Anna B. McGovern

Get ready to increase your supply chain IQ! We’re looking back on the latest episodes, interviews, conversations, and livestreams from this week right here. On Monday, we released 2 new episodes! In this episode of Digital Transformers,hosts Kevin L. Jackson and Scott Luton learn about the power of the IBM cloud ecosystem from Brian Fallon, Vice President of Global Sales for the IBM Partner Ecosystem. On This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner dives into the rise of Warren Buffet, the completion of the transcontinental railroad, some interesting business birthdays, & the invention of the tubeless tire. On Tuesday, we released 2 new episodes! On this episode of Supply Chain Now, Gugulethu Hughes, Founder of Clinch, joins our hosts Scott and Greg to share the number one challenge for the startup economy in Africa, why corporate social responsibility programs are falling short in eliminating child labor, & more. On TECHquila Sunrise, host Greg White welcomed stealthy startup co-founder and Venture Partner at Kubera Venture Capital, Sena Zorlu, to look into the minds of investors, revealing what makes them tick and how founders can communicate clearly with them. On Wednesday, we released an episode in our Reverse Logistics Series in collaboration…

Blog Post written by Ohad Azgad, CEO of Cinch Logistics leaders must control costs while maintaining service quality, but hidden freight charges often erode profits due to poor visibility. Cinch analyzed over 7,000 line-item charges from 30+ freight forwarders, brokers, and carriers in FMCG and manufacturing, uncovering three major cost drivers: The Frequency-Impact Paradox Frequent charges like fuel surcharges appear in 14.4% of invoices but contribute just 4.2% of hidden costs. In contrast, customs duties—though present in only 5.8% of invoices—account for 52% of hidden costs. Identifying these patterns helps logistics teams focus on impactful cost reductions. Inconsistent Invoice Terminology Charge names like “Fuel Surcharge” vs. “Bunker Adjustment Factor” vary between carriers, reducing cost visibility and negotiation leverage. Standardizing terminology improves tracking, clarity, and vendor negotiations. Hidden Budget Risks: Customs, Duties & On-Carriage Fees Customs duties account for 46% of hidden costs, while on-carriage fees add 26%, despite appearing in only 4.3% of invoices. These charges are often underestimated during quoting, leading to budget overruns. Proactive management prevents unexpected expenses.   Strategies to Optimize Freight Costs Real-Time Data Analytics: Platforms like Cinch provide charge visibility during quoting, improving cost forecasting and negotiation leverage. Standardized Terminology: Consistent charge names enhance cost…