Let's Talk Supply Chain

Sean McGee of Samsara talks about maintenance; tackling key pain points; the impact of automation; flexibility, and driving successful change management. 
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
[02.15] An introduction to Sean, his role at Samsara, and why their conference, Samsara Beyond, is the highlight of the year.
[03.31] What the landscape of maintenance has typically looked like, and why Samsara have learned to pay attention to post-it notes.
"A lot of operators are trying to figure out how to go from reactive and chaotic to proactive and planned."
[05.52] Why Samsara has gone all-in on maintenance.
"What caused us to take the next step was… getting out into the field, talking to the shop managers, and hearing the pain of how hard it is to close the loop. And AI accelerated that. A lot of the pain points we can automate now."
[07.29] The biggest pain points maintenance teams see day-to-day.
[08.37] How Samsara puts a focus on realistic adoption and usage to meet people where they are.
"We had this idea, we went out into the field and tried it… and it was an immediate fit… but we had to run the feedback loop to understand that."
[10.24] How Samsara's 'Day In The Life' process helps drive successful change management.
"We map out the process and then work into the technology piece. It's not about: 'Here's the demo – good luck!'... We co-create."
"Flexibility is so important, and what a lot of the legacy systems got wrong was they're very rigid, they're very opinionated… You almost have to fit the tool instead of the tool fitting you."
[13.14] How seeing maintenance differently is a competitive advantage for both Samsara and their customers.
"If you can tell us: What does this fault code mean, what does it tell us, and how fast is that going to happen - that is operational advantage."
[16.59] A real-life example exploring how post-it notes on a customer's shop floor led to the development of a custom Samsara solution to fit their workflows.
[20.00] The future for maintenance and asset management, and where Samsara are focusing next.
"Everything is possible – science fiction is becoming reality right in front of our eyes."
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:
 
Head over to Samsara's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Samsara and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Sean on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Samsara, check out:
552: Expand Your Visibility and Achieve Asset Tracking at Scale, with Samsara
529: Empower The People Who Power The World, with Samsara
524: Increase the Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability of Your operations, with Samsara
Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Dan Gardner of Trade Facilitators talks about AI hype, challenges & opportunities; & how their Total Landed Cost engine is driving big impact for US importers.
 
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
[03.17] Dan's collection of currency notes, and what they say about his career journey.
[05.33] How, and why, Dan transitioned from logistics to global supply chain management.
"There's a lot of competition in that space, so to legitimately differentiate is difficult… I started to look beyond logistics, to see how I could enhance a clients performance in other areas."
[10.26] Dan's experience as an adjunct professor of global trade, and his perspective on the future of trade related education in the 'Age of AI.'
"There's a need for more education, not less."
[14.34] The hype around AI, and how much we should all be buying into it.
"I don't believe the hype, but I do believe in the fundamental power of AI… It's data-oriented and the global supply chain runs on data, so there's a natural compatibility there."
"Blockchain didn't do us any favors!"
[19.06] Why TFI focus on Machine Learning, and some of the best applications Dan currently sees in the market.
[23.30] The issue of job displacement alongside the rise of AI, and how individuals need to think about upskilling at all career stages.
"People have to continue to skill up – but that might not be enough."
[26.54] From cost to over-reliance, the key pitfalls of AI that supply chain professionals need to keep an eye on.
[29.47] Why TFI developed the Total Landed Cost engine for U.S. importers, and why it matters.
[33.25] What makes TFI's Total Landed Cost engine different.
"Total landed cost is what drives so many other activities across the supply chain… How do you know how to price a product unless you really know what it will cost you?"
[36.35] How TFI's Total Landed Cost engine navigates constantly changing tariffs.
"The element of human knowledge still plays a huge role in all of this."
[41.26] The data security issues around AI, and how companies can address the 'oversharing' of data and still achieve their goals.
"Legal, policy, technical and monetary – you need to bring these things together."
[44.27] From 'hyper-scalers' overwhelming power grids to heavy water consumption, how sustainability concerns around AI data centers are driving innovation.
 
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:
Head over to Trade Facilitator's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Trade Facilitators and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Dan on LinkedIn.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Tony Graham of XPO talks about their partnership with Samsara; AI; the importance of gaining employee buy-in; & driving impact with new technology solutions. 
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
[01.18] An introduction to Tony and his nearly 30-year career journey at XPO.
[02.35] An overview of XPO, what they do, and how they help their customers.
"We have about 300 locations, 22,000 employees – we moved 16 billion pounds of freight last year!.. So we play a pretty important role in the North American supply chain."
[03.45] Re-investing in LTL – how XPO has evolved over the past few years.
[04.57] The importance of technology at XPO, and why they're committed to investing in proprietary systems.
"Technology is a big part of our DNA, it's infused into every aspect of our business."
[06.13] From dock operations to immediate employee feedback, how AI is driving results for XPO.
"AI helps to improve the customer experience at every touchpoint."
[09.11] How XPO determined they needed a partner, and why they chose Samsara.
"We're very proud of our proprietary technology so to go outside of that box wasn't an easy choice… But we wanted to better support our drivers… And we knew it wasn't going to be a one-size-fits-all, so we wanted a partner that could grow with us."
[11.04] Tony's advice for other businesses looking to find the right match.
"It all starts with: what are the problems you're trying to solve, and what are the goals you're trying to achieve?"
[12.13] From in-cab cameras to digitizing maintenance, how XPO leverage Samsara solutions to tackle challenges and drive value.
[14.14] How XPO navigate change management and effectively roll out technology to frontline employees and gain buy-in, particularly from drivers.
[17.17] How technology will make an impact at XPO over the next five years.
 
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:
Head over to Samsara's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Samsara and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Tony on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Samsara, check out:
552: Expand Your Visibility and Achieve Asset Tracking at Scale, with Samsara
529: Empower The People Who Power The World, with Samsara
524: Increase the Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability of Your operations, with Samsara
Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Edward Burek of SmartKargo & Marco Ferrara of DeliverDirect talk about issues impacting small parcel delivery; fuel price reality; & keeping costs low & simple. 
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
[02.04] An introduction to Edward and Marco, and their roles at SmartKargo and DeliverDirect.
[03.07] An overview of DeliverDirect – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers.
[03.29] As the industry deals with ongoing fuel volatility, why Delta Airlines have a structural advantage other carriers don't have, and what it means in practice to have an airline like Delta running the middle mile for e-commerce shipments.
"Fuel is the biggest cost with an airline but, because our passenger aircraft are flying around anyway, a lot of that fuel cost is absorbed – we're able to insulate and reduce what we're charging our customers."
[05.52] As shippers see fuel surcharges, accessorial fees, and pricing complexity hit unprecedented levels, have surcharges stopped being about fuel and started becoming part of a business model?
"There are a lot of carriers that are taking advantage of the market forces right now. A lot of businesses are built on surcharges... It's become a mechanism to dial up your revenue."
[08.20] How DeliverDirect are approaching pricing differently.
"It's so easy to forecast – it's a CFO's dream!... We want it to be a win-win all the way through the supply chain."
[10.50] How DeliverDirect pulls together what already exists in the ecosystem, and the role SmartKargo's platform plays in making those pieces work together as a single delivery experience.
[12.42] How SmartKargo is using real-time data and automation to predict shipment issues and recommend corrective actions before DeliverDirect customers feel any disruption.
[13.56] Why quality data is the real foundation behind successful AI in logistics.
"If you don't have good data, you can't put an AI engine over that."
[14.39] From ocean backlogs to cross-border tariff complications, how big industry impacts are translating into challenges for businesses, and the impact of big e-commerce market growth.
[16.42] Whether there are enough packages and profitable demand for everyone competing in a tough market, and how companies are differentiating themselves beyond just lowering prices.
[19.17] The future for small parcel logistics.
"What if it becomes coop-etition?!"
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:
Head over to DeliverDirect's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with DeliverDirect and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Marco or Edward on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from DeliverDirect, check out 538: Enjoy Ecommerce Delivery at the Speed of Flight, with DeliverDirect.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Chris Hamley of Brecham Group talks about people - 'accidental' supply chain careers; leadership; balancing teams & tech; and creating futureproof careers.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
[03.17] An introduction to Chris and the Brecham Group.
[04.10] The current pace of change across the industry, and whether it's actually ready for widespread AI adoption.
"The speed of change, and the amount knowledge you have to consume and gain, is amazing."
[06.34] 'Accidental' supply chain careers – how Chris sees people entering the industry, and why there are so many 'accidental' supply chainers.
"They took a job because they needed the income… People didn't start out wanting to do this, but they discovered they were good at it and stayed!"
[09.32] What career progression typically looks like for 'accidental' supply chainers, the pros and cons of learning on the job, and why resilience is key.
"There's a component of self-awareness: 'what do I need to do to get to the next level?' Because there's not really a playbook for moving from one job to another or getting a promotion."
[15.29] What this means for career growth up to leadership level, and the big leadership training gaps.
"I had to learn to be a good leader… I was watching people, mimicking, recognizing what I needed to be good at. I created an environment to close the gaps, know my strengths and avoid my weaknesses."
[18.42] Why the AI revolution has created a problematic knowledge gap for leadership.
[20.49] Whether technology is replacing fundamental understanding, and the impact of bringing people and new tech together.
[22.27] Balancing tribal knowledge and learned 'hands-on' skills alongside the integration of AI and new technology.
"You don't have to know the details of a process to be an effective leader. But you do have to understand the levers you can pull to change the outcome."
[24.47] From employee turnover to productivity loss, the risks inherent in this period of fluctuation in the industry.
"We rely too heavily on the data side and not enough on the people side."
[28.10] How a different approach to leadership, one that isn't entirely executive-focused, could drive results and fill gaps.
[34.56] How businesses can also lean on partners to help fill those gaps.
"We solve the same three or four problems everywhere we go. So the value of leaning on a partner is that you don't have to reinvent the wheel… How do you find people that have cracked the code.. and leverage it?"
[40.58] Chris's advice for companies looking to navigate this workplace complexity.
[44.07] How the workforce will continue to change in the future.
"Our thought processes around how and what we do have to evolve."
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:
Head over to Brecham Group's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Brecham and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Chris on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Brecham Group, check out 537: How To Ask Better Questions and Drive Project Success, with Brecham Group, 515: Experience Precision Supply Chain Operations, with Brecham Group or their live show Performance Paradox.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.