Logistics Leadership Podcast

Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean kick off season two with a deep dive into the current logistics landscape and macroeconomic trends. Dr. Zac Rogers, Associate Professor at Colorado State University, discusses the Logistics Managers' Index (LMI), a key tool for monitoring the industry's performance and predicting future trends. Meanwhile, Dr. John Min, Macroeconomics Professor at Northern Virginia, offers insights into broader economic conditions, discussing the resilience of the U.S. economy, the impact of tariffs, and the ongoing shifts in global trade dynamics.Key topics discussed:How the LMI helps in predicting logistics trends and the state of the economyThe end of the freight recession and the anticipated recovery of transportation demandThe global impact of protectionist policies and tariffs on supply chainsThe growing reliance on AI to forecast logistics trendsRecorded in Aug 2024 Links: Learn more about the Logistics Managers' IndexAccess GPDNowFollow Zac Rogers on LinkedIn Follow John Min on LinkedIn Listen to more episodesLearn more about Flexe

Ongoing disruptions. Rising complexities. New opportunities. Season 2 of the Logistics Leadership Podcast dives deeper into the critical issues shaping today’s supply chain landscape. Hosted by Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean, this season features expert insights, discussions on the latest logistics innovations, and actionable strategies that supply chain leaders need to thrive in a rapidly evolving environment.Logistics Leadership Podcast legal disclaimer

Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization) conclude season one of the Logistics Leadership Podcast and highlight key moments and conversations. They discuss how to prepare supply chains for uncertainty, evolve to meet strategic goals and continuously optimize to improve outcomes. Some of the topics explored: How to build agility into the forecasting process and prepare for disruptionEvolving omnichannel supply chains to create great customer experiencesTest-and-learn approaches to optimize supply chainsLogistics Leadership Podcast legal disclaimer

Karl Siebrecht and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization) consider the future of logistics and reflect on past guests’ supply chain predictions. They examine trends from digitization to rising consumer expectations to the cyclical nature of the logistics industry.Some of the topics explored: The cycle of supply and demand in logisticsThe benefits created by the digitization of supply chainsWhy supply chain leaders focus on customers, costs, and carbonThe future of supply chain innovation, infrastructure and agilityLogistics Leadership Podcast legal disclaimer

Jon Schechter (VP of Fulfillment Solutions, AutoStore) joins Karl to discuss robotics and warehouse automation. Listen in to learn about the acceleration of robotics in the past decade, automation challenges and how great people and processes accelerate ROI. Then hear from Jordan Lawrence (Flexe Director of Logistics Strategy) and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization) as they discuss the rapid growth of warehousing and automation solutions, automation’s ROI and future innovations in the space.Some of the topics explored: The rapid acceleration of robotics over the past decadeThe benefits of automation, from maximizing space to meeting customer SLAsHow investments in automation intersect with 2024 labor trendsHow great people and processes accelerate robotics ROILogistics Leadership Podcast legal disclaimer

Rob Garrison (Managing Director, WiseTech Global) joins Karl to discuss global onshoring and nearshoring trends. Listen in to learn about three nearshoring approaches, the intersection of innovation and nearshoring, and what industries may benefit. Then hear from George Holland (VP of Business Development, JT Logistic), Jordan Lawrence (Flexe Director of Logistics Strategy) and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization) as they discuss supply chain bottlenecks, hybrid nearshoring strategies and new solutions over the next decade.Some of the topics explored: Post-pandemic trends and supply chain bottlenecksThree approaches to nearshoring and their strengths and weaknessesThe intersection of technology, innovation and nearshoringIndustries interested in nearshoring strategiesHow nearshoring increases supply chain resilienceLogistics Leadership Podcast legal disclaimer

Melinda McLaughlin (Global Head of Research, Prologis) joins Karl to discuss the current state of warehousing, how the supply and demand cycle affects logistics real estate and long-term projections for warehousing into 2024. Listen in to learn about the value of tech-enabled networks—and the importance of test-and-learn approaches. Then hear from Jordan Lawrence (Flexe Director of Logistics Strategy) and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization) as they discuss the latest warehousing trends and Flexe data points.Some of the topics explored: The cycle of supply and demand in logistics real estateMarket expansions and scarcity into 2024Nearshoring as a trend and what that means for U.S. warehousingThe importance of tech-enabled omnichannel networks to meet consumer demandHow test-and-learn approaches reduce CapEx spend and create a competitive advantageLogistics Leadership Podcast legal disclaimer

Lior Ron (CEO, Uber Freight) joins Karl to discuss supply chain digitization as well as transportation opportunities and challenges. Listen in and learn how digital infrastructure transforms logistics—and how innovators connect fragmented supply chains. Then hear from Chris Reed (Director of Business Development, Bogdan Delivery) on diversifying transportation partners and investing in the future. Some of the topics explored: The top benefits created by the digitization of supply chainsHow technology democratizes supply chains and unlocks efficienciesAdvice for businesses who haven’t yet begun to digitize their supply chainTop trends in transportation today—and the unprecedented speed of change Logistics Leadership Podcast legal disclaimer

In part two of a two-part series on retail and eCommerce, Michael Bender (former COO of eCommerce, Walmart) joins Karl to discuss how consumer behavior drives eCommerce decision-making, the importance of robust forecasting and how supply chain flexibility creates eCommerce success. Listen in and discover lessons retailers learned from pandemic-era disruptions—and how AI can transform supply chain insights. Then hear from Chris Halkyard (Founder and COO of La Bella Stella, former Chief Supply Chain Officer of Blue Apron), Jordan Lawrence (Flexe Director of Logistics Strategy), and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization).Some of the topics explored: The four customer questions every eCommerce brand should ask themselvesLessons retailers learned from pandemic-era disruptions Why supply chain leaders focus on customers, costs, and carbonHow AI transforms supply chain insightsThe value of combining robust forecasts and flexible supply chainsLogistics Leadership Podcast legal disclaimer

In part one of a two-part series on retail and eCommerce, Jason Trusley (SVP, Land O’Lakes) joins Karl to discuss how consumers think, behave and make purchases in an evolving economy. Learn how retailers build great experiential brands with new technologies—without creating complex supply chains. Then hear from Jacob Laufer (Head of Expansion, Ohi), Jordan Lawrence (Flexe Director of Logistics Strategy), and Ben Dean (Flexe Sr. Director of Network Strategy & Optimization).Some of the topics explored: Changes in consumer behavior amid a rapidly evolving economyConsumer cravings, great brand experiences and the role of eCommerceWhat AI can reveal about consumer desires, expectations and experiencesHow to test and learn fast, build experiential brands and create a durable competitive advantage with new technologiesHow flexible infrastructure helps retailers quickly adapt to evolving consumer behaviorsLogistics Leadership Podcast legal disclaimer