In this episode of The Results Loading… podcast, Michael Atkin sits down with Ivan Lai to explore his career journey and insights into supply chain management. Ivan shares his experiences at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Abbott, highlighting the role of mechanical engineering in supply chain complexities. The discussion covers global supply chain expansion challenges, including part number proliferation and regulatory issues, as well as country-specific hurdles and crisis management. Ivan emphasizes the importance of data and AI in risk mitigation and decision-making. The conversation also touches on AI adoption, team efficiency, and Ivan's leadership advice. The episode concludes with tech trends in supply chain management and a Q&A introduction.

(0:00) Introduction of Ivan Lai and career journey

(2:33) Experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Abbott

(6:01) Relevance of mechanical engineering in supply chain

(9:10) Global supply chain network expansion challenges

(12:18) Part number proliferation and regulatory issues

(19:02) Country-specific challenges and crisis management

(24:45) Data and AI in supply chain risk mitigation

(30:51) Data-driven decision making in sourcing and distribution

(36:22) AI adoption and team efficiency in supply chain

(43:47) Ivan Lai's leadership lessons and advice

(49:41) Closing with Ivan Lai and Q&A introduction

(51:15) Tech trends in supply chain management

(52:45) Sponsor: Tech Solutions Inc.

(53:20) Upcoming industry events and episode summary