No initiative is an island—and that includes sustainability. By implementing efficiency-boosting changes like automation, your business will also limit its carbon footprint. Kim Baudry, market development director at Dematic, explains how automation helps people, profits, and the planet.

Because labor is a resource, sustainability includes making people’s jobs physically and mentally easier.

Kim explains, “Automation brings everything to the level where you're not bending, you're not lifting. It can reduce the amount of time that you're walking back and forth. … We have to think about how we're treating [people] so we can retain and attract them.”

Warehouse automation isn’t all robotics; software plays an essential role. As Kim puts it, “Good software creates efficiencies in operations. When you have inventory tied to where it needs to be and where it needs to go, you're spending less time, which means less energy. You should be able to take up less space, and you have higher accuracy on your order. All of those things are good for sustainability.”

Is sustainability worth the cost? According to Kim, the answer is an unequivocal yes—when you look at the big picture. “It's a gut reaction to go, oh my gosh, this is going to cost me a lot of money. But you really have to look at the long term. If [automation] benefits your people, you're going to have a more stable workforce. You can avoid getting more space. If you can cube your trucks, you have fewer trucks on the road, fewer expenses.”

• Connect with Kim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimjbaudry/ 
• Visit Dematic’s website: https://www.dematic.com/en-us/

In this episode of Unboxing Logistics, James Sutton announces a new EasyPost solution: EasyPost Analytics. As head of the EasyPost Analytics engineering team, James has seen firsthand how crucial it is for shippers to have full visibility into their supply chain. He shares what EasyPost Analytics can do, who it’s for, and how it sheds light on complex logistics operations.

Businesses that ship products to customers often have an extensive collection of technology: shipping software, TMS, WMS, OMS, ERP … and the list goes on. James explains that the goal of EasyPost Analytics is “to integrate all those systems' data,” giving supply chain professionals a full view of what’s working well and what can be improved. 

“Having the right visibility into performance metrics … can empower operations to be more efficient and save money, but also execute at a high level.”

EasyPost Analytics has several modules, each focusing on a different aspect of shipping and logistics. James and Lori dive into the details of omnichannel operations, warehouse management, and parcel visibility.

While each module can be purchased separately, James says it’s “pretty powerful if you have all of them, because then you have all the data in one place and can tell the whole story.”

James explains that shippers see two major results when using EasyPost Analytics. “One is cost avoidance. … You don't have to pay for the data analyst to build and maintain the infrastructure to do [analytics] in-house. … Two, by having the right visibility, there are many operational improvements that can save you money."

With these factors combined, most shippers see a 5 to 15 times ROI on their annual subscription. 

• Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesasutton/ 
• Visit the EasyPost Analytics page: https://www.easypost.com/analytics

In 2022 alone, porch pirates made off with 19.5 billion dollars worth of goods. As package thieves adopt new tactics, it’s up to merchants, carriers, and consumers to stay one step ahead of them. Jessica Lowrance, vice president of federal affairs at UPS, shares some of the most effective ways to fight back against porch piracy.

For Jessica, it’s clear that porch piracy will never go away entirely. She says, “I think it's part of the customer buying experience now. And it's not the fault of the carrier or even the company you're buying from; it's just the reality of the world we live in today.”

While some porch pirates snag a package or two on a whim, others get organized. They’re known to follow delivery trucks, stealing an entire neighborhood’s packages in one fell swoop. 

Unfortunately, many of these criminals don’t face severe consequences for their actions. Jessica explains that “under current federal law, only [packages delivered by] the Postal Service are treated as a felony for porch pirates. [Packages delivered by other carriers] are up to local jurisdiction.” Nine times out of 10, [porch piracy] would be considered a misdemeanor.” 

She recommends getting involved at a state and even federal level to support new legislation that would make porch piracy a felony regardless of carrier. 

Jessica offers practical tips to help merchants fight back against porch piracy:

• Use plain packaging. If a package is branded, thieves are more likely to snatch it.
• Offer signature proof of delivery. For high-value items, give customers the option to sign for delivery.
• Have a ship-to-store option. Let customers pick up their online orders at the nearest store location instead of having packages shipped to their homes.

• Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-dauer-lowrance-813b36b/ 
• Visit the UPS website: https://www.ups.com/us/en/Home.page

Chris Caplice has deep knowledge of supply chain management: he’s the executive director of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, chief scientist for DAT Freight and Analytics, and a Silver Family Research Fellow.

To kick off the second season of Unboxing Logistics, Chris uses his wealth of experience to predict what 2024 has in store for the supply chain industry.

In the old days, building business relationships involved taking someone to dinner or a sports game. Now, Chris says, the focus has shifted. The best way to establish great relationships with partners? Help them solve their business problems. “You need to have trust on both sides. And trust is only earned with repeated success.”

Geopolitical tensions have the potential to cause major supply chain disruptions, and they’re on the rise. As a result, Chris has seen organizations becoming more cautious when it comes to global trade. 

“The US and other Western countries have woken up to the idea that they need to be a little more self-sufficient. I don't think global trade is going away … but I think we're being more strategic there.”

In the world of logistics, a million things can go wrong—how can you prepare? Chris suggests using a technique called scenario planning.

While he goes into more detail in the episode, here’s the in-a-nutshell version: “You envision three to four worlds, the way the future can be … and then say, if this was the future, what should I be doing now to prepare? By doing that, you're preparing the organization to be flexible.”

• Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-caplice-1839/ 
• Visit the DAT Freight and Analytics website: https://www.dat.com/ 
• Visit the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics website: https://ctl.mit.edu/

Whether you’re a small, medium-sized, or enterprise business, your customers probably expect an  omnichannel shopping experience. Kylie Schafer, practice lead at Summit Advisory Team, talks with Lori about the benefits of omnichannel commerce and gives some advice for getting started.

Kylie explains that omnichannel is all about “cross pollination” between sales channels. For example, customers might be able to buy something online and return it to the store, or view their online purchase history and in-store purchase history side-by-side. 

In a broader sense, though, omnichannel is “just good retail.” The best brands “meet the customer where they are [and] help them shop the way they want to shop.”

Why use an omnichannel fulfillment approach? The answer is simple: “Your customers expect it. … They expect things to be fast. They expect things to be easy. They expect minimal friction.” Through every stage of the customer journey, from purchase to returns, buyers value a seamless shopping experience—and omnichannel is the best way to provide one.

If you’ve never used an omnichannel strategy before, or want to level up your current processes, what should you do? Kylie offers the same advice for every business, regardless of size. She says, “The first thing I always encourage … is starting with a proper strategy. Why do you think you need to do this? What are your customers telling you? What are your main competitors doing? Where do you want to be?” 

• Connect with Kylie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylieschafer/ 
• Connect with Summit Advisory Team on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/summit-advisory-team-llc/ 
• Visit the Summit Advisory Team website: https://summitadvisoryteam.com/

According to Gartner, women make up just 39% of the logistics industry. At the executive level, that number drops to 21%. In this episode, Lori talks with Anna Podolskaya, product manager at EasyPost, about the value women bring to logistics and technology roles, how they can advance their careers, and why diversity matters.

In the beginning of Anna’s career, people often assumed she was a secretary or executive assistant. While she recognizes the value in those roles, she also emphasizes the importance of recognizing women as subject matter experts: “They're like, can we ask someone technical? And I'm like, I am technical.”

Wondering how to jumpstart your career in a male-dominated field? Anna shares some of her most impactful activities:

• Network. Connecting with others in the industry (both women and men) can help you envision and achieve your ideal career path.
• Volunteer. Find local organizations where you can share your knowledge, and look for chances to mentor others.
• Attend conferences. Attend free or paid conferences to network and learn. 

Lori and Anna discuss several ways men can support women in the workplace, including sharing constructive feedback and asking for feedback themselves. Anna sees the power of praise combined with questions: “Hey, you did a really great job. What would you want to do differently?”

• Connect with Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-podolskaya/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annapshares/ 
• And X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/annapshares 
• Check out the EasyPost site: https://www.easypost.com/

Many small businesses want to incorporate sustainability initiatives into their operations but aren’t sure how to get started. Veena Harbaugh, director of sustainability at Sendle, reveals that sustainable shipping doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive—even for the smallest organizations.

With limited time and resources, how are small businesses supposed to compete with larger ones? Veena believes they can use constraints to their advantage. “Where there is a barrier for small businesses, those are the exact entrepreneurs finding solutions. … They can embed that [sustainable solution] into the core of what they do.”

Do you have to choose between sustainability and the financial health of your business? Surprisingly, no. While sustainable solutions are often seen as an “elite or more expensive option,” they actually go hand-in-hand with cost savings. By eliminating waste, businesses save money and minimize their carbon footprint at the same time. 

The following sustainability measures are simple but can make a big difference. 

• Rightsize packaging. Save money by not paying to ship half-empty boxes, and save the environment by packing trucks more efficiently. 
• Cut down on returns. Keep products out of landfills and avoid paying for return shipping. Try improving product descriptions and sizing charts so people know what they’re getting.
• Work with eco-conscious partners. Solutions like Sendle and EasyPost offer 100% carbon neutral shipping at no extra cost. 

• Connect with Veena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veenaharbaugh/ 
• Visit Sendle’s website: https://www.sendle.com/en-us

International shipping is complex, but it opens the door to billions of new customers. Guy Gemmill, president and co-founder of APC Postal Logistics, joins Lori on this episode of Unboxing Logistics to explain how consolidators simplify cross-border shipping.

Guy explains that shipping consolidators “receive shipments from various merchants in the U.S. on a daily basis, [then] consolidate those shipments into drop areas overseas and into Canada.” 

The advantage of this system? “Because the economies of scale are better, the cost is going to be lower.” Merchants can save up to 60% on international shipping by taking advantage of a consolidator’s bulk discounts.

The consolidated vs. expedited choice comes down to individual preference. Guy says, “[Some] consumers want products within a certain timeframe, and others are going to be shopping based on the cost and shipping rate.” When cost is the main concern, consolidated shipping is the way to go. When time matters most, expedited is the better option.

Is international shipping worth it for your company? According to Guy, you should turn to data to answer that question. “Understand what your website traffic is. Are international consumers hitting your website? Are they looking at your products? How long are they spending on your website?” If you have enough international traffic, it may be time to start tapping into that new market. 

• Connect with Guy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-h-gemmill-64b3481b/ 
• Visit APC Postal Logistics’s site: https://www.apc-pli.com/ 

On this episode of Unboxing Logistics, Jeff Goeters and Jeff Skaistis unveil a new EasyPost platform for high-volume shippers: EasyPost Enterprise. “When out-of-the-box won’t do, that’s what we do,” says Goeters. Skaistis adds, “EasyPost Enterprise is a shipping platform that grows with you over time.” 

Enterprise businesses have to run a tight ship when it comes to shipping—no pun intended. Jeff Skaistis explains why they don’t have room for error. After noting that enterprises ship hundreds of thousands of orders (or more) per day, he continues, “For these companies, shipping is a business-critical operation. You can't have your shipping system go down and expect to make your numbers.” 

Small businesses usually start with an off-the-shelf shipping product, and it works great for a while. But as the organizations scale, things get more complicated. According to Jeff Goeters, many new factors come into play: additional retail locations, online returns, and more. That’s when “you need an enterprise product, which is designed to help you plug all those pieces together.”

EasyPost Enterprise is built using new technologies, and it was created with flexibility and adaptability in mind. While many legacy enterprise products are suffering from age, says Jeff Skaistis, EasyPost Enterprise “gives us a lot of opportunity not to just build what has been built before, but to build new things for the future.” 

• Connect with Jeff Skaistis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skaistis/ 
• Connect with Jeff Goeters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgoeters/ 
• Visit the EasyPost Enterprise site: https://www.easypost.com/enterprise

“You're never too small to ship or get great rates. You're not.”

Kelli Martin is the digital marketing advisor at FedEx, but she likes to refer to herself as a small business champion. This week, she joins us on Unboxing Logistics to share advice for small businesses and highlight some of the resources FedEx provides to help them succeed. 

The current economic climate makes running a small business challenging. Kelli shares the struggles she’s heard about from clients she’s worked with: “[One thing] we're all hearing about and experiencing in some way is inflation and the rising cost of everything … and just finding good labor.”

Shipping can be overwhelming for small business owners! Two things that people often don’t get right? DIM weight and packaging. 

Kelli recommends, “Know your DIM weight … understand it. A lot of people think it's just the weight of the package that makes the difference. Like, no, no, no. It's the combination of the weight, the size, and the distance.”

She adds, “I cannot stress enough the importance of proper packaging. If [a product is] breakable—fragile in any way—proper packing is so important to avoid damage.”

FedEx isn’t just for big companies—they want to help businesses of every size thrive. Check out these helpful resources:

• FedEx Small Business Grant. Ten FedEx customers will win a significant grant to grow their business. The application will open around March 2024. 
• Small Business Center. As Kelli puts it, you can find “loads of information on just about everything under the sun,” including articles on optimizing your shipping, packing, and fulfillment.
• Making It Work podcast. The podcast doesn’t just focus on shipping—it covers all the complexities of small business operations, including hiring and firing, finding investors, and more. 
• Post-Peak and Trends Reports. Next Spring, read these reports for a deep dive into ecommerce trends and statistics. 

• Follow Kelli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-d-martin/ 
• Visit the FedEx Small Business Center: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business.html 
• Listen to the Making It Work podcast: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/making-it-work-podcast.html