Landmark partnership between Amazon and health care provider on its way…
Good morning! Happy National Tortilla Chip Day! As we celebrate this delicious snack, it's also an opportunity to reflect on the complex supply chain that brings this product to our shelves. From sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products, the tortilla chip supply chain involves multiple stakeholders, including farmers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, all working together to meet the demand of consumers.
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Amazon is expanding its Telehealth services by acquiring One Medical, a healthcare serve that will help the retailer make valuable relationships with hospital systems across the globe. Amazon has stated that all new customers of One Medical will receive a $55 discount on an annual membership for a short time only.
Check out today’s featured article from CNN Business to read about the recent acquisition of health care provider One Medical for $3.9 billion by the e-commerce giant Amazon. What could a partnership like this mean for consumers?
Featured Article:
Amazon closes $3.9 billion deal to acquire One Medical | CNN Business
“Amazon closed its acquisition of health care provider One Medical and its parent in a $3.9 billion deal on Wednesday, hours after the Federal Trade Commission said it would not challenge the purchase but that regulators were still investigating potential competitive and consumer harms of the transaction.”
Railroad & HR 🚂
Norfolk Southern is the latest railroad offering paid sick time
There has been many quality of life complaints that have arose during contract negations between the railroad unions and companies. The complaints have now resulted in 4 paid sick days a year plus the ability to convert 3 personal leave days into sick days, if desired. Sick leave enables workers to take time off when they are ill, injured, or need to care for a family member who is sick or injured. This promotes their physical and mental health, as well as the health of their families.
Railroad workers have physically demanding and safety-sensitive jobs that require them to be alert and focused. If they come to work sick, they may not be able to perform their duties safely, putting themselves and their coworkers at risk. When workers are sick, their productivity may suffer, which can impact the overall productivity of the railroad. Providing sick leave enables workers to recover fully before returning to work, which can increase their productivity when they do return. Providing sick leave is an important part of maintaining good labor relations. When workers feel that they are supported and valued by their employer, they are more likely to be satisfied with their job and to be more productive.
Government & Trains 🇺🇸
Biden hopes to revive regulations the railroads once fought against
After the Norfolk Southern train derailment in early February, the Biden administration and regulators are taking a look at rail regulations. The railroad has been lobbying aggressively for quite some time against regulation reform, but after the Ohio disaster it is clear that the issue needs a keen eye.
Rail regulations play a critical role in ensuring the safety, fairness, and sustainability of the rail industry, as well as promoting economic stability and serving the public interest. Without these regulations, the rail industry could be subject to greater risks, uncertainty, and instability, which could ultimately harm employees, passengers, communities, and the broader economy.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
🏆 The winners of the Power of the Professional Supply Chain awards have been announced. Gartner has presented the winners of the 4 categories: Patient Innovation, Technology Innovation, Social Impact, and People Breakthrough. Gartner is a global research and advisory firm that provides insights, advice, and tools to help organizations make informed business decisions. Gartner's research covers a wide range of topics, including IT, marketing, supply chain management, and human resources.
🌎 Global trade is being deeply impacted by climate change policy. As more countries and organizations prioritize efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, these efforts are affecting trade in a variety of ways. Governments around the world are implementing regulations and standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. This is leading to increased scrutiny of trade practices, with some countries implementing tariffs or trade restrictions on products that do not meet certain environmental standards.
🗺️ AI-mapping: is this the answer for supply chain resiliency? The best solution depends on a variety of factors, including the complexity of the supply chain, the amount of data available, and the specific goals of the mapping project. AI mapping, which involves the use of machine learning algorithms to analyze and visualize supply chain data, can be particularly useful for identifying patterns and relationships within the supply chain that might not be immediately apparent. It can help organizations identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement, and can be particularly helpful in identifying opportunities for cost savings and optimization.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
💼 Americans want to cancel the 5-day work week. Across the pond, over 60 companies experimented with a 4-day work week - and out of those companies, about 90% of them continued with the shorter work week due to its high success. With a shorter work week, people seem to have more time to pursue other interests, spend time with their family and friends, and engage in activities that contribute to their physical and mental well-being.
🛫 Tired of plane delays? There might be a simple fix. Airline delays can be caused by a variety of factors, including weather conditions, air traffic congestion, maintenance issues, and logistical problems. Governments can invest in expanding airport capacity and improving air traffic control systems to reduce congestion and improve efficiency. While these measures can help reduce the likelihood of delays, they cannot completely eliminate them. Delays will always be a risk in the airline industry, and it is important for airlines to have effective contingency plans in place to manage them when they do occur.
🛒 Superstore giant Walmart has said customers will feel the inflation. Walmart has signaled that customers will likely slow their purchasing, even after strong holiday sales and profit last quarter. Home Depot has also felt the crunch by their shares falling 7% on February 21.
🤝 Supply chain organizations should refocus on customer service. Customer service has a significant impact on customer satisfaction and loyalty. By providing accessible and reliable customer service, organizations can enhance the overall customer experience and create a competitive advantage. When customers can easily access customer service representatives to get their questions answered and concerns addressed, they are more likely to be satisfied with their experience. This can lead to positive reviews and recommendations, attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.
🌧️ Drivers beware: spring weather calls for safety preparation. Extreme spring weather can present a number of challenges for drivers, particularly those who are driving long distances or in areas that are prone to severe weather events. In extreme spring weather, it is important for drivers to adjust their driving speed to suit the road conditions. Drivers should slow down and maintain a safe following distance to allow for sudden stops or changes in road conditions. Before embarking on a trip, drivers should ensure that their vehicle is properly maintained and equipped for the weather conditions they may encounter.
⛽️ You don’t need to be a trucker to enjoy a truck stop! Trucker Path - a mobile app for truck drivers - has laid out the top truck stops across America, with Davenport, Iowa’s Kwik Star #1071 taking the top spot. Truck stops are critical for truck drivers to rejuvenate after long hours on the road. However, anyone can stop off their gas tank and recognize the importance of the locations on our nation’s freeways.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
💻 Digital supply chain transformation is crucial for business success. Digital supply chain transformation is crucial for businesses to stay competitive in today's fast-paced and constantly changing marketplace. By leveraging technology to streamline processes, improve visibility, and make better-informed decisions, businesses can achieve operational excellence, reduce costs, and provide better customer service, ultimately leading to business success.
✈️ FedEx pilot Union leaders approve of the upcoming vote to strike against the company. The FedEx Express pilot union, also known as the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), represents the pilots who fly for FedEx Express. As a union, its primary role is to advocate for the interests of its members, including negotiating collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with FedEx Express on issues such as pay, benefits, and working conditions.
🚛 Trucking industry hiring looks dim in 2023. More than half of the 108 carriers and brokers surveyed by TMS provider Rose Rocket have said that retaining and hiring truckers will be the top challenge of the year. The average age of truck drivers in the US is around 55, and many are approaching retirement age. As these drivers retire, there may not be enough younger workers to replace them.
💬 Chat GPT is smarter than you think. The AI bot is being used widely across many industries and if you think that it seems far-fetched… you’re wrong. The bot automatically generates data tables, answers large questions from legal documents, and synthesizes summaries. It may be time to stop working against it… and instead, work with it.
🎯 Target is investing $100 million into its supply chain through 2026. The massive logistics overhaul is focusing on the company’s sortation hubs and the store’s redesign, meant to increase same-day fulfillment services. By the closure of 2026, Target is projecting 15 sortation centers to be completed. Each sortation center team should service between 30 and 40 Target stores.
💰 Automatic tolls can be a trucking company’s worst headache. Most electronic tolling systems use transponders, which are small devices that are mounted on the windshield of a vehicle. By using these transponders, trucking fleets can ensure that tolls are automatically charged to their accounts, which can help to minimize the risk of missed tolls and associated fees. It is important for trucking fleets to monitor their tolling accounts regularly to ensure that all charges are accurate and up-to-date. This can help to identify any issues or discrepancies early on and can help to prevent the accumulation of late fees and other charges.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 28, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.