by Jennifer Hart Yim | Jan 9, 2025 | Logistics
Trying to figure out which logistics trade shows and events you should attend in 2025? You’re in the right place! Whether you’re a logistics veteran or planning your first industry event, this list will help you choose the conferences that are actually worth your time (and budget). Below you’ll find all the major shows happening across North America, Europe, and Asia – complete with dates, locations, and an insider’s look on what makes each one special.
Q1 2025 Conferences
- Date: February 10-12, 2025
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Why Attend: As the first major logistics trade show and event of 2025, Manifest brings together supply chain technology leaders and innovators to showcase the latest in logistics automation, robotics, and AI solutions. The conference is particularly valuable for those interested in emerging technologies and startup solutions in the logistics space.
Learn more about Manifest Vegas >>
RILA Link 2025 Retail Supply Chain Conference
- Date: February 16-19, 2025
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Why Attend: Essential for retail supply chain professionals, RILA Link focuses on retail-specific logistics challenges and solutions, featuring senior executives from major retailers sharing their insights and strategies. This conference is particularly valuable for networking with retail industry leaders and learning about retail-specific supply chain innovations.
Learn more about RILA >>
TPM Annual Conference
- Date: March 2-5, 2025
- Location: Long Beach, California
- Why Attend: The premier conference for international container shipping, TPM provides unparalleled networking opportunities with ocean carriers, ports, and international logistics providers. This event is crucial for understanding global shipping trends and forming strategic partnerships in the maritime logistics sector.
Learn more about TPM >>
2025 Food Shippers of America Conference
- Date: March 2-5, 2025
- Location: Palm Desert, California
- Why Attend: Focused exclusively on food logistics and transportation, this conference addresses unique challenges in the food supply chain, including cold chain management, food safety compliance, and sustainable food transportation solutions.
Learn more about Food Shippers of America >>
LogiMat
- Date: March 11-13, 2025
- Location: Stuttgart, Germany
- Why Attend: Europe’s largest intralogistics exhibition showcases the latest innovations in material handling, warehouse automation, and supply chain software. This event is particularly valuable for those interested in European market trends and automation technologies.
Learn more about LogiMat >>
ProMat
- Date: March 17-20, 2025
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Why Attend: One of North America’s largest manufacturing and supply chain trade shows, ProMat features cutting-edge solutions in manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain equipment. The event includes extensive educational sessions and demonstrations of the latest material handling technologies.
Learn more about ProMat >>
LogiChem EU 2025
- Date: March 18-20, 2025
- Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Why Attend: The leading chemical logistics and supply chain conference in Europe, LogiChem focuses on challenges specific to chemical industry logistics, including safety regulations, sustainability, and specialized transportation requirements.
Learn more about LogiChem EU >>
Q2 2025 Conferences
SITL 2025
- Date: April 1-3, 2025
- Location: Paris, France
- Why Attend: International Week of Transport and Logistics (SITL) is France’s premier logistics event, bringing together European logistics professionals to discuss innovations in transportation, warehouse management, and supply chain optimization.
Learn more about SITL >>
The Logistics World Summit & Expo
- Date: April 2-3, 2025
- Location: Mexico City, Mexico
- Why Attend: The largest logistics event in Latin America, offering insights into regional markets and connecting professionals across the Americas. Particularly valuable for understanding Latin American logistics trends and opportunities.
Learn more about The Logistics World Summit & Expo >>
TIA 2025 Conference
- Date: April 9-12, 2025
- Location: San Antonio, Texas
- Why Attend: The Transportation Intermediaries Association’s annual conference is essential for freight brokers and 3PLs, offering insights into transportation market trends and brokerage best practices.
Learn more about the TIA 2025 Conference >>
The 2025 IWLA Convention & Expo
- Date: May 4-6, 2025
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
- Why Attend: The International Warehouse Logistics Association’s annual event brings together warehouse operators and 3PLs to discuss industry trends, technology innovations, and operational best practices.
Learn more about the IWLA Convention >>
LogiSYM Asia Pacific 2025
- Date: May 20-21, 2025
- Location: Singapore
- Why Attend: The premier logistics and supply chain conference in Asia Pacific, offering insights into regional markets and connecting professionals across the APAC region.
Learn more about LogiSYM Asia Pacific >>
Home Delivery World 2025
- Date: May 21-22, 2025
- Location: Nashville, Tennessee
- Why Attend: Focused on last-mile delivery and e-commerce logistics, this conference addresses the growing challenges and opportunities in retail delivery operations.
Learn more about Home Delivery World >>
transport logistic
- Date: June 2-5, 2025
- Location: Munich, Germany
- Why Attend: One of Europe’s largest transport and logistics trade fairs, featuring comprehensive coverage of global logistics trends and innovations across all transport modes.
Learn more about transport logistic >>
TMSA ELEVATE 2025
- Date: June 8-10, 2025
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Why Attend: Focused on marketing and sales strategies in transportation and logistics, this conference helps professionals better position and promote their services in the market.
Learn more about TMSA Elevate >>
Q3 2025 Conferences
ASCM CHAINge 2025
- Date: September 9-10, 2025
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Why Attend: The Association for Supply Chain Management’s conference focuses on supply chain transformation and innovation, featuring case studies and practical implementation strategies.
Learn more about ASCM CHAINge >>
North American Supply Chain Executive Summit
- Date: September 22-24, 2025
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Why Attend: A premier gathering of supply chain executives focusing on strategic planning, digital transformation, and industry leadership.
Learn more about the North American Supply Chain Executive Summit >>
Q4 2025 Conferences
Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) EDGE 2025
- Date: October 5-8, 2025
- Location: National Harbor, Maryland
- Why Attend: CSCMP’s annual conference is one of the industry’s largest events, featuring comprehensive educational sessions, impressive keynote speakers, and extensive networking opportunities.
Learn more about CSCMP EDGE >>
Intermodal Europe 2025
- Date: October 21-23, 2025
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Why Attend: The leading exhibition and conference for companies associated with container and intermodal industries worldwide, essential for understanding global container logistics trends.
Learn more about Intermodal Europe >>
FreightWaves Future of Freight Festival
- Date: November 4-6, 2025
- Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Why Attend: A dynamic event combining technology demonstrations, market insights, and networking opportunities focused on the future of freight transportation. While you’re in Chattanooga, you must eat a Moon Pie. You can thank me later.
Learn more about FreightWaves Future of Freight >>
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the biggest logistics conferences in 2025?
The largest events by attendance are CSCMP EDGE (October 5-8), ProMat (March 17-20), and transport logistic Munich (June 2-5). These conferences typically draw thousands of attendees and feature hundreds of exhibitors.
What are the best European logistics conferences in 2025?
Key European events include LogiMat in Stuttgart (March 11-13), Transport logistic in Munich (June 2-5), and Intermodal Europe in Barcelona (October 21-23). You’ll find unique insights into European logistics trends and regulations.
Which conferences focus on supply chain technology?
Manifest (February 10-12) and ProMat (March 17-20) are particularly strong in showcasing new supply chain technologies. These events feature extensive exhibits of robotics, automation, and software solutions.
Are there any virtual attendance options?
Many conferences are expected to offer hybrid attendance options, combining in-person and virtual experiences. Check individual conference websites closer to the event dates for specific virtual attendance offerings and registration details.
Tips for Attending Logistics Conferences
1. Planning Your Conference Schedule
Start planning at least 3-4 months in advance to take advantage of early bird registration rates and ensure accommodation availability. Many conferences offer significant discounts for early registration.
2. Maximizing Networking Opportunities
Most conferences offer dedicated networking sessions and mobile apps to connect with other attendees. Download the conference app in advance and set up your profile to make the most of networking opportunities.
3. Budget Considerations
Conference costs typically include:
- Registration fees ($1,000-$2,500 on average)
- Travel and accommodation
- Additional workshop or certification fees
- Entertainment and networking events
See you all out and about this year!
The 2025 logistics conference calendar offers something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in technology, retail logistics, or international shipping, there’s a conference tailored to your needs. Remember to register early for the best rates and check back regularly for updates about virtual attendance options and agenda details. Many conferences will update their programs throughout the year to address emerging industry trends and market challenges.
Did we miss your favorite one? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list!
Need help with your trade show strategy? Let us know.
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Last updated: January 2025. Conference details subject to change. Please verify dates and locations with event organizers before making travel arrangements.
Important note: MODEX has no event scheduled for 2025. MODEX will next take place in April 2026.
by Jennifer Hart Yim | Jan 8, 2025 | Marketing, Packaging
We’re showing you exactly how packaging companies we’re working with are using account-based marketing (ABM) to increase market share, shorten sales cycles, and win more strategic accounts. Consider this a packaging professional’s blueprint for target account success.
What is Account-Based Marketing for the Packaging Industry?
Account-based marketing is a strategic approach that focuses marketing and sales resources on specific high-value accounts rather than broad market segments. This means targeting key accounts with personalized campaigns that address their unique packaging challenges, sustainability goals, and innovation needs.
Here’s an example of what that could look like for a packaging marketer:
If consumers in Brazil begin demanding smaller milk carton sizes to reduce food waste, packaging companies might use traditional marketing to broadly promote “flexible filling solutions” to all dairy manufacturers. Instead, an aseptic packaging provider could use account-based marketing to stand out and create a highly targeted campaign for Nestlé. This campaign could specifically address Nestlé’s need to fill multiple carton sizes (500ml, 750ml, and 1000ml) for their Molico and Ninho UHT milk brands on a single production line.
Unlike traditional marketing, ABM delivers:
- 2x higher engagement rates with technical decision-makers
- 42% reduction in packaging qualification cycles
- 27% increase in contract values
- 35% improvement in customer retention
How to Build a Winning ABM Strategy
1. Define Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
Success in ABM starts with identifying the perfect packaging customer. Here are some ways you can start to categorize their characteristics:
Industry Focus:
- Food and beverage manufacturers
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Consumer packaged goods (CPG)
- Industrial products
- Chemical companies
- E-commerce retailers
- Automotive suppliers
Operational Characteristics:
- Production volumes and capacity
- Geographic footprint
- Technical requirements
- Regulatory frameworks
- Sustainability commitments
Business Indicators:
- Annual packaging spend
- Growth trajectory
- Innovation appetite
- Quality standards
- Compliance needs
2. Select and Prioritize Target Accounts
Develop a tiered approach to account selection:
Tier 1: Strategic Accounts
- Major CPG companies
- Global pharmaceutical manufacturers
- Leading food and beverage brands
Tier 2: Growth Accounts
- Regional packaging buyers
- Emerging brands
- Contract manufacturers
Tier 3: Scale Accounts
- Local manufacturers
- Specialty product makers
- Start-up brands
3. Map the Packaging Decision-Making Unit
Here’s where you’ll determine who you’ll be targeting. Identify and engage with those key stakeholders. They could be part of any of the following functions:
Technical Team
- Packaging Engineers
- R&D Directors
- Quality Assurance Managers
Commercial Team
- Procurement Directors
- Supply Chain Managers
- Sustainability Officers
Executive Level
- Operations Directors
- Innovation Leaders
- C-Suite Decision Makers
Content for Account-Based Marketing for the Packaging Industry
Technical Content
Develop materials that showcase your packaging expertise:
- Barrier performance studies comparing EVOH vs. metallized films for snack packaging
- Technical specifications for child-resistant pharmaceutical blister packs
- FDA compliance guides for direct-food-contact packaging materials
- Innovation roadmaps for smart packaging with NFC technology
- Sustainability impact reports on PCR content in HDPE bottles
Commercial Content
Create content that drives packaging business decisions:
- Cost calculators comparing glass vs. PET bottles for beverage lines
- Production efficiency studies for servo-driven cartoning machines
- Risk analyses of aluminum foil supply chain disruptions
- Market trends in mono-material flexible packaging adoption
- Benchmarks of European vs. US sustainable packaging regulations
Implementing Your Packaging ABM Program
Essential Tools and Technologies
Invest in the right technology stack:
- ABM platforms for account targeting
- CRM systems for relationship management
- Marketing automation for personalization
- Analytics tools for performance tracking
- Technical collaboration platforms
Multi-Channel Engagement Strategy
Coordinate your outreach across channels:
- Technical consultations
- Innovation workshops
- Sustainability forums
- Digital demonstrations
- Industry events
- Direct mail campaigns
Measuring the Success of Account-Based Marketing for the Packaging Industry
Key Performance Indicators
Track these critical metrics:
- Account engagement scores
- Technical trial conversion rates
- Sales cycle duration
- Contract win rates
- Customer lifetime value
- Innovation adoption rates
ROI Calculation Framework
Measure your ABM investment returns:
- Cost per account engagement
- Revenue per target account
- Marketing qualified account (MQA) conversion
- Technical qualification success rates
- Long-term contract values
Common ABM Challenges (+ Solutions) Packaging Professionals Face
Challenge 1: Long Technical Qualification Cycles
Example solutions:
- Provide rapid prototyping of thermoformed packages using 3D-printed molds
- Offer accelerated shelf-life testing for new barrier materials
- Supply preliminary migration testing data for food-contact materials
- Create digital twins of packaging lines for virtual testing
Challenge 2: Multiple Stakeholder Alignment
Example solutions:
- Develop sustainability scorecards that satisfy both procurement and ESG teams
- Create ROI models that connect packaging automation with labor savings
- Build material transition roadmaps that align with corporate sustainability goals
- Provide comparative LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) data for different packaging options
Challenge 3: Complex Approval Processes
Example solutions:
- Map decision workflows
- Create milestone-based content
- Offer phased implementation plans
Top Tips for ABM Success
- Start with a pilot program focusing on 5-10 key accounts
- Invest in technical expertise and support
- Align sales and technical teams early
- Focus on sustainability and innovation
- Measure and adjust continuously
How to Get Started
- Assess your current account relationships
- Identify your top 10 target accounts
- Map stakeholders and decision processes
- Develop your technical content strategy
- Implement tracking and measurement systems
Questions We’ve Gotten from Packaging Professionals About ABM
Q: Can you give me an example of how ABM is different from traditional packaging marketing?
A: While traditional marketing might broadly promote your shrink sleeve capabilities to all beverage companies, ABM would create a targeted campaign specifically for Coca-Cola’s Southeast Asia expansion, addressing their specific need, sustainability, and localization requirements. This focused approach delivers personalized engagement at every level of their decision-making process.
Q: What budget should packaging companies allocate to ABM?
A: The most successful ABM programs are funded at about 15-25% of the total marketing budget. For example, a flexible packaging manufacturer might allocate $200,000 annually to target 10 key CPG accounts, with roughly $20,000 per account for technical content development, prototype creation, and specialized testing programs.
Q: How long does it take to see results?
A: You’ll start to see the needle move within 3-6 months. For example, you might notice increased participation in packaging innovation workshops or material qualification trials. Significant revenue impact typically occurs within 9-12 months, as seen in new packaging format adoptions or multi-year supply agreements.
Q: Which metrics matter most?
A: Focus on account engagement scores, technical qualification rates, sales cycle duration, and contract values.
Q: How can smaller packaging companies implement ABM?
A: Start with a focused program targeting 3-5 key accounts and leverage digital automation tools for efficiency and AI tools to scale.
Want to change how your packaging company targets high-value prospects and land major accounts? We’re happy to help you get started. Get in touch.
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by Jennifer Hart Yim | Jan 6, 2025 | Data/Analytics, Marketing, Strategy
The C-suite demands more than vanity campaign metrics—they require clear evidence of marketing’s contribution to revenue growth, profitability, and market share expansion. The most successful supply chain marketers have mastered a crucial skill: translating marketing activities into the language of financial outcomes.
Bridging the Gap Between Marketing and Finance
How can you be sure, really sure, that you are demonstrating concrete business value to the C-suite? While traditional marketing metrics like engagement rates and lead generation are always top of mind for marketing folks, securing executive support is really about speaking the language of financial outcomes and business growth.
Why Supply Chain Marketing Metrics Need a Financial Bent
The disconnect between marketing activities and financial outcomes often creates skepticism among executive leadership. Marketers must change their reporting from activity-based metrics to revenue-focused outcomes. This shift isn’t just about changing terminology—it’s about fundamentally reframing how marketing creates measurable business value.
How to (Effectively) Demonstrate Supply Chain Marketing ROI
1. Prioritize ROI Over Activity Metrics
Transform your reporting approach from campaign-centric to outcome-focused. Instead of: “Our packaging technology campaign reached 100,000 decision-makers.” Say: “Our targeted campaign generated $3.2M in qualified pipeline opportunities, with a 4:1 return on marketing investment.”
2. Connect Supply Chain Marketing Metrics to Revenue
Develop clear links between marketing activities and financial outcomes:
- Calculate customer acquisition cost (CAC) reduction from targeted marketing campaigns
- Measure increases in average contract value from enhanced positioning
- Track acceleration in sales cycle length from marketing-qualified leads
3. Demonstrate Long-term Value Creation
Articulate how marketing investments drive sustainable competitive advantages:
- Document improvements in customer lifetime value
- Track market share gains in strategic segments
- Measure pricing power improvements from brand building
Get Started: Steps for Calculating Supply Chain Marketing ROI
1. Establish Financial Baseline Metrics
Along with your existing supply chain marketing metrics, begin by tracking key financial data:
- Current customer acquisition costs
- Average contract values by segment
- Sales cycle duration
- Customer retention rates
2. Implement Revenue Attribution Models
Create systems to track marketing’s direct impact on:
- Pipeline generation
- Win rates
- Revenue acceleration
- Market share growth
3. Develop A Financial Reporting Framework
Structure regular reporting around business outcomes:
- Quarter-over-quarter revenue impact
- Year-over-year market share gains
- Customer lifetime value improvements
- Return on marketing investment (ROMI)
Making Your Case to Leadership
Frame the Narrative
Present marketing initiatives in terms of business impact: You could say: “Our new campaign focused on electronics procurement professionals has:
- Reduced customer acquisition costs in that sector by 18%
- Increased deal size by 25%
- Accelerated sales cycles by 30 days
- Improved customer retention by 15%”
Connect Supply Chain Marketing Metrics to Strategic Goals
Align marketing metrics with company objectives: “Our thought leadership content program has positioned us as the leader in sustainable supply chain solutions, directly supporting our goal of capturing 30% market share in the green supply chain segment by 2027.”
Show Value by Becoming a Strategic Business Partner
Supply chain marketing leaders should think like a CFO to secure executive buy-in. By adopting this mindset, marketers can transform their role from cost center to strategic growth driver. This approach not only secures executive buy-in but also elevates marketing’s position as a crucial driver of business success.
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by Jennifer Hart Yim | Dec 12, 2024 | Marketing
Trade show marketing has become a cornerstone strategy for logistics companies seeking to expand their market presence. In this guide, we’ll explore how to maximize your logistics trade show marketing investment and generate qualified leads that convert.
Major logistics trade shows like MODEX and ProMat serve as crucial networking hubs for supply chain pros. A well-executed trade show strategy can generate 200-300 qualified leads per event, making it one of the most effective marketing channels for logistics providers. Here’s how you can make your next show the best yet.
Creating Your Logistics Trade Show Marketing Strategy
Pre-Show Preparation
Success in logistics trade show marketing isn’t about luck – it’s about meticulous planning and execution. The most successful companies typically begin their preparation three to six months before the event, ensuring every detail is carefully considered. Here are 3 ways to do that.
- Set measurable goals: Target specific metrics such as “schedule 30 qualified demos” or “secure 5 partnership meetings with retailers”
- Create a pre-show marketing calendar:
- Send personalized invitations to top prospects 6 weeks before the event
- Launch a LinkedIn campaign highlighting your booth location and key offerings 4 weeks out
- Schedule social media posts featuring behind-the-scenes preparation 2 weeks prior
- Develop a clear ROI framework: Calculate your cost per lead target based on total exhibition costs (typically $10,000-30,000 for mid-sized shows)
Stand Design and Presence
Your booth is more than just a space – it’s a statement about your company’s capabilities and vision for the future of logistics. The most memorable booths tell a story through their design and interactive elements, creating an immersive experience that draws visitors in and keeps them engaged.
Transform your booth into an experience center by including:
- Live demonstrations of your TMS or WMS
- Digital walls displaying real-time shipment tracking across global routes
- Interactive supply chain optimization simulators
- Climate-controlled storage solution demonstrations
- Video testimonials from current clients running on loop
Maximizing Your Trade Show Investment
The key to maximizing your trade show ROI lies in the delicate balance between attracting quantity and qualifying quality. While it’s tempting to collect as many business cards as possible, successful logistics companies focus on meaningful conversations that uncover genuine opportunities.
Lead Generation Tactics
Modern lead generation at logistics trade shows has evolved far beyond the traditional business card exchange. Successful exhibitors use a sophisticated blend of technology and personal interaction to identify and nurture potential clients. Maximize your time and effort in connecting with prospects by using this strategy.
- Create tiered lead scoring systems:
- Hot leads: Decision-makers with immediate needs (follow up within 24 hours)
- Warm leads: Prospects planning changes within 6 months
- Long-term prospects: Companies researching options for future consideration
- Offer exclusive trade show incentives like:
- 90-day free trial of your logistics software
- Complimentary supply chain audit
- Special pricing for contracts signed within 30 days post-show
Technology Integration
Technology isn’t just part of your service offering – it’s an essential tool for engaging prospects at trade shows. The right technology can help you demonstrate complex logistics solutions in simple, memorable ways (and make your life easier!).
- Deploy AR (Augmented Reality) demonstrations showing:
- Warehouse optimization solutions
- Cross-docking procedures
- Last-mile delivery innovations
- Use RFID-enabled badges to track booth visitor engagement (See? Makes life easier!)
- Implement AI-powered chatbots for initial visitor screening
Post-Show Success Strategies
The days immediately following a trade show are crucial for converting interest into actual business opportunities. The most successful logistics companies understand that prompt, personalized follow-up is essential for maintaining the momentum generated during the show.
Create a structured follow-up system:
- Day 1-2: Send personalized thank you emails with specific reference to conversations
- Day 3-5: Share relevant case studies based on discussed pain points
- Week 2: Schedule virtual demos or consultation calls
- Week 3-4: Present customized solutions and proposals
- Month 2: Check in with prospects who showed interest but weren’t ready to commit
Calculate Logistics Trade Show ROI
Understanding the return on investment from logistics trade show marketing requires a comprehensive approach. While traditional metrics like booth traffic provide basic insights, it’s the deeper dive into performance indicators that truly matter.
Cost Per Lead
This serves as a fundamental benchmark in the logistics industry. With the average cost ranging from $150-275 per qualified lead, companies must carefully balance their exhibition investment against potential returns. This metric becomes particularly crucial when comparing different trade shows or deciding which events deserve larger budget allocations.
Conversion Rates
They tell an even more compelling story. The industry target of 20-30% reflects the high-quality nature of trade show leads compared to other marketing channels. Successful logistics companies achieve these rates by focusing on meaningful conversations rather than collecting business cards. For instance, a company demonstrating its warehouse automation solution might connect with fewer prospects but secure more serious buyers.
Six-month Revenue Generation
Perhaps the clearest picture of trade show success. By tracking deals that close within this window, companies can attribute revenue directly to their trade show efforts. This longer-term view acknowledges the complex sales cycles common in logistics partnerships, where decisions often involve multiple stakeholders and careful evaluation periods.
Social Engagement Metrics
Social metrics have emerged as a valuable supplement to traditional measurements. Beyond simple follower counts, companies track event hashtag usage, LinkedIn post engagement, and video view duration to gauge their brand’s impact during and after the show.
Successful logistics trade show marketing requires a delicate balance of traditional networking and strategic digital follow-up. Those that invest in comprehensive pre-show planning, engage audiences with interactive demos, and maintain consistent post-show communication will stand out. As we move forward, the integration of virtual elements, sustainability practices, and AI-driven engagement tools will continue to reshape how logistics companies approach trade shows. However, the fundamental goal remains unchanged: creating meaningful connections that drive business growth. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, logistics companies can transform their trade show presence from a simple marketing expense into a powerful engine for lead generation and business development.
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by Jennifer Hart Yim | Aug 28, 2020 | Blog, Logistics, Talent
Digital supply chain management requires a whole new set of skills. From an omnichannel mindset to enterprise IT use, here’s what defines success of logistics leaders.
Editor’s note: This is the final guest post in a three-part series by Kate Began of Polycase.
It took some time for the tech revolution to hit the logistics industry, but now that it’s here, everything is changing rapidly. Suddenly, it’s all about omnichannel commerce, digital transparency, and advanced analytics (among many other trends). And as the world of logistics changes, the leaders of the logistics industry will have to develop new skills with which to navigate it.
What skills will the logistics leaders of tomorrow (and today) need to effectively manage the new realities of the supply chain? These seven areas will define the success of a business’s digital supply chain operations and separate the organizations that can fuel their success with technology from the ones who must struggle to adapt to it.
To manage the digital supply chain, here are 7 skills logistics leaders need
1. Ability to adapt
Twenty-first-century logistics will require its leaders and managers to constantly learn how to use new tools and react to changing market conditions. The new logistics professional has to keep a steady hand at the tiller during times of big change and use solid data analysis to find the right path forward, even when market conditions aren’t perfectly clear.
Flexibility will be incredibly important in implementing the most cutting-edge logistics technologies such as logistics blockchain, automation, and IoT. But it’s also critical to the daily operations of logistics when it comes to filling in transportation gaps and devising on-the-spot solutions to problems. The logistician who can harness the new digital tools for these ends will be formidable indeed.
2. Proactive curiosity
Adaptation is easier when a business pursues the right new tech, rather than waiting for it to come to them. Good logistics management will also increasingly require a commitment to proactively keeping up with technological and industry trends.
The 21st-century logistician has to be well-versed in everything from industry white papers to what’s trending among logistics professionals on LinkedIn. They need to be able to spot key trends and prepare for them so that businesses can stay ahead of the curve and not get blindsided by major changes.
3. Strategic thinking
Thinking two steps ahead can be tough when the business environment is changing so rapidly, but that’s what the new millennium logistics professional has to do. They have to take the long view and keep a business’s core principles at heart when creating plans for the future.
The need for strategic thinking also means tempering enthusiasm for new tech with good judgment and analytical rigor. Unwise investment in unproven or poorly-implemented technologies can be just as disastrous for a supply chain as lagging behind in tech, so as always, there’s no substitute for clear-eyed analysis and solid planning.
4. Enterprise IT use and procurement
Enterprise IT is an increasingly critical skill set for logistics professionals. Almost all logistics companies now use enterprise IT software, such as ERP suites, to manage their supply chains, and digital logistics professionals must often make decisions about procurement and implementation of these sophisticated software products.
Knowing how to get all of these disparate technologies to work together can be an even more difficult and necessary skill. Cross-platform performance can require knowledge of APIs and other tools that have been foreign to the logistics industry until now. Much of today’s logistics software is also cloud-based, so it’s also useful to know the basic principles of SaaS architecture and cloud workflows.
5. Project management
Today’s logistics professional often has to assume leadership roles on major projects. In order to be an effective leader, they must be skilled at tasks such as:
● Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of team members and delegating tasks to them effectively
● Working with upper management to structure project calendars and deadlines
● Estimating costs and planning for the budgeting and deployment of resources
● Identifying key technological tools for driving project success
● Creating transparency at all levels of the project by deploying appropriate digital tools such as IoT sensors and shipment tracking
Twenty-first century logistics concentrates more operational and computing power in every employee’s hand than ever before—but that power only produces results when employees are managed properly by a competent project manager.
6. People skills
Speaking of managing people, logistics professionals must also remember that not everything in the digital supply chain is run by circuits in a plastic enclosure. On the contrary, old-fashioned people skills are as necessary in the logistics industry as they’ve ever been—perhaps even more so.
Supply chains now have more stakeholders than ever, and effective management requires communicating effectively with a wide variety of personalities and roles. A good supply chain manager will be able to use 21st-century communication tools to connect people and make sure everyone’s on the same page, but they must also be fluent in the “soft skills” of empathy and interpersonal contact.
Empathy also requires a zero-tolerance mindset for regressive elements like sexism and racism in the digital workplace. Logistics may not be HR, but much of the everyday work of combating prejudice is done at the ground level by managers. For a business to attract and retain the best talent, they must pursue an egalitarian vision that makes work a great place to be for everyone.
7. An omnichannel mindset
Business, both B2C and B2B, now flows through a multitude of channels. That means that for the 21st-century logistics professional, an omnichannel mindset is a must-have. Whoever your customers are, they’re now on mobile phones, tablets and even voice command services like Alexa. A business’s platform and its logistics operations must reflect this new reality.
The rise of omnichannel commerce means that logistics operations must find a way to interlock with every channel that’s important to a business. That means keeping in mind how channels such as brick-and-mortar stores, traditional online sales and mobile shopping are all distinct but interrelated and managing them with an eye toward keeping every part of the complex interplay running smoothly.
There’s no running away from the oncoming wave of disruptive technology in the digital supply chain, so the only option is to ride it. Logistics professionals who are flexible, curious and empathetic will have the best capability for managing these new realities and turning them into a profitable and efficient future.
Kate Began serves as the Sales and Marketing Manager for Polycase. She oversees the customer service representatives, assists with product development, and leads the marketing efforts from the Avon, Ohio headquarters.
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