Simply Trade

Hosts

Renee Chiuchiarelli

Julie Parks

Episode Length
~10 minutes

Episode Summary
In this episode of Simply Trade Tips: Hammer & Heels, Renee and Julie tackle one of the toughest realities in transforming trade organizations:

👉 What happens when the work evolves… but the team doesn’t?

As part of the Tactical vs. Strategic series, this conversation dives into the human side of transformation—where automation, delegation, and new expectations shift the nature of work, but not everyone is ready (or willing) to shift with it.

They break down how leaders should think about talent, coaching, and difficult decisions when building a more strategic trade function.

Key Learnings
1. Moving to Strategic Work Is a People Change—Not Just a Process Change
Automation, controls, and delegation don’t just change workflows—they change what’s expected from your team.

👉 Strategic work requires:

Judgment

Communication

Influence

👉 Tactical work requires:

Accuracy

Speed

As programs mature, the balance shifts—and your talent strategy must shift with it.

2. Not Everyone Wants Strategic Work (And That’s Okay)
Some employees:

Prefer predictable work

Are uncomfortable with ambiguity

Don’t want decision ownership

Avoid stakeholder influence

👉 That’s not a flaw—it’s a fit question.

The real leadership challenge is identifying:

Is it a capability issue?

A comfort issue?

Or a willingness issue?

3. Old Habits Pull Teams Back Into Tactical Mode
Even after transformation, teams may revert to:

Manual problem-solving

Email-based approvals

Reworking broker tasks

Hoarding work instead of delegating

Why?

Familiarity feels safer

Fear of losing expertise or relevance

Comfort with being “the expert”

👉 If you don’t actively break old habits, they will quietly take over again.

4. Coaching Comes Before Replacing
Before making talent changes, leaders should:

Clearly explain why roles are evolving

Define new expectations with guardrails

Teach what strategic thinking actually looks like

Pair employees with mentors

Build confidence through repetition and feedback

👉 Strategic capability doesn’t appear overnight—it’s built.

5. Give People Time to Grow
Developing strategic thinkers requires:

More time

More coaching

More interaction

More iteration

👉 If every deadline is urgent, tactical work will always win.

6. When Change Doesn’t Happen
Sometimes, coaching isn’t enough.

Leaders have two options:

Redesign the role toward tactical execution (if still needed)

Replace the role with talent aligned to the strategic direction

👉 Organizations often change faster than people can.

Key Takeaway
👉 Moving from tactical to strategic isn’t just about systems—
it’s about having the right people, in the right roles, at the right time.

🎯 FIO (Figure It Out) – This Week’s Challenge
Schedule intentional thinking time on your calendar.

Because if your day is fully reactive:
👉 Tactical work will always win.

Block time to:

Think strategically

Analyze

Plan ahead

Then start aligning your schedule with the leader you want to become.

💬 Join the Conversation
Head over to the Trade Geeks community and tell us:
Have you made the shift to strategic work—or is your team still stuck in tactical mode?

Credits
Hosts:
Renee Chiuchiarelli – https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-chiuchiarelli-lcb-ccs-8964a19/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
Julie Parks – https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-ann-parks/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Producer:
Lalo Solorzano – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalosolorzano/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

🎧 Subscribe & Follow
New TIPS episodes every Tuesday.

Presented by:
Global Training Center — education, consulting, workshops & compliance resources for trade professionals.
👉 https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Connect With Us
Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn
Global Training Center on LinkedIn

YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Trade Geeks Community — https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/portal/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

💬 Don’t forget to rate, review & share with your fellow trade geeks!

Want to Be on the Show or Have Topic Suggestions?
📧 [email protected]
🐦 Twitter/X: @SimplyTradePod

Host: Annik Sobing
Guest: Omar Abuhashish, Co-Founder and CEO, Reform
Published: April 2026
Length: ~21 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Building Reform: Startup Lessons, Trade Tech, and the Future of Supply Chain

Annik Sobing sits down with Omar Abuhashish, co-founder and CEO of Reform, live from the NCBFAA conference, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and the path that led him into trade technology. Omar shares his journey from growing up in Jordan to studying engineering at NYU, working in startups, and eventually building Reform with a focus on solving complex problems in supply chain and trade. The discussion highlights the importance of curiosity, strong teams, trust, and persistence in building a company with lasting impact.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Omar’s background
Omar reflects on his upbringing in Jordan, his move to the U.S., and his decision to study mechanical and aerospace engineering and computer science at NYU. He explains how a lifelong interest in building, problem-solving, and challenge helped shape his career path.

Startup experience and leadership
Before founding Reform, Omar worked in early-stage startups where he learned how small teams can shape a company’s direction and how product development grows from understanding real customer pain points. He shares how those experiences prepared him for the responsibilities of co-founding a company.

How Reform got started
Omar describes how he and his co-founder explored complex problems across industries before finding strong interest in supply chain and trade. After conducting extensive discovery conversations, they saw a clear opportunity to build technology for an industry with major operational challenges.

Building the right team
The conversation also focuses on hiring and team-building, including how Reform intentionally recruited trusted people from Omar’s network and pursued talent with relevant expertise. He emphasizes that strong teams and genuine relationships are central to the company’s growth.

Early wins and future vision
Omar discusses the first signs that Reform was solving a real problem, including landing an early customer who believed in both the product and the team. He also shares his vision for how Reform can change the way work gets done in supply chain and trade while keeping human relationships at the center.

Why Listen
Because this episode gives you a real look at how a young successful trade tech founder thinks, builds, and grows. Omar Abuhashish shares the story behind Reform, the lessons he learned from startups, and what it takes to turn complex industry problems into practical solutions. If you care about entrepreneurship, innovation, or the future of supply chain, this one is worth your time.

Credits
Host: Annik Sobing
Guest: Omar Abuhashish
Presented by: Global Training Center

New episodes every Monday!

Presented by Global Training Center

Global Training Center on LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Trade Geeks Community

Hosts

Renee Chiuchiarelli

Julie Parks

Episode Length
~12 minutes

Episode Summary
In this episode of Simply Trade Tips: Hammer & Heels, Renee and Julie tackle a challenge many trade professionals quietly struggle with—delegation.

As part of the Tactical vs. Strategic series, this conversation gets real about why leaders often feel overwhelmed—and why it’s not always about workload. It’s about control.

They break down how effective delegation isn’t about offloading tasks—it’s about building capacity, developing people, and stepping into true strategic leadership.

If you’ve ever felt like everything still needs to go through you… this episode might hit a little close to home.

Key Learnings
1. Delegation Isn’t About Doing Less—It’s About Leading Better
Most leaders aren’t overloaded because of volume—they’re overloaded because they haven’t let go.
Delegation allows you to elevate your focus from execution to strategy.

2. The Hidden Risk: You Might Be the Bottleneck
If decisions, approvals, or progress consistently depend on you…
👉 You’re not just part of the system—you are the system constraint.

3. Why Leaders Struggle to Delegate

Fear of errors (and being accountable for them)

“It’s faster if I just do it” mindset

Lack of documented processes

Perceived skill gaps on the team

Perfectionism disguised as compliance discipline

4. What NOT to Delegate
To remain strategic, leaders must retain ownership of:

Compliance framework accountability

Risk tolerance decisions

Escalations and enforcement responses

Policy design

Executive communication

5. What You SHOULD Delegate
If it’s repeatable and teachable, it should leave your desk:

Initial classification research

Post-entry correction data gathering

Broker communications and follow-ups

First drafts of presentations

Audit file assembly and routine reviews

6. Shift From Expert to Architect
Strategic leadership requires a mindset shift:

From solving problems → designing systems

From doing the work → developing people

From control → governance and trust

Practical Delegation Framework
When delegating, don’t just assign tasks—set your team up for success:

Clarify the outcome – Define what “good” looks like

Set guardrails – Establish risk tolerance and boundaries

Define decision rights – What can they decide vs. escalate

Use RACI alignment – Clarify roles and responsibilities

Provide tools – SOPs, templates, prior examples

Shift your role – Approve less, review smarter

Signs You’re Stuck in Tactical Mode

Every email needs your approval

Your team waits before acting

You’re reviewing work that could be controlled upstream

You feel constantly reactive instead of proactive

Key Takeaway
👉 Delegation isn’t losing control—it’s building capability and scaling your impact.

🎯 FIO (Figure It Out) – This Week’s Challenge
Pick one task you regularly handle that could be delegated.

Then:

Add guardrails

Define decision rights

Assign it to your team

👉 The goal isn’t to do less—it’s to lead more strategically.

💬 Join the Conversation
Head over to the Trade Geeks community and tell us:
Have you tried delegating more intentionally? What changed?

Credits
Hosts:
Renee Chiuchiarelli – https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-chiuchiarelli-lcb-ccs-8964a19/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
Julie Parks – https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-ann-parks/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Producer:
Lalo Solorzano – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalosolorzano/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

🎧 Subscribe & Follow
New TIPS episodes every Tuesday.

Presented by:
Global Training Center — education, consulting, workshops & compliance resources for trade professionals.
👉 https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Connect With Us
Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn
Global Training Center on LinkedIn

YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Trade Geeks Community — https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/portal/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

💬 Don’t forget to rate, review & share with your fellow trade geeks!

Want to Be on the Show or Have Topic Suggestions?
📧 [email protected]
🐦 Twitter/X: @SimplyTradePod

Host: Cindy Allen
Published: April 17, 2026
Length: ~15 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
In this week’s episode of Simply Trade: Cindy’s Version, Cindy Allen walks through a pivotal moment for the trade community as CBP prepares to officially launch the CAPE process for IEEPA duty refunds.

After weeks of uncertainty, the process is now defined—but key decisions still fall on importers and brokers, particularly around timing, post-summary corrections, and protest strategies.

At the same time, global trade tensions continue to evolve, with developments involving China’s regulatory posture, ongoing geopolitical risks in the Strait of Hormuz, and continued uncertainty around U.S. trade policy.

Inspired by Taylor Swift’s Clean, Cindy reflects on whether the industry is finally moving toward clarity after months of disruption—or simply entering a new phase of adjustment.

This Week in Trade
• No immediate movement on First Sale or Non-Resident Importer legislation
• Continued legal and political challenges around tariff authority
• China strengthens anti-foreign sanctions regulations
• Ongoing uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz impacting global shipping
• Section 122 legal arguments raise questions about applicability in modern trade

CAPE Launch: What You Need to Know
CBP is set to roll out the CAPE process on April 20, allowing importers to begin submitting refund requests tied to IEEPA tariffs.

• Filing will require only entry numbers via CSV upload
• No current deadline—but high demand expected at launch
• Process focuses on mechanics, not policy resolution

However, key decisions remain:

• Whether to file post-summary corrections before CAPE claims
• How to handle entries between 80–180 days post-liquidation
• Whether to file protests to preserve refund rights

Open Questions for the Trade Community
• How will broker systems reconcile updated ACE data?
• How will CBP manage volume across 50+ million entries?
• What happens to entries outside CAPE eligibility windows?
• Will refunds be consistently applied across all scenarios?

Cindy emphasizes that while the process is clearer, the strategy is not one-size-fits-all.

Key Takeaways
• CAPE is launching—but it’s only part of the solution
• Importers must make strategic filing decisions now
• Trade compliance is shifting from uncertainty to execution mode
• Clarity is emerging—but complexity remains

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center
• Trade Force Multiplier

Credits
Host:
• Cindy Allen – LinkedIn
• Trade Force Multiplier

Producer:
• Lalo Solorzano – LinkedIn

Subscribe & Follow
New episodes every Friday.

Presented by Global Training Center

• Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn
• Global Training Center on LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Trade Geeks Community

🎧 Hosts

Andy Shiles

Lalo Solorzano

🎤 Guest

Brian Glick, CEO of Chain.io

📅 Published Date
April 16, 2026

⏱️ Episode Length
~31 minutes

📝 Episode Summary
What happens when your trade data is everywhere… and nowhere at the same time?

In this episode of Simply Trade, Andy and Lalo sit down with Brian Glick, CEO of Chain.io, to unpack one of the biggest hidden challenges in global trade: data fragmentation.

From managing dozens of brokers and freight forwarders to dealing with inconsistent data, missed red flags, and mounting compliance pressure—Brian explains why the real problem isn’t just systems… it’s visibility and control.

The conversation dives into how modern tools (including AI) are helping companies:

Connect disconnected systems

Identify costly errors before they become violations

Strengthen compliance in an increasingly unpredictable trade environment

But this isn’t just a tech conversation. It’s a reality check.

With shifting regulations, evolving enforcement, and increasing expectations from Customs, the message is clear:

👉 If you don’t control your data, you don’t control your risk.

🔑 Key Topics Discussed

The “hidden problem” in global trade: moving and managing data

Why companies struggle with multiple brokers, forwarders, and systems

How data mapping used to work—and why it no longer scales

The role of AI in identifying anomalies and compliance risks

The difference between automation vs. decision-making in compliance

Why Customs scrutiny and expectations are increasing

The importance of maintaining “ground truth” data internally

Risks of relying too heavily on third parties for critical compliance data

Real-world examples of valuation mistakes and data inconsistencies

Why discipline and strong compliance foundations still matter

💡 Key Takeaways

Data is your foundation
If you don’t own and understand your data, you can’t adapt when rules change.

AI should support—not replace—human decision-making
The safest use of AI today is reviewing and flagging issues, not making final compliance decisions.

You can’t rely on “we’ve always done it this way”
Trade is changing too fast. Old processes won’t hold up under new scrutiny.

Compliance isn’t just about clearing shipments
The real risk often shows up later—during audits and reviews.

Discipline matters more than ever
Shortcuts might solve today’s problem but create tomorrow’s penalty.

🚨 Why This Episode Matters
Trade professionals are being asked to do more—with more data, more complexity, and less margin for error.

This episode highlights a critical shift:

👉 From manual processes → to connected systems
👉 From reactive compliance → to proactive risk management

If your organization is still relying on spreadsheets, disconnected systems, or third-party data without validation… this conversation is a wake-up call.

🔗 Resources & Mentions

Chain.io 

Concepts discussed:

Data mapping

SOP-driven compliance

AI-assisted anomaly detection

Customs audits & enforcement trends

👏 Credits

Hosts: Andy Shiles & Lalo Solorzano

Guest: Brian Glick

Produced by Global Training Center

Produced by: Global Training Center

📢 Subscribe & Follow
Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter.

🎧 Listen on:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

YouTube

💬 Connect with us:

Simply Trade on LinkedIn

Global Training Center on LinkedIn

Trade Geeks Community