Episode 49 | Perspective: Systems Thinking in Supply Chain Management

In the 50th episode of the Expeditors Podcast, Ian Mallison, Vice President of Supply Chain Solutions, discusses the challenges and disruptions the logistics and freight forwarding industry has faced this past year, and highlights the need for companies to have resilient supply chains that can adapt to changing circumstances. You’ll also hear about the role of digital twin technology in supply chain management, with emphasis on the importance of good data collection and analytics in making informed decisions and preparing for uncertainties.Guest: Ian Mallison - Vice President, Supply Chain Solutions3:40 - Impact of the Pandemic on Inventory Levels7:57 - Strategies for Adapting to Market Conditions10:58 - Challenges and Strategies in Diversification15:22 - Challenges with Data Analytics17:22 - Utilizing Digital Twins for Supply Chain Solutions21:29 - Evolution of Digital Twin Technology26:56 - Impact of Operational Focus on Innovation29:43 - Closing ThoughtsExpeditors | LinkedIn | X | Facebook | Instagram | Horizon Blog

This episode dives into the abstract as Vice President of Strategy & Innovation Pat St. Laurent discusses his observations of the supply chain industry and how taking a systems thinking approach could bring new levels of communication, collaboration, and optimization within a supply chain and with everyone involved. 2:02 - What is systems thinking?5:31 - The challenges of adopting systems thinking9:23 - "How did we get here in the first place?"13:39 - Does systems thinking ask for too much?18:07 - Successful implementation19:56 - Cultural change21:33 - Working with partners26:48 - Closing thoughtsGuest: Pat St. Laurent - Vice President, Strategy & InnovationMaterials: "Systems Thinking Speech by Dr. Russell Ackoff" YouTube videoThe Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning OrganizationExpeditors | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Horizon Blog

The year is coming to a close and we're taking a break to gear up for 2024. In the meantime, you can check out some interesting and popular links in our Horizon Blog and the podcast series itself. If you'd like to leave some feedback, you can always reach out to Chris at [email protected]. Thank you for your support and we'll see you next year! Top 5 Horizon Blog Articles2023 Global Outlook - A Year of Transitions German Maut Changes: When and What to Expect Ground Network Services in North America [VIDEO] How to Negotiate Ocean Carrier Contracts Storage Costs and Warehousing Trends Top 3 Expeditors Podcast EpisodesEpisode 44 | Perspective: Globalization in 2023 Episode 43 | Sustainability: Emissions & Carbon Footprint Data Episode 47 | Luxury Goods: French Fashion FreightExpeditors | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Horizon Blog

On November 11th of this year, the United States will observe and recognize the service of men and women in the military. In this episode, Lenora Turner and Ted Lucas from the Opportunity Knocks program at Expeditors discuss the value veterans bring to the civilian workforce and things for companies to keep in mind when building programs designed to seek out veterans and create opportunities with lasting impact.:47 - Expeditors' Opportunity Knocks Veterans Program7:38 - Qualities that come with service10:33 - Handling higher stakes and stress14:53 - Examples of success18:25 - Making an inclusive workspace21:57 - Support for veterans24:54 - For those looking for a new career29:11 - Veterans supporting each other31:34 - Resources33:36 - Closing thoughtsGuest: Lenora Turner - Director, Opportunity KnocksTed Lucas - Program Coordinator, Opportunity Knocks VeteransExpeditors | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Horizon Blog

It's Paris Fashion Week at the time of this episode's release, so Global Account Manager Sophie Duquesnoy and District Manager of Paris Marc Rached share what is affecting the high end fashion industry in terms of its consumers, brand, compliance, sustainability goals, and more. 3:59 - Defining high end fashion5:50 - What has fashion maisons' attention9:12 - How the industry engages with logistics12:42 - The role of the freight forwarder14:52 - Classifying high end fashion20:42 - Making the luxury experience sustainable24:15 - Secure movement26:22 - Closing thoughtsGuest: Sophie Duquesnoy - Global Account ManagerMarc Rached - District Manager, ParisExpeditors | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Horizon Blog

Since the global shipping crisis of 2020, software as a service (SaaS) offerings for visibility have become increasingly popular. Michelle Weaver, Senior Vice President of Order Management, talks about the problems customers are trying to solve with SaaS, and how to understand the resiliency of your supply chain through an assessment of people, process, and technology.1:10 - 2020 to now4:25 - Have customers regained control?8:34 - People, process, and technology; which model are you?15:56 - Have SaaS evolved?17:14 - Fragility in people, process, and technology19:12 - Customers' takeaways21:05 - Closing thoughtsGuest: Michelle Weaver - Senior Vice President, Order ManagementExpeditors | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Horizon Blog

The aviation industry has shown incredible resiliency and profitability for decades, so how is it faring after the last 3 years? Jim Cangiano, Global Director of the Aviation and Aerospace Vertical, discusses how this industry continues to keep planes flying, both off the assembly line and in the air. Guest: Jim Cangiano - Global Director, Aviation & Aerospace Vertical5:10 - The needs of the aviation industry11:39 - Vulnerabilities16:05 - Absorbing impact from global events23:11 - Competing with other industries for resources26:25 - How will sustainable designs affect supply chains?30:18 - New technology bringing change33:53 - Closing thoughtsExpeditors | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Horizon Blog

Globalization, geopolitics, and macroeconomics impact the movement of goods, how businesses grow, and quality of life. Fernanda Kroup, Vice President and Head of Onyx Strategic Insights, gives her take on how things are looking this year and how current trends are affecting logistics in 2023.Guest: Fernanda Kroup - Vice President, Head of Onyx Strategic Insights3:53 - Globalization then and now10:16 - Lessons learned17:30 - Threats to globalization24:18 - How shipping & logistics has adapted27:40 - The health of the global community as an organism32:14 - What can companies do?35:17 - Closing thoughtsExpeditors | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Horizon Blog

Why is capturing emissions and carbon footprint data so difficult in the transportation industry? Cam Smith, Director - Environment Sustainability, and Nina Barton, Manager - Network Solutions & Environmental Sustainability, North Asia, talk about ESG in transportation and how infrastructure, customer expectations, and lack of harmony are getting in the way of reliable data that helps shippers find ways to reduce emissions and meet their goals.Guests: Cam Smith - Director, Environmental SustainabilityNina Barton - Manager, Environmental Sustainability & Network Solutions4:19 - Sustainability in the transportation industry6:58 - Why ESG is a challenge in transportation10:31 - What are Scope 3 emissions?11:29 - Shippers' expectations17:57 - The role of the freight forwarder19:10 - Is collecting emissions data a challenge?23:53 - On the minds of customers27:38 - Closing thoughtsExpeditors | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Horizon Blog

In October 2023, the Canada Border Services Agency will implement a new program to change the way it collects duties and taxes from importers. Steve Bunda shares information on what's changing, how to act, and illustrates why now is the best time to act in preparation for this massive change. 1:46 - What is CARM?4:07 - Affecting the relationships between brokers and importers4:57 - Are people acting in a timely fashion?7:03 - CARM registration process9:53 - Challenges ahead with rollout12:57 - Closing thoughtsExpeditors | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Horizon Blog