Robert (Bob) Bova

Back in the day, business news and ideas often flowed from office watercooler conversations. Then company figureheads started popping up on cable TV news programs, lecturing on stock market drops, trade increases, industry gains, and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain shortfalls. Now, podcasts are all the rage, and it can be difficult to stand out in a crowded field. There’s a lot of noise in supply chain podcasts, in particular. How do you break through to share your supply chain insights with potentially millions of listeners? Supply Chain Podcasts: Meeting Industry Leaders Where They Are It’s said that public radio host Christopher Lydon used an audio RSS feed developed by software engineer Dave Winer to provide audio content of interviews on his blog in 2003. A year later, iPodder was created to enable users to download audio content to their iPods, and the word podcast was born. This year, the number of podcast listeners is forecast to reach a whopping 254.3 million. Podcasts have become the place for industry leaders to find an eager audience. Breaking Through: 3 Ways Supply Chain Podcasts Cut Through the Noise Today, there are thousands of podcasts that are touted as supply chain-focused. In…

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…