What's in the Box?

Is it really traditional vs digital? 

Well, this week, I had the pleasure of exploring the topic with Jon Bass, the Head of Business Development EMEA for Logixboard. Jon is a real talent who has been part of the evolution and transition from traditional to digital and provides some great insights into that journey. 

This episode dives into some great topics: 

• Embracing change 
• The evolution of freight forwarding 
• The new generation of talent in logistics 
• How the final mile is driving the first mile forward 

What's happening in retail this year?

Well, I was lucky enough to sit with Richard Lim,  CEO of Retail Economics, One of LinkedIn's top voices for thought leadership in retail, and recently recognised as a leading retail influencer in 2023.  Richard is passionate about retail economics and consumer psychology and provides us with an outlook for retail in 2023.

This episode dives into some great topics: 

• Economic Headwinds
• Changing trends in consumer spending
• The importance of the Supply chain & Sustainability 
• Areas to focus on to survive and thrive in 2023
  
  

Do you want your CFO or CEO to invest in the supply chain?

Then, don't talk about the supply chain. 

In this episode, we discuss how to connect the supply chain through financial metrics and why that's so important to drive digital change.  We also dive into the supply chain as a competitive advantage and the use of the supply chain triangle  (Service, Cost & Cash). 

I am pleased to join Bram Desmet, CEO of Solventure, founder of the strategy-driven supply chain institute and 2x Author. Bram is passionate about supply chain and is on a mission to help companies create sustainable change and value through S&OP. 

This episode dives into some great topics: 

• Driving Sustainable change and value through S&OP
• The Supply Chain Triangle
• Connecting the supply chain through financial metrics

See the links to Bram's books below:

1) The strategy-driven supply chain
2) Supply chain strategy and financial metrics 

In this episode, we're discussing the changing landscape for emerging talent in the supply chain, including how the events of the last few years have elevated our profession and the need for businesses to adapt. 

I am pleased to join Bethany Windsor, working with NOVUS Trust, part of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK) across seven leading UK Universities. Having completed a master's in supply chain management Bethany is on a mission to inspire the next generation of supply chain talent. 

This episode has some great insights into: 

• Inspiring emerging talent in the supply chain 
• The breadth & depth of our industry 
• The changing requirements of supply chain roles 

In this episode, we're discussing the development of the young forwarder network and how employers can leverage the BIFA apprentice program to attract talent. We also dive into top tips and tricks heading into apprenticeship week and leveraging LinkedIn to improve your hiring potential. 

I am pleased to join Carl Hobbis, an executive director at the British International Freight Association (BIFA). He has over 30 years of experience in Freight Forwarding and has been a catalyst to drive change and build a community for young professionals to thrive. 

This episode bubbles up some great insights into: 

• Developing & Attracting talent 
• Changing the stigma around freight forwarding 
• Top tips and tricks for employers and apprentices

In this episode, we're talking about innovative solutions in the supply chain right now. Discussing how handover points are so challenging in creating orchestration in a multi-enterprise supply chain. As well as discussing the first mile vs last mile investment. 

I am pleased to join John Urban, a supply chain and SaaS leader who has been a true pioneer in our industry. Founding GT Nexus in the late '90s  to working with disruptive technology providers to drive our industry forward. 

This episode bubbles up some great insights into: 

• How to shrink the supply chain cycle from make to deliver
• Importance of solving multi-enterprise supply chain collaboration 
• Creating agility through digitisation 

In this episode, we're talking about the supply chain journey from working within Volvo, a multinational manufacturing company, to Kuehne + Nagel and Zencargo. In addition, we explore the challenges and rewards of completing an MBA while managing a busy business and personal life. Aswell as discussing how to align supply chain KPI's with the business goals.

I am joined by Ian Powell, a critical thinker and solution architect in the supply chain world. Ian has worked in large multinationals to scale up disruptors with one vision in mind. Making supply chains a competitive advantage. Ian has 21 years of experience and has an MBA from Cranfield. 

We dive into:

• The changes in the supply chain over the past 21 years 
• Completing an MBA while managing personal and professional life 
• Supply chain KPI's and how to ensure they're not conflicting

In this episode, we're talking about investments in supply chain and logistics technology, how it's accelerated in recent years and the opportunities that the new challenges and changes in behaviour creates for technology providers.

I am joined by Benjamin Gordon, 4x Entrepreneur, investor, advisor and a real pioneer in supply chain and logistics technology. Ben is an incredible leader and provides some great insights throughout the episode. 

We dive into:

• Exciting technology trends & what makes an exciting investment 
• The key characteristic of great leaders and how to identify them
• Merge & Acquisition and future developments in logistics tech

In this episode, we're talking about leveraging data to gain end to end visibility, focusing on Customs and how technology can solve the documentation crisis with regards to Brexit. We also discuss how the high street will have to adapt quickly to the new consumer behaviour to compete with e-commerce. Lastly, we discuss nearshoring and emerging markets in south-east Asia.

I am pleased to join Graham Illingworth, a supply chain and logistics professional with over 30 years of experience in our industry, joined me. Graham Initially started in the industry as an officer In the Merchant Navy, who then migrated into a mix of Operational and Business Development roles with a global remit. Over the last 15 years, he has held senior management and Vice President level positions within the top 10 Global  4PL organizations.

In the episode, we are going to dive into: 

• Customs, Data & Brexit 
• How the high street needs to learn fast to compete with E-Comm
• Nearshoring strategies and emerging markets in south-east Asia

Two links on CustomsPlus: 

https://www.customsplus.co.uk/automated-customs-declarations
https://biteable.com/watch/2927999/2aead477d7500368a21c4905ca5622be

In this episode, we're talking about adapting to the changes forced by COVID on both a personal and professional level. Discussing Specsavers pivot to B2C to ensure they could service their customers and its impacts on the supply chain. 

I am joined by John Carlisle, the Head of European Logistics Operations at Specsavers. John is an incredible leader and provides some great insights into managing the changes focusing on the human element. 

In the episode, we are going to dive into: 

• The human impact of COVID both personally and professionally
• How the perception of the supply chain has changed since the Pandemic 
• Switching to direct to consumer model while in lockdown