to source storage for their customers from 12,000 different locations. In order to make this process more efficient, they also developed RFID technology to help manage the process and provide real-time updates on inventory.Steven, along with Dan and Ninaad, also discusses the Amazon Effect, how consumer expectations have changed due to this, what brands and logistics companies must do to keep up, and the various factors that influence if and when they should match this speed of fulfillment. ABOUT STEVENSteven Ciemcioch was named President of Warehouse Anywhere, a Life Storage Company, in 2018 and previously served as Corporate Alliance Manager in which he developed and headed the corporate sales division at Life Storage. He has extensive experience in building and scaling businesses in a high-growth environment. He has leadership experience across a diverse set of disciplines including sales and marketing, customer service, operations, supply chain, real estate, and finance. HIGHLIGHTS01:35 Growing Life Storage and creating a national self-storage aggregating network through Warehouse Anywhere13:42 Executing same-day delivery by deploying top 5% SKUs in MFCs21:26 The Amazon effect and when customers are willing to wait for their purchases35:19 Last mile for retail and utilizing the gig economy for fulfillment QUOTES30:54 The Amazon Effect is most apparent in general merchandise - Ninaad: "If you're a general merchandise and that stuff exists on walmart.com, amazon.com, and you have these sites and marketplaces that are giving you the next-day, 2-day delivery experiences, consumers will pay couple of extra dollars and get it with that options."31:48 MFCs maintain a boutique feel that is lost in Amazon Effect - Steven: "One thing I like about the MFC model, and you guys can appreciate this is, in our smaller centers, it allows a little bit of a more boutique-y feel and right now we're handling a lot of various products in the MFCs from our large fulfillment center. A lot of apparel like Ninaad talked about but I see the MFCs evolving more into that health and beauty, that craft beer space, especially we talk about dense marketplace. People sitting around in a large city, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, big demand weeknights and weekends where they just want something and they just want it quick." Find out more about Steven in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-ciemcioch-38278773/Website: https://www.warehouseanywhere.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome George Wojciechowski, the CEO of Manifest, an e-commerce fulfillment provider. He is on a mission to tackle the sustainability problems of e-commerce logistics while simultaneously providing brands and merchants with a better fulfillment experience.George talks about his professional journey starting in finance and then starting ShipBob to cater to a new segment of online merchants. In 2021, George founded Manifest which is committed to finding sustainable alternatives to fulfillment. He shares their green initiatives and how they are disrupting fulfillment with the end goal of protecting the environment that we collectively share.   ABOUT GEORGEPrior to launching Manifest, George cofounded ShipBob, a predominant name in the global e-commerce fulfillment space. Before ShipBob, George worked as a trader at Goldman Sachs. George attended DePaul University. HIGHLIGHTS02:00 Catering to the emerging market of online merchants27:45 Manifest was started to tackle the environmental issue of fulfillment32:34 Sustainable fulfillment is a need that must be addressed today41:25 Finding alternatives to unsustainable packaging QUOTES47:50 Sustainable packaging is actually not more expensive to manufacture - George: "A lot of the packaging companies told me that it's actually not more money to produce the sustainable packaging but because everyone just asks for the same things that they've always asked for, the manufacturing is more expensive. It's cheaper for the traditional goods because it's just manufactured in much higher volume."52:56 Common sense and innovation will create the disruption needed for sustainable fulfillment - George: "We can talk about sustainability, we can talk about environmentally friendly, we can talk about regenerative, but nothing beats common sense and figuring out ways how to keep up with mass fulfillment, high-velocity fulfillment, but also do it in a way that is packaging efficiency is going to move mountains in terms of how sustainable we are as an industry." Find out more about George in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-wojciechowski-870b814/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wojskigWebsite: https://manifest.eco/Email: [email protected] Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Alok Ahuja, CEO and Co-Founder of Trexity. Being the true last mile partner where orders are delivered the same day they pick it up has been the goal of Alok's company. They wanted to be hyperlocal and empower local SMBs to be able to compete with the Amazons of the world. Alok digs into why different last-mile solutions exist to address the needs of different types of buyers. He also explains that, given their low barrier for entry, that local shops can be given a low risk alternative to see how they can offer a comparable solution to Amazon and grow their business. ABOUT ALOKAlok has over 15 years in software, technology and e-commerce. Along with his co-founders, Alok has created a platform, in Trexity, that makes it possible for any small business to deliver quickly and locally. Alok is a serial entrepreneur who encourages and supports like-minded individuals to succeed in their business.Alok began imagining a platform that could make it possible for any small business to deliver local and fast, and one that is fair and takes advantage of neither merchants nor couriers. He believes that filling this need will help disrupt our over-reliance on faraway e-commerce giants and help small businesses stay in business.  HIGHLIGHTS01:20 Alok's early exposure to business and his passion for technology06:01 Perfecting last-mile, hyperlocal delivery for SMBs12:38 The future of last-mile delivery: Owned Infrastructure vs. the Gig Economy   QUOTES07:50 Perfecting hyperlocal delivery opened up national markets for Trexity - Alok: "We started out empowering your favorite store on your favorite street of your favorite neighborhood. The local mom and pop. And on of the things that was really important to us when we started out, we said, let's be the true last mile partner. The same day we pick it up, it's the same day we're going to drop it off, as fast as our merchants are willing to fulfill it, it's as fast as we will deliver it. And let this be the one thing that we do so perfectly well that no one else can touch us on it." 13:25 Owned-infrastructure and gig economy have their own pros and cons - Alok: "It's not one or the other. Both of those FedEx models exist for a reason because there's an addressable market for both of them. And I don't think it has to be warehousing or direct from merchant. It doesn't have to be one or the other. And what I do love about some of the bigger brands that we work with, some of our national brands is they do a combination of both and it's because they're catering to different personas of customers and users." Find out more about Alok in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alokahuja/Website: https://trexity.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Brittain Ladd, Strategy Advisor Shatranj Capital Partners. Brittain's no-holds-barred insights on management and logistics have not only captured people's attention, but they have also even proven to be accurate given how many of his predictions have come true. He discusses some of the biggest companies in the world like Amazon, Twitter, and TikTok, and gives hot takes on what they are doing wrong and how they can make it right. He comments on the recent layoffs at Amazon and how he believes it is only the beginning and a symptom of a much larger shift that will affect entire industries worldwide.Brittain then digs into how partnerships can change e-commerce by providing social commerce platforms the established fulfillment infrastructure they need to deliver goods to the consumer. He also discusses in great detail the flaws of the quick commerce model and how fulfillment should be a question of accurate delivery versus quick delivery. ABOUT BRITTAINBrittain has 20 years of experience in supply chain management and logistics. He has lived and worked in China, India, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Europe, and the United States. Brittain is a global strategy and supply chain consultant and a writer for Forbes and his own website, brittainladd.com. Brittain is also recognized as being one of the most accurate analysts in business. He successfully predicted multiple major acquisitions more than a year in advance of them occurring, including Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods, Microsoft and Walmart partnering to bid on TikTok, and most recently, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Brittain is frequently quoted in the press and often appears on major news networks like CNN, Fox Business, and the BBC.  HIGHLIGHTS- 01:37 Posting thought-provoking ideas and predictions on social media- 08:52 Amazon's mistake and getting down to its optimal fighting weight - 18:47 Twitter can change e-commerce with shoppable videos- 25:43 Instead of creating their own fulfillment, TiktTok should partner with Amazon/Walmart/Target/Shopify - 35:42 Quick commerce is a failure: Fast delivery vs accurate delivery  QUOTES23:51 Shoppable videos can save Twitter - Brittain: "I believe the way that Elon Musk saves Twitter and makes Twitter completely different is through shoppable videos and, I think, absolutely, that what Elon Musk should be doing is we need short-form videos, shoppable videos, and for every shoppable video we put on Twitter, we take 12% of all sales, and I think the goal should be for every shoppable video that Elon Musk puts on Twitter, that it generates 100 to 250 million in sales."25:50 TikTok should acquire Shopify for its fulfillment infrastructure - Brittain: "I think, number one, TikTok needs to do something above and beyond than just opening up their own fulfillment centers. I think what TikTok needs to do is, again, change how commerce is done on the platform. So I think what would be very interesting is if TikTok acquires Shopify, so where now I have Shopify, I have a Shopify storefront on TikTok, and so then what happens is I immediately see a video come across but it's a video from a storefront, and without having to go to a website, I see it, I buy it. And that's how I refer to what I think is the next big thing in commerce. I say see, buy. I see it, I buy it. I'm not going to websites." Find out more about Brittain in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittainladd/Website: https://brittainladd.com/Email: [email protected] Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Brian Glick, Founder and CEO of Chain.io. He digs into the complexity of global B2B market logistics and how it can be difficult for new players to enter due to EDI and compliance issues.Brian also dives into the differences between fulfilling an order in the US and fulfilling orders in Southeast Asia where more than 100 parties are involved—and these parties change with every transaction. He gives advice on how midmarket brands are best matched with midmarket service providers, as well as how to peel apart the different services to optimize payment terms or routing, an uncomfortable yet necessary process as the company grows. ABOUT BRIANAs founder and CEO of Chain.io, Brian Glick has made a career of simplifying complex supply chain and trade compliance IT challenges. Whether analyzing complex coding issues or rationalizing the compliance impacts of a vendor direct drop ship program, Brian brings a rare combination of executive perspective and deep technical knowledge to today’s supply chain challenges.From the early days of web-based visibility platforms and into today’s connected ecosystem, Brian has been an active leader in each phase of the connected supply chain evolution. With a focus on retail and apparel supply chains, Brian has brought his expertise to bear as an IT leader both within logistics service providers and through independent software companies. HIGHLIGHTS 06:08 The complexity of global B2B logistics and tiers of fulfillment11:19 Defining First Mile, Middle Mile, Last Mile Logistics13:36 The challenge of setting standards and pushing for innovation in 3PLs24:34 Choose the right investors for your supply chain tech company QUOTES10:21 Midmarket companies are best served by midmarket service providers - Brian: "The companies that are more midmarket that you have to do some research and find often will give you an account manager. You'll be a big enough account to them that they will treat you well and help you, when all of this chaos is going on, help you understand, take the time with you that the biggest guys can't."25:58 Supply chain companies must establish trust with brands - Brian: "Supply chain is a very trust-based industry, whether if you're a service provider or software that supports a service provider, people are putting their brand in your hands. It's not a consumer app that if you screw up... If you screw up Twitter tomorrow, just stop using Twitter. If you screw up the thing that delivers my product to Macy's, I got a problem. So you need investors who understand that."  Find out more about Brian in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansglick/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bglickWebsite: https://chain.io/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Steve Bozicevic, Sr. Director of New Product Development and GM of Flow Direct, Flexport. Cross-border shipping has evolved in the years since COVID began. From prioritizing speed and reliability, ecommerce brands now focus instead on managing costs and cashflow.Steven discusses how they serve the SMB market and help them grow by keeping customers happy. He also digs into managing inflation during times of uncertainty and what the future holds for the logistics industry, and in Toronto in particular where Ninaad and Steve are currently based. ABOUT STEVESteve Bozicevic has been in the cross-border ecommerce and logistics technology industry since 2000. Mr. Bozicevic started his career at Borderfree.com as a software developer, then moved on to product management until 2010 when he joined Pitney Bowes and formed the Global Ecommerce division, where as Vice President of Product Management, he developed products and technology that launched and powered Ebay's Global Shipping Program.In 2016, Steve joined Amazon as the first member of the Amazon Global Logistics organization where he spent nearly six years building global trade-related technology, products and operations to facilitate B2C exports and B2B imports for Retail and FBA. In 2021, Mr. Bozicevic joined Flexport as Sr. Director of New Product Development. In this role, Steve is also General Manager of Flexport Flow Direct, an ocean freight shipping product for ecommerce SMBs; and is responsible for ecommerce platform and marketplace integrations, including the partnership with Shopify. HIGHLIGHTS03:20 Steve's journey in cross-border shipping and building technologies08:50 Flow Direct offers speed and reliability in international shipping for SMBs14:48 Tips to manage cash flow and costs in Q425:23 A growing talent pool for supply chain in Toronto QUOTES12:24 COVID transformed business' priorities to speed and reliability - Steve: "Speed was important, but reliability was more important. Knowing when it's going to get there allows the customer to plan ahead on their supply chain and say, If I know it's going to be 20 days or 40 days or 60 days, it's reliable, I can manage my POs, I can manage my cash flow according to reliability."15:51 Manage cash flow with just-in-time fulfillment - Steven: "Cash is important and how do you best manage your cash flow? In my opinion, similarly to how manufacturing supply chains moved to just-in-time production, I think just-in-time fulfillment is a similar kind of approach. Ordering smaller quantities more frequently, being more reactive to demand trends, making sure that you always got something in transit." Find out more about Steve in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbozicevic/Website: https://www.flexport.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Edward Hertzman, Executive Vice President of Fairchild Media and Founder and President of Sourcing Journal. Edward shares the trends in supply chain he is observing today post-COVID and beyond. From the way Amazon changed logistics forever and its effects in consumer expectations as a result, to the importance of remaining agile and how to do it, Edward takes a deep dive into how global supply chains will look like in the near future and how to maintain inventory to scale. ABOUT EDWARDEdward Hertzman received a degree in economics from NYU and spent more than a decade working as a top executive for major sourcing companies all over the world, including Synergies Worldwide and Pearl Global. Hertzman sits on the Board for Delivering Good, a charitable organization that channels the resources of the fashion industry to those in need.In 2009, in response to a need in the industry, he founded Sourcing Journal Online. With more than 75,000 subscribers, Sourcing Journal Online is the largest trade journal devoted to the sourcing apparel and textile industry supply chain in the world. In August 2020, he was promoted to executive vice president of Fairchild Media, tasked with growing the businesses of all Fairchild Media titles in his new position, while continuing to lead the day-to-day operations at Sourcing Journal. He will also oversee the growth of Fairchild Media’s strategic content studio, bolstering the creation of engaging, interactive content to help industry partners stand out in an increasingly competitive landscape. HIGHLIGHTS07:07 DTC is dying and mergers are set to happen13:08 Surviving devaluation and managing inventory for what's to come20:23 Keeping sourcing lean and agile in fashion25:23 Nearshoring and diversifying manufacturing and sourcing capabilities30:22 Regulations and sharing the responsibility of sustainability in supply chain management QUOTES14:27 On pushing back on the growth-at-all-costs mindset, Edward says, "Just don't acquire customers saying, Oh, the lifetime value is X and never really realize that. Don't buy inventory without testing the product. Find retail partners that are gonna support you, not just be transactional."31:09 As regulations will push for tangible sustainability measures from retail, Edward says, "I think there's only two ways to incentivize people or two ways to get people to change. One is through incentive and one is through repercussions. And what I mean by that is either you're gonna pay me more to do something or you're gonna punish me for not doing it."39:48 To survive the recession, Edward suggests, "I think that if people don't think short term, the same way I say don't buy a million T-shirts when you really only need five. Don't just start laying off to make the quarter. It's very hard to find talent in this space. Don't stop investing in technology to make the quarter because you're gonna need that technology." Find out more about Edward and Sourcing Journal in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-hertzman-2401b38/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdwardHertzmanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwardhertzman/Website: https://sourcingjournal.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome James Malley, the "Cartonization Magnate" and Founder and CEO of Paccurate. Reducing the amount of air in packages is not just good for profits, it’s critical for the environment too.James discusses the complex but critical question of how to reduce air in packages with cartonization. He digs into the low-hanging fruit that companies can initiate to begin cartonization, as well as raises awareness of the gravity of the waste issue worldwide.  HIGHLIGHTS02:58 Cartonization: Packing mistakes and the factors that drive them14:59 Amazon packing practices are practical but waste is a major issue18:59 Cartonizing realizes hidden savings per square foot28:47 Lead the shift because the waste problem needs to be resolved QUOTES19:36 Bad cartonization is still better than no cartonization - James: "The good news is there's a ton of low-hanging fruit, so if you don't have any cartonization, use bad cartonization. It'll get you at least some of the way there to get you started and help you keep your margins intact."27:04 The data proves that the waste problem is much more significant - James: "My team is very motivated by this idea that we could put a dent in some of the waste in supply chain. And I think it's kind of a rude awakening, a little bit, when you start digging into the data of how bad things actually are. From a packaging standpoint, we're like oh, we'll do paper fill and cardboard's better than plastic, and truth is it is but not by as much as we would hope." Find out more about James in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmalley/Website: https://paccurate.io/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Erhan Musaoglu, Founder and CEO of Logiwa. Seeing a need, Erhan developed their own high-volume online order fulfillment execution system that functions much more holistically than just a WMS.Any e-commerce business needs even the barest fulfillment execution system to realize greater productivity in its warehouses and be able to ship orders quickly and efficiently. Erhan also discusses market trends like product returns and the current climate with tight delivery windows.  HIGHLIGHTS05:24 the day you landed - Moving to the US and building a leading WMS09:27 i used to implement - Differences between WMS and order fulfillment solution16:07 first of all - Warehousing and WMS are crucial for an e-commerce business's success21:20 you don't need - Facilitate quicker UPH with an inexpensive fulfillment execution system28:28 we constantly - Trends in the market: Adapting to unique workflows, package optimization, and labor34:12 how do you - Multi SKU management in a warehouse QUOTES05:50 On moving to the US and focusing on online order fulfillment - Erhan: “You cannot do everything perfect. You have to select one vertical, you have to select one solution, and you have to stick with it. And you have to make it better than anyone else."14:46 Implement a good warehousing and fulfillment system - Ninaad: "Just because you have a warehouse management system does not translate into it being a good fulfillment system. They are 2 different universes. I would go to say that a fulfillment system is just as far apart from a traditional warehousing system as a store operations system is from a distribution center."18:04 Warehousing is the top consideration of e-commerce businesses - Erhan: “Warehouse is the most crucial element for an online business. Otherwise, you are going to fail. If you cannot pick, if you cannot pack, and if you cannot ship faster, you're going to fail."  Find out more about Erhan in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erhanmusaoglu/ Website: https://www.logiwa.com/ Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Chad Rubin, Founder and CEO of Profasee. As one of the pioneering Amazon sellers, Chad has kept up with the updates over the years and now offers a dynamic pricing platform to enable Amazon brands to predict the perfect price at each precise moment.Chad dives into how data science is the competitive advantage brands need to profit on Amazon. He highlights that brands should embrace Amazon as it simply is the best place to meet buyers where they are buying. Finally, Chad discusses how Shopify and Amazon can coexist and how AWD is changing the 3PL game. HIGHLIGHTS04:08 Solving problems: Find friction first then refine the solution10:40 Selling on Amazon is profitable with data science as a competitive advantage22:07 Brands should meet buyers where they buy, which is Amazon28:16 Fix the pricing of AWD and it will dominate the market38:10 Shopify and Amazon can coexist in the same space QUOTES19:35 Data science is the competitive advantage for selling on Amazon - Chad: “The strong will survive and one of the ways of being strong is actually getting an edge. And that edge right now, the only edge that they're gonna be able to get, because if Thrasio has 20,000 SKUs to manage, they need data science.”26:53 Offer Amazon exclusives for social proof - Chad: “People go on Amazon, a lot of times they never leave Amazon. So perhaps it's important you have your exclusives, let's just say your Caraway and you're selling pots and pans in Shopify.”“And you have some really beautiful, elegant product. Well, put your hero SKU or your economy SKU on Amazon because then you get social proof and you have your other color variations maybe off Amazon.”45:20 Shopify and Amazon can coexist to address different segments of the market - Chad: "I believe that you can coexist in the world and be on Amazon and have your own storefront simultaneously and add different value. And, certainly, you can do a lot more experimentation with your own Shopify site. But I don't think that they're mutually exclusive anymore." Find out more about Chad in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschadrubin/Website: https://profasee.com/Email: [email protected] Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Ben Gordon, Managing Partner and CEO of Cambridge Capital. A rich history in the logistics industry made way for Ben to start his private equity firm that invests in the supply chain sector.He shares the many nuggets of wisdom he has learned over the years, first as a founder, and second as an investor. Ben also discusses the soft skills founders need to be successful, including humility, a genuine desire to listen, and the ability to listen to their market. HIGHLIGHTS02:29 Learning about logistics and starting an advisory business09:09 The top 3 advice for founders 24:54 Pivoting: The micro fulfillment space & robotic automation investment34:30 Investing in cold storage and reverse logistics39:12 As an entrepreneur and investor: Be on point and have a genuine desire to listen QUOTES11:18 Listen to the market and learn to pivot - Ben: "The number one key for a successful entrepreneur, not just to raise money but to build a business, is put yourself in the shoes of the market. And the market could be different. It could be what does the customer think, what does the investor think, what does the strategic partner think?"40:13 Sell with story and substance - Ben: "If you're an entrepreneur looking to raise money, I think number one, gotta have a clear pitch, gotta be able to tell the story elevator-style, 30 seconds, a lot of entrepreneurs, the story takes too long and you lose the audience's attention. You've got to be able to have the hook in 30 seconds. And that's one.” "Two, it's not just the story. There's also the substance which is a proof-point of success. I've got a lot of decks and, generally speaking, the ones that I'm the most interested in are ones where the deck shows a simple statement of what's the problem, what's their solution, customer case study, and clear results." Find out more about Ben in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengordon18/Website: https://cambridgecapital.com/Email: [email protected]: https://twitter.com/benjaminhgordon Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Radu Palamariu, Managing Director of Europe and Asia Pacific at Alcott Global Founder. He is also the host of the Leaders in Supply Chain and Logistics podcast.  Radu shares many valuable insights into logistics and shaping leadership within a company's supply chain talent. He discusses the characteristics that attribute to quality logistics leadership, how to leverage this, and understanding the impact of diversity in this environment as well. HIGHLIGHTS07:06 Why Chief Supply Chain Officers (CSCOs) make great CEOs21:45 Key characteristics to look for in quality logistics leadership talent31:00 Diversity in supply chain leadership QUOTES09:12 Why those with supply chain backgrounds make it to CEO positions - Radu: "The density of people that come from an operations and supply chain background that will make it to CEO is going to be higher. Because now they are making it to the board conversations and, of course, the board makes the decision of who is the next CEO it's just a normal transition"12:14 Amazon's growth through supply chain - Radu: "Ultimately, Amazon built a logistics machine. They win on logistics, they win on supply chain. Of course, they are an e-commerce market place ultimately that's where they win."26:51 Insights on finding value when hiring somebody - Radu: Look for the mindset, look for the attitude, and also place bets on people. I think drive, motivation, and willingness to make it work are much more important than actual expertise on a lot of things."  Find out more about Radu and check out his book in the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radupalamariu/Book: https://sourcetosold.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-in-supply-chain-and-logistics/id1263842780 Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

For this episode of the eCom Logistics Podcast, we welcome Rick Watson, Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting, as well as the host of his own podcast called The Watson Weekly. Rick gives an insider's look into CommerceHub's acquisition of ChannelAdvisor and shares rich insights on Amazon's new service called Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD). He digs into its ripple effect on 3PL and how this service challenges competitors like Shopify and their own sellers' entire supply chains.  HIGHLIGHTS04:00 CommerceHub acquires ChannelAdvisor 09:09 AWD: Taking on 3PL and revitalizing Buy with Prime 21:02 Shopify: Prioritizing brand experience and building long-term logistical infrastructure  QUOTES12:24 Reducing friction in FBA - Rick: "Amazon thinks in terms of kaizen, like continuous improvement, and if there's any little friction between those things, Amazon is going to try to eliminate it as long as it has the eventual goal of making sure that this item is in stock just 5% more than their competition, then Amazon wins because Amazon is caring about that 5% that they're losing through the replenishment process." 17:17 Amazon enters markets with Prime as their leverage - Rick: "Do we want to fight UPS and Fedex at their strength? Does that make any sense? Let's go where we have some leverage. What is the biggest leverage of Amazon? Prime." 32:19 Shopify creates a brand experience unlike Amazon - Rick: To Amazon, a brand is a vendor. The customer is the customer. And so that is really the single point of differentiation that Shopify can hang their hat on, which I think works for a large percentage of the market, especially for the big guys.   Find out more about Rick Watson in the links below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwatsonecommerce/Website: https://www.rmwcommerce.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-watson-weekly-your-essential-ecommerce-digest/id1577388393 Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

In this episode, Andrew, Ninaad, and Dan look closely at the importance of creating a win-win situation in Client-3PL relationships.  Fulfillment is a complicated series of actions that eCommerce companies take to deliver orders on time. As Andrew explains, merchants will face complications and challenges such as weather, technology, and labor challenges, especially when warehouses have multiple clients. And when fulfillment providers cannot keep up with brand growth, it can significantly affect customer experience, NPS scores, returns, and refund rates, to name a few. This is why merchants need to focus on building relationships instead of just working with their service providers. As Ninaad, Dan and Andrew discuss, building confidence on both sides includes having accurate invoicing and forecasting, thorough node strategy planning, and even in-person visits. Why is this important? Because the fulfillment side is where you make or break the customer experience and when they're not happy, be ready to face some angry customers…   On this week's episode of the eCom Logistics podcast, find out: ·      Seasonal brands and customer expectations·      Delivery expectation  ·      Outsourcing fulfillment and the relationship  ·      Node Strategy depends on your business   ·      3PL invoicing  ·      SLAs    Mentioned in this episode:Dr. Squatch Tipsy ElvesFulfillment IQShipHawkProShip Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube