Supply chain is not just software and spreadsheets. It is also the people, playbooks, and pressure tests that turn strategy into results.
In this segment of Freight Friends, Blythe Milligan and Grace Sharkey recap the ASCM CHANGE event in Columbus and why it felt more like an executive retreat than a standard expo.
They unpack packed roundtables, an innovation showcase judged by industry leaders, and how a procurement AI agent from Ditto earned both the judges’ and the crowd’s top vote. You’ll also hear how teams are preparing for AI in the real world, from user experience tradeoffs to the nuts and bolts of AI operations.
Key takeaways:
• CHANGE draws senior shippers who come to plan real initiatives, not just walk a floor
• Roundtables were capped and frequently full, signaling strong demand for peer problem solving
• Ditto’s procurement AI agent stood out by executing tasks directly in systems like NetSuite
• Adoption is a people problem as much as a tech problem and needs a dedicated AI ops owner
• Teams must balance user-friendly tools with system-focused performance and data rigor
• Early broker–startup partnerships co-build solutions and can shorten buying cycles
From stage to shop floor, the path to practical AI runs through strategy, patience, and hands-on execution.
???? Watch the full episode of Everything is Logistics here: https://youtube.com/live/uhknJoWb3eI
——————-
A podcast for the thinkers in freight. Everything is Logistics is hosted by Blythe Brumleve, founder of Digital Dispatch, and we’re telling the stories behind how your favorite stuff (and people!) get from point A to B. Industry topics include freight, logistics, transportation, maritime, warehousing, intermodal, and trucking along with the intersection of technology and marketing within the industry. Rated as a top 5% podcast out of all industries and growing. Follow along to stay curious and become a better thinker in freight.
Sponsored by SPI Logistics—the premier freight agent program in the country. See our freight agent guide for our interview series with actual agents on how they made the jump to SPI→https://go.everythingislogistics.com/SPI
CloneOps AI-powered phone operations for inbound and outbound calls with speed, scale, and efficiency. Our virtual agents handle high-volume interactions, automate workflows, and deliver real-time insights, freeing your team to focus on growth. Designed for logistics, retail, and beyond—seamless communication, smarter conversations, faster resolutions. Try them out→https://go.everythingislogistics.com/cloneops-AI
CargoRex – Your Logistics Hub. Explore, discover, and evolve with the all-in-one platform connecting you to the top logistics tools, services, and industry voices. Whether you’re a leader, researcher, or creator, CargoRex helps you stay ahead. Explore Now→https://cargorex.io
Follow the Podcast→ https://everythingislogistics.buzzsprout.com/
Everything is Logistics website→ https://everythingislogistics.com/
Everything is Logistics newsletter→ https://everythingislogistics.com/newsletter/
Digital Dispatch website management→ https://digitaldispatch.io
Blythe’s LinkedIn→ https://www.linkedin.com/in/blythebrum/
#blythebrumleve #everythingislogistics #logistics #supplychain #freight #trucking #b2bmarketing #freighttech #freightagent #digitaldispatch
