This is an episode where purpose and product meets sustainable + circular supply chains. From the amazing stories and use cases of AllBirds, Grove Collective, RareForm, and e-commerce brand Parker Clay who asked “…could we bring these beautiful products to the world, create jobs to empower vulnerable women in Ethiopia to become economically independent, and … Read more
Did you know that human-made materials now outweigh Earth’s entire biomass? The human footprint in the world in 2020 is greater than the impact on the planet of all other living things, research suggests. 2020 has been the “Year of the Pledges”. From setting 2030 to 2050 goals and claiming carbon-neutrality, one thing is for … Read more
This is a story that is unique and one that needs to be evangelized. Layla Shaikley, co-founder of a tech start-up that has seen explosive growth in logistics tech and AI-driven optimization within last mile stumbled into supply chain. She actually has a background in architecture and design. As an Iraqi woman, she wanted to … Read more
This is an ACTION-PACKED EPISODE! Epsiode 47 is part 2 of a series where Sheri Hinish (SupplyChainQueen) chats with a thought leader and supply chain advocate, Dr. Yossi Sheffi from MIT who has been teaching, learning, building, authoring many publications, including a new book ‘the New (Ab) Normal’ in a conversation that pushes boundaries highlighting areas that many in … Read more
Excellence does not happen by accident. Supply chains are answering the call during COVID and will continue to do so as a new vaccine comes to market. But how do we keep the momentum of speed, flexibility, without cutting corners? In a 2-part series, Sheri Hinish (SupplyChainQueen) chats with a thought leader and supply chain advocate, Dr. … Read more
Did you know that investors put $45.6B into funds focused ESG in Q1 2020 alone? And Fortune’s 2019 ‘Best Companies to Work For’ have ESG scores 14% higher than the global average. In a recent session with GiveWith, I explored how 88% of consumers will be more loyal to a company that supports social or … Read more
Dr. Garry Copper, neuroscientist turned sustainability technologist and circularity advocate had a pivotal moment – that our field is one-noted and we need to build a reuse bridge to capture value left in materials to transition to a sustainable world, a fly-wheel of wealth for communities who have been left out in the linear economy. Led … Read more
The wastes from plastics and electronics are putting increased pressure on the recycling industry and reverse supply chains. Despite massive initiatives by public and private organizations, recycling rates remain low and progress remains slow. Estimates suggest there are 400 million tons of plastic produced each year, which is projected to more than double by 2050. … Read more
Experts predict that retail ecommerce sales will reach $4.13 trillion in 2020 and it is expected that mobile commerce will take a market share of e-commerce of 72.9% by 2021. As we enter the holiday season navigating COVID, retailers face unprecedented opportunities to reimagine brand experiences and bridge the storefront’s physical to digital continuum. While adapting … Read more
Every tech company wants to tell you what their AI can do. Patterns help us make sense of the world and can help us overcome the impossible tasks we face each day in supply chain orchestration. From understanding gaps and influences, AI creates more intelligence in how to detect, understand, and pull parts of the … Read more
The purpose of a supply chain is to move goods and services around the world to meet user demand. And over decades, we’ve built coupled-networks based on principles of regionalization or centralization of function, location, and cost efficiency. COVID is an example of the uncertainty supply chains face on a day-to-day basis derived from old-school … Read more
Did you know that if you add up the cats and dogs in the United States, they’d represent the 5th largest population of protein consumption in the world? When it comes to pet supply chains and sustainability, there is typically 1 sector called “pet services and products”. This one sector, encompasses dozens of other industries … Read more
You think your supply chain is complicated? Think again. Did you know 70% of global production of natural rubber goes into tires, and 85% of the world’s natural rubber is produced by 6-7 million smallholders? Global economies depend on these industries, critical to many other industries and supply chains, but how do we make them … Read more
Networks are all about meaningful connections. When we think about the future of digital supply chains and ‘the network of networks “ powering the world, it’s just as much about connecting people with accurate information, partners, and ideas, as much as it is about connecting people with opportunities across plan, source, make, deliver, and reimagining … Read more
“The only way to end systemic inequality is to invest in minorities, the underrepresented, and women.” Access to education, healthcare, clean water, and economic development opportunities remain key priorities for many countries. Entire populations and children are being left behind and marginalized through climate change, disruptions, and globalization. Addressing generational poverty and transformation can take decades. How might … Read more
Justin Goldston, PhD echoes the trials of many in our field. The journey is different based on the color of your skin, still.👉🏽Is Diversity & Inclusion just lip service and social washing? What impact does the Black Lives Matter movement have on/in the workplace? How does one navigate discrimination and is there awareness in corporate America … Read more
Let’s face it. Despite what many technologists think, most supply chains are not run on laptops. We know the promise that advanced supply chain technology holds…agility, velocity, scale, resilience, transparency, and better customer experience. Yet, when I talk to supply chain leaders, many have shiny object fatigue. Have we failed supply chain leaders and professionals … Read more
“Are you naked right now? You’re not…because you’re using fabric. It’s everywhere! It’s where it’s supposed to be, covering things like us, and where it’s not supposed to be.” This was the opening 10 seconds of Stephanie Benedetto’s award-winning pitch to Ashton Kutcher, Sean “Diddy” Combs, & Gary Vaynerchuk in 60 seconds at the WeWork Creator Awards where … Read more
Is optimizing for “less bad” the right pivot to navigate COVID and beyond? Supply chain resilience has a new meaning for many of us that is wrapped in the emotion unprecedented social, economic, and environmental crises. We’ve lost many lives to COVID and as unemployment reaches new highs, businesses and supply chains must choose to … Read more
As competition intensifies, the need for creative thinking increases, else we’d be repeating the same patterns forever. The concept of a circular economy is a hot topic in the midst of COVID, not only because of its positive social and environmental impacts, but also due to the clear benefits of circular product design. As circular … Read more
2019 was the warmest year on record. The Price tag for climate change in the US is $140 billion per year, meaning cost of changes needed to adapt to a warming world. This is less than 0.2% of global GDP. Supply Chains, technology, and Industry 4.0 are a conduit for climate action using environmental risk … Read more
Women in technology remain highly underrepresented making up only 26% of related jobs whereby 3% of jobs are held by African-American women, 6% held by Asian women and 2% held by Hispanic women according to the National Center for Women and IT. What’s not shown in the image below, is that over 50% of the … Read more
AI and digital transformation are driving forces in business today. Yet, 67% of consumers are worried about AI discriminating against them. And 78% of consumers say that it is important for companies to take active measures to reduce bias in AI. Research shows that even the most well-designed AI systems can still end up with … Read more
“More than a mere alternative strategy, regenerative agriculture represents a fundamental shift in our culture’s relationship with nature.” The future of food and cities use space, people, and buildings to maximize value, rethinking our commercial food systems and creating food sovereignty, defined as the right of people to have healthy and culturally appropriate food produced … Read more
When the “logistics of logistics” meets “new school supply chain.” I chatted with Joe Lynch about progressive topics influencing the lives of the broad field to which we belong. In this episode, we explore “New School Supply Chain” which was a phrase born while I was at Rutgers University MsSCM program as a way to … Read more