The Zero100 Podcast: Digitally Reinventing Supply Chain

When it comes to customer service automation, have we gone too far, too fast? The Zero100 team ponders how to balance human interaction and self-service in retail and elsewhere in supply chain. Featuring: Chief Content Officer Matt Davis and Chief Research Officer Kevin O’Marah.

You don’t have to imagine a world where you can create a virtual replica of your physical supply chain – the tech is already here. This week, the Zero100 team discusses how leaders can use simulation to pre-model risk, test scenarios, and optimize operations. Featuring: VP Research Strategy Steve Hochman, Chief Research Officer Kevin O’Marah, and Head of Research Analytics Cody Stack.

Automating a desk-based process is one thing. Installing legions of robots on the frontline is another. This week, the Zero100 team unpacks the unique challenges and opportunities of automating factories and warehouses. Featuring: VP Research Strategy Steve Hochman, Principal Analyst Jenna Fink, and Chief Research Officer Kevin O'Marah.

• Fact vs fiction: the future of frontline automation (00:48)
• Unpacking the automation gap between laptop and physical work (4:31)
• Presenting automation to the C-suite: a new business case (8:24)
• Secrets to accelerating your automation journey (11:27)
• Are design constraints holding back innovation? Medtronic thinks so. (13:32)
• How Coca-Cola and Renault use simulation to change the cost equation (16:02)
• Humanoid robots: are they hype or truly useful? (19:03)
• Where humans fit into this more autonomous future (22:44)

What happens when you get 100 of the world’s most influential CSCOs and COOs in a room together? This week, the Zero100 team shares a behind-the-scenes look at Forum 2025, revealing how supply chain leaders are preparing business to cope in troubled times. Featuring: VPs Research Lauren Acoba and Geraint John, and VP of Membership, Daria Crane. 

• What is Zero100 Forum? (1:46)
• Defining “Next Wave Digital” in three key themes (02:52) 
• Attendee attitudes on change, talent, and Trump’s tariffs (4:52)
• Insights on relocation, lobbying, and more from Zero100’s Tariff Playbook (7:52) 
• How leaders are responding to shifting trade dynamics (12:04)
• AI whiplash and the end of tech for tech’s sake (13:50)
• Key challenges for the year ahead (15:30)
• Vinyl, magicians, and more off-stage Forum highlights (17:50)

Governments, corporations, disruptive startups – when it comes to AI, who gets to decide what’s right and wrong? On the Zero100 Podcast, the team waxes philosophical (and then gets practical) about the ethical implementation and regulation of AI for the betterment of supply chain and society. Featuring: Chief Research Officer Kevin O’Marah and Senior Manager, Data Science Julia Dahlgren. 

• Differentiating between AI agents, AGI, and "sentient" AI (00:34)
• What we talk about when we talk about “ethical” AI (3:14)
• What the Industrial Revolution can teach us about AI’s potential impact (6:12)
• The implications of the global power struggle over AI (9:00)
• DeepSeek and AI innovation under political constraint (9:50)
• Could the democratization of AI solve our ethical dilemma? (15:04) 
• The role of leadership (and human goodness) in keeping AI on track (16:10)

Further reading from Zero100:

The Signal: Will AGI Reflect the Best or Worst of Human Nature?

The Signal: AI and the New Gilded Age

Amid tariff drama, AI developments, and geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain leaders are being pulled in all directions – but tapping into C-suite priorities provides some much-needed clarity. On the latest episode of the podcast, the Zero100 team cut through the noise and pull out key lessons for leaders. Featuring: VPs Research Geraint John and Lauren Acoba and Head of Research Analytics Cody Stack.

• The making of our latest report, “The C-Suite Agenda: How Boardroom Priorities Are Reshaping Operations” (4:12)
• How C-suite leaders are responding to tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty (6:01)
• Resilience on offense and the case for lobbying (8:02)
• Why executives are getting serious about partner relationships (11:01)
• How supply chain leaders are wielding AI in the quest for cost savings (13:08)
• Zooming in on IKEA’s AI-powered omnichannel fulfillment system in South Korea (14:20)
• AI agents: What they are and why they matter (15:36)
• Unpacking the C-suite’s labor blind spot and the workforce of the future (17:33)
• How supply chain leaders will need to lead differently (21:37)

Between the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and California’s Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (CCDAA), supply chain leaders are in for a regulatory wake-up call. But is the challenge of compliance an opportunity in disguise? On the podcast, Zero100 VP Research Steve Hochman and Principal Analyst Jenna Fink discuss how leaders can seize this opportunity to secure a supplier information advantage over competitors.

Members, check out our latest report for me: https://members.zero100.com/the-scope-3-data-revolution/ 

Non-members, check out a preview here: https://zero100.com/the-scope-3-data-revolution/ 

• Setting the stage for the looming Scope 3 wake-up call (00:43)
• What makes tracking Scope 3 emissions so challenging (3:26)
• Why specific calculations trump general assumptions (6:16)
• Is enforceability even possible? (8:57)
• The competitive benefits of tracking Scope 3, beyond compliance (10:00)
• Organizing teams for Scope 3 action (11:30)
• Supplier collaboration stories from Unilever and IKEA (12:56)
• Zooming in on automated tech solutions from Muir.ai, Terralytiq, and Terrascope (15:15)
• Next steps for leaders (20:27)

As President Donald Trump begins his second term, leaders are bracing themselves for sweeping tariffs on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada. At face value, this doesn’t look good for global supply chains. But are disruption and inflation inevitable? In the latest episode of the podcast, Chief Content Officer Matt Davis, VP Research Steve Hochman, and Head of Research Analytics Cody Stack unpack the implications of these proposed policy shifts.

For more insights, visit: https://zero100.com/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zero100inc/

• How supply chain leaders are reacting to the threat of more tariffs (0:44) 
• A summary of Trump’s promised tariffs and their potential impact (2:58) 
• Are trade wars with Canada, China, and Mexico inevitable? (3:44) 
• What we've learned from Trump’s first term (5:28)
• New procurement strategies for the year ahead (7:24)
• Where companies are looking to diversify their operational footprint (11:39)
• Alternative scenarios that might unfold (15:15)
• Why it’s time for companies to get serious about lobbying (17:10)

From tariff threats and inflation to labor disputes and genAI, it’s been a big year for supply chain. To close out 2024, Zero100 Advisory Board members Stephanie Pullings Hart (EVP, Global Head of Operations at Nestlé) and Karin Shanahan (EVP, Global Product Development and Supply at Bristol Myers Squibb), and VP Research Lauren Acoba, dive into the year’s top stories, the tech of tomorrow, and their supply chain priorities for the year ahead.

• Reminiscing about our beloved holiday traditions (0:49)
• Encapsulating 2024 in one word (2:33)
• Addressing the elephant in the room: sustainability (4:52)
• What it really means to be resilient amidst geopolitical tensions (9:30)
• The secrets to building a happy, future-ready workforce (14:18)
• The promise and struggle of implementing AI in supply chain (19:25)
• Some sage wisdom for C-level leaders (24:44)

We may not have a crystal ball, but Zero100's data analysis has identified 10 major shifts supply chain leaders need to watch out for in 2025. This week, the team reveals the rationale behind their predictions and breaks down what they mean for you. Featuring: VP Research Lauren Acoba, Head of Research Analytics Cody Stack, and Content Director Allyssia Alleyne.

Members, get the full rundown of our predictions on the Member’s Hub: https://members.zero100.com/10-for-25/ 

Non-members, check out a preview here: https://zero100.com/10-for-25/ 

• The Zero100 approach to predicting the future (0:49)
• What’s up next for AI adoption (3:10)
• Our wild card prediction for sustainability (4:29)
• Where we think supply chain roles will disappear – and where they'll grow (5:13)
• The org model that’ll separate winners from losers (9:14)
• Our forecast for the growing AI vendor landscape (13:22)
• The secret ingredient for Scope 3 progress (16:22)

Sourcing has been last in line for tech investment and innovation for quite some time. But AI and a wave of new digital technology have the potential to turbocharge the function – if leaders seize the moment now. On this week's podcast, the Zero100 team discuss frameworks and use cases to inspire leaders ready to take the leap. Featuring: VP Research Lauren Acoba, and VP Research Geraint John.

• Why sourcing has lagged in tech innovation (2:10)
• Inside Zero100’s latest report, “Reinventing the First Mile: AI Powers a New Generation of Digital Sourcing” (4:45)
• How Tesco, Siemens Energy, Unilever, and Maersk are using AI in sourcing (6:00)
• The key sourcing “job to be done” during Trump’s second term (9:05)
• Using data mining, process mining, and AI to strengthen your data foundation (11:17)
• The three main approaches to tech stack building (13:59)
• From art to science: The new sourcing skill set (18:05)
• Key imperatives for sourcing leaders in 2025 (21:23)
• What sourcing leaders can learn from contemporary artists (23:13)

Zero100 Live 2024 didn’t just explore AI’s future impact. It delivered a bold blueprint for supply chain leaders ready to harness the AI revolution. This week on the podcast, the team unpacks the moments that made waves and the insights that left our audience buzzing (plus a few behind-the-scenes stories.) Featuring: VP Research Steve Hochman, Principal Research Jenna Fink, and Senior Account Director Jack Polikoff. 

• Unpacking the vibe at Zero100 Live (00:41)
• The topics that got people talking (2:37)
• What supply chain leaders really think about fusion teams and sustainability (7:23)
• Recapping the winner's formula for AI ROI (11:29)
• Our favorite moments beyond the mainstage (including an update on the swag shop) (14:51)

There’s more to omnichannel strategy than DTC shipping and BORIS policies. The Zero100 team discuss the next evolution of omnichannel supply chains, sharing success stories from across industries and new opportunities enabled by AI and other advanced tech. Featuring: Chief Content Officer Matt Davis, VP Research Lauren Acoba, and VP Research Steve Hochman.

• What does omnichannel mean in 2024? (1:13) 
• Why supply chain leaders struggle to get omnichannel right (2:33)
• How T-Mobile turns demand and attribute analysis into B2B success (4:46)
• Identifying product attributes – and how AI can help (6:40)
• How to convert customer needs into practical strategies (8:55)
• Omnichannel opportunities before the last mile (13:01)
• How chemical and pharma companies are embracing personalization and segmentation (15:38) 
• Using AI, machine learning, simulation, and automation to turbocharge omnichannel strategy (16:32)

Feeling lucky? On the latest episode of the podcast, the Zero100 team reveal where supply chain leaders are investing in AI to see the greatest business rewards across planning, sourcing, manufacturing, and logistics, and identify areas with untapped potential. Featuring: Co-Founder and Chief Research Officer Kevin O’Marah and VP Research Geraint John.

• Zooming in on digital as a competitive differentiator (00:25)
• Introducing Zero100’s AI Maturity Survey and investment categories (3:13) 
• Where companies like HP, Komatsu, and Henkel are investing and seeing returns in planning (5:36) 
• What’s stalling sourcing’s AI revolution? (8:16)
• The one safe bet for AI investment in sourcing (10:32) 
• Zero100’s four core data management principles (12:20) 
• What logistics leaders should be – but aren’t yet – doing with AI (15:24) 
• The biggest AI opportunities in manufacturing (17:21) 
• First steps for companies trying to decide where to place their AI bets (19:11) 
• What could the rise of AI mean for supply chain talent? (20:21)

Follow Zero100 on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zero100inc/

Members, read the full Supply Chain Rewired report here: https://members.zero100.com/supply-chain-rewired/

Non-members, check out a preview: https://zero100.com/supply-chain-rewired/

This year has seen a slew of high-profile elections worldwide. And now, all eyes are on the US as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump vie for the presidency. On the podcast, the Zero100 team breaks down what a victory for either candidate could mean for supply chain, translating policy into priorities for global operations. Featuring: Chief Content Officer Matt Davis, Co-Founder and Chief Research Officer Kevin O’Marah, and VP Research Lauren Acoba.

• How a Trump or Harris presidency could influence global trade flows (especially with China) (3:21)       
• What a Harris win could mean for trade unions, wages, and the nature of work (7:27) 
• Green light, red tape, and supply chain’s sustainability goals (11:53) 
• Why the US election is a global concern – in supply chain and beyond (14:51)  
• Separating feasible campaign promises from political theater (16:40) 
• Key priorities for supply chain leaders in the lead-up to November 5 (21:04)

From autonomous agents to specialized robotics, AI is transforming supply chain. But next-gen tech requires a next-gen workforce to maximize its potential. In the latest episode of the podcast, the Zero100 team discuss the mechanics of building human-machine teams and a skills profile for the supply chain worker of tomorrow. Featuring: Chief Content Officer Matt Davis and VP Research Lauren Acoba.

• Reflecting on one year of ChatGPT Enterprise (1:51)
• AI’s swift transition from tool to teammate (3:35)
• The logic of divvying up tasks on hybrid human-machine teams (5:17)
• How AI is changing roles and helping employees at Unilever, BMW, and Walgreens (7:16)
• The risks of letting an AI agent do a supply chain novice’s work (9:19)
• Introducing Andi: the “new-collar” supply chain worker of the future (11:00)
• Supply chain’s most in-demand skills (11:54)
• How the APAC region and the West stack up on digital skill (14:47)
• The rise of the product manager and data manager in supply chain (15:43)
• How to integrate AI into your team and grow AI literacy (19:48)

Olympic medalists and supply chain leaders have something in common: an obsession with resilience. But is it time for us to rethink our approach? In the latest episode of the podcast, the Zero100 team discusses how resilience strategies – from dual sourcing supply to predictive analytics – can help companies turn threats into opportunities. Featuring: Chief Content Officer Matt Davis, VP Research Geraint John, and VP Research Lauren Acoba.

• What leaders get wrong when it comes to resilience (3:49)
• Why companies are diversifying their supply bases beyond China (8:53)
• The challenge of balancing short-term costs with potential long-term benefits (12:36)
• How “frugal resilience” can deliver value for cash-conscious companies (14:04)
• Who should really “own” resilience? (16:53)
• The most impressive AI uses cases in resilience strategy  (18:20)
• Why Walmart, Schneider Electric, and VF Corporation deserve gold medals in this arena (21:13)

New Zero100 research reveals that the APAC region is the sleeping giant of supply chain digitization. Now, it’s time for the West to wake up. In this episode, the team explores the growing divide between East and West when it comes to digital skills, tools, and processes, and provides guidance for leaders looking to level up their own global teams. Featuring: Zero100 VP, Research Geraint John, and Co-Founder and Chief Research Officer, Kevin O’Marah.

• The markers of APAC's digital supply chain dominance (1:59)
• Four reasons the East is leapfrogging the West on digital (4:06)
• How India became the rising star of the APAC region (7:52)
• Digital success stories from LG, Toyota, Flipkart, and Huawei (9:30)
• The secrets behind Temu’s low prices (15:27)
• Strategies for connecting global teams that span the East and West (17:14)
• Lessons from APAC supply chains to tap into now (20:24)

For those of us raised on Star Wars, our expectations of robots have often outstripped reality. But as genAI infiltrates factories and warehouses, operations leaders have been given new hope. In this episode, the Zero100 team unpacks supply chain’s robotics revolution and the tech, talent, and mindset needed to capitalize on this moment. Featuring: Zero100's VP, Research, Geraint John; Co-Founder and Chief Research Officer Kevin O’Marah; and VP, Research, Lauren Acoba. 

• Why are we talking about robotics in supply chain now? (1:53)
• The data implications when it comes to using AI in robotics. (3:14)
• GenAI: net job creator or job destroyer? (7:33)
• The new skills that factory and warehouse employees will need. (09:53)
• How the fast food, hi-tech, and pharma industries are experimenting with robotics. (13:30)
• The geographical impact of automation on nearshoring and reshoring. (15:15)
• How can CSCOs and COOs build the business case for investment in new-age robotics? (17:53)
• Our predictions on what the automation of operations looks like in 10-20 years. (21:07)

Looking to shift to an AI-powered supply chain? Easier said than done. Leaders everywhere are struggling to move AI past the pilot phase or are suffering embarrassing public blunders. In this conversation, the Zero100 team breaks down the challenges stalling supply chain’s AI revolution, and shares tips for success from the companies doing it right. Featuring: Chief Content Officer Matt Davis, VP Research Lauren Acoba, and VP Research Steve Hochman. 

• How operations leaders are doing when it comes to AI. (2:02)
• The leadership skills needed to bridge the AI say-do gap. (6:23)
• Supply chain’s data readiness conundrum. (7:40)
• How Amazon and Procter & Gamble develop successful AI solutions. (10:47)
• The recipe for workforce success in the age of AI. (13:58)
• How to win board buy-in. (16:14)
• The coolest AI use cases in operations today. (19:18)