In this episode of The Buzz, we unpack the latest manufacturing signals, leadership priorities, and the growing impact of AI—plus a candid look at corporate jargon and why clarity matters more than ever—welcome to The Buzz, powered by DOSS! Hosts Scott Luton and Billy Ray Taylor dive into March manufacturing data showing modest growth and improving job trends, while also highlighting ongoing cost pressures and global disruptions. From there, the conversation shifts to what’s really on the minds of business leaders today—uncertainty, decision-making challenges, and the widening gap between strategy and execution. This episode delivers practical, real-world perspectives on how organizations can move forward with confidence. Key Learnings & Takeaways: Manufacturing momentum is steady—but fragile with growth signals tempered by inflation and disruption Today’s labor market = “low hire, low fire” driven by uncertainty and hesitation AI isn’t transforming your business—it’s exposing it (data gaps, inefficiencies, misalignment) Execution beats strategy—most companies don’t fail from bad plans, but poor follow-through KPIs vs. KPAs—why actions (not just metrics) drive real performance Corporate jargon can damage performance by masking clarity and weakening decision-making Great leadership = clarity, standards, and accountability, not buzzwords Bottom line: In today’s complex environment, leaders who prioritize execution, clarity,…

In this episode of The Buzz, powered by APL Logistics, Scott Luton and Kim Reuter are joined by Edmund Zagorin, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Arkestro, for a timely conversation on the latest supply chain and business news shaping the second half of 2026. From U.S. manufacturing trends and Prime Day consumer behavior to AI’s growing role in sourcing and supplier management, this episode explores how procurement is evolving from a cost-focused function into a strategic driver of resilience, speed, and value. Edmund shares practical insight into predictive procurement, why supplier relationships still matter in an AI-powered world, and how procurement leaders can prepare their teams for the future. Key Takeaways AI can support procurement teams, but humans still need to lead relationship-driven decisions. Predictive procurement helps teams move from reactive buying to proactive supplier engagement. Speed is becoming a major competitive advantage in uncertain supply chain environments. Supplier relationships, long-term agreements, and guaranteed access are becoming more important than lowest cost. Procurement teams must rethink how success is measured, moving from compliance to value creation. Culture, people, and execution remain critical, even as technology continues to advance. Tune in to hear how supply chain and procurement leaders can…