Ship Happens. We talk about it.
Recent Posts
How to Network When You Live Out of a Suitcase
People ask me all the time how I manage to network while living out of a suitcase, and honestly, I get why they’re curious. It sounds chaotic from the outside, new cities every month or so, different coworking spaces, shifting time zones, different languages, but for me, networking hasn’t become harder. If anything, this lifestyle has made it even more natural.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a people person. I’ve always been able to walk into a room and walk out with five new conversations to follow up on later. That didn’t change just because I packed my life into a suitcase and hit the road. What changed is the radius of who I meet. My “local” meeting radius now spans countries.
Automation vs AI: How Logistics Keeps Mixing Them Up (and Why It Matters)
This entire blog started because of my inbox. Specifically: PR emails.
If you work in or around logistics media, you know exactly the ones I mean. The subject line “AI Powered”. The whole email is full of AI this and AI that. And yet somehow, after reading the email three or four times, I still can’t tell what the product actually does.
Is it AI?
Is it automation?
Is it a well-organized workflow with a buzzword glued on top?
Because honestly, how can every new tech and platform be AI?
The more pitches I saw, the more obvious the real issue became: as an industry, we’ve blurred the line between what’s simply a fast, reliable automated process and what is actually intelligent technology capable of learning, adapting, or predicting. And that distinction matters, not just for accuracy, but for budgets, expectations, and whether a team ends up with the right tool for the right job. So let’s talk about it properly, without the jargon-y nonsense.
The Trap of Being the ‘I’ll Handle It Myself’ Person
There’s a specific kind of person who ends up in logistics: the “don’t worry, I’ll handle it” type.
Every industry has them, but logistics seems to attract them in bulk. Maybe it’s the constant problem-solving, maybe it’s the adrenaline of fixing things minutes before they break, or maybe it’s just the culture we all grew up in, where being busy meant you were important. And it shows, logistics workers actually rank #1 for burnout risk of any industry, with 20% over-utilized, 15% at risk, and the longest average workday at 9 hours and 10 minutes.
But somewhere along the way, “handling it” quietly turns into “carrying the entire company on your back.” And most people don’t realize the cost of that until they’re already paying it.
The funny thing is, doing everything yourself feels efficient. It feels responsible. It feels faster at the moment — just answer the email, just update the file, just follow up on the truck, just redo the spreadsheet because the formatting is a disaster and you’re the only one who knows how it should look.
But the truth is this: every time you jump in to do it yourself, you reinforce a system where you are the system. And that’s where the real trouble starts.
Your Brand Is Only as Strong as Your Operations
There’s been an explosion of content in the logistics and supply chain world. LinkedIn is full of polished videos, witty hot takes, and carefully curated brand stories. People, and companies, are learning that building a voice, sharing values, and connecting through storytelling can drive engagement, loyalty, and even sales.
That’s a good thing. But let’s not get carried away.
Because in logistics, your story is only as strong as your execution and service. It doesn’t matter how clever your content is if the trucks don’t show up, the freight goes missing, or no one answers the phone or emails.
Stop Selling Like It’s 1999: These Tactics Are Killing Your Pipeline
Sales used to be about being the loudest voice in the room. Now? It’s about being the most useful.
But here’s the problem, there is a lot of sales advice floating around, especially in logistics, that is completely outdated. To be honest, some of it never even worked to begin with. And worse, it’s still being taught like gospel.
If you’ve ever been told to "always be closing" or "don’t take no for an answer,” this one’s for you. Here are six sales tactics that need to die already, and what to do instead if you actually want to build trust, book meetings, and close deals (without being annoying as hell).
The Real Cost of Doing It All: A Hard Look at Cradle-to-Grave in Logistics
The cradle-to-grave model has been a staple business model in logistics brokerage for years. And with the rise of the agent model across North America, it’s seeing a bit of a glow-up.
Everywhere you turn, there’s another post selling the dream: Be your own boss. Work from anywhere. Build your own book. Keep more of your commission.
Sounds great, right? And to be fair, it can be, it’s how I started my entrepreneur journey. Cradle-to-grave can offer freedom, autonomy, and a chance to build something of your own. But let’s not romanticize it. Because when you’re the one selling the freight, booking the truck, tracking the shipment, handling the fallout, chasing paperwork, and invoicing the customer… that’s not freedom. That’s a one-person logistics department. And it burns people out.
The Art of Following Up Without Being Annoying
Let’s be honest: following up can feel awkward. You don’t want to be a pest, but you also don’t want to let that lead, quote, or opportunity quietly fade into the void.
Whether you’re in sales, customer service, or running your own small business, the follow-up dance is one you have to learn. The trick? Doing it with confidence, and not avoiding being a stage 5 clinger.
Here’s how to follow up like a pro, without feeling like icky about it.
Adapt to Connect: The Logistics Skill You Didn’t Know You Needed
If you’ve worked in logistics for longer than five minutes, you know this industry is all about relationships, and relationships are all about trust. Building that trust doesn’t always mean being the loudest, smartest, or most experienced person in the room. Sometimes, it means reading the room and meeting people where they are.
That doesn’t mean being fake. It means being flexible.
Adapting your communication style, your behavior, and yes, even your attire, is one of the most underrated skills in logistics. Whether you’re pitching a new client, troubleshooting a warehouse delay, or talking drivers through a reroute, success often comes down to your ability to connect. And connections start with how you show up.
9 Soft Skills for a Standout Career in Supply Chain
Let’s be honest, most logistics and supply chain knowledge can be taught. Understanding different transportation modes, hours of service regulations, pricing structures, and operational processes are all things you can learn through training, documentation, and shadowing others on the job. Good companies have procedures in place, and most of the day-to-day work can be handled by almost anyone willing to learn.
Not Everything Needs a Meeting: You Have Options
Raise your hand if you’ve ever sat through a meeting and thought, “this could have been an email.” Now raise your other hand if you’ve been in an email thread so long that you lost the will to live. We’ve all been there. The problem isn’t just too many meetings, it’s ineffective and pointless meetings about the wrong things.
Why Smart Supply Chain Professionals Focus on Agility, Not Trends
Every year, industry experts churn out predictions about where logistics and supply chains are headed. In 2025, AI will revolutionize the industry! The trucking market will stabilize! More visibility and transparency! Collaboration! Resilient supply chains!
Sound familiar? That’s because these so-called trends are often just recycled buzzwords—opinions dressed up as insights. Just like in fashion, trends come and go. Instead of chasing every flashy new idea, why not stick to classic, proven strategies while selectively investing in trends that show real staying power?
Confident Delegation: A Game-Changer for Logistics Professionals
Delegation. It practically feels like it’s illegal in the world of logistics. The “cradle-to-grave” mentality—where one person handles every single aspect of a shipment from start to finish—is deeply ingrained in our industry’s culture. People who are not available 24/7/365 are made to feel like absolute pariahs. And while there’s something to be said for owning your work, let’s be real: trying to do it all, all the time, is a one-way ticket to burnout and a lonely life.
What I’ve Learned as a Digital Nomad Working in Logistics
Being a digital nomad in logistics is a balancing act between wanderlust and work-life realities. While Instagram might showcase cappuccinos and croissants, the real story involves time zones, routines, and staying connected to an industry that never sleeps. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way:
From Setbacks to Comebacks: How to Cultivate Resilience
Life is filled with ups and downs, and setbacks are simply part of the journey. Whether in personal or professional settings, the ability to rebound with grace after a disappointment or challenge is key to thriving rather than just surviving. This quality—resilience—helps us adapt and grow, turning obstacles into stepping stones. Let’s explore how to build resilience and start recovering from setbacks in a way that strengthens our future.Compensation Board (WCB) contributions, and other employee protections.