LeaderShipping Sifted

For high-volume shippers, smooth operations can feel like “success.” And as the old adage goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

But when shippers settle for “ain’t broke,” a LOT of opportunity is left on the table. 

In our latest episode of LeaderShipping, John McClymont, Founder and Principal of Operational Innovations, joins Caleb Nelson to share how shippers can shake up their status quo, and the benefits they can find from continuous optimization.

Main Topics:
What is the “status quo” for shippers?The dangers of settling for the status quoIdentifying areas for improvementHow shipping is a crucial part of customer experienceThe benefits of continuously reviewing and improving operations

Other Resources:
Other episodes: https://sifted.com/podcast/John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mcclymont/Operational Innovations: https://operationalinnovations.caCaleb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-nelson-57a2322/Sifted: https://sifted.com/Sifted’s “Unboxed” newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe/Home Delivery World: https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/home-delivery-world/index.stmSifted’s Home Delivery World Preview: https://sifted.com/resources/sifted-at-home-delivery-world-2024-what-to-know/

00:00 - Introduction
01:59 - What is the “status quo” in shipping?
04:02 - Customer experience in shipping
05:47 - The dangers of settling for the status quo
08:36 - The first step for improvement
12:09 - Common shipping/operations mistakes
15:55 - Innovating without fear of failure
17:28 - Accurately communicating shipping times to customers
22:17 - Auditing your own operational health
24:21 - Seeking out next-level opportunities
26:36 - Connect with John
27:25 - Connect with Sifted

eCommerce returns are a BIG problem.

In fact, the value of items returned by consumers globally reached $1.8 trillion in 2022.

Lots of shippers and 3PLs consider returns a necessary evil - often given little attention to and relegated to a disorderly corner of the warehouse. 

New innovations are unlocking the potential of better returns management, allowing for greater efficiency, insights, and competitive advantages.

In this episode, Kyle Bertin, CEO and Co-Founder of Two Boxes, joins Caleb Nelson to discuss these innovations, and what better returns management looks like in the future.

Main Topics:
- What makes returns a problem?
- How Two Boxes is simplifying and revolutionizing returns management
- The importance of returns data
- Detecting fraudulent returns activity
- The sustainability impact of limiting returns and waste
- How optimized returns can become a competitive advantage for brands and 3PLs

Other Resources:
- Kyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebertin/
- https://www.twoboxes.com/
- Caleb on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-nelson-57a2322/
- Sifted: https://sifted.com
- Sifted's "Unboxed" newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe
- Home Delivery World: https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/home-delivery-world/index.stm

Countless shippers use third-party logistics providers (3PLs). Their expertise in warehousing, packing, and shipping makes them great partners for eCommerce brands outgrowing the founder's garage, as well as enterprise-level shippers looking to diversify their network without building a facility of their own.

But do all these shippers find the right 3PL partner for them? 

In this episode of LeaderShipping, we're joined by Kathleen Sullivan Garman, founder and CEO of SullyGarman & Associates, to talk about why 3PLs are a great option for businesses looking to grow and scale operations, and how to know they're the right fit.

Main Topics:
- When a business should consider adding a 3PL, and when they should consider bringing fulfillment back in-house
- The steps to take when assessing potential 3PL partners
- Common mistakes made when choosing a 3PL
- How to proactively manage 3PL relationships

Other Resources:
- SullyGarman & Associates: https://sullygarman.com/
- Kathleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sullygarman/
- SullyGarman & Associates blog on finding 3PLs: https://sullygarman.com/how-to-find-a-new-3pl/
- 3PL rating rubric: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Czawh_2wh5PKJGNDpoACzQAT6GJJoTSIxNNjbUXOAQU/copy
- 3PL RFP scope document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13m8yDM7K0kgcWqg01Y6jM21TKroto3_nJR9yC5PgUs4/copy
- Caleb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-nelson-57a2322/
- Sifted: https://sifted.com
- Sifted's "Unboxed" newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe

2023 was a year for the books in parcel shipping. But 2024 might bring even more uncertainty.

What do shippers need to be on the lookout for?

In this episode, Alan Amling, Professor of Practice at the University of Tennessee and CEO of Thrive and Advance, LLC, joins the show to discuss the outlook of the parcel shipping industry as we enter 2024.

Main Topics:
- The return to a “shipper’s market”- New fulfillment trends- How FedEx and UPS are reversing course on COVID-era decisions- Amazon’s challenge to FedEx and UPS- How shippers can go on offense in 2024

Other Resources:
- Alan and Thrive and Advance, LLC: https://www.alanamling.com/
- Alan  on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanamling/
- Alan’s book, Organizational Velocity on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Organizational-Velocity-Turbocharge-Business-Ahead/dp/B0CQ335Z5T/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1S4YMD9C7MGY6&keywords=organizational+velocity&qid=1706131613&sprefix=organizational+velocity%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1
- Caleb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-nelson-57a2322/
- Sifted’s 2024 Shipping Industry Outlook: https://sifted.com/resources/2024-shipping-industry-outlook-top-trends-driving-down-costs-how-to-capitalize/
- Sifted: https://sifted.com
- Sifted's "Unboxed" newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe

One topic dominated parcel shipping news, conferences, and conversations in 2023: carrier diversification.

The rapid changes eCommerce and parcel shipping have seen over the past few years have fueled a revolution in the carrier market. Regional/alternative carriers are gaining funding, expanding their networks, and earning customers as more and more shippers want to break away from the FedEx/UPS duopoly.

In this episode, Timur Eligulashvili, Founder and President of Logistics Remix joins the show to talk about the rise of alternative carriers, and how shippers can best partner with them.

Main topics:
- What's fueled the growth of regional/alternative carriers
- What businesses should diversify their carrier mix
- Navigating challenges shippers face when diversifying
- How Logistics Remix matches shippers to carriers
- Predictions for the future of the carrier market

Other resources:
- Logistics Remix: https://logisticsremix.com/
- Timur on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timureli/
- Caleb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-nelson-57a2322/
- Sifted: https://sifted.com
- Sifted's "Unboxed" newsletter: https://sifted.com/subscribe
- Caleb Nelson and Kevin Miller's PARCEL Forum presentation on carrier diversification: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brAwBzrCduQ

It’s a scary time of the year for everyone. But with peak season and the GRI around the corner, it’s especially spooky for shippers.

How are they handling stress? 

It turns out, not so well. In fact, 69% of logistics pros are unhappy with their work.

In this episode, Jessica Windham, founder and CEO of consultancy Solving Work, joins the show to talk about the burnout logistics professionals face, the most common causes of workplace terrors she sees, and what shippers can do to work better and still sleep at night.

Main Topics:

- Why logistics roles are primed for burnout- The challenges logistics pros face within their own organizations- Why poor tech implementations are a common “shipping nightmare”- How prioritization can transform a logistics department, especially during peak season

Other resources:

- Solving Work: https://solvingwork.com/- Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-windham/- Jessica’s Oct. 27 “Personal Peak Prep” webinar: https://www.linkedin.com/events/personalpeakprep7117150339123875841/comments/- Sifted’s Peak Season Checklist: https://sifted.com/guides/peak-season-checklist/- Caleb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-nelson-57a2322/- Sifted: https://sifted.com/

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
03:46 - Why Jessica found a passion for alleviating logistics stress
06:34 - Why logistics pros are unhappy at work
10:52 - Common “shipping nightmares”
15:30 - How Jessica addresses shippers’ pain points
20:27 - Staying sane this peak season
24:10 - How to get in touch with Jessica
25:28 - Conclusion