In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner shares the story of the first successful passenger elevator, installed on March 23, 1857 in the Haughwout Emporium in New York City. Designed and installed by Elisha Graves Otis, founder of the Otis Elevator Company, this half engineering marvel half sales gimmick revolutionized the potential height of commercial buildings and gave rise to an industry that still flourishes today.
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supply chain
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February 20, 2026
The Buzz: AI Workflows, Workforce Shifts & the Fight Against Fraudulent Returns
Today on Supply Chain Now, we explore how supply chain leaders are balancing powerful new technologies with the human expertise required to make them work. Featuring insights from Jimmy Sebastian on FourKites’ AI platform Loft, and what it means for real-world operations. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EasyPost! Hosts Scott Luton and Rick McDonald unpack the growing convergence of AI automation and workforce strategy across the supply chain landscape. From faster workflow deployment and operational agility to the evolving labor pipeline and the surge in returns fraud, this conversation highlights why success today depends on both smarter tools and stronger people strategies. The discussion emphasizes that digital transformation isn’t replacing humans, it’s redefining how organizations empower them. What you’ll learn by tuning in: How AI workflow platforms are accelerating implementation and operational responsiveness Why human capability building is just as critical as technology investment What Gen Z’s rising interest in skilled trades means for future workforce planning The increasing business impact of fraudulent returns and how technology can help combat it Practical ways leaders can align automation with talent strategy to build resilience If you’re a supply chain, operations, or technology leader trying to scale automation without losing the…
public relations
Podcast
July 5, 2024
The Buzz for July 12th, Digital Transformers Edition, featuring Brandi Boatner: Decoding Digital
The Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12 noon ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience! In this week’s special Digital Transformers edition of The Buzz, host Kevin L. Jackson welcomes Brandi Boatner, Manager, Digital & Advocacy Communications at IBM to the show, for a special “Decoding Digital” episode. Together they discuss: What is a digital supply chain? The importance of thinking digitally in today’s business environment What does it mean to be “digital-first?” The rise of the industrial metaverse in manufacturing Embracing rapid changes in the digital world and digital transformation And so much more! Tune in and learn how “decoding digital” can make an impact on your role, your supply chain, and your organization.