Bobby Holland is a man in the know. Nearing four decades of broad-based data processing, software engineering, and consulting experience, he is now the Vice President/Director of Freight Business Analytics, and in charge of the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index. Published every quarter by U.S. Bank, it has become a go-to source of information for freight shipping trends at a national and regional level. Joining Bobby on this episode of the podcast is the returning Eric Olson, Sales Support Operations Director at Total Quality Logistics (TQL), where he has spent almost 20 years working in a variety of management roles. Listen in as the conversation focuses on the U.S. Bank 2023 Q4 Freight Payment Index, based on billions of dollars worth of spend data. Bobby reveals that one region of the country saw a huge drop in shipments of more than 25% year over year. Insights such as this, underpinned by raw and unquestionable data, are why companies such as TQL and supply chain professionals like Eric turn to it for valuable insights that help to underpin their own strategies. Through the podcast, the duo talk through seven key takeaways from the 2023 Q4 report, explaining some of the trends…

In the latest episode of Supply Chain Now, host Scott Luton and guest Mike Griswold from Gartner discuss a variety of topics including the impact of the pandemic on smaller suppliers, the transformation of Macy’s, the use of AI in supply chain optimization, and the importance of networking and continuous learning in supply chain careers. Listen in as Scott and Mike emphasize the importance of understanding customer needs, investing in smaller suppliers, and improving visibility in the supply chain. Mike also highlights the need for supply chain professionals to have a clear career path and to be open to lateral moves to gain necessary skills and experiences.