Joe Sudar’s Post

As a follow up to last week’s post on UPS Day sort layoffs, we take a deeper dive. Not only has network volume declined, other factors can also be in play: The implementation of highly efficient, automated super hubs. The network map shown illustrates the placement of the super hubs along with the UPS hub network (source is my own home-grown version). Major metro areas, e.g., NYC, LA, Chicago, SF Bay area, can have multiple hubs. Now I am not saying UPS is purposely diverting volume to eliminate sorts. I think the super hubs have always been part of the strategic plan to handle increased volume more efficiently. As stated in their 2020 press release: “Construction is underway for a new “super hub” located in Harrisburg to be called the Northeast Regional Hub. It will facilitate enhanced movement of goods between markets that include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York City, Baltimore and Washington, DC.” The super hubs can also be used to build “direct loads” around less efficient and costlier legacy hubs. As sophisticated as UPS network planning is, this will surely yield better cost per package outcomes. Takeaway: If you had a nice, new, shiny, and highly efficient asset, wouldn’t you leverage this to your advantage?   #ups #parcelindustry

UPS is initiating significant workforce adjustments, marking a pivotal moment for the logistics giant as it embarks on large-scale layoffs. This strategic move aims to streamline operations and adapt to changing market demands. For a comprehensive look at the implications and insights behind these shifts, read more at https://hubs.li/Q02lk6XV0.

Quits are waaay down from their Great Resignation peak. And fear of layoffs may be a major reason now, but I hope that at least *some* of the drop can be attributed to higher job satisfaction. The Great Resignation/Reshuffle in the Covid aftermath saw soaring quit rates. Sky-high job openings allowed more people to move into new jobs with better pay, better benefits, and better alignment with their goals and values. So are some of the falling quits we’re seeing now also a reflection of greater job satisfaction in those new roles? Thoughts? Did you switch jobs in 2021-22 into a role you now love? Or are you seeing people afraid to quit for fear of not finding a new job that will pay the bills?

Layoffs in logistics feel like they jumped. This week I've seen or heard of many more people losing their jobs than usual. Leaders pay attention! Now is not the time. "But we need to cut costs." "But the market hasn't recovered." You are setting your company up for trouble. Now is the time for training or cross-training. Now is the time to go against the tide. Now is the time to set your company up to grow. When the market turns (and it will) you'll need the same people you are letting go. You'll need them fast, only they won't be available. You'll need their experience. You'll need their willingness to learn and teach. You'll need the bench strength. You'll need their creativity. You cannot afford to be caught shorthanded. But far too many of you will! Wake up and set your company up to grow, become more efficient and go take market share. Cutting staff will do the opposite.

🚨 Company Update: Standard Delivery, Inc. 🚨 📢 On January 14th, Atlanta - Georgia, Standard Delivery is undergoing changes that will affect 90 employees. Our thoughts are with those impacted. Check below for more layoffs: https://buff.ly/45gu5Qr #CareerTransitions #EmploymentNews #WorkplaceChange #Georgia #StandardDelivery

Understanding FedEx Ground Layoffs: What You Need to Know In later times, the term "FedEx Ground layoffs" has been circulating more as regularly as conceivable. But what makes it cruel? Let's dive into the points of interest and get what's going on behind the scenes. What Are FedEx Ground Layoffs? FedEx Ground layoffs refer to the programmed end of specialists from FedEx's ground shipping division. These reductions happen when the company should scale down its workforce due to different reasons, such as budgetary downturns, changes in grandstand demands, or inside rebuilding. Reasons Behind FedEx Ground Layoffs There might be several reasons behind FedEx Ground layoffs. These might incorporate: Economic Factors: Economic downturns or subsidies can lead to a decrease in shipping requests, provoking FedEx to cut costs by diminishing its workforce. Technological Advancements: Automation and technological progressions may lead to a decrease in the need for manual labor, coming about in layoffs. Key Shifts: Changes within the company's key direction or commerce model may require workforce alterations, counting layoffs. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dn9ecJdb

Ironically, the leader who chose to inform employees of their layoffs via FedEx labels and an email yesterday had an interesting take on leadership lessons in part of an interview. It mentions deciding between a process and a quick decision, if a 5 minute meeting or an hour-long one is more appropriate and how it helps with leading a team and promoting buy in for where that team is going….. What is #UKG promoting from this recent event and lack of communication? But what about when it comes to informing employees of layoffs with respect rather than demoralizing them? You all would’ve known about this “process” for a while. Why did you have to make a “quick decision” to blast out return labels and a BS email? Couldn’t you have planned better for those ~2200 impacted by the umpteenth continued layoff? Perhaps that’s the leadership decision that needs pondering next in an interview and blog post. I can recommend some great leaders to you if you’d like Mr. Todd. In fact, you let some of them go…… Thank goodness and all my lucky stars that 3 years ago, I left the unicorn company that no longer existed and never looked back. Today, I’m grateful to be part of a leadership team that truly respects us as employees and treats us like more than just a laptop that needs to be shipped back. Kudos to the incredible leaders I work with now! Your genuine leadership and dedication make all the difference, especially in situations like this, where I’m reading heart break from my fellow peeps.

Too many rules! Poor performance! Too many layoffs! In 2024, we are still seeing top logistics organizations going through layoffs with the latest one being Kuehne+Nagel, other companies that are struggling to find their entrepreneurial identity back, and most of them as a result are performing poorly. Just a vicious cycle! Allow your revenue generating teams to have some freedom. Making your sales rules too complicated and rigid slow down growth, and it does not promote entrepreneurship! Do not put your people in boxes! So the questions we ask our people are: ▶ What are you good at or passionate about? ▶ What do you want to go after? ▶ And, what is your plan?" It is true that the economy is rough but, it is a massive market out there and what I am the most thrilled about is that at Custom Goods Transportation, we make it a focus to be customer centric and growth driven. Our mission is to continue to develop a successful ecosystem of clients, vendors, and team members. #entrepeneurmindset #customercentric #flexibilitybringsperformance #accountabilitytogrowth #keepthingssimple #drivenbypassion #removeinternalobstacles #gofaster #successfulecosystem

It seems that employee layoffs have become contagious among corporate giants. Following in the footsteps of Google (Alphabet), Amazon, BlackRock, Citigroup, Discord, Duolingo, eBay, Nike, Intel, and many others, UPS has recently announced a significant layoff. According to the latest data from Layoffs.fyi, more than 28,000 workers from 104 companies in the US have lost their jobs in the first month of 2024 alone. It's disheartening to witness such trends at the beginning of the new year. While I'm not a corporate guru, I strongly believe that there are alternative methods for major business conglomerates to cut costs. In addition to investing in new technologies and product developments, large organizations should allocate resources to finding ways to reduce expenses, thereby avoiding the need for widespread layoffs. https://lnkd.in/gMRyVYFk

“Richard, I can’t do it. I just can’t. I can’t take a job as a cashier. I have a college degree! And I’m supposed to work at Walmart for $15/hour?!” “You’ve been unemployed for almost 2 years. All your savings are gone…you’ve racked up massive amounts of credit card debt…you’ve lost your car…you’re about to lose your home…you can still apply for roles…” —- “Richard, I can’t do it. I just can’t. I can’t take a job as a housecleaner. I have a college degree! And I’m supposed to scrub other people’s toilets?!” “You’ve been unemployed for almost 2 years. All your savings are gone…you’ve racked up massive amounts of credit card debt…you’ve lost your car…you’re about to lose your home…you can still apply for roles…” —- “Richard, I can’t do it. I just can’t. I can’t take a job as a construction worker. I have a college degree! And I’m supposed to swing a hammer all day?!” “You’ve been unemployed for almost 2 years. All your savings are gone…you’ve racked up massive amounts of credit card debt…you’ve lost your car…you’re about to lose your home…you can still apply for roles…” —- “Richard, I can’t do it. I just can’t. I can’t take a job as a barista. I have a college degree! And I’m supposed to work at Starbucks for $15/hour?!” “You’ve been unemployed for almost 2 years. All your savings are gone…you’ve racked up massive amounts of credit card debt…you’ve lost your car…you’re about to lose your home…you can still apply for roles…” ~~~ The wave of layoffs hitting America started in Q2 of 2022…and will continue. Listed above are the conversations I anticipate having in the coming weeks. 😢 #KeepPressingForward #AlwaysBeNetworking #UpdateYourLinkedInProfile #Engage #Pivot