Unboxing E-Commerce Efficiency with Krish Iyer

01/06/24 • 45 min

Krish Iyer is the Vice President of Strategic Partners and Industry Relations for Auctane, which includes ShipStation, ShippingEasy, ShipEngine and Stamps.com. A respected expert in e-commerce, Krish is often quoted in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider and the New York Times. An industry leader with over 20 years of experience, Krish brings perspectives from FedEx, Pitney Bowes, Neopost and Auctane. In addition, Krish serves as the Vice President of the Package Shippers Association (PSA), which serves as the voice of the package shipping industry.

SHOW SUMMARY

In this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, we dive deep into the world of e-commerce logistics, discussing the intricate challenges and innovative solutions within the industry. Krish Iyer, Vice President of Strategic Partners and Industry Relations at Auctane, shares insights on returns, packaging inefficiencies, sustainability, and the future trends shaping the logistics landscape.

HIGHLIGHTS

[00:00:45] Implementing small yet impactful measures, like improving product photos, size charts, and detailed descriptions, significantly reduces returns at minimal cost.
[00:06:34] The returns space lacks an overarching solution despite various innovations like in-person return options, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive end-to-end returns system.
[00:18:53] The reluctance of carriers to efficiently handle residential pickups stems from historical perceptions of residential shipments, hindering effective return logistics.
[00:20:16] Challenges in packaging efficiency persist with oversize boxes and minimal packaging, highlighting the need for proper package engineering aligned with buyer habits and profile.
[00:29:25] The evolving trend focuses on integrating shipping and delivery intricacies with the shopping experience, emphasizing the significance of marrying shipping logistics with cart interactions for enhanced efficiency.

QUOTES

[00:11:04] "The best solutions for returns are free or low cost – get your product and listing right."
[00:13:19] "The initiation process of the return itself is an issue, often overlooked in return discussions."
[00:21:56] "You can't thwart human behavior or underestimate what humans will do in the packaging process."
[00:28:59] "It starts with what the consumer is buying – packaging solutions should align with consumer habits."

Find out more about Krish Iyer in the link below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/globalkrishna/

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SHOW SUMMARY

HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTES

Find out more about Krish Iyer in the link below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/globalkrishna/

Subscribe and Keep Learning!

If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges.

Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

Previous Episode

Building Logistics Moats with Benjamin Gordon

Benjamin Gordon, the founder and Managing Partner of Cambridge Capital, leverages his extensive career in building, advising, and investing in supply chain companies. With a remarkable track record, he has led investments in top-tier firms like XPO, Grand Junction, Bringg, and Liftit, among others. Prior to founding Cambridge Capital, Benjamin established BGSA Holdings as a global leader in M&A within the supply chain sector, overseeing transactions worth over $2 billion. His entrepreneurial journey includes founding 3PLex, a pioneering Internet solution for third-party logistics companies, which later got acquired by Maersk. Throughout his career, Benjamin has advised major industry players like UPS, DHL, Kuehne & Nagel, among others. He holds a Master's in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts from Yale College. Beyond his professional endeavors, Benjamin is an active civic leader dedicated to fostering community engagement, having founded GesherCity and contributed to various non-profit organizations and boards, showcasing his commitment to philanthropy and leadership.

SHOW SUMMARY

In this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast,

HIGHLIGHTS

[00:02:05] Looking back at the past 12 months in the logistics industry
[00:06:39] Signs that things are starting to get better in the industry
[00:08:42] The impact of bankruptcies on correcting supply and demand imbalances
[00:11:00] Positive outlook due to more favorable interest rates and inflation stabilization
[00:13:28] Examples of companies with moats: Green Screens and ReverseLogix
[00:19:13] Advice: Companies should focus on doing one thing extremely well
[00:22:45] Examples of companies doing an outstanding job in their field: Green Screens and ReverseLogix
[00:29:42] BGSA Supply Chain Conference aims to gather top industry leaders
[00:33:35] Invitation-only event, but open to inquiries for invitations
[00:38:51] The conference will take place in Palm Beach, Florida.

QUOTES

[00:03:38] "Too much capacity chasing too little demand is one of the consequences of the cyclical nature of the logistics industry."
[00:19:53] "The most successful companies tend to be doing one thing extremely well."
[00:22:35] "Focus on doing one thing really well and become a leader in that area."

Find out more about Benjamin Gordon in the link below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengordon18/

Subscribe and Keep Learning!

If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges.

Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

Next Episode

From Data to Delivery: How AI is Transforming Supply Chain with Inna Kuznetsova

Inna Kuznetsova, the CEO of ToolsGroup, is a seasoned leader in the realm of AI-powered solutions for supply chain management. With a career dedicated to integrating technology and innovation into the supply chain, Inna oversees ToolsGroup's cutting-edge solutions utilized by retailers, manufacturers, and distributors globally. Her impressive track record includes prior roles as the CEO of 1010data and key positions at INTTRA, CEVA Logistics, and IBM. As an independent director, Inna contributes her expertise to the board of Freightos, a publicly traded SaaS marketplace platform. A distinguished mathematician with MS and Ph.D. degrees from Moscow State University and an MBA from Columbia Business School, Inna is also a recognized author and speaker, having received the Women in Supply Chain Award for three consecutive years.

SHOW SUMMARY

In this episode of eCom Logistics Podcast, Dan Coll and Ninaad Acharya interview Inna Kuznetsova, CEO of Tools Group, about the role of AI in demand planning and supply chain management. Inna shares her insights on how AI can improve demand forecasting, optimize inventory management, and enhance pricing and markdown strategies. She emphasizes the importance of leveraging data and implementing dynamic planning to navigate the complexities of today's supply chain landscape. Inna also discusses the challenges and opportunities for e-commerce brands in diversifying their sales channels and managing returns effectively.

HIGHLIGHTS

[00:00:00] Introduction to the podcast and guest's background
[00:03:12] The impactful moments and philosophies in the guest's career
[00:09:02] The role of AI in demand planning and supply chain
[00:13:10] The use of probabilistic models in demand forecasting
[00:14:19] The advantages of using artificial intelligence in forecasting and managing inventory
[00:18:20] The role of AI in reducing the bullwhip effect during disruptions like COVID-19
[00:23:48] The role of AI in allocation planning and optimizing inventory distribution
[00:25:05] Case study example of allocation planning for a retailer in a resort area
[00:27:33] The benefits of fulfilling orders from stores and intelligent optimization of markdowns
[00:31:24] Importance of dynamic fulfillment and holistic approach to e-commerce
[00:40:43] The proliferation of shipping from store and its advantages/disadvantages
[00:43:29] Rethinking shipment strategies and returns
[00:44:17] Managing returns and decision-making
[00:46:20] Implementing digital twin for intelligent returns

QUOTES

[00:11:44] "The reason why I was so attracted to ToolsGroup, why I left my previous role to jump into this current journey was because ToolsGroup was a pioneer in using machine learning in demand forecasting, which they started doing 15 years ago."
[00:18:20] "With the help of machine learning, you can fulfill better from the stores. It's not just fulfillment from the warehouse. It'd be much more efficient fulfilling from a store where that item may be marked down by 50 percent tomorrow, even if it costs you a little bit more in shipping."
[00:43:29] "Moving from static planning to dynamic planning and then to navigation through the supply chain is the future trend I'm most excited about. It will minimize the amount of unproductive work made by human beings and allow them to focus on more strategic discussions."

Find out more about Inna Kuznetsova in the link below:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ikuznetsova/

Subscribe and Keep Learning!

If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges.

Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube