Clockwork Logistics Systems

Very honored to be invited by Parabola to lead an AMA session about #InternationalLogistics and #VendorManagement (hosted by their CEO and super entrepeneur Alex Yaseen)! It will take place next Friday Jun 14, at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT. Register below 👇 ! (Yes, you can ask me anything, except for relationship advice and math!) #supplychain #ai #automation

Last Friday Robert Haney and I visited A.P. Moller - Maersk HQ in Copenhagen (a beautiful Danish summer day, BTW) for a very productive day. Big thanks to our wonderful hosts Alexa Ríos Araneda, CSCP, Lars Kastrup, Elizabeth Gunner Schermer, and Neha Bhomia! What an innovative, forward-thinking, and daring company. We treasure this partnership and appreciate the wonderful hospitality. Can’t wait to come back again.

Here! Swing by... 2C89 #bbeu24 #breakbulk

Packing up fresh tech to bring to the epicenter of Project Logistics: Breakbulk Europe. Stop by 2C89 and let's talk about Total Control! #bbeu24 #breakbulk #projectcargo

📰 Founders Spotlight Series #4: Clockwork Logistics Systems🔦 In this series, we delve into the inspiring journeys of our startup founders who have transformed ideas into successful businesses, and are accelerating the growth of the industry with innovative tech solutions. Join us as we unveil the stories of these maritime trailblazers who are reshaping the industry! 🔍 Introducing Clockwork, a start up that was born out of a desire to provide all operating partners an equal playing field, regardless of geography or size, enabling them to be seen and appreciated by shippers. Clockwork helps plug the gap between ERP systems and local handling of shipment with their #workflowoptimisation platform, allowing #logistics players to take control of their supply chain with hundreds of configurable actions and real-time #visibility data, serving as a catalyst for single-mode companies to launch into land-side operations such as #trucking, #warehousing, and trans-loading. 🔗 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/g3Mxwyeh #MVFoundersSpotlight #MaritimeTechnology #sustainability #transformation #supplychain

Ancient Greek mariners faced two dangers travelling into uncharted waters: the multi-headed snake monster “Scylla”, and the whirlpool monster known as “Charybdis.” To this day “between Scylla and Charybdis” means caught between two terrible potential disasters. Steering a logistics start-up is like navigating between the Scylla of Venture Capital and the Charybdis of the Supply Chain Market. Raising a Venture round steers straight into the mouth of the snake monster. Convoy raised $160 million from top investors which seemed to make them unsinkable, but now, Convoy is a cautionary tale. Because the expectations of the investors were out of step with what is achievable in a supply chain market suffering through an historic downturn, Convoy was swallowed up by the multi-headed snake monster. For logistics start-ups that survive the Venture monster, the evil whirlpool “Charybdis” is the perfect embodiment of the turbulent Supply Chain Market.  Industry leaders like #maersk are cutting jobs, due to a drop in their Q3 earnings from $22.9 billion in 2022 to$12.1 billion this year. This slowdown isn’t unique to Maersk; as demand decreases and earnings shrink, interest in new software shrinks at the same rate. To successfully navigate Scylla and Charybdis, a safe harbor for start-ups is Corporate Venture Capital (CVC).  #rolandberger recently published an excellent paper detailing how traditional Venture Capital investment almost halved in the first 6 months of 2023 while at the same time shipping companies are leveraging CVCs to strengthen partnerships with start-ups. The CVC helps the larger corporation to enhance their existing offerings with new tech while the start-up is able to secure much needed funding. At Clockwork we are still sailing.  Customer critical data is our North Star. The Venture Capital monster might take a bite and the Supply Chain whirlpool might slow us down… but we believe that we will be okay as long as we stay the course and continue digitizing operational partners and bringing real value for every transport order and every delivery, every time… like Clockwork.

Two Deadly Gases of Enterprise Software - Kevin Petry - said, “What I love about Clockwork is that you rush with confidence into the two deadly gases of enterprise software.” Kevin is a terrific commercial coach who we are lucky to know through our investor Newark Venture Partners. Kevin dubbed “Integration” and “Adoption” as the two deadly gases of enterprise software because he has seen these bring down many a promising young software platform.  I understand what he means. It resonates with me. Kevin is right.  We do rush into these deadly gases.   In a way, it is what we do best.  Let’s look at them one at a time: INTEGRATION:  We set up a bi-directional connection to the existing operating system which sends us transport orders and we send back “actions” for chain-of-custody or proof-of-delivery.  Stories about integration projects that last years are common. If you work in software, you can probably think of one. ADOPTION:  Everyone is skeptical about adoption - until they aren’t.  We hear “Drivers will never do it”  and we know it’s not true. Drivers, Dispatchers, Loaders, Receivers, and Remote Inventory Managers are all active on the platform.   This deadly gas can be defeated… and we use INTEGRATION to do it! Here is what we see happening: INTEGRATION solves ADOPTION:  If the interface is pre-populated with data everything gets easier. Local language, user interface, and gamification are all ingredients in the adoption stew, but the core operational data connects the partner network to our platform in a meaningful way.  We always mark the interface with our client’s logo to emphasize the relationship.  We build connected networks and that drives adoption. ADOPTION solves INTEGRATION: Valuable hi-def customer data is also hi-priority. Integration projects require focus.  Because we collect hi-value client data, the project gets top management focus. The last integration we did took four weeks, not because the Clockwork team is great at integration (we actually are), but a key factor is our customer is hyper motivated to connect and begin to gain control across their partner network. The market makes this possible.  First and final mile is digitizing and the energy from this market shift is a powerful force that surprisingly neutralizes and then dissipates the “deadly gases.” The result is 3PLs gain control of vital data from across partners who “ADOPTED” and then that customer critical data is updated to the legacy ERP via “INTEGRATION.” ADOPTION and INTEGRATION enable a strategically differentiated service across every delivery … every time … like Clockwork.

 Excited to Showcase Clockwork's 3PL Project Logistics Platform at Breakbulk Americas 2023!  I'm thrilled to be part of Breakbulk Americas 2023 in Houston, showcasing Clockwork's cutting-edge 3PL Project Logistics platform. Ever wondered if it's possible to digitize operations for your unique and complex supply chain?   Imagine being able to track SKU/serial-level inventory seamlessly across multiple nodes, all managed by various stakeholders. With Clockwork's platform, it's not just a possibility—it's a reality! Our platform is revolutionizing the way supply chains operate, enabling businesses to achieve unprecedented visibility, efficiency, and control.   See you there! #BreakbulkAmericas2023 #LogisticsInnovation #SupplyChainTechnology #Clockwork3PL #HoustonEvents