Simply Trade

Host: Annik Sobing
Guests: Federico “Kiko” Zuniga, Kim Campbell & Carlos Martinez
Published: November 2025
Length: ~12 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

One Region, One Voice: Strengthening North American Trade Collaboration
In this special Simply Trade Roundup episode recorded live at the NCBFAA conference in San Antonio, host Annik Sobing sits down with leaders from the North American Customs Brokers Alliance (NACBA): Federico “Kiko” Zuniga (Chair), Kim Campbell (Treasurer, Canada), and Carlos Martinez (Co-Chair, Mexico).

Together, they discuss the importance of collaboration between customs brokers across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — and how a unified industry voice helps shape more efficient and effective border processes. The conversation highlights NACBA’s role in addressing trade barriers, educating the industry, and working directly with all three governments to improve cross-border trade.

From the ongoing USMCA review to evolving customs regulations and real-world operational challenges, this episode underscores why North America must continue working together to remain a strong and competitive trade region.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

What NACBA is and how it brings together customs brokers from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Why collaboration across North America is critical for seamless trade flows.

How NACBA identifies trade barriers and works with governments to resolve them.

The current challenges surrounding the USMCA review process.

Key regulatory and operational challenges in Canada (CARM) and Mexico (customs reform).

How education and industry resources help importers better understand cross-border trade.

Key Takeaways

A unified voice across North America is more powerful than individual country advocacy.

Trade in the region goes beyond economics — it also impacts security and long-term stability.

The USMCA review process is a critical moment that will shape the future of regional trade.

Importers often underestimate compliance requirements, especially under USMCA qualification rules.

Strong collaboration between brokers and governments leads to more practical and effective trade solutions.

Resources & Mentions

North American Customs Brokers Alliance (via NCBFAA resources)

NCBFAA — https://www.ncbfaa.org/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

CAAAREM — https://www.caaarem.mx/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

USMCA — https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/united-states-mexico-canada-agreement?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Global Training Center — https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Credits
Host: Annik Sobing — https://www.linkedin.com/in/annik-sobing-mba-b226251a2/

Guests:

Federico “Kiko” Zuniga — https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiko-zuniga-2570086/

Kim Campbell — https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-campbell-ca/

Carlos Martinez — (CAAAREM, Mexico)

Producer: Lalo Solorzano — https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalosolorzano/

Subscribe & Follow
New Roundup episodes every week.

Presented by: Global Training Center — https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Connect with us:

Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/82507159/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Global Training Center on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-training-center/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

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, and share with your fellow trade geeks!

Want to be on the show or have topic suggestions?
[email protected]
or DM @SimplyTradePod on Twitter/X

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