Let's Talk Supply Chain

Sarah Barnes-Humphrey
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  • BUSINESS
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My Name is Sarah Barnes-Humphrey and this is Let's Talk Supply Chain where I interview the top Supply Chain professionals in the industry. You will learn about best practices, changes in the industry and Hot Topics surrounding Supply Chain. Have a specific question you want answered? E-mail us at listener@letstalksupplychain.com

  1. 20H AGO

    528: Is Your Shipping Budget Ready? Survive The 2026 GRIs With Reveel And Paccurate

    Quinn Nelson of Reveel & Tony Villanova of Paccurate talk about the 2026 General Rate Increase; the current parcel shipping landscape; & keeping costs down.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [02.16] An introduction to Quinn, his background, and role at Reveel. [02.49] An introduction to Tony, his 25-year industry career, and role at Paccurate. [04.23] The current parcel shipping landscape, and the key industry factors that have led us here. "Carriers are incredibly focused on generating revenue, specifically increasing the revenue per shipment of all packages in their network." [06.09] The 2026 GRI, why it looks different to previous years, and why it's more important than ever to have strong transportation technology and packaging partnerships. "Although the increase is that same 5.9% we've seen historically, the carriers are actually moving to non-stop pricing changes throughout the course of the year… They're coming with a 'death by a thousand cuts' mentality." [11.52] The changes carriers have made to target large and inefficient packages in their network, and how good data visibility and packaging can help mitigate these price increases. "Carriers are narrowing their ideal package profile, as much as they're trying to narrow in on their ideal customer, to get those inefficient packages out of the network." [16.57] The 'what, where, and how' of solving problems with data visibility, the power of continuous improvement in partnership, and how data visibility and packaging optimization solutions can work in tandem to drive results. "The improvement is cyclical… It doesn't matter which way the data is coming, we feed each other." [19.50] Why it's typically been so difficult to make changes to packaging, and how Paccurate makes it easier. "Packaging touches everything – warehouse layouts, automation, labor… But not many companies have packaging engineers that can look at this dynamically. So you end up static." [24.38] How improved transportation data visibility is helping businesses identify and realize opportunities for cost saving, and the power of negotiation capital. [28.51] Why transportation networks are like onions, and how 'peeling back the layers' can help you fully understand your costs and the underlying reasons for them. [30.20] Where AI will have the greatest impact on the transportation data visibility and optimization space. "The transportation industry is really well situated to get a lot out of AI." [32.07] How a combination of real-time data, agility, and packaging optimization can bring a real competitive advantage. "We're in such a rampantly changing environment. Every day there's something new. So using technology solutions and data visibility to stay on top of what's changing allows you to be a proactive shipper instead of a reactive one." "An educated shipper is a carrier's worst nightmare." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Reveel's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Reveel and keep up to date with the latest over   on LinkedIn, Facebook or X (Twitter), or you can connect with Quinn or Tony on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Reveel, check out: 474: Leverage Data-Driven Optimization to Mitigate Tariffs, with Reveel 453: Driving Supply Chain Innovation with Reveel and Deposco 357: Leverage the Power of Shipping Intelligence, with Reveel You can also hear more from Paccurate: 297: Make Smarter Packing Decisions, with Paccurate. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

    39 min

  2. 2D AGO

    527: Automate Global Freight, with Cervo AI

    Troy Shen of Cervo AI talks about what they do; simplifying customs, compliance & tariffs; people & tech; & how Cervo is changing the narrative for startups.      IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.28] An introduction to Troy, his background, and how the U.S.-China trade war – and the power and fragility of global trade – ultimately inspired him to build Cervo AI. "My Dad came to the US with $50 in his pocket, and the American Dream." [06.21] Why logisticians are tired of being burned by tech start-ups, the impact on trust across the industry, and what sets Cervo apart. "With every wave of innovation, there are many companies that over-promise and only a few that actually deliver on those promises." "Ultimately, building a world-class solution in this industry isn't achieved by just being good at the technology or just having the domain expertise. It really requires a combination of tech expertise and an obsession with the problem space." [08.00] The range of business ecosystems across the industry, from digital-first to manual and paper-based. [09.48] An overview of Cervo AI – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. [10.30] The ideal customer for Cervo AI. [12.25] What the current customs landscape means for forwarders and brokers and, from tariffs to compliance, the biggest challenges making an impact right now. "It's a crazy time in the customs world. Entries that used to take minutes can now take hours or even days because of the constantly-changing complexity… And this introduces more compliance risk, which creates further downstream cost for both customs brokers and forwarders." [14.19] How Cervo AI are helping to give control back to their customers in this complex, changeable landscape. "Teams can process three to four times more entries on the customs side or they can save about 30 minutes per shipment on the operations side." [17.16] The balance between people and technology as AI replaces manual work, what the human side of logistics is going to look like, and the Japanese principle that guides the team at Cervo. [19.39] The problem with change management, and Troy's advice for leaders looking to drive change and build AI-enhanced operations that actually make an impact. "AI isn't the right fit for every company today. But the biggest barrier is rarely the technology. It's often the internal alignment within the organization." [23.16] A case study detailing how Cervo AI helped a key customer achieve over 80% reduction in manual processing time with over 95% accuracy and position for a longer-term transformation, and why AI is a service enhancer, not a detractor. [25.27] What the integration and onboarding process looks like with Cervo AI, for both technology and operations. "It's about being a partner, not just a vendor." [27.44] Cervo's predictions and focus areas for 2026.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Cervo AI's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Cervo AI and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Troy on LinkedIn. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

    36 min

  3. FEB 25

    526: Supercharge Your Data, with Nauta

    Valentina Jordan of Nauta talks about what they do; making data simple & actionable; being AI-native; & going beyond visualization to modernize execution. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.01] An introduction to Valentina, her background, and how she came to co-found Nauta. "I really enjoy working and building with technology and engineers – and what's more exciting than building in supply chain, one of the biggest industries in the world?" [03.04] An overview of Nauta – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. "We're seeing a lot of companies and initiatives around AI, but the reality is that most people still don't talk enough about the foundations. And the foundation of all of it is data." [04.40] The ideal client for Nauta. [05.26] What it means to be AI-native, and the power in having solutions that are built with AI from the ground up. "For us it's a mindset. It's understanding that the world has evolved, and in order to build scaleably, test fast, and capture a company's context, you need to choose and use the tech that's available – and right now, that's AI." [06.56] Why shippers still spend most of their time in emails and Excel, and how Nauta capture and unify that disparate data. [07.37] Why operations are still 63% manual, and why it's so important to leverage technology to support the transactional nature of supply chain. "Our operators are working for technology, the technology isn't working for them. The tech stacks they have are systems of record, and there's nothing more transactional than supply chain." [08.20] How Nauta brings all data sources together through integrations and stakeholder connections and centralizes it in an AI context engine. [09.28] The importance of timely decision-making, and how Nauta leverages their understanding of the day-to-day life of operators to remove noise, add value, and turn visibility into action. "If it drives me as crazy as my phone, it won't work!" [12.20] What decision latency means for businesses, how Nauta can help with both cost savings and revenue generation through automation, and why a top down approach to change management is critical to success. [14.16] Why companies are leaving money on the table if they don't go beyond visualization to modernize execution. [14.59] How Nauta is helping customers decrease complexity and turn data chaos into clarity, to tell clear business stories. "We help our clients get to know themselves inside out. Everyone understands how their high level operations work, but what tells the story of a company is their data." [17.38] A case study exploring how Nauta helped a client spending $30,000 per day on penalties dig deeper to understand and solve the real issues behind the cost. [20.53] The future for Nauta. [22.20] Valentina's experience at Manifest, and what it says about supply chain in 2026. "It's a celebration that the industry is growing… It's looking for change, it's ready to adapt, and we need to stop seeing supply chain as an antiquated industry that isn't ready for transformation." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Nauta's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Nauta and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or YouTube, or you can connect with Valentina on LinkedIn. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

    28 min

  4. FEB 23

    525: Activate Your Supply Chain's Data, with Google Cloud

    Paula Natoli of Google Cloud talks about 2026 supply chain challenges & opportunities; AI & data; and what teams can do now to build a better tomorrow.     IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [04.20] An introduction to Paula and her decades-long supply chain career. [06.15] The single biggest mindset shift supply chain leaders need to make this year to stay ahead of the curve. "2026 is going to be a pivot point... Decades ago our brains, as supply chain professionals, were wired to solve for least cost… But now it's not just a cost center mentality… It's a mindset shift that has exploded into a new foundational element that gets away from traditional siloed thinking, and moves us into a value creation model." [10.39] Why organizations need to move past a focus on resilience, the next frontier for competitive advantage, and how Google Cloud is guiding leaders to think beyond just surviving disruptions. "The move from just efficiency to overall agility becomes key." [13.42] Why companies are still struggling to turn data into action, and how Google Cloud helps bridge the gap. "We're not short of data! We're capturing and storing data at crazy amounts but, as organizations, we still haven't fully unlocked the value associated with that." [17.18] The role of technology, particularly AI and data, in helping companies meet aggressive sustainability goals, and why achieving a unified data platform is critical. [20.52] Why powering its own global supply chain is a big advantage for Google, and how it informs customer conversations around making their operations more resilient, efficient, and sustainable. "It establishes a level of proven solutions and credibility." [23.31] The multi-layered approach that sets Google Cloud apart and makes them the ideal partner for companies dealing with immense complexity. "It's the full stack that allows us to work with customers wherever they are on their AI journey." [27.21] How Google Cloud is making powerful AI and analytics tools accessible to the everyday supply chain planner or logistics operator. "It's really being democratized. This AI is being injected into the tools and technologies that supply chain professionals and frontline workers are using every day." [30.26] Beyond faster insights, how Agentic AI is fundamentally changing how supply chain teams interact with their data and systems. "We're moving from a passive level to actually executing things… Don't just tell me what my options are. Find the right option, and execute it." [34.05] As AI takes on more of the analytical heavy lifting, how the role of the human supply chain professional is going to evolve, and the new skills that will be most valuable in 2026 and beyond. [36.07] Paula's one piece of advice for C-Suite Leaders and Chief Supply Chain Officers who want to build a truly AI-driven, future-ready supply chain. [39.54] The combination of emerging technologies that will have the biggest impact on supply chains in the next five years. [41.09] The one thing every supply chain professional needs to do differently today to start building a better supply chain.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Google Cloud's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Google Cloud and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) or YouTube, or you can connect with Paula on LinkedIn. If you want to hear more from Google, check out 507: Logistics Providers: Ready For An AI-First Approach? Then Discover Your Biggest Opportunity, with Google Cloud. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

    48 min

  5. FEB 18

    524: Increase the Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability of Your operations, with Samsara

    Kiren Sekar of Samsara talks about what they do; data, AI and unification; improving driver safety; and cutting costs whilst boosting engagement.    IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [3.19] An introduction to Kiren, his background, and why supply chain is a big opportunity to make an impact. "What's always motivated me is solving hard technical problems that have big impact in the world." [07.16] How the Samsara founding teams' vision, that sensors and software could impact the world of physical operations at a global scale, led them to establish Meraki and ultimately Samsara. [11.23] An overview of Samsara, and how they helped DHL cut asset-related costs by approximately 49% and put a clear focus on driver safety. "We saw, across the industry, that keeping folks safe out on the road was becoming a bigger and bigger challenge, and the cost of accidents was getting higher and higher." [15.40] The role of habits in change management, and why leading consumer apps have played a key role in Samsara's product design. "Strava, Duolingo… There's really effective ways these apps can change habits. Gamification, leaderboards, friendly competition, rewards… We've built those types of experiences into our product." [18.44] The ideal customer for Samsara. [20.59] From safety to efficiency, the common challenges Samsara customers are looking to solve, and why digitization is their critical opportunity. "We now have a digitally native set of leaders at many of these companies. They have all the cutting edge technology in their personal life… and they want to be at the forefront." [25.36] What the discovery, solution development, onboarding and integration process looks like with Samsara, and why being flexible and fast-to-value is key. [29.51] How the Samsara platform allows teams to run all operations from one place, and the big benefits to unification. "It starts with unified data. Historically there were technologies for driver safety, GPS tracking, compliance, digital documents – and they were all siloed… You end up with fragmentation and complexity. It doesn't work, and it doesn't scale." "Collaboration is a fundamentally human thing. But it's really inhibited when each person has a different view of the world." [34.33] How Samsara Intelligence leverages AI to drive impact for customers. [38.55] A case study exploring how Samsara helped Mohawk improve driver safety and reduce miles driven, and how the technology changed their relationship with drivers. "It translates to bottom line savings and increases driver engagement, which turns into lower turnover and vacancies." [40.50] The future for Samsara, and why data is helping them build solutions that were previously impossible. "There are still so many unsolved problems in the world of operations. And we're still in the early days of how technology can improve safety, efficiency and sustainability." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Samsara's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Samsara and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Kiren on LinkedIn. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

    48 min

  6. FEB 16

    523: Q1 Kick-Off: Discover the Strategies and Steps You Need to Take Now, with Blue Yonder

    Duncan Angove of Blue Yonder talks about supply chain in 2026 and beyond; AI; & how businesses can get out of testing mode and lean into scalable innovation.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [03.52] An introduction to Duncan, his background and career journey, and what has always interested him about technology. "I'm lucky to have lived through multiple computing transitions, and I always loved the idea that you could leverage technology and code to solve problems." [07.55] The biggest challenges and opportunities for 2026, and why businesses need to step back and look at the bigger picture. "Disruption and complexity is business as usual in supply chain… So we don't get hung up on how you're going to solve for tariffs. You need to have a systemic approach to being more agile, resilient and efficient all the time." [12.54] From the importance of change management to putting a focus on building trust, how organizations are adjusting to a new reality of near-constant disruption and emerging technologies. "There's a lot of experimentation, but not a lot of companies have crossed the chasm from pilot and sexy demo into production… The consequences of getting something wrong have huge business implications." [18.20] How businesses can actually prepare for disruption. "Fundamentally it's about speed and precision, and having a business and software architecture that enables that. Supply chain, historically, doesn't look like that." [22.27] Blue Yonder's long-term vision for transforming global supply chains, and how technology is shaping that future. [26.06] The biggest roadblocks right now with AI integration and adoption, and why supply chain sits in a unique position bridging the digital and physical worlds. "The worst people to innovate in a category are experts." [30.47] How businesses can get out of testing mode and lean into scalable innovation. "Helping people understand and manage their data is step one." [32.59] How Blue Yonder has combined multiple types of AI to create new solutions for retailers, practical examples of that AI in action, and why complete automation is the ultimate end goal. [39.13] What truly sets an organization apart as innovative. [41.49] What leaders should be doing and thinking about now to position for the future.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Blue Yonder's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Blue Yonder and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter), or you can connect with Duncan on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Blue Yonder, check out: 516: Innovation, Transformation, and Modern Supply Chains, with Blue Yonder 497: Transform Your Returns Management and Delight Customers, with Blue Yonder 434: Synchronize Your Supply Chain Execution, with Blue Yonder 417: Fulfill Your Potential, with Blue Yonder 503: Women In Supply Chain™, Andrea Morgan-VanDome Check out our other podcasts HERE.

    49 min

  7. FEB 9

    522: Replace Heroics Not Humans, with Amazon Web Services

    Tariq Choudry of Amazon Web Services talks about why AI pilots still fail, cyber risk, decisions over dashboards, & why AI will replace heroics, not humans.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.13] An introduction to Tariq, his background, and role at AWS. "I spend my time thinking about how we move from software that explains problems to software that actually solves them at scale." [06.18] Why AI will replace heroics, not humans. "Supply chains are held together by caffeine, guilt, that one person that hasn't had a vacation since 2019. There are a lot of late nights and Slack war rooms, and there are groups of people that have the entire network in their hands. That's extremely fragile – and not scalable." [10.10] Why so many AI pilots still fail, what's going wrong with both technology and people, and the big problem with incentive and blame culture. "Pilots don't fail because the underlying model is bad. They fail because the organizations are very good at protecting how decisions are currently made. Companies are saying they want AI – but only if nothing important changes." "If all you're doing is trying to determine what failed, why, and who's to blame, you've missed the point." [15.30] How businesses can incorporate new capabilities and integrate them into their existing systems and workflows, and use agentic AI to surface the need for critical decisions earlier when there's more time and optionality. "Time is the one commodity you can't earn back… Use the agent to surface those weak signals earlier – that's when you still have options." [21.17] From dashboards and Excel to tribal knowledge in our workflows, how AI is exposing organizational debt, and what that means for teams. "You spend your time fighting the fires, and less time designing the new systems to prevent them." [26.49] What does all of this means for planners? "The best planners won't get replaced – they should be promoted!" [30.43] Why cyber risk is now a supply chain problem, and how AI can helps teams navigate it. "Your weakest supplier is your weakest point in your firewall." [33.39] Why people want AI but don't trust it, and why trust is built from predictability. "When humans make mistakes, over time we call that judgement. It comes from experience – that's a judgement call. But when AI makes that mistake, it's scandalous." "Trust isn't perfection, it's predictability." [38.37] Tariq's advice for how businesses can build trust in AI, prove predictability, and scale with confidence.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Amazon Web Service's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with AWS and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or X (Twitter), or you can connect with Tariq on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Amazon Web Services, check out 489: Time To Swap Your Axe For A Chainsaw: The Power of Agentic AI or 519: Overcoming The Perfect Storm: Moving Beyond Basic Automation To Realize AI's Full Potential. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

    43 min

  8. FEB 4

    521: Women In Supply Chain™, Ruth Rojas

    Ruth Rojas talks about her career journey; bridging the gap between frontline teams and supply chain tech; mentorship; & what drives her in her life & career.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [02.57] An introduction to Ruth and her company Tecsys. [04.04] Ruth's early interest in engineering and how she chose her major. [05.42] Why Ruth moved from Texas to New York, and her first industry job as a logistics coordinator. "It taught me how to interact with different cultures… It was a very enriching experience and I'm so happy I found it at that moment, because I wasn't planning it." [08.18] Ruth's experience at Canon, and how it allowed her to travel, learn and grow. "I was offered my dream job. It involved diverse cultures and travel… It was a turning point for me." [11.28] Ruth's current role as a Platinum Application Specialist at Tecsys. "I get to talk to different people, from a CEO to a warehouse worker picking an order." [13.32] An overview of the warehousing and distribution landscape right now, and the challenges impacting it. [15.42] Ruth's role as the bridge between frontline operational teams and sophisticated supply chain technologies, her advice for other leaders looking to bridge that gap effectively, and why it's so important to let teams know they're not alone. "Get into the frontline workers shoes! You can imagine… but if you don't go to the floor and actually see the warehouse space, the equipment they use, the tools they have available – you're not getting the real picture." [19.08] What makes Ruth a workforce innovator, and why workforce innovation is key. "It's all about adding value. And that can be as simple as having new ideas." [20.26] How Ruth found her voice. [21.35] Ruth's experience as a woman moving through engineering and logistics, and how these industries are changing for women. [23.05] Ruth's experience of mentorship, why finding a mentor is crucial to success, and how to find one. "Everybody should have a mentor – if you don't have one, get one!" [26.52] What drives Ruth in her life and career, and her commitment to personal growth. [28.50] The future for Ruth.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Ruth over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more female leaders at Tecsys, check out episodes 509: Women In Supply Chain™, Nermine Saad or 433: Women In Supply Chain™, Annie Torikian. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

    34 min
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About

My Name is Sarah Barnes-Humphrey and this is Let's Talk Supply Chain where I interview the top Supply Chain professionals in the industry. You will learn about best practices, changes in the industry and Hot Topics surrounding Supply Chain. Have a specific question you want answered? E-mail us at listener@letstalksupplychain.com

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