It's the End of the Week!
LIDD Supply Chain
Supply chain and business insights delivered weekly, on the best day of the week. TGIF.
Adapting to Shifting Tariffs and Trade Policies: A Guide for Businesses in Uncertain Times
The world of international trade has been in a constant state of flux, especially in recent weeks. The onset of new tariffs, shifting regulations, and evolving trade agreements have left businesses grappling with uncertainty. In this environment, understanding every facet of your supply chain is more crucial than ever. Steve Weyer, President of GSCC Inc., joined Jeff Hamilton on the podcast to discuss the latest developments and provide insight into what companies can do to navigate these challe
AI Is Set to Catapult Our Energy Consumption - Is the World Ready for It?
Join Charles & David as they discuss the massive increases in energy consumption brought forth by AI - and whether the world is ready to build the infrastructure required to match demand. Tune in for a discussion on DeepSeek AI, Project Stargate, Three Mile Island, and much more!
Watch: https://youtu.be/cMRagQgtdgc?si=AgmnATeEOBclIrV7
Read: LIDD.com/insights
Optimizing Supply Chain Planning for Peak Season: Insights from Emilio Colangelo and Vivi Tran Lynch
In this week’s podcast, Emilio Colangelo, a seasoned planning expert, and Vivi Tran Lynch, a strategy and operations expert, share valuable insights on how retailers can improve their supply chain planning, particularly during peak seasons like Black Friday, Cyber Week, and Singles Day. As these events approach, retailers often find themselves facing a range of challenges around inventory management, demand fluctuations, and agility in decision-making. They discuss how advanced technologies ca
Achieving Direct-to-Consumer Success with Charlie Baker of Stonewall Kitchen
This week, Charlie Baker, Senior Operations Analyst at Stonewall Kitchen, shared his wealth of knowledge gained over 23 years with the company with LIDD President Charles Fallon. As Stonewall Kitchen has evolved from a small, local operation into a leading specialty food manufacturer, Charlie has witnessed and contributed to its dynamic growth. His deep understanding of supply chain management, operational efficiency, and seasonal planning offers valuable insights for anyone involved in busine
Understanding North American Trade in a Shifting US Political Landscape
Earlier this week, Donald Trump was inaugurated into the office of the President of the United States. With plans to implement sweeping changes to US policy on trade with Canada and Mexico, the new administration could shake up our understanding of the status quo.
That's why this week, Jeff Hamilton sits down with Steve Weyer, a global policy and trade consultant, to unpack and explain the trade concepts and policies that you need to look out for.
#Podcast #Trade #GlobalTrade #Policy #Politics
Planning for Peak Season 2025
Are you ready for 2025 peak season? Get started early with help from Vivi and Jeff in this latest episode of the podcast featuring actionable insights for your business
📈 Analyze last peak season's performance
📦 Optimize your picking & packing processes
🤖 Consider automation if your business is struggling with labor availability and productivity
💲Don't forget about the potential of incoming tariffs!
Read more: https://lidd.com/peak-season-planning-podcast/
Tariffs, Data, and Automation: Looking Ahead to Business in 2025
The new year brings new challenges, especially in the rapidly changing economic environment of North America.
In our kickoff podcast of 2025, Charles Fallon, David Beaudet, and Stephan Lauzon discuss their thoughts and predictions for some key questions in the minds of business leaders:
💰 How can businesses prepare for the proposed tariffs associated with the incoming Trump administration in the U.S.?
📈With supply chain technology becoming increasingly complex, how can businesses ensure thei
Canada Post Won't Survive the Labor Strike. What Does That Mean for Businesses Across North America?
Charles & David explore the labor strike's impact on the North American supply chain and the dire future of the crown corporation.Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDh0IosEzaw&t=1sCheck us out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lidd-consultants
Shop While You Watch: What's the Deal with Unified Commerce?
This year, you might have noticed a trend: livestreams and on-demand video with shopping features built right into the viewing experience. You can see it everywhere from TikTok to the Victoria Secret fashion show. This new form of ecommerce creates frictionless purchasing opportunities for customers, but how does it really work for the businesses doing the selling?In this episode, Nicola and Mathieu take over the podcast to explain exactly how it works. Drawing on their respective expertise in m
A Guide to Managing the Business Central Update Cycle
With the right approach, the process of updating your #ERP to a new version can be a breeze.On this week's episode of It's the End of the Week!, Charles Fallon is joined by Zoe Mougios, Project Manager in LIDD's Microsoft Dynamics practice, to discuss best practices for keeping Business Central up to date. Tune in for a discussion on the distinctions between minor & major updates, the timelines they are rolled out, and how you can prepare to ensure your Business Central instance does everything
Cómo la distribución del comercio electrónico está reconfigurando las cadenas de suministro
La distribución del comercio electrónico es el proceso de entrega de bienes y servicios a los clientes que los han pedido en línea. Es un proceso complejo en el que intervienen muchos factores diferentes, desde el tipo de bienes que se envían hasta las expectativas del cliente. Esta publicación analizará algunos de los factores más importantes a tener en cuenta a la hora de crear un sistema de distribución de comercio electrónico o ecommerce, basándose en una entrevista en podcast con dos expert
How One Pro-Worker Party Seeks to Solve Labor Shortages with Automation
The Parti Quebecois (PQ) has proposed a new strategy to address the province's labor shortage: robots. This is a departure from the PQ's traditional pro-worker stance, and it has been met with criticism from some quarters. However, the PQ argues that automation is the only way to address the labor shortage in the long term.Charles & David sit down to discuss whether they think these subsidies will work, as well as how this new policy proposal is an indicator of the broader trends against immigra
Interoperability Explained
What is interoperability? How does it work? These are questions we get all the time - and with the growing number of software ecosystems leveraging interoperability, now is the best time to learn about the benefits it can provide for your operation.On this week's episode of It's the End of the Week, Charles Fallon sits down to talk with Mathieu Galipeau to discuss all things interoperability.
Big Retailers are Gearing Up For Peak Season + Home Depot Sends Executives to Work in Stores
This week, we're back with another Behind the Headlines episode hosted by David Beaudet & Stephan Lauzon exploring two exciting retail topics as we head into Q4 2024. 🤖 First up: Retailers are looking to automate their operations, but they better get the ball rolling quickly. With vendors quickly filling up with capacity, some businesses may have a hard time getting an automated operation live in time for 2025 or even 2026 peak season. Start early! 🧰 Next up: Home Depot is planning to send exe
The Rise of Private Label: How Grocery Stores are Winning the Price Wars
Remember the days when grocery stores battled for the lowest prices on national brands? Those days are fading fast. As dollar stores continue to expand and offer rock-bottom prices on familiar products, grocery stores are adopting a new strategy: private labels. This shift isn't just about offering cheaper alternatives. It's about curation, differentiation, and locking in customer loyalty. By developing unique private label products that can't be found elsewhere, grocery stores are creating a di
Food Waste Regulation: Do State Bans Actually Work?
Are food waste bans really working? We dive into the research and uncover the surprising truth about these state-level regulations. Learn why some states are succeeding while others struggle, and what it means for the future of food waste in America.
Recapping IFDA Solutions Conference 2024
Earlier this week, LIDD was at #IFDASolutions Conference 2024 hosting presentations and walking the show floor to teach and learn about the cutting edge solutions available to foodservice companies. If you weren't at the show, check out this 6-minute recap with Angie Sabourin and Jeff Hamilton discussing the state of the industry and what they learned from attending the event.
The Supply Chain Impacts of GLP-1 Drugs and the Demise of the De Minimis Loophole
Buckle up for this week's Behind The Headlines episode! 🎙️ We're exploring two hot topics shaking up the supply chain: First up, the demise of De Minimis! The Biden administration's proposal to close this e-commerce loophole could have major repercussions for businesses and consumers alike. Say goodbye to those $11 jeans from Shein? Next, the GLP-1 revolution! These so-called miracle weight-loss drugs are changing lives, but could they also disrupt the food industry? We're exploring the potenti
LIDD @ IFDA Solutions Conference 2024
The #IFDASolutions Conference 2024 is right around the corner and on this week's episode of It's the End of the Week we're giving a sneak peak at two LIDD-hosted sessions during the event. Join Jennifer Hall as she chats with Angie Sabourin, ing, P. Eng & Jeff Hamilton about supply chain planning and automation in foodservice contexts. 📅 Insights to Action in Supply Chain Planning hosted by Jeff Hamilton & Emilio Colangelo: Learn about a straightforward roadmap for shifting from reactive to pro
Extensions in Microsoft Business Central
What are extensions? How do they work? When should I build my own? Get answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of It's the End of the Week! This week, Charles is joined by Mathieu to discuss all things extensions in the Microsoft Business Central platform.
Food Fight: Inside the Walmart & Amazon Grocery Brawl
It's a food fight!On this week's episode of It's the End of the Week, Charles & David break down recent reports that Walmart has pulled ahead of Amazon in their mad dash for grocery. Tune in to get a deeper look and how their different approaches to distribution in Walmart's success.Further Reading:https://lidd.com/food-fight-inside-the-walmart-amazon-grocery-brawl/Walmart, Amazon In High-Tech Food FightJuly 2024 State of the Grocery Industry
Tête-à-tête avec Angie et David : Systèmes d'automatisation des entrepôts
Cette semaine, Angie et David sont de retour pour une nouvelle édition « Tête-à-tête » de « C'est la fin de la semaine » ! Le duo se penche sur l'automatisation des entrepôts en explorant les systèmes de livraison à la personne, les systèmes de stockage et de déstockage automatisés et les robots mobiles autonomes. Angie nous donne également quelques conseils sur la meilleure façon de mettre en œuvre un système de gestion d'entrepôt (WMS).YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjMK58nhecIRead:
Automate (almost) Everything with Power Platform
Can you really automate everything? With Power Platform, sure you can. Almost.This week, Romain & David break down how Power Automate can be used to automate business processes for businesses of all structures and sizes, with a case study from a past client.Read: https://lidd.com/automate-almost-everything-with-power-platform/
The Ins and Outs of Asset-Based Accounting with NetSuite
This week, Charles is joined by NetSuite extraordinaire Isaiah Reisman-Tremonte to discuss the move to asset-based accounting in the platform and how to get the most out of.Read more: LIDD.com/insightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LIDDConsultants
Will AI and Automation Transform the Foodservice Supply Chain?
The foodservice industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by advancements in AI and automation technologies. From the back of the house to the front of the house, these technologies are streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and enhancing the overall customer experience. Read: https://lidd.com/foodservice-automation-ai/Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhF3Kqt8hsk
Hudson's Bay Company Acquires Neiman Marcus for $2.65 Billion
The retail landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, particularly in the luxury sector. The recent $2.65 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus by the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), facilitated through its subsidiary Saks Fifth Avenue, is a testament to this shift. Watch: YouTube.com/LIDDConsultantsFurther Reading:Hudson's Bay Company to buy luxury retailer Neiman Marcus in $2.65B US dealSaks Fifth Avenue parent HBC to acquire Neiman Marcus Group in $2.65 billion deal
Solving Complex Supply Chain Challenges with Order Management Systems
An order management system (OMS) can be an extremely valuable tool for businesses looking to streamline their supply chain and improve customer satisfaction.On this week's episode of It's the End of the Week, Angie is joined by Matt Boland of Korber Supply Chain Software to talk all thing OMS. How does it work? Why should businesses care? How do they differ from ERPs? Get answers to these questions and more!Read; https://lidd.com/order-management-system-korber-supply-chain/
Warehouse Automation: A Dance of Software and Hardware
Warehouse automation is more than just robots and conveyor belts. It's a complex dance of software and hardware working together to orchestrate the operation of your warehouse.On this episode of It's the End of the Week, Jeff & Jean-Martin take over the podcast to discuss the layers of software driving warehouse automation, as well as how the emergence of multi-agent orchestration is enabling operators to select the best equipment from different vendors without loss of efficiency.Watch: YouTube.
Sobeys Splits With Ocado, Announces Divestment from Online Grocery
Sobeys, Canada's second-largest grocery chain, and Ocado, the UK-based online grocery and technology company, have ended their partnership. This unexpected split has sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving our hosts with the task: what does this mean for e-commerce grocery in Canada? Source: https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/sobeys-parent-empire-scaling-back-e-commerce-investment-amid-profitability-woes-175853431.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma
Solving For Sriracha: A Case Study in Effecting Solutioning
If you've tried to buy sriracha hot sauce recently, you might have noticed something strange: It's getting hard to find. In fact, there's a nationwide shortage of this beloved condiment. What's going on? And what can this spicy situation teach us about effective problem solving?
Loblaws' $2 Billion Investment in Small-Format Grocery Stores
Loblaws announces a $2 billion investment in small-format discount stores across Canada - is it the right play? On this week's episode, Charles & David break down the latest news of Loblaws' upcoming plan in the midst of ongoing boycotts and discuss its potential implications for the Canadian grocery industry as a whole.
Navigating the Operational Side of Mergers & Acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) represent a dynamic and crucial facet of the business world. This episode with LIDD partner Jennifer Hall discusses the operational and strategic intricacies that organizations face during M&A processes. For those immersed in the world of corporate mergers and acquisitions, understanding the key components and challenges can make all the difference in a successful integration.
The Essential Role of Enterprise Software Developers
In the field of supply chain chain and operations management, an organization's technology portfolio is an essential consideration for achieving business objectives. Technology, however, is rarely a catch-all solution out of the box. That's where enterprise software developers come in.
Why Dollar Stores Across America are Shutting Down
Dollar stores around America are shutting down - what gives? In this week's episode, Charles & David sit down with Stephan, former dollar store executive, to discuss the reasons for the industry's persistent struggles.Sources: Dollar stores are shutting down across America. They did this to themselvesDollar Tree to Shutter 600 Family Dollar Locations by End of 2024Dollar General plans 800 stores this year as rival Dollar Tree pulls back
How Racking Regulations Have Evolved
When it comes to material handling equipment, compliance is non-negotiable. Over time, however, these regulations have undergone many changes. This week, David is joined by Gilles Ducharme of Structurack to discuss this evolution and what that means for the design and implementation of warehouses and distribution centers.
Design to Delivery: Tracking the Apparel Manufacturing Journey with ERP Systems
Dive into the complexities of tracking outsourced manufacturing in ERP systems in our latest episode of "It's the End of the Week".From tracking raw materials to managing vendor charges, get expert insight from Isaiah and Charles on how ERP systems handle the manufacturing journey. Key topics include:1️⃣ Costing in Outsourced Manufacturing: Discover how ERP systems help track costs associated with contract manufacturing.2️⃣ Managing Complexity: Explore strategies for simplifying complex manufact
Achieving Manufacturing Excellence Through Intelligent Process Design
The journey toward a lean manufacturing process can be daunting, but you don't have to go it alone. On this episode Charles Fallon is joined by Ty Getz of SCPI to discuss all things manufacturing. Tune in to get an inside look at Ty's extensive expertise in manufacturing, including a step-by-step case study on the progression from level push to level pull manufacturing operations. Additionally, get some insight from Ty on when manufacturers should look to invest in a simulation project, and the
The Complicated Path to Supply Chain Sustainability
Sustainability is more than just a buzz word. A proper approach to reducing the footprint of your supply chain can generate real cost-savings and operational efficiency in addition to positive environmental impact.#ItsTheEndoftheWeek and on this episode David Beaudet is joined by Jeff Hamilton to discuss how businesses can more effectively act on their sustainability goals.
From Data Chaos to Data Clarity: How to Navigate a Successful PowerBI Implementation
PowerBI presents a formidable array of functionalities, and mastering its complexities unlocks a wealth of possibilities for efficiently organizing and reporting your business's data.#ItsTheEndoftheWeek, and on this episode Mathieu and Jason take over the podcast alongside special guest Christine Mergl to discuss how organizations can get the most out of PowerBI. Take a sneak peak at some of the episode's key insights: 1️⃣ Strategic Planning is Crucial: It's not just about solving your immediate
Will Natural Language Processing (NLP) Transform Warehouse and Inventory Management?
Will AI transform warehouse and inventory management? Its the end of the week, and on this episode Charles & David share their insights on how Natural Language Processing (NLP) and AI more broadly could transform the way warehouses are operated. 💬 Unstructured data like human speech can be transformed into structured, actionable data to be processed by a warehouse management system. ⏰ NLP functionality can enable decision makers to get real-time information from frontline warehouse personnel,
Navigating Departmental Expectations for Successful ERP Implementations
When navigating ERP implementations, balancing the expectations of different departments in your organization is a difficult task.Its the end of the week, and on this episode Mathieu Galipeau is joined by Amanda Mayer and Romain Pietkowicz to identify strategies for facilitating communication and cooperation between operations, finance, and IT, in the implementation of new technology and processes.
Tête à tête : "Fishbone" contre aménagement traditionnel dans les entrepôts
C'est la fin de la semaine, et dans cet épisode, David est rejoint par Angie pour une conversation "en tête à tête" sur les mérites des approches alternatives de l'entreposage, comme les aménagements " fishbone ".
Les clés de la mise en œuvre d'un entrepôt
Dans le paysage complexe de la gestion de la chaîne d'approvisionnement, l'infrastructure physique sert de colonne vertébrale, orchestrant le flux continu de marchandises et de matériaux. Cependant, le passage du concept à un centre fonctionnel, ce qu’on appelle la mise en œuvre, est un processus complexe qui exige une planification, une conception et une exécution méticuleuse. C'est la fin de la semaine, et dans cet épisode, David est rejoint par Raphael pour discuter des clés d'une mise en œuv
Tackling Food Loss & Waste in the Fresh Strawberry Supply Chain
From the the time a fresh strawberry is picked and packed to it's placement on the shelves at your local grocery store, the opportunities for waste and loss are numerous. It's the end of the week, and on this episode Gabrielle Tiven and Daniel Kelly take over the podcast to discuss their work with the Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment to study the causes and solutions for waste and loss of fresh strawberries at every step of the supply chain. During their time on the project, Gabrielle and Dan
Retail in Review: How Major Retailers Stack up on Inventory
How do major retailers stack up on inventory, and what can the data tell us about the state of the industry in 2024? It's the end of the week and on this episode, Charles Fallon is joined by Jennifer Hall to examine 2023 reporting from a selection of major retailers to discuss what the numbers mean and offer insights into the industry landscape where major retailers like Walmart and Nike dominate, and others have faltered.
Understanding the Signs: How To Know It's Time For Digital Transformation
Should your business take on digital transformation? It's the end of the week, and on this episode Charles & David are joined by Mathieu Galipeau to answer that question. Tune in to learn more about what digital transformation is, what it could mean for your business, and how to determine when it's the right time to switch. Here are just some of the many indicators they explain in this episode: 1️⃣ Functional limitations: Spreadsheets can only take you so far. At a certain scale, your business n
From Leads to Logistics: How Salesforce Unifies Sales & Operations for Optimal Service
Its the end of the week! On this episode, David is joined by Alex to discuss how Salesforce can be leveraged for seamless integration between sales & operations teams through every step of the customer journey.
Unpacking the Kroger-Albertsons Merger: What's the Hold Up?
In the 16 months since the announcement of the Kroger-Albertsons merger of $24.6 billion, the companies still find themselves at odds with regulators for approving the deal.Its the end of the week, and on this episode Charles & David sit down to discuss the ongoing regulatory battle as it relates to the deal's potential impact on the grocery supply chain across the United States.
Le Problème de la Productivité : Les Entreprises Canadiennes et la Technologie
La productivité canadienne continue de chuter - y a-t-il une solution ?C'est la fin de la semaine, et dans cet épisode Charles et David sont rejoints par Angie, responsable de la pratique des technologies d'entreposage de LIDD, pour répondre à cette question. Nous discuterons des raisons pour lesquelles les entreprises canadiennes ont investi dans la technologie à un rythme plus lent que les entreprises américaines, de ce que cela signifie pour la productivité et de ce que les entreprises canadi
Evolución del Comercio Electrónico: Potenciando las PYMES en México
#EsElFinDeLaSemana y en este episodio nos acompañan Germán Alonso y Jorge Espinosa para adentrarnos en el vibrante mundo de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYMES) y el comercio electrónico en México.
Navigating the Food Supply Chain: An Introduction to Food Waste & Insecurity
It's the end of the week and on this episode, Gabrielle Tiven takes over the show to sit down with Daniel Kelly and Isaac Jenne to talk about food waste and insecurity in Canada and the United States.Tune in for a brief spotlight on LIDD's work with Food Banks Canada and the World Wildlife Fund, and get answers to some key questions about the global issue:1️⃣ How do food banks operate and what role do they play in combatting food insecurity?2️⃣ How does food waste occur across every stage of the
What's The Deal With Integrations? FTP, SOAP & REST APIs w/ Sabina Sasu
#ItsTheEndOfTheWeek and in this episode our hosts Charles Fallon and David Beaudet are joined by Sabina Sasu to dive into integrations. From the social media apps on your phone to the intricate workings of your company's operations, application programming interfaces (APIs) are a central factor in ensuring the transfer of data and communication between computer programs. In the world of supply chain, APIs are used at every step to enable visibility and facilitate smooth operation.Join Charles, D
Logistics Automation Readiness w/ Patricia Laureys & Jennifer Hall
Logistics automation is transforming supply chain operations and improving employee satisfaction. But it's not just about picking your automation equipment and sending it off to the vendor. There's a crucial phase between solution selection and implementation that can't be overlooked: getting your organization ready for automation. How prepared is your company? Tune in for an insightful discussion on some key topics: 1️⃣ The push towards automation: Labor shortages, escalating logistics costs, a
Supply Chain Engineering in the Fur Trade w/ Gabrielle Tiven - It's the End of the Week! Unplugged
Ever wondered how the adventurers of the 17th century established a complex trade network in pursuit of beaver furs? Delve into the riveting world of the fur trade supply chain and discover how these pioneers tackled logistics challenges long before the age of modern technology. LIDD founder, Charles Fallon, and guest speaker Gabrielle Tiven, discuss the history of the fur trade in Canada and the similarities of supply chain engineering then and now.:1. Learn about Canada's 17th century fur trad
How to Think and Talk about Business Technology with Ben V.
Charles sits down with LIDD partner and NetSuite practice lead Ben V. to discuss all things business technology.
A Tale of Two Firms: Supply Chain Optimization Insights from Rocky Mountain Chocolate and Funko
Charles and David sit down to discuss Rock Mountain Chocolate's plans to streamline their operations, while Funko remains stuck in the aftermath of the delayed implementation of their new warehousing processes. Rocky Mountain Chocolate: https://www.heraldnet.com/news/lawsuit-funko-misled-investors-about-arizona-move/ Funko: https://www.heraldnet.com/news/lawsuit-funko-misled-investors-about-arizona-move/
Data Analytics Through Time: How It's Changed and Where It's Going
Charles and David sit down with Jeff Hamilton to discuss how supply chain consulting and data analytics have evolved over the years and where it could possibly go in the future.
The Shopify Shakeup: Workforce Cutbacks and Sale of Major Logistics Business
Charles & Jorge sit down to discuss the news of Shopify's layoffs and the sale of their logistics business to Flexport.