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Good Question

GOOD QUESTION: Who Would Be Your Lifeline During a Logistics Crisis? Why?
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GOOD QUESTION: Who Would Be Your Lifeline During a Logistics Crisis? Why?

Dwight D. Eisenhower. I make use of the Eisenhower Matrix (pictured). I would want to have heard from the man himself. Planning, preparing, and executing a moment in history like the Normandy invasion puts any logistics crisis in perspective. Do everything in your power to prepare. And at a certain point you need to have confidence in that preparation—and your people—to get on with the task at hand.

–Richard Kohn
Director, Global Logistics & Optimization
SeaCube Containers

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GOOD QUESTION: What one supply chain adjustment would make the biggest impact on ESG?
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GOOD QUESTION: What one supply chain adjustment would make the biggest impact on ESG?

Mature your data so you can use it like Google Maps. Sustained ESG marries continuous improvement with reporting and analysis—predicated on trustworthy data. Every company has a different origin, destination, and journey. Equip your organization with dependable navigation skills by building data intelligence and embedding a culture of data-driven action.

–Michael Ochi
Sr. Manager, Sustainability and Digital Manufacturing
QAD

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GOOD QUESTION: How would you describe your job in five words or less?
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GOOD QUESTION: How would you describe your job in five words or less?

Keeping it cold, when hot. –Jake McPaul Head of Refrigerated Operations and Product WARP Supply chain innovation evangelist. –Chris Jones EVP Industry Descartes Bringing transparency to carrier negotiations. –Josh Dunham CEO and Co-founder Reveel Fresh challenges around every corner. –Crissy Hatfield Dispatcher Xcel Delivery Services Expanding the potential of automation. –Matt Somerville Director of Sales […]

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GOOD QUESTION: How has logistics technology impacted your job?
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GOOD QUESTION: How has logistics technology impacted your job?

We’re going through an enterprise resource planning (ERP) switchover that requires a great deal of patience, change management, and transactional discipline. The change is definitely tough and requires a steep learning curve to keep up. The new technology allows for greater control and visibility of product locations as they move from the production team through […]

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Your Supply Chain Reality in 5 Years: What ChatGPT Can’t Tell You
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Your Supply Chain Reality in 5 Years: What ChatGPT Can’t Tell You

We asked our readers: How will supply chain management transform in the next five years? Here are the three major transformations supply chain managers can anticipate. 1. Adoption of advanced supply chain technology will be a major source of competitive advantage for companies. Platforms that improve human decision making and asset management will be areas […]

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Good Question: What’s your best tip for retailers pivoting to direct-to-consumer (DTC) fulfillment?
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Good Question: What’s your best tip for retailers pivoting to direct-to-consumer (DTC) fulfillment?

Successful DTC fulfillment comes down to balancing customer acquisition cost, conversion rate, and average order value (AOV). AOV is critical—if it’s too low, shipping costs will eat up your margins. Keep AOV up by bundling products and using shipping partners who offer flexible fulfillment options that scale with you. –Aaron Galer SVP of Strategic Partners […]

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GOOD QUESTION: Has the pandemic accelerated logistics outsourcing? Why or why not?
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GOOD QUESTION: Has the pandemic accelerated logistics outsourcing? Why or why not?

The use of third-party logistics has accelerated since the pandemic, with new opportunities in last-mile e-commerce and carrier collaboration. We have seen tracked orders between network shippers and logistics service providers (LSPs) grow 340% year-over-year. As markets continue to rebalance, shippers still seek flexibility, resilience, and sustainability from LSP collaboration and innovation. –Tony Harris SVP […]

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What pandemic-era adjustment will have the greatest supply chain impact?
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What pandemic-era adjustment will have the greatest supply chain impact?

The acceleration of digital twins. The ability to digitally model a company’s manufacturing and distribution network will allow it to quickly assess the impact of large and small disruptions and take appropriate actions. —Allen Jacques Industry Thought Leader Kinaxis The use of data analytics to help suppliers really understand consumer behavior. Suppliers decided to eliminate […]

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What’s your best reverse logistics tip?

According to the National Retail Federation, the total rate of returns was 16.6% in 2021, up from 10.6% in 2020. The best way to reduce returns is to understand the total cost of your returns and to make sure your reverse supply chain is optimized along with the rest of your supply chain.

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What is the biggest supply chain lesson you learned from the past two years?

The fragility or brittleness of a global marketplace so deeply dependent on just-in-time inventory. Any event, whether a pandemic, hurricane, or a container ship stuck in the Suez Canal, creates immediate disarray. In response, retailers have reverted to “just-in-case” practices, building up large safety stocks. It has become a choice between risking a stock-out or keeping costly excessive inventory. Where is the balance?

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