Zebras To Apples podcast

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes Steve Armstrong, a leadership expert with a career that spans the Canadian military, Canadian Red Cross, and many areas in between, to the show. Bryndis and Steve talk about military and emergency preparedness and how that fits in with supply chain logistics. Steve Armstrong’s experience with September 9/11 terrorist response, flood response, and military endeavors sheds much light on how supply chain is an integral part of emergency assistance. Bryndis and Steve discuss the complexities of even something as seemingly simple as getting food rations, enough for 3 meals per day for 40 soldiers, to where the soldiers are stationed. Behind every soldier, Steve says, is an estimated 3 people in administration and logistics ensuring supplies flow smoothly. They talk about emergency response and the intricacies of not just getting help in but getting debris out and where to put it. There are many things to consider in the wake of a natural disaster in terms of the logistics of assistance. But Steve also stresses that at the end of every logistics problem is a real person impacted by a terrible circumstance and why keeping them in mind is so key. This episode demonstrates the ripple effect of supply chain during crisis events and how everything is tied together. About Steve Armstrong: Steven Armstrong worked worldwide as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Red Cross for more than four decades. On the literal frontlines for many of the globe’s most notable humanitarian crises during that time – ranging from the shores of Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami, to the aftermath of 9/11 in New York, to wildfires across Canada, to the devastation of floods [most recently in British Columbia} – Steve has proven, over and over again, what authentic leadership means. Faced with complex missions and tasks that required extreme precision and unfailing resolve, Steve learned early on that properly inspiring his teams to act, move, and overcome obstacles would be the key to ongoing success. Rather than force compliance, he used his natural virtue, honour, and trustworthiness to motivate people. This exceedingly “human” side of his character enabled authentic connections and trust – instilling confidence, determination, and encouragement in all who followed his examples. As a speaker, consultant, and author of You Can’t Lead From Behind, Steve uses humour, honesty, and a lifetime of hard-learned lessons to tell his story and teach others how to become better and more effective leaders. Through his global experience, his approach is down-to-earth and genuine, giving you and your leadership team the personalized tools and confidence they need to succeed. Resources discussed in this episode: “Moving Mountains: Lessons in Leadership and Logistics from the Gulf War” by William G. Pagonis and Jeffrey L. Cruikshank — Contact Bryndis Whitson: Website: ZebrasToApples.com Instagram: @ZebrasToApples LinkedIn Contact Steve Armstrong: Website: StevenArmstrong.ca Steve Armstrong on LinkedIn — Transcript Bryndis Whitson: [00:00:03] Hi, my name is Bryndis Whitson, and you're listening to the Zebras to Apples podcast. The fun and fascinating stories of supply chain logistics. Fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, earthquakes and volcanoes. They're all over the news. They truly impact all of us. And sometimes, when we least expect it. When an emergency occurs, are we prepared? What do we do to make sure that we're ready? As those of us in Girl Guides or Scouts would say, the old motto be prepared. My guest for this episode is my friend Steve Armstrong. He has spent his career making sure that institutions and organizations are prepared. Steve and I met when I was hosting a conference entitled Ready at a Moment's Notice The Logistics of the Military and Emergency Preparedness, which is exactly Steve's career. He has worked in the military with government, the Red Cross, and is a leadership expert and consultant, as well as an instructor at Mount Royal University. This interview was recorded in 2024 before the LA wildfires. When an emergency occurs, logistics experts are there to assist in the crisis, the cleanup and the rebuild. Please join me on this conversation with Steve Armstrong. Bryndis Whitson: [00:01:23] Part of the way we met was you were working at the Red Cross, but previously before that you'd worked at the military. You've had a lot of different experiences. Maybe, let's start with just kind of a broad overview. Steve Armstrong: [00:01:35] Oh my gosh. Okay. So it's been a checkered history I would say. I was kind of asked to leave high school because my guidance counselor suggested if I wasn't doing anything, I shouldn't do it there. And I had been a member of the Army Reserves at the time and then full time service after that. Luckily for me, because I didn't have much education and ended up working through a 22 year Army career, ending up in 98/99 as a retiring as an acting RSM and Sergeant Major. And then I spent three years in the Northwest Territories in a remote community, fly-in community with a winter road for a few months of the year called Norman Wells as a town administrator, town manager. And then I joined Red Cross the January of 2001. And I remember that distinctly, because when I was hired, I was told it was going to be a quiet, simple job, that we were to gear up and mobilize and train volunteers to be prepared to respond. And if anyone's even remotely aware, 2001 was the September 11th terrorism attack in New York City. Bryndis Whitson: [00:02:51] Quite the timing. Steve Armstrong: [00:02:52] Yeah, and there was also a papal visit and a big flood in the northwest or northern Ontario on James Bay. And that just launched this unbelievable trajectory into emergency and disaster management, and part of which included most every big disaster in Canada over those 12 years or so, including few trips to the States for both September 11th and then hurricanes, and then almost a year in Sri Lanka post tsunami, doing recovery work there for most of two, well, the tsunami was, if you can imagine, was 20 years ago this Christmas. And so most of 2005, I spent time both domestically and internationally working on the tsunami response. And then I ended up at the end of Red Cross, I was in charge of all of our operations in Alberta and Northwest Territories. Coincidentally, was Slave Lake and a bunch of big disasters here. We made the headlines several times in Alberta as Disaster Central and then a retiring after the southern Alberta floods, 2013. And then since then, I've been working as a consultant and a speaker and educator and coach around leadership and organizational issues for the last 10 or 11 years. So, yeah, it's quite a career. Bryndis Whitson: [00:04:20] Very much so. Steve Armstrong: [00:04:21] My guidance counselor would crap her pants if she knew what...…

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Intro to Supply Chain Logistics with George Read / Making Negotiation Fun! 57:06

23 weeks 전57:06

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57:06

Welcome to the Zebras to Apples podcast, the fun and fascinating stories of supply chain logistics. In this first episode, host Bryndis Whitson talks with George Read, who has had a 25+ year career in supply chain, procurement and buying. The conversation focuses on his experiences in the supply chain logistics industry. George’s career runs from working with windows to office furniture through to technology and groceries. He opens a door into the world of supply chain with fascinating stories and real-world advice on how to work in the role of what he calls the unsung hero. Bryndis and George first discuss what there is to love about a career in the supply chain where, as George says, “If you do your job well nobody knows your name”. George talks about what it takes to work effectively with salespeople, the obligation of reciprocity, and how to problem-solve the many issues that crop up in the supply chain process. He shares real-life stories about everything from having products on a ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal to what happens when borders close due to war. He also tells Bryndis the secret of the five currencies that people will accept to make them want to operate in compliance and, spoiler, it’s not just about money. This episode is a revealing look into what supply chain logistics is and how it affects the products we use every day. About George Read: George Read is a Supply Chain Manager with 25+ years of experience. He is a people leader, negotiator, contract manager, and a buyer. Resources discussed in this episode: “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B Cialdini, PhD “Start With No: The Negotiating Tools That the Pros Don’t Want You to Know” by Jim Camp — Contact Bryndis Whitson: Website: ZebrasToApples.com Instagram: @ZebrasToApples X: https://x.com/zebrastoapples Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568901328147 LinkedIn Contact George Read: George Read on LinkedIn — Transcript Bryndis Whitson: [00:00:03] Hi, my name is Bryndis Whitson, and you're listening to the Zebras to Apples podcast. The fun and fascinating stories of supply chain logistics. You might be asking, what is supply chain logistics? I personally look at the supply chain as the movement of goods, people, and information. It could be rail, road, air, pipe, data. As long as it's moving, it's a part of the supply chain. This podcast episode is with my good friend George Read. This episode showcases exactly this. Plus, I personally could listen to George all day long. George has been in the field for over 25 years. Everything you touch today, everything you ate, wore, or purchased had a supply chain behind it. And that is what this podcast is all about. How did that item get to you? Was it on a ship, a train, a truck, or all three? Join me as we explore the supply chain procurement world with George Read. Bryndis Whitson: [00:01:05] So starting in this conversation, you've got so many great experiences from so many different areas of the industry, from working with windows to working with office furniture, to working in oil and gas, to working in technology, to working now in groceries, I think all of your experiences are perfect, you know, as a start, too. So. George Read: [00:01:27] No, I hear you and thank you for inviting me to your show, Bryndis. This is quite a treat. The, I think this is the first podcast, maybe second podcast I've really ever been on. But what did you want to talk about today? Bryndis Whitson: [00:01:43] I think it's really talking about a lot of the fun stories of what a supply chain, and, you know, knowing all of our conversations that we've had over the years of talking about different things, I think this is kind of the perfect opportunity to kind of talk about what makes you like supply chain, what are moments within supply chain that actually make a difference, and what would make other people realize that they love it too? George Read: [00:02:12] Well, that's a good, that's an interesting point. I don't know why anyone would go into supply chain. It's like a mistake. I mean, the supply chain is a wonderful place to be if it's something that you want to do, but I mean, supply chain is always out of step, right? Like it's always out of step with the company. Right. Because in the times when it's easy for the buyers and the supply chain people to get stuff, then the company isn't selling anything because that's a buyer's market, right? And that's when it's good for buyers. Right? And on the flip side, it's, in a seller's market, the company is doing great. They're selling stuff hand over fist. But you know as a buyer you can't get stuff for love nor money. So it's like the worst of times. So I mean why would you want to be in supply chain. But I mean, on the flip side, I know, I know why I got in and I got in it because my first boss in supply chain actually gave a class to a, you know, all of us plebs on the floor. And he was talking about how the supply chain works and about how it's a great, a great web of trying to bring all the materials into one place at one time so that you can build things and that it really is the, it really is what drives things. George Read: [00:03:25] I mean, without stuff, you know. I mean the great line, you know, the bullets and the toilet paper have to arrive at the battlefield at the same time, like without the supply chain people, literally nothing happens. And of course, the problem with supply chain people is they, it's a hard job, you know, they're unsung heroes because when you do your job, nobody knows you exist. I mean, you go to the warehouse and you want to pick up whatever, and there are boxes of that sitting there. Now, you don't know the trials and tribulations the supply chain guy went through to make sure there was a box there when you needed it. But that's, but when the supply chain guy does his job, he's invisible. And so another reason, you know, you don't necessarily want to be in the profession is that when you do your job well, nobody knows your name, like they have no idea who you are. I mean, recently we've had all these supply chain disasters. You know, shortage of toilet paper, shortage of this, shortage of that because the... Bryndis Whitson: [00:04:20] Empty shelves. George Read: [00:04:21] Empty shelves. Exactly. And everybody's all like, oh, supply chain, supply chain. Bryndis Whitson: [00:04:25] Suddenly we know what it is. George Read: [00:04:26] Yeah, exactly. But the only reason, you know what it is, is because they've been doing a quote unquote bad job. Now, have...…

Zebras to Apples

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Trailer: Zebras to Apples 0:45

38 weeks 전0:45

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0:45

The fun & fascinating stories of Supply Chain & Logistics.

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