Logistics Management

The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind - which is why it has been awhile since the last blog entry. During that time I’ve been in ‘school’ and have met inspirational people who taught me some great lessons on leadership.

Three weeks ago my wife and I had the privilege of having dinner with General George Casey, Chief of Staff for the US Army, and his delightful wife, Sheila. The following day, we met with leaders of the US Army for a special briefing about world events. Then I was off to Bosnia (where I am happy to report, there was no sniper fire) to sp...Read More

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In this blog entry, I’d like to share something that may upset a couple of people. I really wonder how many transportation and logistics professionals realize, or understand that their jobs – notice I didn’t say careers – hang by a thread.

Since the start of the year, I have received more e-mails and phone calls from highly competent transportation professionals (just like the readers of this blog) than I care to count. Most of them have an urgent request; they’re looking for a job!

Why am I getting so many requests? Maybe I’m a good person to have in...Read More

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I’ll spare you the standard speeches and clichés about the topic of change. There are a lots of transportation issues on the table that will make your life interesting over the next couple of years. But I am concerned that a number of logistics professionals may not understand the magnitude of these issues or their impact on their companies. I’m not talking about those professionals who work for companies that actively support groups such as the NIT League, NASSTRAC, AST&L, CSCMP, DNA and TIA, I’m talking to the other group. The group that consists of industry professionals who are sitting on the sidelines because they’re too lazy. Or because they work for companies that are too cheap, or too stupid to access resources that will help them understand what is really happening in transportation....Read More

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If you’ve been reading the trade journals, or general business publications, you’ve undoubtedly read something that talks about sustainability; it’s a hot business topic. A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of speaking at the Denver Traffic Club’s annual Operation Stimulus meeting where the theme was Sustainable Logistics.

In preparing for the talk, one of the organizers asked if I could work the theme of sustainability in to my comments. To honor his request, the topic of my talk was Building the Sustainable Career. Based on the positive feedback, the talk was ...Read More

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One of the things I love about my work is that I get to give a fair number of talks and meet lots of people every year. For example, this past week, I had the privilege of speaking at the Denver Traffic Club’s annual meeting, Operation Stimulus. The theme for the conference was sustainability, and my keynote address was “Building A Sustainable Career.”

One of the bullet points in the talk highlighted the need for individuals to make decisions. The reason this bullet point is so important is because fewer and fewer people are willi...Read More

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Last week I attended a meeting with other industry professionals. During the meeting we talked about the current challenges that face industry professionals. Interestingly, the consensus as the top challenge was the need for supply chain professionals to invest in their careers by getting the education and training they need to be effective in their positions.

One veteran industry consultant noted however, that while the need for continuing education and training has never been greater, fewer and fewer companies are spending the dollars, or giving their associates the time to get this training. What advice would this consultant give to supply chain professionals who are facing this challenge? “If they want training and education, tell them that they ar...Read More

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Be A Difference Maker In 2008.

As we head in to 2008, you can’t say things are boring in logistics. Oil has broken the $100 per barrel mark; the economy appears to be faltering; and while the FMCSA has issued their decision on the hours of service (HOS), another challenge in court is already underway, and potential Congressional intervention is likely. And that’s just beginning. On top of that, your company is most likely expecting you to do more with less, and wants you to lower corporate transportation c...Read More

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Happy New Year - If It’s To Be ….

With the New Year rapidly approaching, people will be making all sorts of resolutions. Typically, these resolutions are personal in nature, a.k.a. I will lose twenty pounds, or I will give up smoking, etc… But as we close out this year, do you mind me asking you a different question: What are you resolutions for your career in 2008? That’s right, have you thought about what you’d like to accomplish career wise in 2008?

Many years ago, I was attending a motivational seminar and the speaker was commenting on the fact that some (actually, most) people see themselves as powerless to improve their careers.  For these people, their c...Read More

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Having attended the recent TransComp Annual Meeting, I was struck by a sobering thought: If seeing is believing, then what is happening with transportation and logistics professionals isn’t too encouraging.  There were an estimated 2,000 representatives from shippers and carriers in attendance; there should have been at least twice that!  

TransComp is held in conjunction with the NIT League’s (“the League”) Annual meeting. It’s the only time that the League’s Committees, which include the Air, Rail, Ocean, and Highway/Motor Carrier sectors, all meet in one location. Additionally, there is a Security Committee to address initiatives that will impact how shippers move freight. Personally, the Committee meetin...Read More

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Welcome to the first posting on the Logistics Management Blog. I am honored to have this opportunity to share some observations about what I see happening in the transportation marketplace. 

A couple of thoughts as you read future blog entries…First; the Logistics Management folks have asked us to be open and transparent with our observations. In fact, upon receiving the invitation to blog, I asked the LM’s editor, Michael Levans: “How direct and transparent do you want us to be?” His response: “Don’t hold back! People who have heard you speak would expect nothing less. So, go for it.”

With that thought, here is a ‘he...Read More

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