After 25 years at L’Oréal, Vanessa Clemendot made the leap from beauty to biopharma – and into a workforce being redefined by AI. Now SVP, Global Supply Chain at Sanofi, Vanessa sits down with Caroline Chumakov, Principal, Research at Zero100, to unpack the shift from siloed execution to cross-functional orchestration, the rise of judgment over computation as agents handle the heavy lifting, and why data literacy is now table stakes.

1. Vanessa Clemendot’s career across 25 years, 10+ roles, and 3 continents (00:55)
2. The first 90 days at Sanofi (03:58)
3. Working with AI: where computation ends and judgment begins (06:12)
4. Who owns the tech stack? It’s not one team (09:34)
5. One dataset + real time decisions = planning in orchestration (11:23)
6. M&A and divestitures across newly split supply chains (13:55)
7. Day one advice: trusting your gut (19:08)

While Davos headlines focused on Trump and tariffs, Zero100’s CEO Olly Sloboda and Chief Research Officer Kevin O'Marah came back with a different perspective. Fresh from four days of meetings with CEOs, COOs and heads of supply chain, they debrief on what they heard on the ground: why leaders are surprisingly optimistic in a time of turbulence, how the AI conversation has evolved from pilots to full workflow redesigns, and why cybersecurity emerged as a top threat to business continuity – even above geopolitical uncertainty.

1. Welcome to Davos: The vibe on the ground (01:02)
2. What supply chain leaders were actually focused on (02:56)
3. Why leaders are surprisingly optimistic despite uncertainty (04:58)
4. From AI pilots to redesigning workflows for an agentic world (08:54)
5. Cybersecurity: The uncomfortable truth COOs see (12:22)
6. What now? Practical moves for operators (15:57)
7. Final thoughts: Why human connection still matters (18:41)

In a world drowning in data and AI hype, the leaders who win aren't the ones with the best algorithms – they're the ones who can tell the best stories. Join Zero100’s Chief Research Officer Kevin O'Marah and Principal Research Caroline Chumakov as they explore storytelling as a critical leadership strategy for digital supply chain transformation and provide practical tips for winning over skeptical boardrooms. 

• The neuroscience of storytelling (02:53) 
• Why storytelling matters more than ever in the age of AI (04:18) 
• The essential ingredients: Conflict, emotion, and a hero at the center (05:50) 
• What we can learn from Indra Nooyi, Sara Blakely, Paul Polman, and Jim Rowan (08:44) 
• The Golden Nugget: How to win over boardrooms with data and narrative (14:10) 
• Understanding storytelling as a change management strategy (19:10) 
• Amazon's PR/FAQ framework: A practical tool for driving multi-year transformations (22:25) 
• Making it stick: How to practice storytelling and build it into your leadership development (24:29) 

Once known for low-cost production, the Asia-Pacific region now sets the global pace in digital integration, real-time orchestration, and AI-powered operations. From China’s consumer-driven factories to Singapore’s strategic investment in talent, APAC has created supply chains where data, decisions, and execution move as one. On this week’s episode of the podcast, the Zero100 team unpacks what’s driving this momentum – and why leaders everywhere can’t afford to ignore it. Featuring: Principal Research, Suzanne Lindsay, Senior Research Analyst, Jalen Thibou, and VP, Research, Kelly Coutinho. 

• What’s driving APAC’s digital edge in supply chain? (00:50) 
• Inside the factories syncing data and decisions at speed (03:19) 
• How real-time orchestration is pushing the region ahead (04:23) 
• Cross-industry collaboration wins in policy, tech, and talent (07:22) 
• The infrastructure powering APAC’s smart production model (10:20) 
• When AI meets skilled labor on the factory floor (15:31) 
• The big lessons global supply chain leaders can’t afford to miss (18:59) 

In the age of AI, the most powerful investment you can make has nothing to do with technology – and everything to do with your org chart. Enter fusion teams: cross-functional powerhouses that combine tech and ops expertise to deliver digital products at scale. In this episode, the Zero100 team looks at the personas that drive success and unpacks how to build, empower, and measure the success of these teams across the supply chain. Featuring: VP, Data & Analytics Cody Stack, Principal Analyst Caroline Chumakov, and VP, Research Lauren Acoba.

• What are fusion teams, exactly? (00:58) 
• Meet the key players: Citizens, Translators, and Wizards (01:32) 
• How to spot and grow Translators in your organization (05:50) 
• Fusion team archetypes in action (08:48) 
• From pilot to practice: making fusion teams stick (12:19) 
• How to spot success, and why “failure” is a key ingredient (14:37) 
• What’s next for fusion teams in the age of AI? (19:42) 

The recent digital tech boom has reshaped how supply chains operate – and the skills that powered the last era aren’t the ones that will define the next. This week, Bonnie Fetch, EVP and President, Operations at Cummins, sits down with Caroline Chumakov, Principal Analyst at Zero100, to explore how leaders can develop and empower the supply chain talent of tomorrow and build fusion teams that drive the best tech solutions.

• The role of humans in an automated world (03:05) 
• Spotting and developing tech-ops “Translators” (05:36) 
• Why fusion teams are crucial for innovation (10:11) 
• The human skills that matter most in a tech-driven era (12:47) 
• Learning and development in the age of AI (15:31) 
• Data cleanliness, the limits of AI, and knowing where to scale (18:36) 
• Building a fulfilling supply chain career for the future (21:02) 

Six months after Trump declared “Liberation Day,” tariff revenues are up, and major US investment pledges are rolling in. But at the same time, costs are rising, and global sourcing strategies are shifting fast. This week, the Zero100 team explores reshoring readiness, friendshoring alternatives, and the role of AI and robotics in turning volatility into opportunity, outlining the steps supply chain leaders must take to build resilience in a reshaped global market. Featuring: Chief Research Officer Kevin O’Marah, VP, Research, Geraint John, and Principal Analyst Caroline Chumakov. 

• Breaking down Trump’s tariff playbook (00:05) 
• What the numbers really say about trade deficits and tax revenue (02:01) 
• Moving manufacturing back to the US: Political theater or a real shift? (03:38) 
• The roadblocks slowing a reshoring push (10:17) 
• Non-stop negotiation: How global trade partners are reacting (15:44) 
• Inflation, resilience, and what supply chain leaders must prepare for next (19:14) 
• Trump’s tariffs: a win or a miss? (25:01) 

China's electric vehicle manufacturers are changing the game with seamless ecosystems that blend digital and physical production – and they're scaling without friction. This week, the Zero100 team explores how companies like BYD and Xiaomi are producing high-quality EVs faster and cheaper than Western competitors, and breaks down the operating lessons every supply chain leader needs to know. Featuring: Principal Analysts Suzanne Lindsay and Jenna Fink, and VP, Research Kelly Coutinho. 

• The three waves of China’s EV innovation (00:51) 
• How robotics help Xiaomi produce 1,000 cars a day with just 2,000 workers (02:28) 
• Unpacking BYD's battery advantage (04:26) 
• How STEM talent powers China's automotive transformation (06:03)  
• Understanding China’s EV glut and export strategy (08:54)  
• What Western supply chains can learn from China’s “seamless scale” approach (12:10)

The hype around agentic AI is real, but it’s not the only tech worth watching. This week, the Zero100 team shares the innovations they’re most excited about, including vibe coding, simulation, and AI-enhanced wearables. Tune in to find out how they're being leveraged to cut costs, boost safety, and empower problem solving across supply chain. Featuring: Chief Research Officer Matt Davis, VP, Research Lauren Acoba, and Principal Analyst Caroline Chumakov.

• Simulation, digital twins, and ”hacking uncertainty” (05:40) 
• How vibe coding is revolutionizing supply chain innovation (09:26) 
• The AI wearables that could transform human capability (14:14) 
• All together now: Building the next supply chain stack (17:18) 
• “Innovation just got cheaper”: First steps and takeaways (19:20) 

Join Jim Rowan, former CEO and President of Volvo Cars, and Kevin O’Marah, Chief Research Officer at Zero100, as they discuss how supply chain leaders can navigate today's business environment. Jim shares his framework of six interconnected technologies for future relevance, explains how AI is reshaping organizations into dynamic neural networks, and offers practical advice for leaders seeking to become strategic partners to their CEOs. 

• CSCO/COO evolution: From support to strategic partners (01:00)
• The six game-changing technologies that will drive future relevance (03:27)
• Agentic AI’s potential impact on strategy and the org chart (08:20)
• How software-first thinking transforms supply chain strategy (11:31)
• What’s next for Big Tech’s big players? (15:39)
• US-China tensions and Europe’s role in the tech ecosystem (20:06)
• How ops leaders can be effective partners to their CEOs (30:46)

AI is here. Your job is changing. But what skills will actually keep you ahead of the curve? This week, El Iza Mohamedou, Head of the OECD Centre for Skills, shares her insights on the most critical skills needed to thrive in an increasingly automated world, and the role executives must play in developing the workforce of tomorrow.

• Three critical skill categories Fortune 500 CEOs can’t ignore (00:56)
• The “soft skills” origin story (06:40)
• How countries and companies are tackling rapid skills development (09:10)
• What Singapore’s SkillsFuture policy gets right (12:01)
• What it takes to lead a true AI skills transformation (14:29)
• Emerging goldmines for AI-ready supply chain talent (18:41)
• The workplace preparation watch-out executives are missing (21:46)

AI can accelerate a fully digital supply chain, but it can also bring cyberattacks, ethical dilemmas, and sustainability risks. Zero100 Principal Analyst Suzanne Lindsay and VPs, Research Geraint John and Kelly Coutinho explore the threats faced by leaders today and what they can do to protect their organizations.

• Why cybersecurity is the CSCO’s problem after all (02:47) 
• Fighting AI threats with AI (06:29) 
• A blueprint for cyber-resilient supply chains (09:10) 
• Can AI power true sustainability? (12:01) 
• Safeguarding the human workforce in the agentic AI era (18:01) 
• The dark side vs the gains: Striking the AI balance (20:24) 

Think consumers just don’t get supply chain? Think again. Nearly half belong to personas that see its impact – and that awareness is changing how price increases land, how trust holds, and what “value” really means. On this episode, VP, Data & Analytics Cody Stack sits down with Chief Research Officer Kevin O’Marah and Director, Data Science Julia Dahlgren to break down what Zero100 learned from our survey of 14,000 shoppers across seven countries. For leaders still anchored to shelf price alone, this conversation offers a clearer view of what shapes consumer decisions as prices rise – and practical moves to use now.

1. The big question: Can supply chains under pressure keep customer trust? (01:15)
2. Inside Zero100’s 14,000-consumer survey – and where the data surprised us (02:23)
3. Breaking the myth of “the customer”: five emerging personas (04:21)
4. What shoppers are trading off and what’s keeping them loyal (11:54)
5. Keeping customers in a higher-price world: High-impact moves for supply chain leaders (18:36)
6. Where supply chain awareness goes next (22:27)

Tim Cook has generated more than $3 trillion in shareholder value as Apple’s CEO, yet tariff pressures and the AI arms race are putting his operational rigor to the test. On the Zero100 Podcast, Chief Research Officer Kevin O’Marah and VP, Research Geraint John dissect whether Cook’s “balanced excellence” can keep Apple relevant and resilient in a morphing trade landscape. 

• Tim Cook vs Steve Jobs: Who was the better CEO? (00:35) 
• From leader to laggard: Apple's product innovation downturn (02:42) 
•  Trade, tariffs, and Trump (06:42) 
• The plausibility of a US-made iPhone (09:26) 
• Reflections of Cook’s big bet on China (11:59) 
• What aspiring COOs can learn from Cook’s legacy (14:09) 
• Is it time for Cook to pass the baton? (19:18) 

The COVID pandemic was a stress test for Pfizer’s vaccine supply chain – and a powerful catalyst for change. This week, Barbara Garcia (VP, Americas Supply Chain) and Fiona Ardagh (VP, EMEA Supply Chain) tell Zero100 Principal Analyst Jenna Fink how they built a more agile, integrated, and resilient supply chain to meet surging demand and prepare for future challenges.  

• What it was like working at Pfizer during the pandemic (0:52)
• How the business adapted to meet new challenges (2:43)
• Addressing global supply chain weak spots (5:11)
• Powered by people: How talent kept Pfizer moving (7:17)
• Redefining customer experience and delivering breakthroughs (12:35)
• How AI and new tech are optimizing Pfizer's supply chain today (16:20)
• What’s next for Pfizer (19:40)

Caught between margin pressures and looming price hikes? The Zero100 team reveals how supply chain leaders can free up cash and boost profitability without sacrificing customer experience or revenue. Featuring: Research Analyst Jalen Thibou and Principal Analysts Jenna Fink and Suzanne Lindsay. 

• Why companies are struggling to hit cost and growth targets (1:54)
• Nailing the elusive balance between cost and growth (3:18)
• How Unilever and Gap model long-term cash flow leadership (4:32)
• Replicable cost optimization plays from Samsung and Lenovo (6:44)
• Your best reinvestment bets (8:41)
• Making the cost optimization mindset stick (12:46)

Given the productivity wins AI and AI agents offer, cutting headcount might seem like an obvious strategic move. But real efficiency, org success, and long-term growth hinge on rightsizing, not downsizing. VP, Research Lauren Acoba and Principal Analysts Jenna Fink and Caroline Chumakov explore why end-to-end workflow reinvention, redefining roles, and reskilling talent are a necessity in the agentic age. 

• The critical difference between downsizing and rightsizing (00:40)
• Avoiding the trap of short-termism in workforce planning (2:50)
• Lessons in building human-agent workflows (6:41)
• How leadership paradigms shift in the agentic era (8:41)
• Shaping the supply chain worker of the future (12:30)
• Roles that are growing and declining in the face of AI (14:28)
• Strategies to cultivate more Translators in your supply chain (16:34)
• Balancing headcount reduction with mindful reinvestment (18:47)
• What comes next: culture keepers and skills-based orgs (22:21)

In procurement, tight control over external spend is a golden rule for cost savings. But what would happen if leaders loosened the reins? Malik Akhtar, Chief Procurement Officer at Bayer Consumer Health, tells Zero100 VP, Research Geraint John how the company’s "Freedom to Spend Smartly" strategy is putting buying power in the hands of non-procurement users while keeping spend and supplier numbers in check.

The why and the how of Freedom to Spend Smartly (00:56) 

Initial concerns and selling the policy to the CFO (3:20)

Managing governance and non-compliance (4:24) 

How AI is helping  procurement leaders and rookie requisitioners (5:22) 

Decreasing costs, frictionless service, and other early benefits (7:09) 

Rethinking procurement skills, responsibilities, and incentives (11:28)

What’s next for Freedom to Spend Smartly (15:18)

What's keeping today’s top supply chain leaders up at night? And what opportunities are they most excited about? The Zero100 team shares their biggest takeaways from Off the Grid 2025, our recent gathering of 50+ CSCOs and COOs in Ireland, exploring everything from the future of tariffs and agentic AI to the power of fusion teams and the expanding COO remit. Featuring: Content Director Allyssia Alleyne and VPs, Research Kelly Coutinho and Geraint John.

• First things first: What is Off the Grid? (1:50) 
• Key themes: New rules of global trade and the rise of agentic AI (02:48) 
• How supply chain leaders are thinking about tariffs now (06:12)
• Evolving perspectives on the ROI of AI (10:20) 
• China’s digital innovation advantage (11:28) 
• Visibility, agility, and cross-functionality: CSCO and COO priorities for the rest of 2025 (13:53)

As GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound took the world by storm, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly faced a massive question: how do you fill the need at maximum speed? This week, we pull back the curtain on the strategies that allowed both companies to scale their manufacturing and cement market dominance, offering takeaways for any leader navigating unprecedented demand. Featuring: Principal Analysts Caroline Chumakov and Jenna Fink.

• Contextualizing the appetite for GLP-1s (0:46)
• Build, buy, acquire: How Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are meeting demand (04:05)
• The implications of Novo Nordisk’s $16.5 billion Catalent acquisition (05:53)
• How to decide whether to acquire or outsource (07:23)
• Where in the world is GLP-1 manufacturing going next? (10:36)
• DTC, telehealth, and the future of GLP-1 channel strategy (13:16)
• How AI is driving pharma innovation at Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, and Merck (17:13) 

Last year, we predicted that 1 in 5 supply chains would adopt AI agents by the end 2025 – and six months in, the data suggests we’re already there. This week on the podcast, Chief Content Officer Matt Davis and VP, Research Lauren Acoba discuss how we got here and provide an adoption framework for COOs trying to realize the opportunity ahead.

• Zero100's prediction: 1 in 5 supply chains adopt AI agents by the end 2025 (00:37)
• What sets agentic AI apart from other forms of automation? (3:47)
• Agentic AI hotspots across operations (6:15)
• How Alibaba leverages agents for supplier selection and negotiation (7:34)
• Porsche's innovative approach to quality management using agentic AI (9:45)
• Unpacking the COO's 5-Point Agentic Adoption Framework (11:53)

When it comes to tech innovation, one topic has dominated the first half of 2025: the meteoric rise of AI agents. And at Unilever, this tech isn’t just “coming soon” – it’s already here. This week, Willem Uijen (Chief Supply Chain and Operations Officer, Unilever) and Lauren Acoba (VP, Research, Zero100) discuss how the company is leveraging agents, as well as its broader AI strategy.

• Looking back at the evolution of AI, from Deep Blue to autonomous agents (1:17) 
• Unilever’s approach to AI implementation and ROI (03:29) 
• The key drivers for agentic success: upskilling and guardrails (05:50)
• Where agentic AI is delivering value within operations at Unilever (09:30)
• “Choose the race that you want to run”: An investment litmus test for CSCOs and COOs (11:21) 
• Tackling governance and data quality infrastructure (14:46) 
• How Unilever is modernizing and standardizing its digital core (16:47)
• The decision Willem would never let AI make – and the one he happily would (18:50)

ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot – LLMs are everywhere. But how do you integrate them into your operations? After a year spent developing our own LLM, the Zero100 team shares hard-won lessons and a primer on getting LLM design right. Featuring: VP Data & Analytics Cody Stack, Senior Manager, Data Science Julia Dahlgren, and Data Scientist Prajwal Bn.

• Why we built our own LLM (1:37)
• Key considerations for your build vs buy decision (2:55)
• How we leveraged open-source components (5:39)
• The promise – and challenge – of knowledge graphs (7:42)
• Encouraging adoption and winning buy-in from leadership (9:38)
• Why prompt engineering and quality training data are underrated (12:44)
• The business case for building a small language model (14:46)

Is your annual planning cycle obsolete before it's approved? This week, Zero100 VP, Research & Advisory Services Lauren Acoba, VP, Research, Kelly Coutinho, and Principal, Research, Justin Gillebo break down Continuous Planning, a new operating model that shortens the distance between signal and response. They explore what Continuous Planning is (and what it isn’t), where AI genuinely helps, and why coordination matters as decision cycles compress. A practical guide to spotting bottlenecks, evolving planning roles beyond spreadsheets, and knowing where to start.

1. So… what is Continuous Planning? (01:53)
2. The Covid inflection point – and why legacy planning struggles under faster cycles (03:22)
3. Continuous Planning as a system, not a tool (04:57)
4. AI: The magic ingredient for modern planning (06:12)
5. Why planning speed needs orchestration (07:13)
6. The evolution of the planner: From spreadsheet mechanic to orchestrator (13:10)
7. How Novartis is making Continuous Planning work in the wild (17:40)
8. A practical path to Continuous Planning (18:50)
9. What changes next (and what won’t) (21:45)

Despite recent pushback against green policy, the EU is on track to score a major environmental win. The Zero100 team dives into what supply chain leaders and policymakers can learn from this success, and how companies are still fulfilling their sustainability pledges. Featuring: Principal Analysts Jenna Fink and Caroline Chumakov and Chief Research Officer Kevin O’Marah.

• Why we're not surprised by a European climate win (1:00)
• Key lessons for all following the EU's climate success (5:17)
• PepsiCo and Mars' win-win sustainability strategies revealed (6:53)
• Why green policy rollbacks shouldn't stall supply chain action (8:35)
• Getting practical with emissions reductions: Stories from Kimberly-Clark and ODP (13:34)
• Is the energy use of large language models a true environmental risk? (16:41)

GenAI and autonomous agents are catapulting supply chains into a future that was unimaginable just five years ago, and the pace of innovation is only accelerating. Join Zero100 Chief Content Officer Matt Davis and Principal Analyst Suzanne Lindsay as they reflect on the last 20 years of digital supply chains and how to navigate today’s tech landscape.

• How Amazon amassed an incredible human sentiment dataset (2:01)
• New challenges, opportunities in evaluating the world of solution providers (4:04)
• Unilever's approach to breaking down functional siloes for tech breakthroughs (8:32)
• The new (and eternal) decision parameters for tech selection (13:37)
• Top tips for future-proofing your tech stack (18:13)

AI agents could make up a significant part of company org charts within the next five years, supercharging human productivity. This week, we look at the roles, org structures, and leadership approaches needed to drive these teams forward. Featuring: Chief Content Officer Matt Davis and Chief Research Officer Kevin O’Marah.

Unpacking Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index and the coming agent shake-up (01:00) 

Moderna’s fusion of HR and IT (02:30) 

Supply chain hiring trends for agentic AI (4:10)

“The Path to 40” and bot boss leadership (07:43) 

Amazon’s two-pizza teams, Spotify guilds, and other models for functional organization (10:34)

Moving forward with imperfect data (14:40)

Teaching ethics to AI teammates… (18:32) 

… and readying human employees to work with them (20:30)

Autonomous AI agents have gone from sci-fi fodder to the stuff of TikToks and celebrity-fronted commercials. Amid the building buzz, the Zero100 team delivers a primer on the tech and how to implement it in supply chain. Featuring: Principal Analysts Jenna Fink and Caroline Chumakov and Research Analyst Jalen Thibou. 

• AI agents have infiltrated the mainstream media (00:52)
• The promise of AI agents as teammates, not tools (04:53)
• What’s the difference between genAI and agentic AI? (05:13)
• Agentic in action: Supply chain use cases from Dow, C.H. Robinson, Yum! Brands, and Klarna (06:48)
• A primer on agent orchestration and why it matters (12:08)
• First steps and watch-outs for agent implementation (14:00)
• Building team trust and managing worker anxiety around agents (17:01)
• How Novartis and ExxonMobil are hiring to enable agents (20:00)

In today's volatile trade environment, how can you ensure your supplier relationships not only endure but flourish? PepsiCo's Chief Procurement Officer Marcelo Stefani tells Zero100 VP, Research Geraint John about how the company has revamped its SRM strategy. 

• The secret ingredient: Why SRM is a non-negotiable at Pepsico (1:03)
• Marcelo's key learnings along the SRM journey (1:53)
• Beyond cost savings: How stronger supplier relationships offer tangible value (4:08)
• How Pepsico creates "one voice, one team" for suppliers (8:56)
• What's next for Pepsico's SRM superpower? (11:28)

What if, instead of pushing change onto people, we could design it to spread itself? The Zero100 team breaks down how to use the psychological hacks that fuel memes and movements to spread new ideas within supply chain organizations. Featuring: VP Research Lauren Acoba, Principal Analyst Caroline Chumakov, and VP Research Analytics Cody Stack.

• Tariffs, agentic AI, and deeper disruption ahead (3:17)
• The reason change needs to spread faster? Creative destruction (5:51)
• Why the old playbook for change no longer works (8:07)
• What viral change looks like in a work setting (11:01)
• How Unilever avoids the dilution effect (13:19)
• The secret to getting your idea to spread (16:34)
• How to lay the foundation for social proof (19:49)
• Tips for embracing a new way of thinking (24:47)

Since Trump's return to office, supply chain leaders have been scrambling to adapt to new tariffs and a culture of uncertainty. This week, Chief Research Officer Kevin O'Marah, VP Research Geraint John, and Principal Analyst Caroline Chumakov reflect on the first 100 days of the President's new term and unpack what comes next.

• Panic or pause? Leaders' immediate reactions to tariffs (00:45)
• Next steps for navigating the new trade landscape (4:11)
• What an impending recession could mean for supply chain (7:51)
• Product pricing strategies amid inflation (13:45)
• Is the death of the Trans-Pacific Partnership the reason we're in this situation? (16:15)
• The implications of China's critical mineral monopoly (19:00)
• Why it might be harder for US companies to build green supply chains (20:40)
• The essential change every supply chain should invest in now (23:45)

Walmart has long set the bar for omnichannel innovation, with breakthroughs connecting store operations, e-commerce, logistics automation, and sourcing. Ahead of 3xOmni – an event co-hosted by Zero100 and Walmart – Andrea Albright (EVP, Sourcing, Walmart; Operating Partner, Massmart) and Lauren Acoba (VP Research, Zero100) discuss how the retailer’s strategy has evolved with consumer expectations and what comes next. 

• Unpacking the evolution of omnichannel shopping (1:04)
• Inside Walmart's next-gen omni playbook (3:35)
• How AI powers ethical sourcing and strategy at Walmart (4:55)
• Breaking down siloes to deliver on hyper-personalization (7:07)
• The secrets to optimizing supply networks using AI (11:02)
• Overcoming cultural inertia: the power of psychological safety (12:59)
• Omni lessons for everyone (not just retail!) (17:33)
• Why there's no substitute for being with your customers (18:55)

As global trade volatility soars, many supplier relationships could be headed for a rough patch. Zero100 discusses how leaders can not only maintain those relationships but strengthen them for mutual benefit. Featuring: Chief Content Officer Matt Davis, VP Research Geraint John, and Principal Analyst Jenna Fink.

• The best relationship advice the team has ever received (00:49)
• How trade shifts and regulation are putting supplier relationships under strain (1:58)
• Why strong supplier relationship management (SRM) is so important – and why it’s not been prioritized (3:13)
• Preferred pricing and premium service: The financial incentives for strong SRM (6:55)
• The Zero100 STEER framework for becoming a customer of choice (9:56)
• Lessons in SRM from SHEIN (13:13)
• How Proctor & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, and BMW are driving supplier co-innovation (15:26)
• The supply chain skills and roles needed to push SRM forward (20:56)

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.

Tariffs dominated headlines. AI moved from pilot to production. Automation got real. But what did 2025 actually look like for operators on the ground? New Balance COO Dave Wheeler joins Lauren Acoba, VP, Research Advisory Services at Zero100, to reflect on a year of “unpredictable disruption” – and reveal why the companies that thrived weren't chasing efficiency at all costs. From 806,000 square feet of robotic warehousing to the irreplaceable value of human craftsmanship, this is the 2025 year in review you need to hear.

• 2025 in two words: “Unpredictable disruption” (00:54)
• Made in USA for 75 years – validation or new challenges? (1:41)
• Private ownership's long-term advantage in a quarterly-obsessed world (3:19)
• AI moves from pilots to real wins in supplier complexity and sourcing (05:49)
• Staying the course on sustainability as the pendulum swings (07:51)
• Robots, AVs, and 100K units per day: Inside New Balance’s new Salt Lake City DC (10:35)
• What New Balance will never automate: the craftsmanship that defines the brand (13:06)
• The skills gap reality check (14:38)
• The 2026 defining move? Breaking out of operations’ four walls (20:00)

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)

For over a decade, IoT failed to live up to the hype. Now? It's quietly become one of the most transformational forces in operations — not because the buzz came back, but because sensors got cheap, 5G arrived, and edge computing actually works. Join Zero100's VP, Research Advisory Services Lauren Acoba and Principals, Research Caroline Chumakov and Jenna Fink as they unpack why visibility tech is suddenly delivering ROI, where companies are still collecting data they'll never use, and how the best operators are moving from "find this thing" to preventing problems before they happen.

• Why IoT endured when other hyped tech faded (1:01)
• RFID vs BLE: When 4 cents beats $30 (03:36)
• How edge computing finally unlocked IoT's promise (07:11)
• IoT wins from Caterpillar, Maersk and Walmart (9:41)
• Why connectivity is now a strategic differentiator (13:49)
• "Instrumentation without intention": The expensive data trap (15:08)
• Measuring ROI — beyond visibility (17:55)

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)