Intro to Supply Chain Logistics with George Read

Welcome to the Zebras to Apples podcast, the fun and fascinating stories of supply chain logistics. In this first episode, host Bryndis Whitson talks with George Read, who has had a 25+ year career in supply chain, procurement and buying. The conversation focuses on his experiences in the supply chain logistics industry. George’s career runs from working with windows to office furniture through to technology and groceries. He opens a door into the world of supply chain with fascinating stories and real-world advice on how to work in the role of what he calls the unsung hero.

Bryndis and George first discuss what there is to love about a career in the supply chain where, as George says, “If you do your job well nobody knows your name”. George talks about what it takes to work effectively with salespeople, the obligation of reciprocity, and how to problem-solve the many issues that crop up in the supply chain process. He shares real-life stories about everything from having products on a ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal to what happens when borders close due to war. He also tells Bryndis the secret of the five currencies that people will accept to make them want to operate in compliance and, spoiler, it’s not just about money. This episode is a revealing look into what supply chain logistics is and how it affects the products we use every day.

About George Read:

George Read is a Supply Chain Manager with 25+ years of experience. He is a people leader, negotiator, contract manager, and a buyer.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B Cialdini, PhD
• “Start With No: The Negotiating Tools That the Pros Don’t Want You to Know” by Jim Camp

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Contact Bryndis Whitson: 

• Website: ZebrasToApples.com 
• Instagram: @ZebrasToApples
• LinkedIn
  
  

Contact George Read: 

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  George Read on LinkedIn 

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Transcript 

Bryndis Whitson: [00:00:03] Hi, my name is Bryndis Whitson, and you're listening to the Zebras to Apples podcast. The fun and fascinating stories of supply chain logistics. You might be asking, what is supply chain logistics? I personally look at the supply chain as the movement of goods, people, and information. It could be rail, road, air, pipe, data. As long as it's moving, it's a part of the supply chain. This podcast episode is with my good friend George Read. This episode showcases exactly this. Plus, I personally could listen to George all day long. George has been in the field for over 25 years. Everything you touch today, everything you ate, wore, or purchased had a supply chain behind it. And that is what this podcast is all about. How did that item get to you? Was it on a ship, a train, a truck, or all three? Join me as we explore the supply chain procurement world with George Read. 

Bryndis Whitson: [00:01:05] So starting in this conversation, you've got so many great experiences from so many different areas of the industry, from working with windows to working with office furniture, to working in oil and gas, to working in technology, to working now in groceries, I think all of your experiences are perfect, you know, as a start, too. So.

George Read: [00:01:27] No, I hear you and thank you for inviting me to your show, Bryndis. This is quite a treat. The, I think this is the first podcast, maybe second podcast I've really ever been on. But what did you want to talk about today?

Bryndis Whitson: [00:01:43] I think it's really talking about a lot of the fun stories of what a supply chain, and, you know, knowing all of our conversations that we've had over the years of talking about different things, I think this is kind of the perfect opportunity to kind of talk about what makes you like supply chain, what are moments within supply chain that actually make a difference, and what would make other people realize that they love it too?

George Read: [00:02:12] Well, that's a good, that's an interesting point. I don't know why anyone would go into supply chain. It's like a mistake. I mean, the supply chain is a wonderful place to be if it's something that you want to do, but I mean, supply chain is always out of step, right? Like it's always out of step with the company. Right. Because in the times when it's easy for the buyers and the supply chain people to get stuff, then the company isn't selling anything because that's a buyer's market, right? And that's when it's good for buyers. Right? And on the flip side, it's, in a seller's market, the company is doing great. They're selling stuff hand over fist. But you know as a buyer you can't get stuff for love nor money. So it's like the worst of times. So I mean why would you want to be in supply chain. But I mean, on the flip side, I know, I know why I got in and I got in it because my first boss in supply chain actually gave a class to a, you know, all of us plebs on the floor. And he was talking about how the supply chain works and about how it's a great, a great web of trying to bring all the materials into one place at one time so that you can build things and that it really is the, it really is what drives things.

George Read: [00:03:25] I mean, without stuff, you know. I mean the great line, you know, the bullets and the toilet paper have to arrive at the battlefield at the same time, like without the supply chain people, literally nothing happens. And of course, the problem with supply chain people is they, it's a hard job, you know, they're unsung heroes because when you do your job, nobody knows you exist. I mean, you go to the warehouse and you want to pick up whatever, and there are boxes of that sitting there. Now, you don't know the trials and tribulations the supply chain guy went through to make sure there was a box there when you needed it. But that's, but when the supply chain guy does his job, he's invisible. And so another reason, you know, you don't necessarily want to be in the profession is that when you do your job well, nobody knows your name, like they have no idea who you are. I mean, recently we've had all these supply chain disasters. You know, shortage of toilet paper, shortage of this, shortage of that because the...

Bryndis Whitson: [00:04:20] Empty shelves.

George Read: [00:04:21] Empty shelves. Exactly. And everybody's all like, oh, supply chain, supply chain.

Bryndis Whitson: [00:04:25] Suddenly we know what it is.

George Read: [00:04:26] Yeah, exactly. But the only reason, you know what it is, is because they've been doing a quote unquote bad job. Now, have they been doing a bad job? No. They've been doing an amazing job because there's been difficult times. But on the flip side, nobody knew they existed five years ago. So, you know, before the pandemic. And why was that? Because whe...