The Buzz Digital Transformers Edition, featuring Brandi Boatner: Decoding Digital

The Buzz Digital Transformers Edition featuring Brandi Boatner: Decoding Digital

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Hello everyone, good morning, good afternoon, and good evening wherever you are in the world. My name's Kevin L. Jackson here on Supply Chain Now. Today, I've taken the lead chair away from Scott Luton to host this special event. I am so, so happy to have Miss Brandi Boatner on the show. Hey Brandi, how are you doing today?

Brandi: Good, Kevin. How are you?

Kevin: This is going to be fun. Brandi is an award-winning digital communications, public relations, social media professional, and a prolific public speaker based in the Big Apple, New York City. Currently, she’s a member of IBM's corporate affairs function supporting global influencer marketing for IBM's Consulting business. She helps drive market education, brand awareness, and build IBM's reputation in artificial intelligence for the enterprise and the hybrid cloud. Today, she's going to help us decode digital. Is that a good thing to do for us Brandi?

Brandi: Yes, absolutely. This is one of the biggest issues when it comes to digital transformation—how do you communicate that not just to your customers, but to your partners and your audience.

Before we dive into that, I want to remind everyone that today is the second Monday of the month. This is the Digital Transformers Buzz where we discuss a variety of news and developments across the global supply chain. We will talk about supply chain news today, but more importantly, we'll discuss communications regarding digital transformation, an essential matter no matter the industry you're in.

We encourage you to interact in the comments, whether you’re tuned in on LinkedIn, YouTube, X, Facebook, Twitch, it doesn’t matter because this is an important conversation. Before we start, don’t forget about the US Bank Freight Payment Index for Q1 2024 that was just released. This resource provides key insights into the domestic freight market and we’ll drop a link so you can register to get this free resource every quarter.

Additionally, there are two Blockbuster webinars this week:

The Automation ROI: Solving the Top Three Operational Challenges on Wednesday, July 17th, featuring Linda Grady and Will Mansard of Bastion Solutions.
Strategies for Aligning Business Planning with Supply Chain Design on Thursday, July 18th, featuring Mariana Vich, Manager Operations Research and Network Optimization at GF, and Nari Viswanathan, Senior Director of Supply Chain Strategy at Coupa.

Scott will never forgive me if I don’t mention the latest edition of "With That Said." They talk about one of my favorite subjects: great food and great people. I love this quote from Julia Child on that show: "People who love to eat are always the best people."

Kevin: Brandy, do you like food?

Brandi: Absolutely, born and raised in New Orleans, the hometown of great food.

Kevin: I grew up on the Gulf Coast too, down in Mississippi, and I used to visit New Orleans for some great food. Good food indeed, Brandi. Are you ready to dive in?

Brandi: Let's do this!

Kevin: Our first story is from Shopify. You might ask, why talk about Shopify? Because they have a supply chain too! This article helps everyone understand the digital supply chain. Unlike the physical supply chain, the digital supply chain offers real-time visibility, automation, and collaboration, enabling proactive decision-making. It allows your company to adjust production, source suppliers, or reroute shipments to minimize delays. Traditional supply chains rely on manual, linear processes, whereas a digital supply chain integrates key steps through advanced software platforms, offering visibility, transparency, increased agility, responsiveness, and better customer service. However, these benefits come with risks like cybersecurity vulnerabilities, data privacy concerns, and high investment and implementation costs.

The article is on Shopify’s corporate blog. Brandi, from a communications strategy perspective, how does a blog fit into a company trying to think digitally?

Brandi: Great question, Kevin. A company blog is one tactic for digital-first communication. It generates awareness about your activities, in this case, the digital supply chain. Another tactic might involve your subject matter experts or executives writing their pieces, maybe on LinkedIn or another platform, to reinforce the message. This digital-first mindset isn't just about sharing information; it's about how the audience experiences your brand.

Kevin: So, generating digital-first strategies ties into our next article from US Wire about Innovative Leadership in Supply Chain and Logistics. They highlight that leaders must adopt innovative strategies to harness digital technologies. Visionary leaders need to set clear directions and build a digital-first culture. Brandi, from your perspective, what does it mean to be digital-first?

Brandi: It's about recognizing the changing landscape post-pandemic. You need to understand the players and platforms, adapt to how information is consumed and shared, and adjust to evolving credible sources. For any leader today, staying relevant means understanding this digital-first mindset.

Kevin: Keeping up with these changes seems daunting. How do you manage it, Brandi?

Brandi: You have to expect and embrace change. Knowing the digital landscape will inevitably change is part of my job’s fun. Staying ahead involves seeing trends and understanding how people consume and share information.

Kevin: That’s interesting. Our third article asks, "What is a digital supply chain network?" It draws parallels between social networks and supply chain networks, indicating that digital media platforms have made it easier to communicate and collaborate. Executives must understand that their companies need to operate within these networks to remain competitive. Given this, how do you see social media platforms transforming themselves, Brandi?

Brandi: Social media platforms are transforming at a rapid pace. For instance, Pinterest doesn’t consider itself a social media platform anymore but an antidote to traditional social media. Similarly, Snap aims to be less social media-centric. The platforms are evolving, and understanding their transformation is crucial for digital strategies.

Kevin: As our final article from IBM notes, generative AI can help procurement teams navigate the future’s uncertainties. Chief procurement officers must leverage its potential for higher-value activities. How does generative AI fit into a digital-first strategy?

Brandi: Generative AI augments what you're already doing by getting closer to the customer and understanding their needs. It helps solve business outcomes more effectively. It’s about augmenting, not replacing efforts, to ensure your digital first strategy meets customers where they are.

Kevin: Your insights have been invaluable, Brandi. What’s your top recommendation for thinking digital-first?

Brandi: Don’t be afraid to think digital-first. Stay updated because the landscape changes quickly. Digital today, tomorrow, and the future.

Kevin: Fantastic advice. How can people catch up with you, Brandi?

Brandi: My digital platform of choice is LinkedIn. You can find me there daily.

Kevin: Thank you, Brandi. Please come back again for more insightful discussions. As Scott always says, it's all about actions, not words. Take something you've heard today to improve your future. Please do good, give forward, and be the change needed. See you next time on Supply Chain Now. Thanks, everybody.

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Keywords

Digital Transformation
Digital First
Digital Supply Chain
Innovative Leadership
Generative AI
Procurement
Social Media Platforms

FAQ

What is a digital-first mindset?
- A digital-first mindset involves recognizing the changing digital landscape and adapting to new ways of consuming and sharing information. It means understanding which platforms to use and how to meet your audience where they are.
How do blogs fit into a digital communication strategy?
- Company blogs are a tactic for digital-first communication. They generate awareness and provide information to customers and audiences. Blogs from executives and thought leaders on platforms like LinkedIn can reinforce these messages.
What is generative AI’s role in procurement?
- Generative AI helps procurement teams navigate uncertainties by augmenting existing processes, improving predictive spend, and enhancing sourcing strategies. It allows teams to focus on higher-value activities.
How can leaders drive digital transformation in supply chains?
- Leaders must adopt innovative strategies and build a digital-first culture. They need to set clear directions and leverage digital technologies to improve efficiency and customer experiences.
How do social media platforms view themselves today?
- Some social media platforms, like Pinterest and Snap, are rebranding or redefining their identities. They are moving away from being seen solely as social media platforms and focusing more on delivering unique user experiences.