Let's Talk Supply Chain

• 504: Discover the Recipe for Best-in-Class Transformation, with EyeOn

  Freek Aertsen & Bart Paridaen of EyeOn talk about digital transformation: value discovery, creation & realization; the big challenges; & key success factors.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.17] An introduction to Freek and Bart, their backgrounds, and roles at EyeOn. "I have a background in economics, took a wrong turn somewhere - and ended up in supply chain!" Freek [07.13] An overview of EyeOn – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. "Response is all about planning." "We connect data, systems, data science and AI with people and processes." [10.58] The ideal client for EyeOn, and the common challenges and questions businesses come to them with. [12.29] An overview of EyeOn's recent report on digital transformation in the industry, who they spoke to, and why now was the right time to conduct this research. "We live in a very volatile business landscape, and there are changes coming to our customers on a constant basis. And, at the same time, there's a new generation of technology. That combination is an interesting one." [16.14] The main drivers for digital supply chain transformation, and what's important to leaders right now, as they grapple with multiple priorities and challenges. "Businesses are changing strategies, and changing a corporate strategy means you have to change your supply chain strategy." [22.47] From balancing short-term wins with long-term strategies to overcoming disruption, the biggest hurdles leaders are faced with as they navigate transformation, and why businesses need to look at these projects from an external perspective as well as an internal one. [27.44] Why the first stage of digital transformation is value discovery, and how businesses can define an actionable framework for success. "It's important for leaders to understand and be aligned on their vision for transformation… The key is improving decision intelligence. The tools and capabilities come in to support, but you need to go back to the starting point to know where you want to transform to." [30.37] The importance of trust, breaking down siloes, and aligning teams in the discovery phase of transformation. [34.23] How businesses can translate value discovery into tangible value creation initiatives. "Companies that went too fast on design paid the price afterwards." [38.03] How value discovery and value creation leads to value realization. [41.06] Next steps: how businesses can work with EyeOn. [43.12] What the next few years of innovation and growth are going to look like, for EyeOn and for the industry. "It all comes back to decisions… Our investments will be in technology, because it's changing – and it's changing rapidly. We need to be at the forefront." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to EyeOn's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with EyeOn and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Freek or Bart on LinkedIn. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

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• 503: Women In Supply Chain™, Andrea Morgan-Vandome

  Andrea Morgan talks about her career journey; the similarities between supply chain & astrophysics, innovation, and why women need to bloom where they land.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [03.37] Andrea's degree in astrophysics, and why curiosity was her biggest driver. "I had a deep interest in the origins of the universe… It gave me the training to ask the right questions." [5.14] How a post-graduate placement at IBM exposed Andrea to a range of business areas, and ignited a passion for supply chain. "I learned that I didn't want to be a researcher, I liked being with people… Quickly I started to specialize in supply chain, I was drawn by the nature of the problems we were trying to solve." [07.20] From the emergence of the cloud to transformation at scale, Andrea's experience at Oracle during pivotal years in the adoption and expansion of new technology. [10.09] Andrea's role in digital transformation at Nike and what we can learn, from the alignment of business strategy and vision to the importance of metrics and measurement. "The biggest thing is putting the concept behind product management at the centre of that digital transformation… You can't do transformation for transformations sake." [15.56] Andrea's current role at Blue Yonder as Chief Innovation Officer, what the role entails, and how it has evolved. [19.15] What innovation means to Andrea, and where the industry is when it comes to innovation. "For me, innovation at its core is: 'How do you do things differently?'" [21.03] Andrea's perspective on AI, and how they're thinking about agentic AI at Blue Yonder. "The ones that aren't successful are the ones that aren't focused on deep domain expertise. Where we're going with agentic is not just the general knowledge, but really understanding the specifics of supply chain." "It's important to get started, because we know it's coming. So you might as well try it out, and see the value you could get along the way." [24.58] Andrea's experience as a woman in male-dominated spaces. [26.49] Why a rising tide lifts all boats, and why women need to support collective growth and empowerment. [29.44] Why Andrea wants to encourage women to bloom where they land, even when the circumstances aren't ideal. "It's not always about the destination, it's about the journey." [32.25] What being an industry 'trailblazer' means to Andrea, and how others can follow in her footsteps. [34.02] The future for Andrea.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Andrea over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Blue Yonder, check out 497: Transform Your Returns Management and Delight Customers, with Blue Yonder 434: Synchronize Your Supply Chain Execution, with Blue Yonder 417: Fulfill Your Potential, with Blue Yonder 484: Women In Supply Chain™, Saskia Van Gendt Check out our other podcasts HERE.    

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• 502: Current Success vs Future Potential: Finding the AI Balance, with Shipium

  Jason Murray of Shipium talks about AI: its impacts, now and in the future; common misconceptions; investment; developing new skills; & changing your mindset.    IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.04] An introduction to Jason, his career, and why he founded Shipium. "Lots of companies are going through an Amazon-ification. Amazon was really good at dealing with this complex multi-source, multi-destination supply chain, and everything is evolving towards that." [07.04] Jason's take on the factors that sit behind his success, and how he got to where he is today. "Focusing on being a builder, a lifelong-learner, continuing to evolve how I thought about things… really being curious." [10.12] How AI is making an immediate impact on supply chains. "People are trying to decode multi-factored issues. A carrier, a model, a rule – all of this culminates to make a decision. We've always been good at automating that, but the ability to use new information and diagnose it has been critical." [16.35] From automation to a completely fresh approach to problem-solving and business management, where AI is going to have the biggest impact in the future. "You do have to adjust. From a leadership perspective, you need a new culture. If you keep doing  things the way you've always been doing them, eventually you're going to get outcompeted." [23.13] Why Jason believes we're still under-hyping AI, the common misunderstandings, and why AI isn't simply a productivity tool. "We're not putting enough energy into fully embracing it – people are quitting too early. There's also a problem around understanding what it can and can't do." [32.17] AI investment, and Jason's advice to leaders about finding the balance between success in the now and future potential. "You have to be thoughtful about how you approach this… and figure out what spaces it's going to work the best in." [36.13] The role of software providers, and how Shipium is helping customers on their AI journey's. "It's really our job to innovate on behalf of the customer, and push to make it as easy and seamless as possible." "You have to work with a partner that you believe will be able to adjust as these times change. That's where the human element comes back into it." [41.06] The skills that will be most important for supply chain operators of the future. [46.26] What 2026 is going to hold for the industry, and what that means for Shipium. "The innovation funnel is going through AI, and that is what 2026 is going to be defined by." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Shipium's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Shipium and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Jason on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Shipium, check out 491: 2028 – Shipium Counts Down to the AI Revolution, 299: Modernize Your Ecommerce Supply Chain, with Shipium or Unlock Retail Growth This Quarter with Multi-Carrier Tech from Shipium. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

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• 501: Uncover Hidden Inefficiencies and Opportunities, with Pallet Alliance

  Mary Casillo & Aubrey Galbraith talk about how Pallet Alliance's onsite audits uncover inefficiencies & identify opportunities for cost-saving & sustainability.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.04] An introduction to Mary and Aubrey, their backgrounds, and roles at Pallet Alliance. [07.30] An overview of Pallet Alliance – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. [10.10] From cost to sustainability, the big challenges and opportunities for Pallet Alliance customers in the current landscape. "We see organizations trying to find opportunities for cost-saving… especially because of tariffs." [12.37] How pallet optimization can make an impact, in light of these challenges and opportunities. "When we're talking about optimization, we're not just talking about the pallets themselves. We're talking about taking a holistic approach to manufacturing." [17.14] Onsite audits – what they can look like for a customer, how they can be used to create cost-effective and fit-for-purpose solutions, and align pallet programs across multiple locations. "Onsite audits allow us to meet with a customer, understand their specific pain points, look at their specifications – and a lot of times we see these things don't match." [21.20] The benefits of pallet and crate customization. "Customization is very important for long-term efficiencies." "When we talk about total cost of ownership of pallets and crates, we're not just talking about the product itself. We're talking about the entire supply chain process that the pallet or crate interacts with. It's a whole universe out there!" [27.35] The ROI for pallet customization, the importance of figuring out your 'why,' and leveraging the science behind pallet redesign to develop the best solutions for cost, sustainability and efficiency. "When you hear customization, you think expensive. But it's an opportunity, it's like solving a puzzle. Making savings and redesigns… so customers aren't seeing an increase in cost or inefficiencies." "We use the wood science behind the decisions, and share the knowledge." [36.08] How smarter pallet designs can be key to a company's sustainability initiatives. "Redesign and sustainability go hand in hand." [39.16] Next steps: how you can request a free onsite audit from Pallet Alliance. [41.38] What 2026 is going to look like for Pallet Alliance.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Pallet Alliance's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Pallet Alliance and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or X (Twitter) or you can connect with Mary or Aubrey on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Pallet Alliance, check out 482: Transform the Way Your Business Moves, with Pallet Alliance or Mary Casillo on Solving Problems and Building Advocacy. Check out our other podcasts HERE.  

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• 500: Women in Supply Chain, Angela Woody

  Angela Woody talks about her career journey; learning to let go of inherited beliefs; making IT investments; & the guiding principles that have shaped her life. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.09] Angela's coincidental career – how volunteering at an event led to an internship that led to a full-time role at Kimberly-Clark. "It was a happenstance!... Someone took a chance on me." [08.41] Angela's 13-year tenure at Kimberly-Clark: how her career progressed, what she learned, and her biggest achievements. "Working for a global manufacturing company, you just had a wealth of opportunities… There was an opportunity to work on a first-of-a-kind project… and on that project, I could be innovative, experimental – it was career-changing." [14.21] Why Angela made a move from large CPG to small healthcare business, and how she changed her assumptions around what a stable, long-term career should look like. [17.45] What Angela loves about supply chain. "Supply chain is not a flashy job! … It's dirty, and for some reason that sparked my intertest... Supply chain is the last thing that's going to touch a product before it's delivered to the customer, that's our responsibility – and I fell in love with that." [21.40] How the pandemic shone a light on the industry, and why hesitation to make capital investments in IT systems is one of the biggest challenges in supply chain right now. "2020 was a blessing in disguise for supply chain. It brought some immediate visibility into how fragile our global supply chain really is – and it finally became a topic in the boardroom." "The companies that are truly making the investment in IT, making the investment in upgrades, they're the ones that are winning." [24.40] Why change management is still such a big problem, and how businesses should be approaching it for success. "Change management takes focus, time, resources and empathy. Change management is one of the most underleveraged capabilities, and I've seen many IT transformations fail because of a lack of investment in it." [27.40] Angela's 'Bring Your Kid To Work Day' experience with her daughter, and how we engage the upcoming generations in supply chain. "I have two girls, and I want to be a role model for them. I want to show them they can do anything they set their minds to, as long as they work hard." [31.31] Angela's experience as a woman in supply chain and technology. [35.15] The guiding principles that have shaped Angela's success, in life and work. [36.08] The importance of mentorship, and how Angela supports the next generations. "When I first started, mentorship wasn't something that was available, or even discussed… So, as we've evolved, and have seen its importance, I've taken male and female mentees and worked with them to have an opportunity to talk about things – I wish I had that." [38.35] The future for Angela. "I've worked hard to be where I am, but the feeling you get when you spend time out in the community and truly give back, is very special to me." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Angela over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more women in tech, check out 493: Women in Supply Chain, Natalie Walker, 470: Women in Supply Chain, Melodie Van Der Baan, or 479: Women in Supply Chain, Lina Castaneda.

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