Last week on episode three of our WiseTech Global mini-series, we tackled one of supply chains most difficult, yet most important, topics – risk. One of the many lessons that the pandemic taught us was the importance of ensuring that robust risk management is incorporated into our supply chain strategies. But, in the current landscape of market disruption and digital transformation, do we even know what the risks are? Well I was joined by Mohan and Nachi to reflect on that question; to talk about why we all need to change the way we view risk in logistics; and the approach that we should be taking to tackle that risk and better prepare for the unexpected.

And today, in our fourth and final episode, we’re taking a closer look at logistics digitization. And, specifically, the role of people in its success. As we talk more and more about digitization across the industry, one important element that’s often missing from those conversations is people, and the resistance they can have to digital change. If we want to ensure smooth and effective digitization across the industry, we really need to start talking about the cultural changes that are also needed – and that’s exactly what we’re going to do today.

I’m joined by Tudor Maxwell, Head of WiseTech Academy, to talk about the different stages of change management; the importance of a commitment to ongoing training and development; the role of the WiseTech Academy in empowering individuals and organizations with content; and why a little chaos isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Guest Bio:

Tudor joined WiseTech Global in 2018 and has over 20 years’ experience improving the way businesses and teams perform in the technology, financial services, mining and non-profit sectors. Tudor leads the Languages, eLearning, Certifications and WiseTech Academy teams and oversees the acquired product teams in South Africa. Prior to joining WiseTech, Tudor led Design, Agile, Lean and Automation practices in Suncorp (2013-2017) and Process Excellence teams in Westpac (2009-2013). Tudor holds a BSc in Engineering, an MBA and a Doctorate in organizational theory and sustainability.

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

[01.45] An introduction to today’s guest.

[02.53] An introduction to WiseTech Academy.

“It addresses industry topics, like biosecurity and dangerous goods training, but also offers diplomas in things like customs broking or international freight forwarding, so that people who want to join the industry, enhance their skills or make a career move within the industry can find the resources they need.”

[04.25] The current landscape of logistics digitization.

“It’s hard to make large scale changes inside your business, to the processes and systems that people are using every day. Sometimes people try to take shortcuts and digitize small pieces… and you end up with multiple applications, not necessarily speaking to each other.”

[09.17] From difficulty adapting existing processes to new tech, to fear of the unknown, why one of the biggest barriers to success within supply chain digitization is people – but why some resistance is actually healthy.

“We don’t always understand why we need to change. There needs to be a compelling case for the change we’re introducing for people to get on board and make peace with it, a case that demonstrates why the future we’re talking about is better than where we are now.”

[13.32] Why a little chaos is to be expected in the early stages of planning a change management and digitization process, and how organizations can start to overcome objections.

“When you don’t get good people across your organization supporting and advocating for the change, it’s difficult to build momentum… those people arguing the case fleshes out the model and builds ownership of it.”

[20.03] How companies can start to excite the wider team for change and include them on the digitization journey to ensure a smooth transition.

[23.17] The importance of training and development when it comes to change management and ongoing digitization, and WiseTech’s vision for the Academy as well as for driving change across the industry.

“The moment you say ‘we’re going to train and develop you,’ people realize that they have a role in the future and the company is supporting them to become stars again. That overcomes a psychological gap. Then the question becomes – how do we do this at scale? That’s where online learning has a powerful role to play.”

[25.06] The importance of collaboration between supply chain stakeholders when it comes to optimizing supply chain efficiency and decision-making.

“We talk about a supply chain – a breakdown in information flow down the chain creates inefficiencies and error, and errors are vastly more expensive than the extra effort it takes to ensure the consistency of the information flow up and down the supply chain.”

[26.52] How individuals, as well as organizations, can engage with the WiseTech Academy to learn and upskill.

[29.02] The importance of creating a learning-oriented culture that encourages continuous improvement and embraces change.

“It builds a resilience and a future-readiness.”

[32.34] The three key stages of change management for successful digitization projects.

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

Head over to WiseTech’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with WiseTech and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook and YouTube, or you can connect with Tudor on LinkedIn.

You can also find out more about CargoWise on their website, and follow the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) or YouTube.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Last week on episode two of our mini-series with WiseTech Global, we dove deep into the world of customs and compliance, shedding light on the complexities and intricacies of international regulations. And, as we explored all of those topics, one thing became abundantly clear – there are inherent risks lurking in the shadows.

So, today in episode three, we are continuing that exploration by asking a big question: How should we approach and manage these risks, not just within the compliance landscape, but across every stage of the supply chain?

I’m joined by Nachi Mendelow, VP of Business Development for Africa at CargoWise, and Mohan Dipsingh, President at PositivePC, to answer that big question, and to dive into the lessons we’ve learned from the pandemic; how organizations can start to build resilience into their operations; the role of technology in risk management; and why taking a holistic approach to your supply chain is the key to success.

Guest Bio:

Nachi Mendelow leads the CargoWise Business Development team in Africa and assists companies to digitize their logistical supply chains and harness the power of human potential through effective use of software.

Guest Bio:

Mohan Dipsingh is a supply chain expert, owner and principal consultant at PositivePC, and a Platinum Certified CargoWise Partner. Over the past 15 years, Mohan has provided consulting services to logistics firms across the globe, completing hundreds of implementation and training projects. He provides immense value to his clients due to his vast experience in logistics and technology, with positive outcomes and raving recommendations. Mohan is dedicated to helping clients optimize their business for continuous improvement.

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

[01.49] An introduction to today’s guests.

[04.04] How the pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains worldwide, bringing the topic of risk to the fore; and the most significant lessons we learned.

“No-one was prepared! You’ve got to have a risk management plan, but if you don’t test it, how do you know it works?” Mohan

“What was really fascinating to realize during covid was how apt the term ‘global village’ has become, the interconnectedness of people, countries… and how fundamental supply chain is to this global village.” Nachi

[07.18] The different types of working siloes; the inherent risks for companies that continue to operate in silos; and the power to be found in embracing collaboration.

[12.27] From robust escalation processes to creating a culture of ongoing learning, how organizations can build resilience into their supply chain operations in order to adapt, tackle challenges and manage risk and disruption.

“Resilience is the ability to withstand or recover quickly, so it’s really about being ready and able to deal with something that’s not normal… That could be operational, security, compliance – and these are things where we don’t have to wait for an event or a disruption, these are things we know we need to have a plan in place for.” Mohan

“Resilience is really about people. At the heart of resilience is enabling and empowering staff with training, with a deeper understanding of what they’re doing and trying to achieve, so that when the pathway to what they want to achieve is blocked, they can find another way.” Nachi

[18.33] The importance of taking a holistic approach, from bringing different business units together with customers and suppliers, to a focus on global optimization instead of local.

“A holistic approach is the opposite of a siloed approach. It’s a space where there’s communication and visibility… And if we can really align everyone, from the supplier to the buyer, it could unlock great efficiencies throughout the entire supply chain.”

[22.09] The strategies that companies should be looking to employ when it comes to assessing and managing risks within their network of trading partners.

[25.36] How technology has evolved to become a critical component of supply chain risk management.

[30.07] Why adopting a single operating platform for end-to-end logistics is crucial for risk identification and mitigation.

“If you have the data early, you can make decisions… having all the data in one place, from an end to end visibility perspective, is what really makes a difference… and that’s where you need a good system that can take all of it, visualize it and give you the decision making tools you need.” Mohan

[33.00] How CargoWise has helped organizations to build resilience into their supply chains, with their robust solutions, strong infrastructure and strategic partnerships.

[39.03] The risks we can all expect to see in 2024.

“Something we need to keep an eye on is regional conflicts, and how that is going to affect freight. Cybersecurity is ongoing, as is inflation.” Mohan

“Complexity is not going down, it’s going up. And as complexity goes up, the question is – how do we respond to that?” Nachi

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

Head over to WiseTech’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with WiseTech and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook and YouTube, or you can connect with Nachi on LinkedIn.

You can also find out more about CargoWise on their website, and follow the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) or YouTube.

Connect with Mohan on LinkedIn, and find out more about Positive PC on their website, or on LinkedIn.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Last week on episode one of our brand new WiseTech Global mini-series, we weighed in one of the biggest industry discussions at the moment – visibility. I was joined by Gene Gander of WiseTech and Amna Shah of AHD Consulting, one of WiseTech’s service partners, to reflect on some big industry questions. What exactly does visibility mean and why is it so important? What impacts are we seeing on the industry after several years of heavy investment? What are the barriers to achieving true end-to-end visibility? And what exactly is WiseTech doing to tackle those barriers? It was a really insightful episode, and a topic that we all need to get involved in, so I hope you all enjoyed it.

And today in episode two, we’re turning our attention to an equally complex area – and that’s compliance. Cybercrime, supply chain disruption, climate change, socioeconomic turmoil – every day seems to bring yet another challenge for compliance, leaving many organizations fighting to keep up. But if you’re considering letting one or two compliance issues slip down the priority list, think again. Because today we’re going to be revealing the true cost of non-compliance – and the data might just surprise you.

I’m joined by Craig Seelig, Product Manager of Customs and Compliance for North America at WiseTech Global, and Laurie Arnold, Vice President of Compliance at JAS Forwarding USA Inc, to talk about the evolving compliance landscape; the cost of non-compliance; the importance of technology in creating a single source of truth; and why cutting corners is a risk you can’t afford to take.

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

[01.49] An introduction to today’s guests.

[02.40] A closer look at the ever-changing compliance landscape, and some of the biggest changes that have impacted the industry in recent years.

“Things are always changing – you have to be on top of things!” Craig

[05.20] Why compliance has become a huge cost center for global organizations.

“It’s amazing when I talk with companies and I find out they have 80 or 90 systems. It’s hard to fathom that they can manage all of those – different contracts in different countries – and getting those systems to talk to each other is a huge challenge and a big expense.” Craig

[10.48] Why not investing in compliance can create a false economy, and lead to devastating business impacts.  

“Consequences of non-compliance can be catastrophic… you could lose export privileges, you could have licenses or permits cancelled. But the biggest concern is the hit to the reputation of your company… Compliance is not an area where you want to try and cut those costs.” Laurie

[13.04] How technology can help to tackle modern compliance issues, and how a single, integrated technology can bring competitive advantage for organizations and help them more effectively navigate our complex regulatory landscape.

“The key is that you have a single source of truth – one set of data.” Craig.

[17.47] A closer look at the CargoWise customs and compliance solutions that are changing the game for clients.

[21.35] The added value of CargoWise’s denied party screening.

[23.35] Why JAS Forwarding chose to work with CargoWise, and the benefits of being able to see data from beginning to end in identifying patterns and opportunities.

[26.41] Why some of the world’s largest freight forwarders choose CargoWise.

[28.52] Craig and Laurie’s advice for achieving supply chain compliance.

“Compliance needs to be paid attention to… and you need to choose technology and partners who are going to help you in that.”

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

Head over to WiseTech Global’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with WiseTech and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook and YouTube, or you can connect with Craig on LinkedIn.

You can also find out more about CargoWise on their website, and follow the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) or YouTube.

Connect with Laurie on LinkedIn, and find out more about JAS Forwarding on their website, or on LinkedIn.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

It’s been a while, but we’re back with another exclusive mini-series. And this one is in partnership with one of the industry’s biggest brands – market-leading logistics-industry tech providers, WiseTech Global.

Over the course of our brand new four-part series, we’re going to talk about why optimized and actionable data is more powerful than mere visibility; and why organizations need good data, not lots of data. We’ll be revealing the true cost of compliance; and changing the way we think about risk in logistics. And we’ll be reflecting on the cultural and human challenges that come along with digitization.

Today in Episode 1, Unveiling The Invisible, I’m joined by Gene Gander, General Manager of Global Sales at WiseTech Global, and Amna Shah, Principal and CFO at AHD Consulting, to dive into the complex world of supply chain visibility. What does it mean and why is it so important? What impacts are we seeing on the industry after several years of heavy investment? What are the barriers to achieving true end-to-end visibility? And what exactly is WiseTech and CargoWise doing to tackle those barriers?

Guest Bio:

Gene Gander, General Manager Global Sales, has been with WiseTech Global for over 20 years, specializing in international logistics management, with over 25 years of experience helping clients find and implement technology solutions that add value to their business. Gene previously managed and developed Cargo Products for Official Airline Guides. WiseTech Global is the leading developer and provider of software solutions that put productivity at the center of the world’s supply chain via their CargoWise solution. CargoWise is utilized by 24 of the top 25 global forwarders and 43 of the top 50 global 3PLs in 173 countries and 30 languages. The recent acquisitions of Envase Technologies and Blume Global rounds out the CargoWise ecosystem in the landside logistics element of international logistics. Gene heads a strong and broad global team for new customer acquisition and penetration of the global leading international freight forwarders. Gene holds a Bachelor of Science, Marketing and Management from the University of Northern Iowa.

Guest Bio:

Amna Shah migrated to the U.S. at 16 to pursue the ‘American Dream.’ After falling into accounting and freight forwarding in 1999, she started working with CargoWise in the USA market in 2002. She is now the owner and CFO of AHS Consulting, a Platinum WiseService Partner and Technical Partner with CargoWise. Amna supports a refugee school in Chattanooga, TN and has a school in her name in Karachi, India.

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

[02.38] An introduction to today’s guests.

[05.05] A closer look at Amna’s company AHS Consulting, her long-standing relationship with WiseTech, and why AHS is a WiseTech and CargoWise partner.

“It’s an archaic industry, to get people out of that mindset takes a long time – but as soon as I saw CargoWise, I thought ‘this is the way to go!’” Amna

[07.42] What supply chain visibility really means, and why it’s so important.

“Visibility is more than knowing where your freight is on a colourful dashboard. It’s intelligent and actionable information… and visibility without execution is just window dressing.” Gene

[11.15] The huge increase in investment in new visibility tools and tech since 2020, the role of the pandemic, and why visibility is the industry’s number one priority.

“Before the pandemic, it was a requirement but nobody wanted to embrace it. Now, the consumer demands it and there’s no way around it. You have to give them the visibility. That’s why there’s a huge investment in this area now.” Amna

[15.26] A closer look at how that increased investment in visibility tech has begun to impact the industry.

“There are two questions people are asking themselves: ‘how can I operate my business better today’ and ‘am I operating better than I did yesterday?’ And people are starting to scrutinize themselves as far as how they’re using this visibility information.” Gene

[21.00] The current challenges and barriers to achieving better visibility within supply chain.

“Change is tough. And the human element can be as challenging as the technical element.” Gene

[27.20] An overview of the solutions that CargoWise is using to break down these barriers for their customers and deliver better visibility across the industry; and how CargoWise brings visibility to an organization’s entire operations, not just freight.

[31.36] The role of machine learning and intelligent analytics within CargoWise, with solutions such as predictive ETA and container automation.

“There’s been a lot of experimental investment in the ever-increasing logtech sector… but it was easy to do that when containers were moving at $20,000 a box. When ocean rates are now at pre-pandemic levels, and maybe even leaner, there’s not a whole lot of appetite for experiments. People are looking for proved ROI that’s going to give value to their customers.” Gene

[33.38] A closer look at the CargoWise workflow and tracking solution, and how automation can help optimize teams and reduce resistance to new tech.

“We believe in making less touches to the same job – streamline everything!” Amna

[37.37] The ideal client for CargoWise.

[40.00] Gene and Amna’s top tip for achieving supply chain visibility.

“You’ve got to decide what your problem is before you decide what your solution is.” Gene

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

Head over to WiseTech’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with WiseTech and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook and YouTube, or you can connect with Gene on LinkedIn.

You can also find out more about CargoWise on their website, and follow the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) or YouTube.

Connect with Amna on LinkedIn, and find out more about AHS Consulting on their website, or on LinkedIn.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.