The Zero100 Podcast

From autonomous agents to specialized robotics, AI is transforming supply chain. But next-gen tech requires a next-gen workforce to maximize its potential. In the latest episode of the podcast, the Zero100 team discuss the mechanics of building human-machine teams and a skills profile for the supply chain worker of tomorrow. Featuring: Chief Content Officer Matt Davis and VP Research Lauren Acoba.Reflecting on one year of ChatGPT Enterprise (1:51)AI’s swift transition from tool to teammate (3:35)The logic of divvying up tasks on hybrid human-machine teams (5:17)How AI is changing roles and helping employees at Unilever, BMW, and Walgreens (7:16)The risks of letting an AI agent do a supply chain novice’s work (9:19)Introducing Andi: the “new-collar” supply chain worker of the future (11:00)Supply chain’s most in-demand skills (11:54)How the APAC region and the West stack up on digital skill (14:47)The rise of the product manager and data manager in supply chain (15:43)How to integrate AI into your team and grow AI literacy (19:48)

Olympic medalists and supply chain leaders have something in common: an obsession with resilience. But is it time for us to rethink our approach? In the latest episode of the podcast, the Zero100 team discusses how resilience strategies – from dual sourcing supply to predictive analytics – can help companies turn threats into opportunities. Featuring: Chief Content Officer Matt Davis, VP Research Geraint John, and VP Research Lauren Acoba.What leaders get wrong when it comes to resilience (3:49)Why companies are diversifying their supply bases beyond China (8:53)The challenge of balancing short-term costs with potential long-term benefits (12:36)How “frugal resilience” can deliver value for cash-conscious companies (14:04)Who should really “own” resilience? (16:53)The most impressive AI uses cases in resilience strategy  (18:20)Why Walmart, Schneider Electric, and VF Corporation deserve gold medals in this arena (21:13)

New Zero100 research reveals that the APAC region is the sleeping giant of supply chain digitization. Now, it’s time for the West to wake up. In this episode, the team explores the growing divide between East and West when it comes to digital skills, tools, and processes, and provides guidance for leaders looking to level up their own global teams. Featuring: Zero100 VP, Research Geraint John, and Co-Founder and Chief Research Officer, Kevin O’Marah.The markers of APAC's digital supply chain dominance (1:59)Four reasons the East is leapfrogging the West on digital (4:06)How India became the rising star of the APAC region (7:52)Digital success stories from LG, Toyota, Flipkart, and Huawei (9:30)The secrets behind Temu’s low prices (15:27)Strategies for connecting global teams that span the East and West (17:14)Lessons from APAC supply chains to tap into now (20:24)

For those of us raised on Star Wars, our expectations of robots have often outstripped reality. But as genAI infiltrates factories and warehouses, operations leaders have been given new hope. In this episode, the Zero100 team unpacks supply chain’s robotics revolution and the tech, talent, and mindset needed to capitalize on this moment. Featuring: Zero100's VP, Research, Geraint John; Co-Founder and Chief Research Officer Kevin O’Marah; and VP, Research, Lauren Acoba. Why are we talking about robotics in supply chain now? (1:53)The data implications when it comes to using AI in robotics. (3:14)GenAI: net job creator or job destroyer? (7:33)The new skills that factory and warehouse employees will need. (09:53)How the fast food, hi-tech, and pharma industries are experimenting with robotics. (13:30)The geographical impact of automation on nearshoring and reshoring. (15:15)How can CSCOs and COOs build the business case for investment in new-age robotics? (17:53)Our predictions on what the automation of operations looks like in 10-20 years. (21:07)

Matt Davis, Chief Content Officer, shares insights on AI's impact in supply chains. Lauren Acoba, VP of Research, discusses the pitfalls of AI adoption and the critical role of data readiness. Steve Hochman, also a VP of Research, highlights how companies like Amazon and Procter & Gamble successfully navigate AI challenges. The trio delve into leadership skills for bridging the AI implementation gap, innovative use cases in operations, and strategies for gaining board support, making for a captivating discussion on AI's future in supply chains.

Kevin O’Marah, Chief Research Officer; Geraint John, VP of Research; and Steve Hochman, VP of Research, dissect SHEIN’s rise as a fast-fashion giant. They explore its AI-driven supply chain that allows for rapid style releases and the lessons other brands can learn from this model. The discussion highlights ethical concerns surrounding labor practices and the environmental impact of fast fashion. The trio also examines supply chain resilience in the Asia Pacific and SHEIN’s strategies for navigating competition while promoting sustainability.

At Zero100 we’re obsessed not just with the technology to reinvent supply chains, but also the talent that will power the reinvention. So, we sat down with four leaders at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. to get into the nuts and bolts of their supply chain talent strategy and find out how they’re future-proofing their workforce.

In this episode, we speak to Magne Setnes, Chief Supply Chain Officer at HEINEKEN. He shares how HEINEKEN is deploying genAI at scale, the importance of diversity of thought alongside functional expertise within teams, and his belief in the fact that supply chain and IT are intertwined, depending on each other to meet the demands of customers today.

In this episode, we delve into the details of Cummins’ supply chain transformation journey.Mario Guerendo, Executive Director – Head of Global Supply Chain IT at Cummins sits down with Zero100 to share his experience of digitally integrating a historically decentralized supply chain.We hear about the processes powering this transformation, and the challenges and successes they’re facing on their journey. Mario also gives  his view on the emerging technology that could change supply chains in the years to come.

Today’s episode welcomes Paula Natoli, Director of Strategic Industries, Supply Chain, and Logistics at Google Cloud. Paula shares her insights on a data-driven approach to solving supply chain challenges, using digital customer insights to enhance demand forecasting, and applying AI in the context of manufacturing defects. She also talks about supply chain as her “family business” and how her career path has always been intertwined with digital technology.