In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner remembers key innovations, inventions, and firsts that took place between August 30th and September 3rd. In our main story, she tells the wild but true story behind the discovery of the Slinky and the journey that it started for one family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We’ll also hear about the founder of the first African-American owned magazine, the introduction of the ATM, and mark a few business history birthdays.
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business
Podcast
May 1, 2024
5 Inventory Management Metrics Every Supply Chain Professional Must Master
Inventory management is vital for balancing supply and demand, minimizing costs, and maximizing efficiency in businesses, and just so happens to be the topic of conversation in this week’s new episode of Whiteboard Wisdom! In this conversation with Scott Luton, supply chain expert Marcia Williams discusses five key inventory management metrics that every supply chain professional should master. Join us as Scott and Marcia emphasize the importance of understanding the concept behind each metric and how they can vary depending on the industry and company strategy. Tune in to learn more about the need for continuous measurement, why you should adjust these metrics to reflect changes in the business environment, and so much more!
supply chain
Podcast
February 18, 2026
Building Resilient, Innovative Supply Chains Across Africa
Supply chains are recalibrating, and the Middle East and Africa are investing aggressively to meet the moment. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and special guest co-host Yaseen Ahmid welcome Toby Maier, CEO for Middle East and Africa at DHL Global Forwarding, for a wide-ranging conversation on what is changing trade and logistics across the region. Toby breaks down how recent tariffs are redirecting export flows into the Middle East and Africa, why GCC countries are racing to build world-class logistics hubs, and how production is shifting from Turkey toward markets like Egypt and Morocco. They also explore what it will take to build stronger, more reliable supply chains across Africa, from investment in life sciences and healthcare infrastructure to modernized regulation that reduces delays at customs. Toby shares how DHL’s publicly announced $300 million investment through 2030 prioritizes end-to-end capability that helps medicines, vaccines, and other critical products reach communities across a fast-growing population. The conversation also tackles the practical realities of energy access, data centers, and the cost to deliver goods, plus how sustainability efforts like electrified fleets and sustainable aviation fuel can support performance and emissions goals at the same time. This…