The SupplyChainBrain Podcast
Episodes
The Trend in Corporate Giving: Are Businesses Stepping Up?
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are businesses keeping up their commitment to corporate giving and social responsibility?
Solving the Deadly Problem of Distracted Driving
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Technology is the major reason behind distracted driving. Is it also the solution?
A Failing Grade on Ending Forced Labor in Apparel Supply Chains
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A new report card on forced labor in apparel supply chains gives brands and manufacturers mostly failing grades in their efforts to put a stop to it. ...
Connecting the Dots: The Role of the Modern-Day Warehouse Execution System
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A typical warehouse consists of multiple information systems. How do they work together smoothly?
Can Mexico Live Up to Its Potential as a Nearshoring Hub?
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As manufacturers look to shift production to North American, Mexico appears to hold all the cards. But is there a joker or two in the deck?
‘Built to Fail’: Why Construction Projects Take Too Long, Cost Too Much
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How often does a major construction project come in on time and on budget? Why is the answer “hardly ever”?
The Quest for a Zero-Waste Supply Chain
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Most organizations still have a long way to go before they can declare their supply chains to be “zero waste.”
Protecting Digital Supply Chains From Cyberattack
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For all its advantages, the digitization of supply chains has one disconcerting drawback: It makes them more vulnerable to hackers and cyber thieves.
Who’s Really Paying for Tariffs on Imports of Chinese Goods?
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tariffs on Chinese importers are a response to that nation’s unfair trade practices. But who’s footing the bill?
How Do We Eliminate Modern-Day Slavery in Supply Chains?
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Think slavery in global supply chains is a thing of the past? Think again.
Got a Product Recall? Call Procurement
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Beyond finding the right suppliers, procurement’s main mission back in the day was to save the company money. Oh, for simpler times.
A Collaborative Approach to Supply Chain Digitization
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to achieve supply chain digitization? And for that matter, what does that even mean?
Will We See a U.S. Factory Boom? Not Without AI.
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
U.S. industry is fervently hoping for a resurgence in domestic manufacturing. Application of artificial intelligence is the key.
Can Smaller E-tailers Match Amazon’s Same-Day Service?
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to same-day delivery, Amazon has set the bar high. Is it realistic for smaller e-tailers to match that promise?
Podcast | Autonomous Trucks Are Coming. Really.
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Driverless trucks might be zipping down the roads sooner than you think.
On the Journey Toward Supply Chain Digitization
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Setting out on the journey to digitize your supply chain? It’s a long and winding road.
How the Procurement Organization Acquired Superpowers
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s procurement organization is scarcely recognizable from what it used to be.
Optimizing the Production Plan in a Constrained Supply Chain
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The production plan is long overdue for automation and optimization.
Getting the Most Value From Frontline Workers in a Time of Cost-Cutting
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How can employees cut costs at the same time they’re providing an attractive environment for their frontline logistics workers?
How to Build a Flexible Supply Chain
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Just what is a “flexible” supply chain, anyway?
Ensuring Warehouse Safety in the Age of Robotics
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the right approach — and the wrong one — to robot safety in the warehouse?
Will an Investment ‘Supercycle’ Spark the Revival of American Manufacturing?
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Will three big recent funding measures entice manufacturers to shift production from China back to the U.S.?
Betting on Electric Vehicles: A Realistic Appraisal
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Automakers have put themselves squarely on the road to electrification, but there could be speed bumps ahead.
Patagonia’s 50-Year Journey as a ‘Responsible’ Company
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A lot has happened in the 10 years since Patagonia, the big designer of apparel and gear for outdoor recreation, published a book about its 40 years o...
How Sanctions Are Disrupting the Electronic Components Supply Chain
08 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Biden Administration’s sanctions on sales of advanced technology are having a major impact on the global electronics supply chain.
How AI and Computer Vision Are Creating ‘The Warehouse of the Future’
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Creating the warehouse of the future takes vision — literally.
The Past, Present and Future of Gig Work
18 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How did the gig economy survive the pandemic? And how is it evolving today?
‘The Death of Globalization’: What Will Take Its Place?
11 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is the age of globalization coming to an end? If so, what will the future of trade look like?
The Age of AI: Will It Drown Us in Misinformation?
04 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Will the latest evolution of artificial intelligence create a fount of information — or misinformation?
How Intel Will Get to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions
28 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Intel updates its progress toward achieving net-zero emissions worldwide by 2040.
U.S. vs. China: Should We Disrupt the Relationship?
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it time to unravel the lucrative trade ties that bind the U.S. and China?
U.S. vs. China: Are We Losing the Economic Competition?
14 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it time for the U.S. to take a more aggressive approach to China’s plan for global economic dominance?
Is Blockchain Green Enough for the Supply Chain?
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A marketplace for recycled plastic is using blockchain for authenticating material origins. But is the technology sustainable enough for that purpose?...
A Supply Chain Equation: Agility = Resilience = Revenue
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What exactly is “agility,” besides being one of the supply chain’s favorite buzzwords?
AI, Automation and the Future of Work
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is artificial intelligence the technology that will finally make humans obsolete?
What Is Supply Chain Digitization? And Why Do We Need It?
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Digitization: A word that’s even harder to define than it is to pronounce.
‘Reinventing’ the Supply Chain for the 21st Century
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The structural flaws of global supply chains were exposed by COVID-19. But the origins of those problems date back much further than the pandemic.
Getting the Most Value From Your Supply Chain Planning System
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve chosen a provider of supply chain planning software. How do you ensure that the initiative will succeed?
Finding the Right Supply Chain Planning Provider
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You’re out to obtain new software for supply chain planning. How can you be assured of making the right choice?
Can Gig Workers Really Make a Living?
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The battle over the definition, status and viability of the gig worker continues.
We Need to Stem the Flow of Forged Medical Supplies
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The importation of fake and fraudulent medical supplies must be stopped.
There Are No Shortcuts to Supply Chain Due Diligence
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to unethical behavior by one’s supply chain partners, no matter how deep up the tiers you go, ignorance is no excuse.
How Vulnerable Are Our Networking Devices?
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Recently the Trellix Advanced Research Center discovered two major vulnerabilities in Cisco network devices, exposing them to possible cyberattack.
Grow in Any Economy: The New Role of Procurement
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to turn the procurement function into a “growth engine” for the business?
Competing for the Warehouse Workforce of the Future
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Warehouse workers are getting harder to find, hire and retain. What do they really want?
The Sharpest Image: Smart Glasses in the Warehouse
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Smart glasses have been slow to catch on with consumers, even among the earliest adopters of technology. Not so in the warehouse.
‘Supply Chain for Startups’: From Zero to Scale
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How does a brand new venture create a supply chain from scratch?
Leaving China: Is ‘Friend-Shoring’ the Answer?
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As manufacturers shift production away from China, can they turn to “friendly” alternatives?
Did the Pandemic Heal the Healthcare Supply Chain?
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What lessons did the healthcare supply chain learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The ESG Mandate: How Can Global Supply Chains Comply?
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance is no longer just a selling point for responsible manufacturers and their supply chains. It’s ...
The Seven Deadly Sins of B2C Fulfillment
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Another seven deadly sins? These are being committed in the warehouse.
Supply Chain Finance Today: It’s a Whole New Conversation
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The conversation we’re having today about supply chain finance is a lot different than that of just a few years ago.
Is Apple Leading a Radical Change in Sourcing Strategy?
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For global high-tech manufacturers, is the pendulum swinging from outsourcing back to insourcing?
Yoga for Truck Drivers? It’s a Mother Trucker!
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Truck drivers doing yoga? It isn’t a stretch.
The Supply Chain Workforce of the Future Is Already Here
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
COVID-19 triggered a radical transformation of the workforce across all industries, but the impact on the supply chain sector has been especially acut...
Why Private Equity Believes in the Logistics Industry
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How can we tell that the logistics industry holds so much promise for investors? It’s where the money is.
Are Global Manufacturers Saying Goodbye to China?
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to manufacturing product for the world, China is now longer a low-cost country.
How a Specialty Vehicle Maker Weathered the Pandemic
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A maker of emergency vehicles has managed to surmount its own set of supply chain emergencies.
A New Report Card on Ships’ Carbon Emissions
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A new mandatory report card for carbon emissions by ships of greater than 5,000 gross tons has huge implications for the commercial maritime industry.
How Computer Language Models Will Transform the Business World
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If a computer can convincingly replicate human text, where does that leave the human?
Can Mexico Replace China as a Manufacturing Powerhouse?
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
China is losing its luster as a low-cost source of manufacturing. Is Mexico an alternative?
The Reinvention of Sales and Operations Planning
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sales and operations planning (S&OP) was created way back in the 1980s. But it is relevant to today’s world of supply chain disruptions and unce...
Solar Energy Is Here to Stay — and Growing
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Solar power has come of age.
The Warehouse Management Dilemma: Pain Points and Cures
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
All those warehouses that have survived up to now on old-school manual processes? They’re not working anymore.
Three Mistakes That Procurement Makes — and How to Avoid Them
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The success of any global supply chain starts with procurement. But a lot of companies are getting that function wrong.
Charging Up the Battery Supply Chain to Meet Demand for EVs
21 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Government and private industry alike have set ambitious targets for the production of electric vehicles. But will their efforts be short-circuited by...
The Shifting Dynamic Between Ocean Carriers and Shippers
14 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the seesawing relationship between ocean shippers and carriers, who’s up right now? And who’s down?
What Is a ‘Socially Responsible’ Organization?
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In these times of global crisis, there’s never been a greater need for the socially responsible organization.
The Unfashionable Supply Chain of the Fashion Industry
28 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If only the fashion industry were as up-to-date with its supply chain as it is with consumer trends in apparel.
It’s Not Just About Microchips: An Overlooked Link in the High-Tech Supply Chain
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The crisis in high-tech supply chains is about more than just microchips.
Can We Bring ‘Empathy’ to the Warehouse?
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is there room in a modern-day warehouse for empathy?
Sounding the Alarm for an Economic Meltdown
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Will mounting debt be the factor that finally plunges the economy into recession?
Five Steps to Building a Resilient Supply Chain
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
So you’ve locked in your supply chain plan and network design? Good luck with that.
The Plight of the Drayage Driver: When Will It Get Better?
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The life of the drayage trucker in “normal” times is a difficult one. And these times are anything but.
Maritime Intelligence: Can AI Predict the Unpredictable?
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ocean carrier service quality is in the pits.
Why Automakers Won’t Meet EV Production Targets
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Will the Biden Administration meet its goal for electric vehicle production in the U.S.? Don’t count on it.
Quantum Computing for the Supply Chain: Is It Here Yet?
03 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Quantum computing has arrived. But is it mature enough to solve brutally complex supply chain problems?
No Forced Labor in Your Supply Chain? Prove It!
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For U.S. importers, the hurdles for proving that their supply chains are free of forced labor are getting higher all the time.
Will Supply Chains Ever Return to ‘Normal’?
20 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don’t hold your breath waiting for global supply chains to return to some state of “normal” anytime soon.
A Lab for Solving Urban Freight Congestion
13 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can all of the interests that make up an urban environment come together to solve the problem of freight congestion?
Wake Up! Why Aren’t Companies Addressing Sourcing Risk?
06 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Will supply chains ever learn the need for true risk management and resilience?
Linking Planning and Execution for Real-Time Decision Making
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The best-laid plan means nothing if you can’t execute on it.
How Are SMB Traders Surviving the Supply Chain Crisis?
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Geopolitical and economic winds are buffeting all international traders. But small and medium-sized businesses are most vulnerable to the storm.
Is Healthcare Catching Up to Blockchain Technology?
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Blockchain technology is well advanced within some industry supply chains, but healthcare isn’t among them.
Get Smart! Why Supply Chains Are Embracing Decision Intelligence
01 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Supply chains need to get smarter.
Stitching Together the Physical and Digital Supply Chain
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Every supply consists of two crucial elements: physical goods, and the digital systems that make it possible to move them. How can they be made in wor...
Companies Are on a Shopping Spree for Supply Chain Software
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The wallets are open: Companies are investing heavily in software for optimizing the supply chain. But will the trend continue?
Measuring ‘Foot Traffic’ in the Supply Chain
04 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone wants supply chain visibility, but few have it.
‘Breaking the Bias’: What’s It Like to Be a Female Founder in Logistics Tech?
27 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s tough enough starting a company. But for a female entrepreneur in the world of parcel logistics, it’s equally vital to promote diversity with...
Using Supply Chain Data for Real-Time Decision-Making
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s great to have all that supply chain data at your fingertips — but can you do anything with it?
Solving the Warehouse Labor Shortage: Part 2
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Warehousing is suffering from an acute shortfall of labor. Is automation the answer?
Solving the Warehouse Labor Shortage: Part 1
06 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Warehousing and transportation providers need solutions for coping with what looks to be a long-term shortage of labor.
Embracing the Challenge of ESG in the Supply Chain
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards are becoming essential to the success of global supply chains.
Can 3D Printing Help Fix Broken Supply Chains?
23 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has been touted for years as a revolution in goods production — one that’s able to meet the dem...
The Truck Driver Shortage: Problem and Solutions
16 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. is around 80,000 commercial truck drivers short of what’s needed to meet current demand. And requirements for the future will send that num...
Is Mexico Violating the USMCA on Biotech Imports?
09 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Trade in agricultural products between the U.S. and Mexico is massive: the U.S. ships nearly $20 billion in farm exports to Mexico each year. But that...
The Real-World Impact of the Infrastructure Bill
23 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The $1.2 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden late last year has been heralded by ...
Podcast | How Inventory Management Can Fix Broken Supply Chains
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Inventory management poses a huge challenge to retailers today — but it’s also the key to matching supply with demand in difficult times.
The ABCs of ESG: Are Supply Chains Making Progress?
11 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can global businesses meet ethical standards for behavior even as they’re struggling to survive?
Dr. Lisa Williams Is Blazing Paths in Both Supply Chain Academia and the Business World
02 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You might say that Dr. Lisa Williams had accomplished quite enough in her academic career.