From AI investments that fail to deliver results to shifting trade policies and growing supply chain disruptions, today's leaders face mounting pressure to adapt. But what does it really take to turn challenges into opportunities?
In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Altium, hosts Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot welcome Dr. Rod Thomas, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at the University of Arkansas, and Joanna Pachnik, Founder and CEO of BlueClip, for a discussion on the issues shaping global supply chains. From attracting and developing the next generation of supply chain talent to navigating Hurricane-related energy disruptions and USMCA trade uncertainty, the conversation explores how organizations can build greater resilience. The panel also examines the growing role of AI in transportation, procurement, and reverse logistics, why promising technology initiatives often fail to scale, and how leaders can move beyond AI hype to deliver measurable business results.
Key Takeaways:
- Developing supply chain talent: Discover three practical strategies for attracting, hiring, and preparing the next generation of supply chain professionals through meaningful internships, university partnerships, and effective onboarding.
- Navigating global disruptions: Explore how hurricane-related energy disruptions, rising transportation costs, and ongoing uncertainty surrounding USMCA negotiations are influencing supply chain strategies.
- Rethinking supply chain optimization: Learn why companies must move beyond periodic network optimization and continuously evaluate cost, flexibility, and operational resilience.
- Preparing for the future of reverse logistics: Examine how growing retail returns, expanding secondary markets, and AI-powered solutions are changing the way businesses manage returns.
- Turning AI investments into measurable results: Understand why choosing the wrong use cases and lacking leadership support can derail technology initiatives, and how starting small can accelerate ROI.
- Empowering people through technology: Discover how AI can automate repetitive tasks, improve decision-making, and enable employees to focus on higher-value work.
Whether you're navigating global trade uncertainty, building a stronger supply chain workforce, or looking for practical ways to make AI deliver real business value, this episode offers actionable insights for today's supply chain leaders. Tune in to learn how forward-thinking organizations are turning disruption into opportunity, strengthening their operations, and preparing their people and technology for what's next.
Additional Links & Resources:
This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-innovations-hurricane-disruptions-building-resilient-supply-chains-1648
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