In this special episode of This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton shares the inspiring business journey of his beloved grandfather: Leroy “Dick” Winton Rutland. Throughout his life, Dick Rutland represented the ‘gold standard’ in terms of professional integrity and action-based, servant leadership. He was a dedicated employee at Winn-Dixie and Kimberly-Clark, providing an example that now lives on – at scale – through Supply Chain Now’s organizational values. Like most people, Dick Rutland was loyal to a few brands – the Solo Cup Company and Buick in particular – and his relationship with their products serve as emblematic reminders of his personal values. Among the key lessons we learn in this week’s episode are:
- Don’t let anything go to waste if you can avoid it, even if it means eating chitlins or handwashing a ‘disposable’ cup
- Strive for balance between work and family, making your own luck and opportunities as you can
- Let your actions speak for themselves, doing the right thing for its own sake, not the attention it may garner
More Podcast Episodes
quantum computing paradox
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The Quantum Paradox: What Supply Chain Leaders Need To Know
What if the next big supply chain breakthrough also creates one of its biggest security risks? In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by Akhilesh Agarwal, President of P2P Solutions and Technology at apexanalytix, and William McNeill, Vice President of Market Intelligence at apexanalytix, for an in-depth discussion on quantum computing’s role in supply chains. They examine how it can improve visibility, risk management, and decision-making. Akhilesh and William stress the importance of preparing now, as waiting could expose companies to risks. The conversation also covers the convergence of quantum computing and AI, enhancing predictive analytics, supply chain modeling, and risk management. The episode concludes with practical steps leaders can take to prepare for quantum disruptions and stay ahead as the technology evolves. This episode is hosted by Scott Luton, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during the show: Connect with Akhilesh Agarwal Connect with William McNeill Learn more about apexanalytix Supply Chain Now Resource Hub Learn more about our hosts Want more Supply Chain Now? We know you can’t get enough Supply Chain Now! Don’t miss…
Happy Returns
Podcast
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Driving Innovation in Returns Management: David Sobie with Happy Returns
Most retailers don’t have a return policy problem. They have an incentive problem. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton is joined by David Sobie, Co-Founder and CEO of Happy Returns, for a deep dive into the returns crisis and reverse logistics. David brings over a decade of real-world experience helping major retail brands turn post-purchase friction into customer loyalty. He shares critical data from their latest report with the NRF, exposing a staggering rise in retail fraud, the undeniable psychology of the in-person return, and why over 70% of merchants are moving away from free returns to save “dead stock” from rotting off store shelves. This episode is hosted by Scott W. Luton. Produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during the show: Connect with David Sobie Learn more about Happy Returns Learn more about Supply Chain Now Learn more about our hosts Want more Supply Chain Now? We know you can’t get enough Supply Chain Now! Don’t miss a single episode, livestream, or webinar: Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here Subscribe to Supply Chain…