The Strongest Link Supply Chain Podcast

In this episode, Justin and Marcus take a pause from examining buzzwords and instead focus on another mystery of business - the failed project. Despite a having a great manager, a star team, or a fantastic plan, projects fail in supply chain and business every day. Justin and Marcus lean on research as well as the expert opinion of Chris Williams (through clips of the Leading Smart podcast) to examine failed projects and what might be to blame.

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In this episode, Justin and Marcus continue to demystify supply chain buzzwords. This episode's focus is on Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all over supply chain literature, but how many organizations are actually using in to enhance their supply chain operations? Is AI aspirational or is there real value to harness now? Is AI too dangerous to use in our supply chains now? Justin and Marcus attempt to sort these question out by interviewing some remarkably knowledgable guests - OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard.

In this kickoff episode to Season 3, Justin and Marcus introduce supply chain buzzwords and how they can become so trendy that they lose their meaning. This episode's buzzword is Digital Transformation. In popular supply chain content and literature, the term Digital Transformation has morphed into a desire to buy the newest, flashiest software available - but Justin and Marcus believe Digital Transformation to be much more process and people focused. This episode also sees Justin and Marcus revisit additive manufacturing from Season 1 through the lens of at-home 3D printers.

In this episode, Marcus and Justin dive into inflation. Whether it's high gas prices or a little less in your grocery cart, inflation has certainly impacted us all. This episode dissects what inflation is, why it happens, how supply chains play a role, and how to do your best to navigate your supply chain through the noise. This episode also marks the return of the supply chain bedtime story - one single potato.

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We're back for another exciting, informative, and inspiring season of The Strongest Link Supply Chain Podcast!

In this episode, we reflect on how the supply chain has performed and changed in the 2 years since we started this podcast. We also explore the concept of Globalization and how it relates to many of the challenges we face today. 

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We're back! In this episode, we explore the foundational Operations & Supply Chain concept of bottlenecks and the Theory of Constraints. Bottlenecks are everywhere and constantly changing in the global supply chain. We discuss the global semiconductor shortage and how that creates bottlenecks for all sorts of companies. We also examine how bottleneck management and the Theory of Constraints can be applied to nontraditional manufacturing companies as well through the examination of a case study in the logging industry. Our Learning with Leaders section features guest Sean Momsen to discuss rapidly emerging manufacturing technology which allows companies to adapt more quickly in an uncertain environment. 

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This episode explores the uncertainty that exists all around us by examining how ethanol manufacturers had to shift on a moment's notice with the onset of the COVID-19 health crisis and how companies will be impacted by Brexit. We discuss the importance of good risk assessment and management and how successful companies thrive in an uncertain world by reducing their reliance on luck and chance. This episode also includes a Learning with Leaders segment where we discuss uncertainty with John Melbye. John shares some practical concepts and methodologies that companies can use to thrive amidst the unknown such as Demand Driven MRP, a new revolution in Materials Requirements Planning. 

This week's special episode (in honor of the US Presidential Election) asks our hosts "What will supply chain look like in 20 years" in five topics - food, medical, manufacturing and globalization, distribution, and small business. This fun episode is meant to stimulate discussion around the future, however uncertain.

This episode dives into seasonality in supply chain in both demand and supply as well as how some organizations are worried about being overwhelmed and how some are proactively innovating to overcome its impact. We explore how large retailers are feeling unprepared for the holiday rush brought on by the Black Friday shopping season compounded with the ongoing COIVD-19 health crisis. We also learn how grocery retailer Aldi is tackling seasonality head on while reacting to market trends.

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This episode's focus is on Data Mining and Management Techniques. In our takeaways we explore how small businesses can stay competitive with data and how a new buzzword called “preemptive logistics” could transform the way products are distributed. Data is a huge element of effective supply chain management, yet it is often overlooked or pushed under the rug to deal with tomorrow. This episode demystifies the best practices and lays out a vision for how good data management will impact organizations of the future.

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This episode's focus is on Distribution Channels. In our takeaways we explore how Amazon is using some unconventional measures to increase capacity in their distribution channels, how drugmakers will need to overcome a multitude of obstacles when designing the supply chains that will eventually deliver a vaccine for COVID-19, and how research suggests that resiliency measures in the distribution channel might be a great investment. This episode also sees the return of the Supply Chain Bedtime Story where a disappointing experience at Home Depot can be linked back to poor distribution channel selection and a poor adaptation to market trends. 

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This episode discusses the concept of vertical integration and how tech companies Apple and Blackmagic Design are using it to enhance their businesses. These initiatives come at a time when Intel, a fellow tech-giant, has been hitting snags with their latest technology. Every supply chain decision has positive and negative implications though, so we also explore how enhanced vertical integration exposes Blackmagic Design and Apple to additional risk. 

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Our first episode explores the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on meat prices and supply chain complexity. You'll learn how a few companies are reacting and who is winning during this global situation. We also welcome Josh Bui to the program to learn the trials, tribulations, and triumph of successfully leading a tenured team. Last, we'll learn how we can all help stabilize the supply chain during COVID by carefully monitoring the decisions we make every week at the grocery store.

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