It's the End of the Week!

Jaksot

• 
  Behind the Headlines: Inside Sysco’s $29 Billion Restaurant Depot Deal 11.06.2026 15min

  In this edition of Behind the Headlines, David and Charles pull back the curtain on the massive news shaking up the food service industry: Sysco’s $29 billion bid to acquire Restaurant Depot. While the Federal Trade Commission and small restaurant owners parse through anticompetition fears, we dive into the stark operational realities and heavy financials behind the deal. Why pay $29 billion to secure $2 billion in free cash flow? Is Sysco signaling that geographic and inorganic roll-ups have officially hit a wall? We explore the operational differences between traditional multi-stop distribution and the "cash and carry" warehouse model. Plus, Charles shares a compelling theory on how this acquisition could fundamentally change Sysco's e-commerce and urban "last half-mile" delivery strategy —and why GLP-1 medications might actually be the biggest looming shadow over the future of the entire sector.
• 
  The CRM Playbook: Driving Adoption & Clean Data for "Seller-Doer" Teams 22.05.2026 34min

  Why do so many CRM implementations fail? In this episode of It's The End of The Week, LIDD’s Head of Sales, Jeff, and CRM Implementation Consultant, Alex, strip away the corporate buzzwords to reveal the practical mechanics of a highly effective CRM strategy. For professional services and consulting firms, sales reps aren't just selling—they are delivering the projects.This "seller-doer" reality means your CRM must be an efficiency tool, not an administrative prison. Alex and Jeff outline how to combat user resentment by tying software fields directly to business objectives, automating the tedious stuff (like duplicate checking via third-party tools), and introducing feature changes through "progressive overload".
• 
  More Than a Warehouse: Designing for the Modern Food Bank 01.05.2026 17min

  In this episode, Jeff is joined by Isaac, LIDD’s food banking practice lead, to pull back the curtain on the unique world of non-profit supply chain design. Since 2018, LIDD has partnered with dozens of food banks across North America to transform their operations through data-driven design and digital transformation. From the origin story of our work with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to the complexities of "right-sizing" 8-figure capital projects, we explore why a food bank is much more than just a standard warehouse.
• 
  The Playbook: Remodeling Food Loss in US Manufacturing with ReFED 24.04.2026 20min

  What happens to the food that never leaves the factory? In this episode of The Playbook, Gina and Maria sit down with Minnie Ringland, Senior Manager at ReFED, to discuss a year-long collaboration aimed at remodeling the landscape of food loss in US manufacturing.With key government data sets no longer available, LIDD and ReFED developed a comprehensive methodology combining primary interviews and secondary research to provide an up-to-date picture of the food system.
• 
  Behind The Headlines: Walmart Drops OpenAI & Mississippi Runs Dry 17.04.2026 23min

  In this episode of Behind the Headlines, Charles and David tackle two major stories where the "visionary" approach collided head-on with operational facts. First, we dissect the recent news of Walmart ending its partnership with OpenAI.We explore why the dream of an AI shopping agent failed because it lacked a deep connection to the ERP and real-time inventory—proving that "agentic AI" is only as good as the data it can actually act upon.Next, we head south to discuss the "Mississippi Liquor Crisis." A botched warehouse management system (WMS) implementation and conveyor incompatibility have left the state with a 174,000-case backlog and bare shelves. We discuss the dangers of inadequate testing and why a $95 million "fix" might actually make things worse.
• 
  WMS Selection Magic: Cutting Through the Noise 03.04.2026 31min

  Is your WMS selection process a value-add or just a long-winded exercise in false confidence? In this episode of The Playbook, we’re joined by Casey from Fullstride to discuss the "magic" of a successful software selection. Moving past the thousand-line spreadsheets, we dive into the "critical levers"—the core workflows and features that truly drive business value. Casey shares insights from 20 years in the WMS space, offering a realistic look at implementation ratios, vendor stability, and the essential "People, Process, and Data" framework required for readiness.
• 
  Navigating the Shift: Industrial Real Estate Strategies for 2026 27.03.2026 31min

  he industrial real estate market is taking a deep breath. In this episode of It’s The End of The Week, Jennifer Hall is joined by Rob Renaud of Encore Advisors to discuss the "rationalization" of the North American industrial landscape in 2026.
• 
  La Supply Chain au-delà des frontières 13.03.2026 16min

  Dans cet épisode de It's the End of the Week, David reçoit Marie, experte en développement commercial fraîchement arrivée chez LIDD Montréal. Ensemble, ils explorent les différences fondamentales entre la gestion de la supply chain en Europe et en Amérique du Nord. Au programme :L'évolution des normes de sécurité et le règlement machines de l'UE.L'impact de la RSE sur les appels d'offres et les réseaux de distribution.La lutte contre le « greenwashing » et l'importance des preuves scientifiques.Automatisation : coût de la main-d'œuvre vs disponibilité des terrains.
• 
  Behind the Headlines: Nike’s 775 Layoffs & The Strategic Pivot 20.02.2026 9min

  Nike recently announced the elimination of 775 roles at distribution centers in Tennessee and Mississippi. While the company cites "accelerating automation" as the driver, Charles Fallon and David Beaudet argue that this is a classic case of a strategy shift—specifically, a retreat from an aggressive direct-to-consumer (DTC) model back toward wholesale distribution.In this episode, we explore:How Nike’s distribution centers were built for a "fantasy" of consumer behavior that didn't materialize.The dangers of confusing a vision with a manifestation before demand exists.Why automation is being used as a convenient "spin" for broader business losses.
• 
  The Human Link: Engineering the Future of Planning with Jeffrey Porter 13.02.2026 25min

  What happens when a civil engineer realizes they have a knack for sales and a passion for solving complex inventory puzzles? You get StockIQ.In this episode of The Human Link, Emilio Colangelo welcomes Jeffrey Porter, CMO of StockIQ, to discuss the evolution of supply chain planning over the last 35 years. Jeffrey shares the "circuitous path" that led him from Hewlett-Packard to bootstrapping a leading smart inventory management platform
• 
  Why Data Ownership Is Critical Before Implementation | The Playbook with Simon Dubuc & Jeff Hamilton 16.01.2026 22min

  Software implementations are often celebrated for their features, but the underlying data is what truly powers the system. In this episode of It's The End of The Week, Simon Dubuc and Jeff Hamilton discuss why data ownership is the ultimate make-or-break factor for digital transformation. They also break down LIDD’s approach to Digital Transformation Roadmaps—a strategic pre-project phase that helps businesses align their technology ecosystem, budget, and timeline before committing to a specific vendor.00:00 Why data ownership is the missing piece of implementation 03:45 The risk of new features becoming obsolete at go-live 07:05 Balancing ambition with reality: The Seven Levels of WIP trap 12:28 When to use a Digital Transformation Roadmap vs. starting an implementation17:15 Identifying the right size byte for a deployment21:10 Key deliverables: Architecture, requirements, and budget timelines
• 
  The 2026 Outlook: Navigating Geopolitical Chaos & the New Growth Playbook 09.01.2026 37min

  The first week of 2026 has already started with a bang. From the seizure of oil assets in Venezuela to the shifting role of the US dollar, the "win-win" era of global trade is rapidly transitioning into a fractured, zero-sum game. For small and medium-sized businesses, the old playbook of endless SKU expansion and domestic-only focus is no longer enough to guarantee survival.In this episode, Steve Weyer and Jeff Hamilton look into the geopolitical pillars driving uncertainty this year and provide a roadmap for how enterprise leaders can hardwire their supply chains for resilience. We explore the rise of "State Capitalism," where governments pick winners and losers, and discuss why the most successful companies of the next decade will be those that look toward the high-growth markets of the Global South and Southeast Asia.
• 
  Unlocking the Power of Vibe Coding | The Playbook with Mathieu Galipeau & Alex Moreau 19.12.2025 25min

  Join Mathieu Galipeau and Alex Moreau as they dive into the world of Vibe Coding, exploring how this innovative approach bridges the gap between creativity and technology. Discover how Vibe Coding fits between low code and pro code, enabling seamless app development through natural language. Our discussion covers the benefits, challenges, and real-world applications of Vibe Coding, and how it can transform your development process.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Vibe Coding and AI Integration 01:28 Understanding Vibe Coding: Definition, Use Cases and Risks 07:37 Technical Debt and Governance in Vibe Coding 10:20 Practical Applications: Order Tracking and Container Management 14:46 Building the App: A Live Demonstration 22:05 Conclusion and Future Directions for Vibe Coding
• 
  Behind the Headlines: Yogurt Fads, Tariff Myths & Amazon's "New" Speed 21.11.2025 18min

  In this episode of Behind the Headlines, David and Charles dive into the latest supply chain news to separate the hype from the reality. Is the sudden surge in warehouse demand really about investor confidence in tariff policies, or just a market correction? We also explore why Danone can't keep up with the high-protein yogurt craze and why the food industry’s supply chain is more like fast fashion than you’d think. Plus, we discuss Amazon’s 2025 delivery speed goals—and why auto parts distributors were doing it decades ago—before wrapping up with a debate on what customers actually want: speed or reliability?Tune in for a candid look at the mechanics moving the global economy.Timestamps00:00 – Intro 00:54 – Warehouse Demand Surge: Tariff Impact or Market Correction?04:22 – Danone’s Supply Chain Struggles: The High-Protein Boom08:22 – Amazon’s 2025 Speed Record vs. The Reality of Distribution13:53 – The Debate: Do Shoppers Want Speed or Reliability?
• 
  Implement an ERP With the Help of AI | A Conversation With Justin Delisle, Co-Founder & CEO of Tato 07.11.2025 22min

  As consultants, our most valuable asset is time. How do we ensure we're spending it on high-value solutioning for our clients, not on clerical work?At LIDD, we are constantly innovating to improve our project delivery. That's why we've been piloting Tato, an AI "virtual colleague" purpose-built for complex IT and ERP implementations. In this episode, we sit down with Tato's CEO, Justin, to discuss our real-world experience and how this technology helps us deliver better, faster, and more reliable outcomes for our clients.We cover how this tool moves beyond simple meeting recaps (like Copilot) to help our teams aggregate data across an entire project , automating everything from documentation and risk tracking to standardized solution blueprints.This means less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on what matters: your business goals.We also explore:How our team uses Tato as a central "recollection base" Improving the client experience by solving the sales-to-delivery handoff How we ensure accuracy with "drill-to-source" data The future of hyper-specialized AI agents for consulting Learn more about LIDD's ERP & Digital Transformation services: https://lidd.com/Learn more about Tato: https://www.tato.co/enTIMESTAMPS:(00:00:14) Meet Justin, Founder and CEO of Tato (00:00:22) The Origin Story: A "Virtual Colleague" Born from Consulting Pain Points (00:01:15) What Exactly is Tato? (00:02:07) How LIDD is Piloting Tato for its Dynamics Projects (00:03:09) Early Use Cases: A Central Repo for Decisions, Scope, and Recaps (00:04:16) Overcoming Initial Skepticism of AI Tools (00:05:42) The Single Biggest Win: Taming the Documentation Beast (00:06:47) The Big Question: How is Tato Different from Copilot? (00:08:04) The Next Level: Standardizing and Automating Reports (00:09:24) Bridging the "Great Divide": Solving the Sales-to-Delivery Knowledge Transfer (00:11:37) From Project Management to Solutioning: The "Solution Blueprint" Case (00:12:53) The Roadmap for Scaling AI Across the Business (00:14:53) The Future of Tato: Moving from Data Capture to Intelligent Insights (00:17:14) Tackling AI Reliability and the Importance of "Data Lineage" (00:18:25) Why Hyper-Specialized Agents are the Future
• 
  What's The Deal With Apparel Supply Chains? 10.10.2025 24min

  Ever wonder how that shirt you’re planning to buy for next summer is already in production? The apparel industry runs on one of the most complex and fascinating supply chains in the world, operating on a timeline that’s a year or more ahead of the current season.In this episode, we take a look at the world of fashion logistics. We explore the "boom and bust" cycle of seasonal inventory, where warehouses build up massive stock for months only to ship 70% of it to stores in a single push. We also dive into the unique challenges of designing a distribution center that has to handle bulky winter coats one season and small summer dresses the next. From specialized handling systems like monorails for hanging garments to the modern headache of e-commerce returns and unsold inventory, we break down how your clothes truly get from the factory to your closet. Plus, a fascinating story about how RFID technology, once declared a failure, quietly transformed retail inventory management.Sections:(00:13) Introduction: What's Unique About Apparel Supply Chains?(00:49) The Incredibly Long Planning Cycle of Fashion(02:42) How High Fashion Trends Trickle Down to the Mass Market(04:59) The "Boom and Bust" Cycle of Apparel Warehousing(05:25) The Three Phases of Seasonal Distribution: Buildup, Mass Push, and Replenishment(11:00) The Challenge of Volumetrics: Why Warehouses Are Designed for Winter(13:07) Handling and Storing Clothes: Garments on Hangers vs. Flat Pack(16:06) What Are Value-Added Services (VAS) in an Apparel DC?(18:15) The Modern Challenge: E-Commerce Returns and Liquidating Unsold Inventory(21:10) Anecdote: The Surprising History and Modern Use of RFID in Apparel
• 
  Disconnected ERP and CRM Systems are Losing You 25% of Revenue, We Have a Fix 03.10.2025 14min

  A disconnect between your CRM and ERP could be costing your business up to 25% in lost revenue. When sales and operations work in silos, critical information gets lost, leading to inaccurate forecasts, poor customer service, and internal chaos. This week, Alex & Romain discuss how to bridge the gap between these two essential systems. We explore the common data challenges faced by sales teams—like lack of inventory visibility —and operational teams, who often lack insight into the sales pipeline for accurate forecasting. The solution lies in a bi-directional integration that creates a single source of truth across your organization. We discuss how platforms like Microsoft Dynamics 365 are making this easier than ever, with pre-integrated tools that provide a holistic view of your business, from the first customer interaction to final delivery. Learn more about LIDD’s services by visiting our website: https://www.lidd.comTimestamps:[00:37] Defining the role of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. [02:14] The challenges sales teams face without access to ERP data like inventory and lead times. [03:25] How a lack of CRM data impacts forecasting and production planning in the ERP. [05:05] Solving the problem with a bi-directional flow of information between systems. [08:50] How Microsoft's ecosystem (Dataverse, Business Central, Dynamics Sales) simplifies integration. [11:39] Strategic advice: Should you implement a CRM or an ERP first?
• 
  Starbucks' AI, Lululemon's Trade Problem, Jaguar Hack 19.09.2025 13min

  Is AI a game-changer for supply chain management, or just the latest round of corporate hype? This week, we go behind the headlines to find out.First, we explore Starbucks' new inventory-taking AI tool. While the company talks about accuracy and protecting revenue, we argue the real motivation is far more strategic: solving the decades-long labor shortage and improving employee retention by automating the tasks baristas hate most.Then, we pivot to the healthcare supply chain, where executives are making bold claims about AI's ability to anticipate disruptions and manage risk. We cut through the noise, explaining why many of these applications are "ridiculous propositions" and examples of the hype that leads to failed investments.Next, we break down the end of the $800 de minimis rule and the $240 million hit Lululemon is expecting to its gross margin. We explain what this policy is, how it was used, and the irony behind the US government’s current stance given its position during USMCA negotiations.Finally, we look at the massive disruption caused by a recent hack at Jaguar Land Rover, which brought its entire network of orders, deliveries, and sales to a halt. It’s a stark reminder of how vulnerable finely tuned, "just-in-time" global supply chains are to IT security failures.Timestamps:[00:00:04] - Intro[00:00:45] - Headline 1: Starbucks Deploys an Inventory-Taking AI Tool[00:02:30] - The Real Driver Behind AI in Quick-Service: The Labor Shortage[00:04:28] - Headline 2: AI in the Healthcare Supply Chain[00:05:35] - Contrasting Real vs. "Hype" applications of AI[00:07:00] - Headline 3: Lululemon Feels the Pain After the Death of De Minimis[00:07:59] - What is the De Minimis Rule?[00:09:08] - The Irony: How Past US-Canada Trade Negotiations Play into Today's Policy[00:10:28] - Headline 4: Jaguar Land Rover Production Shut Down Amidst Hack[00:11:03] - How a Hack Can Halt a "Just-in-Time" Global Supply Chain[00:12:43] - Final ThoughtsProduced & edited by: Jeremy RotenbergHosted by: Charles Fallon & David Beaudet
• 
  Le Moteur Invisible de la Logistique de la Santé 05.09.2025 14min

  Quand on pense à un hôpital, on imagine les médecins, les infirmières et l'effervescence des unités de soins. Pourtant, derrière chaque patient qui reçoit les bons soins au bon moment se cache une danse complexe de matériel, de transport et d'information : la logistique de la santé. C'est le moteur invisible qui permet à un hôpital non seulement de fonctionner, mais aussi d'exceller.Lors d'un récent épisode de notre balado, nous avons eu la chance de nous entretenir avec Martine Legault, directrice logistique du CIUSSS de la Montérégie-Ouest, pour explorer cet univers fascinant. Ce que nous avons découvert, c'est que les principes de la chaîne d'approvisionnement prennent une dimension critique lorsque des vies humaines sont en jeu.(00:00) Introduction : La logistique du CIUSSS de la Montérégie-Ouest(00:37) L'étendue cachée de la logistique hospitalière(02:11) Les différences entre la logistique industrielle et celle de la santé(03:41) Comment mesure-t-on la complexité d'un entrepôt vs un hôpital?(06:03) L'impact direct de la logistique sur la qualité des soins aux patients(07:43) Étude de cas : Le système de double casier (Kanban) à l'hôpital(10:12) Projets innovants : Chef Jasper, la cuisine robotisée(11:45) Projets innovants : La civière robotisée pour le transport des usagers(12:42) Pourquoi automatiser? Qualité des soins et attraction des talents(13:46) Conclusion et remerciements
• 
  The Secret Life of a Banana: A Deep Dive into the Banana Supply Chain 15.08.2025 20min

  In this episode, we peel back the layers on a topic that most people never think about: how bananas get from the farm to our tables.(00:01:42) The Banana Ripening Process(00:03:08) A Tale of Two Fruits(00:12:10) Banana Trivia(00:13:30) Home HacksVisit our site: LIDD.com