9:00 am - 4:00 pm

WS 100 - William J. Augello's Parcel Transportation, Logistics & the Law
Presented for the first time at PARCEL Forum 2008, this one-day course is designed to provide a basic working knowledge of the laws and regulations affecting the supply chain with a special emphasis on parcel shipping. This is the vital information you need for minimizing risks and protecting revenues for your organization and for your own individual professional growth. The course will be presented by PARCEL magazine columnist Brent Wm. Primus, J.D. For more information about the workshop, you can also visit www.transportlawtexts.com.

BONUS: As part of the course, you will receive a copy of William J. Augello's book, Transportation, Logistics and the Law , a $150 value.

Presenter: Brent Wm. Primus is CEO of Primus Law Office and an attorney specializing in transportation law since 1973. He has written an ongoing column in PARCEL since 2007, providing subscribers with real-life legal experiences.

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WS 200 - INTERACTIVE ROLE PLAYING - Inside Parcel Rate Negotiations: Understanding Everyone's Motivation
Step into the real world of negotiating as seen from every angle. This highly interactive parcel negotiation workshop will let you actually take on different roles in a mock negotiation. Most of you have a good view from the shipper side but not from all the other "angles" touched by the contract. These roles will include the following: » Carrier's sales rep, sales manager, pricing manager and operations. » Shipper's EVP logistics, VP transportation, IT director, customer service manager, warehouse manager, finance manager, director of procurement and VP sales. » Parcel negotiator, the third-party consultant. During the day, we will do three negotiating sessions that will allow you to play each role. We will use real-life examples and all the data that would support a negotiation. After attending this workshop, you will negotiate parcel contracts more effectively by understanding the thinking process of each of the roles. Guaranteed to be fun while learning a whole lot about negotiating transportation contracts!

BONUS: Prizes for the "best" negotiators, or, should we say, actors!

Presenter: Rob Martinez , MQC, CMDSS, is CEO of Shipware Systems Corp., an innovative professional services firm that transforms businesses through intelligent distribution solutions and strategies. Rob has helped some of the world's most recognizable brands reduce parcel shipping costs an average of 25% through contract negotiations, rate benchmarking, modal optimization, invoice audit and other savings vehicles. A cum laude graduate of UCLA, Rob has 20 years of transportation industry experience including executive positions at DHL and Stamps.com in addition to his work as an outside consultant since 2001. Rob is President of EO (Entrepreneur's Organization) San Diego, President and Founder of the Mail Systems Management Association San Diego chapter, member of ISM, NASSTRAC and NAPM and serves as a Director on multiple boards.

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WS 300 - Presidential Mandate: Double Exports! Learn All You Can about International Shipping, Now!
Features a Tour of USPS Chicago International/Military Service Center (ISC)
Earlier this year government leaders challenged American manufacturers to double US Exports. If your company is answering that challenge, you should understand the important procedures and regulations that govern international trade. This session will give you a chance to hone your importing and exporting skills and to strengthen your understanding of international shipment issues. The new person and the seasoned veteran will both come away with relevant and current information about Incoterms, import and export basics, security issues, Harmonized Classification Codes, NAFTA, and calculating duties, taxes and landed cost. Join Tom Stanton and friends for an informative and practical session on international shipping.
 
Special Bonus! Attendees will tour the Chicago International/Military Service Center (ISC) where they will see how hundreds of thousands of international (inbound and outbound) daily parcels flow thru the facility. The Chicago ISC is a "Customized State of the Art" facility taking up approximately 280,000 sq. ft. It processes Parcel product lines thru a "Small Parcel Bundle System (SPBS)" and Larger Foreign Parcels thru a "Linear Integrated Parcel System" (LIPS).  You will have the ability to see the Foreign, Canada parcels and Express Mail that is scanned and processed thru our Global Business System (GBS). You’ll get keen insights that will help make the flow of your packages through the USPS international network smoothly.  If you've ever thought about shipping internationally, this tour will enlighten you on the processes involved and how you can grow your international business.

Presenter: Cindy Biggs, International Trade Specialist/Commercial Service Officer for the U.S. Department of Commerce, is currently serving in a three year domestic assignment at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Assistance Center in Chicago. Cindy arrived in Chicago in September 2008 after having served as the U.S. Embassy’s Senior Commercial Officer in Bucharest, Romania for three years. Cindy began working with the Foreign Commercial Service in Monterrey, Mexico when she was appointed the Vice-Consul for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Consulate from 2002 to 2004. She leveraged more than 20 years of experience in Latin America there where she was responsible for promoting US exports in seven states located in Northeastern Mexico.

Presenter: Michael Meixner is Director International Logistics with Russell A. Farrow Limited, Canada's largest independent customs broker. He has operational and strategic responsibility for the canadaplus.com division catering to clients seeking an integrated customs and logistics solution when shipping to Canadians. Clients are primarily large U.S. retailers and businesses seeking B2B, B2C, pick-and-pack fulfillment solutions and returns, as necessary. In addition, he oversees RAF Express, a cross-border expedite and courier company. Experience has been gathered in nearly 25 years of retail, construction, manufacturing and logistics. His experience is supported with certification as a Certified Customs Specialist and Professional Logistician, as well as a Masters of Engineering Management and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Presenter: Tom Foley, Manager, Global Sales Partners, USPS, is a US Coast Guard Veteran and he joined the US Postal Service in 1985 as a letter carrier on Long Island. He first entered Sales as an Account Representative in the South Jersey District in 1991. Tom helped manage the Advertising campaign for the Atlanta Olympics and formally joined the International Sales team in 1996. Tom has been involved in International Sales and Sales Management since that time. He currently manages the Global Sales Partner relationships and programs. Tom is a graduate of Stockton University.

Presenter: Tom Stanton has been a licensed customs broker since 1980. He has also worked as a forwarder, international traffic manager, customs manager and more recently as a logistics consultant with AFMS. His specialty is international supply chain analysis, customs laws and transportation savings. Tom is an expert educator on conquering the challenges of international shipping.

Presenter: George Tuttle is an attorney with the San Francisco law firm of George R Tuttle Law Offices where he has a strong presence in the Silicon Valley and other major tech centers. He has been in practice for over 25 years. George's practice emphasis is on Customs, international trade regulation and export compliance. He works with both small and large clients, as well as customs brokers and freight forwarders with export licensing and enforcement matters related to the EAR, Census (FTR/AES), OFAC (embargoes) and ITAR. George assists companies develop effective export compliance programs, determine product and technology classifications, obtain export licenses and resolve seizure and enforcement cases.

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WS 400 - Don't Be Voted off the Island! How to Be the Survivor in Your Facility!
In this in-depth, fast-paced energetic presentation, you'll learn techniques to keep your "A" players, avoid turnover and create passion in your facilities. We will spend time developing a better overall structure within your facility/company to increase productivity, accuracy and customer service. We will track the operational flow of your facilities by functional areas and look for ways in which to increase productivity and accuracy. Case studies will be shared to learn how others have improved their operations to enhance customer service and add dollars to the bottom line. We'll look at best practices in order fulfillment, new trends and technology and ideas to improve processes.

BONUS: You will be given a KPI (key performance indicators) template to take back and apply in your warehouse.

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WS 500 - EXCLUSIVE - PARCEL Key Management Program (Limited Seating)
In a trusted and confidential setting, up to 16 managers and executives in the parcel industry will help each other tackle the most challenging issues they face in running and growing their operations. The meeting will be professionally facilitated by a highly trained Chair, who guides both the content and flow to ensure that every member receives the maximum return on the time they invest. It will entail a candid give-and-take, where trusted peers ask each other tough, in-depth questions that get to the heart of any shipping or operational problem they are facing. As part of this confidential meeting, members receive direct and honest feedback and derive actionable ideas that they want to and are expected to implement. As the Chair of this group, Mark Taylor will be selecting members who want to be part of this high-performing board of parcel managers and executives who are all committed to stretching themselves to grow and outperform their competition. The criteria for selection will be the following: » Sign an agreement of confidentiality. » Openness and willingness of the candidate to both bring value to the group and take value from the experience. » Candidates will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. There will be no competitors, major suppliers or customer relationships in the group. This will ensure an open forum for discussion in a confidential environment. » Commitment to come prepared and complete an assignment before the conference. Benefits: » Fresh thinking – New ideas and perspectives are the fuel for any company's continued growth and innovation. The PARCEL Key Managers & Executive Program inspires each leader's best thinking, challenges their assumptions and provides a platform to implement insights with confidence and precision. » Expanded skills – This Program delivers unlimited practical knowledge members can apply immediately in their shipping operations. » Enhanced decision making – This program provides the most effective sounding board for the senior manager's and executive's toughest decisions – fellow industry professionals who have met and overcome the same challenges. It's like getting the "trial" without the "error," and it helps members make better decisions when the stakes are highest. » Improved performance – In the end, this program is about improving members' performances so their operations can perform better. It's about continuous, accelerated, practical learning – more lasting than any one-time workshop, more actionable than any flavor-of-the-day business book. With no agenda except to help one another succeed, members can test assumptions, uncover opportunities and hold each other accountable for taking action.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5th

8:00 am – 8:45 am

SE 101 - SPECIAL NETWORKING EVENT - Together We're Better: Create Your Own 1-1 Network, Starting Now!
Join Dan Curran over a continental breakfast and learn how he started and continues to facilitate a peer group of regional companies who tour and critique each other's facilities. While social networking sites have benefits, there is nothing better than meeting face-to-face, or 1-1. "The intent is not to find things wrong, but find things right; how to share best practices; and how to cooperate in terms of purchasing common products and services. It is also a forum for folks to see something new together, rather than being locked in their own world or silo looking at it from their perspective only. Although the group started small, it is growing and gaining traction." After sharing his experiences on how to set up a group, Dan, the PARCEL Forum Advisors and staff will then help structure potential networking groups from those attending the session. It can be the start of your very own 1-1 networking group. To help set up networking groups, please email Cierra@EventEvolution.com and let her know you will be attending. Please provide your name, title, company, type of business and location.

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9:00 am – 9:45 am

TF 101 - 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Reduce Transportation Spend, Now!
Transportation is a rich, important area for cost reduction and competitive advantage. This presentation offers quick, easy ways to immediately lower your company's parcel spend from 15%-30%. Learn straightforward approaches that most organizations are not currently taking advantage of, such as addressing validation software, auditing contract carrier rates and services, properly managing carrier accounts and managing surcharges and accessorial charges.
Content Level: Basic-Moderate

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TM 201 - Adding Regional Parcel Delivery Companies to Your Transportation Mix: Easier than You Think
Regional parcel delivery companies have come of age, and more and more companies are working them into their transportation mixes. But just what package deliveries should go to regionals versus the nationals? At what volumes does it pay to incorporate regionals in your plan? How do you calculate the offset of the loss of discounts with the national carriers and the regionals' pricing? Attend this session and come away with a concrete plan on evaluating whether your package make-up is a good candidate for delivery by regional parcel companies. And there's more: find out what it will take from an operational viewpoint to implement regionals into your mix.
Content Level: All

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AT 301 - Leveraging Business Intelligence Tools to Make Better Decisions
In order to be effective, data must be strategic, accurate and collected and analyzed regularly in a format that is readily understood and shows what is important to your business. In this presentation, we will examine some key shipping metrics and show how data analysis can lead to a competitive advantage. Learn about: » Business Intelligence tools that one can utilize to increase efficiency and reduce costs across your parcel operation. » How dashboards, report writers, etc. will give you in-depth visibility to all of your transportation key performance indicators and data, thus allowing you to more effectively manage your transportation spend. Real examples, with specific data and illustrations, will show what steps can be taken to both lessen the negative impact on the organization and reduce transportation costs.
Content Level: Basic-Moderate

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EO 401 - Best Practices? It's Really about Simplification
TQM, Six Sigma, LEAN - a few of the many various programs that companies have looked at to improve the bottom line. This session will take a look at the basic principles of simplifying work, which is critical to any continuous-improvement activity. As each company continues to work on increasing return of existing assets, this program will take a tactical look at improving your supply chain, developing the right approach to best-practice development and deployment within your distribution center. By attending this session, you will come away with a tactical, step-by-step execution plan for operational excellence, as well as an understanding of the common pitfalls in traditional approaches to continuous improvement initiatives.
Content Level: Moderate-Advanced

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PL 501 - SURVEY RESULTS - Distribution Metrics & KPIs: How Healthy Are You?
The Metrics Survey Results Unveiled! Just prior to the PARCEL Forum, PARCEL magazine and Shipware Systems will conduct a national study of leading companies to ascertain who is doing what in terms of operational measurements. You will be the first to learn the results of the study and discover what your peers are doing to improve distribution processes. Find out how your company measures up in traditional metrics in areas such as picking, packing, shipping, receiving, inventory control, efficiencies and more! What's more, discover emerging trends in parcel metrics including: » Time in transit » Per shipment yields » Routing compliance » Modal efficiencies » Invoice metrics » Carrier management. This is a great session to kick off PARCEL Forum's Metrics Day.
Content Level: Basic-Moderate

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10:00 am – 10:45 am

TF 102 - 5 Ways to Use Delivery Stream Information to Control Costs & Delight Your Customers
Information is power. Did you know that data from your delivery stream can be used as a powerful tool to not only improve your overall shipping economics, but also to improve the satisfaction of your customers? In this session, five key ways you can leverage your supply chain information to drive better operational results and deliver greater value to your customers will be shared.

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TM 202 - Parcel Price Increases Can Be Beat
Traditional cost control methods such as rate shopping and zone skipping have matured. Since most everyone uses them, they no longer provide competitive advantage in the marketplace. Learn 11 new ways to reverse annual carrier price increases. These tactics use a company's existing rate structure and contract to generate incremental savings in the midst of multi-year agreements. Each of these techniques will be discussed in detail with examples from shippers. The techniques include pound shaving, stub balancing, revised cartonizing logic/parameters, optimal carton regime, dimensional weight packaging, 100% trailer utilization, reverse zone skip, ship-from analysis, backorder management, service review and optimal wave creation.
Content Level: Moderate-Advanced

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AT 302 - CASE STUDY - How Integrated Technology Allowed One Company to Easily Add USPS to Its Transportation Mix
As the Postal Service becomes a more important part of shippers' transportation mixes, there is a strong corresponding need integrating USPS technology into the DC environment. Learn how one company did just that. The technology available today allows shippers, software developers, corporations and websites to easily integrate the USPS into their workflows. This technology enables the seamless implementation of USPS shipping using advanced, yet simple, state-of-the-art web services without disruption to a shipper's existing integrated workflow environment. Hear from a shipper about the new USPS technologies, how they access them and how simple it was to integrate.
Content Level: All

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EO 402 - CASE STUDY - Operational Changes that Drive Down Transportation Costs
The small package carriers have continuously increased their base rates along with adding more rules. There are things you can do to gain an advantage over the carriers and use some of these things to your advantage. Setting up a DC bypass and Zone Skip process will help you in being able to reduce your cost per carton by up to 25%. Creating an over-packing process at Country of Origin will allow you to take advantage of the small parcel carriers' DIM rules and be able to reduce your cost per carton by as much as 55%. You'll see what it takes to be able to use these techniques for your own company to start reducing costs.
Content Level: Moderate-Advanced

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PL 502 - CASE STUDY - Defining, Reporting & Managing the Metrics of Your Business
This session will expand your capabilities to turn data into actionable information. The course will present a method for defining and utilizing metrics, as well as a process to manage and monitor metrics to drive problem-solving behaviors within your business partners without creating adversarial relationships among the groups being measured. Find out how one pharmaceutical company used metrics to promote joint problem-solving and collaboration with third-party logistic providers, internal and external manufacturers, freight carriers and, most importantly, CUSTOMERS!
Content Level: Moderate-Advanced

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11:00 am – 11:45 am

TF 103 - The Pros & Cons of Single Sourcing in 2011
With the new competitive landscape in 2010, is it time to re-evaluate your parcel distribution? Are you overly reliant on your incumbent carrier? Are you getting all you should from your carriers and their representatives? We will discuss what factors you should consider and how a multiple carrier environment may be the right decision. Although FedEx and UPS offer comprehensive services for all shippers, is it better to split your traffic among different carriers, including USPS and regional carriers? Learn how to position your company and maximize the best rates and services offered in today's current marketplace. Among the topics we will discuss: » What objective factors should be used to evaluate carriers' rates and services? » How to make your carriers more responsive and flexible. » Take advantage of new services in the parcel industry. » What is the true cost of change in switching carriers?
Content Level: Basic

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TM 203 - PEER-TO-PEER - Transportation Idea Exchange with PARCEL Advisors
There is no better learning environment than to sit with your peers and discuss the topics that are vital to you, TODAY. The exchange of ideas is exhilarating as well as actionable. Advisor Brian Coller will chair this peer-to-peer roundtable where you will be able to ask him and other PARCEL Forum Advisory Board members any question, on any transportation topic. Our Advisors have been in the trenches and know the ins and outs of transportation from a pivotal viewpoint. Bring your questions or simply enjoy the lively discussion.
Content Level: All

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AT 303 - PEER-TO-PEER - Technology Idea Exchange with PARCEL Advisors
While technology is prevalent in every aspect of the logistics process, making technology work uniquely for your situation is the challenge. But now you can sit with your peers and find out their challenges and their solutions. The exchange of ideas is exhilarating as well as actionable. Advisor Oscar Murray will chair this peer-to-peer roundtable, where you will be able to ask him and other PARCEL Forum Advisory Board members any question, on any technology topic. Our Advisors have been in the trenches and know the ins and outs of technology from a pivotal viewpoint. Bring your questions or simply enjoy the lively discussion.
Content Level: All

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EO 403 - PEER-TO-PEER - Operations Idea Exchange with PARCEL Advisors
The day-to-day challenges of managing the various components of a distribution center can be as diverse as dealing with employee issues to recommending technology investments to developing process improvement strategies. The ability to sit down and talk over your challenges with your peers… PRICELESS. The exchange of ideas is exhilarating as well as actionable. Two parcel advisors will co-chair this peer-to-peer roundtable where you will be able to ask any question, on any operational topic. Our Advisors have been in the trenches and know the ins and outs of warehouse operations from your vantage point. Bring your questions or simply enjoy the lively discussion.
Content Level: All

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PL 503 - KPIs: Measure Only What Will Help Your Business
There are countless performance indicators that you can measure and analyze, but how do you truly know which ones are "key" and will give your company a return on your efforts. This session will cut to the chase and teach you how to set up a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) program, what to watch out for, what measures to track within the four walls and more. KPIs can help you run your operation to its fullest potential, keeping your company competitive while driving more dollars to the bottom line. And today, that is critical.
Content Level: Basic

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12:00 pm – 12:45 pm

TF 104 - USPS: Building on the Past and Positioned for the Future
This is your chance to hear directly from the Postal Service's top shipping executive about new services, new pricing incentives and enhancements planned for 2011 and beyond. Gary Reblin, Vice President of Shipping, will introduce new packaging options, new customized shipping solutions and a new pricing tier that encourages cost-effective and eco-friendly packaging-solutions that can enable any business to save both time and money. In addition, James Cunningham, Manager of Business Opportunity Development will provide an overview of the Postal Service's pilot test program: Collaborative Logistics. Participants will learn how the USPS is making extra space available for shippers to help them reduce their costs on LTL transports. The LTL industry is $34 billion a year industry, and the Postal Service will describe how their new service is a cost-effective alternative to bring those costs down. James will then be available to help you explore ways to better use space on under-utilized highway transportation through the collaborative pilot program.

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TM 204 - CASE STUDY - Inside the IRS Transportation Plan
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and United Parcel Service (UPS) have been shipping partners for a number of years, but the road has not been without speed bumps. The quest for accurate data is a constant challenge and a learning process. See how the IRS and UPS have worked together to meet many of the challenges and where there are still issues to be fully addressed. Come learn how shipping data analytics can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses both within your own organization and with your shipping partner. Real life examples will be discussed that could be useful within your operation.

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AT 304 - CASE STUDY - Defining the Asset: Why Data Management Matters
Were the increasing details of shipping not enough, logistics managers also face an increasing challenge in managing the financial and Sarbanes-Oxley level of detail needed to provide dependable and accurate asset management for their organization. Key to this is defining the asset to your system. The challenge of this is that the definition varies within each milestone of an asset's life cycle, and developing methods, systems and processes around this is key to implementing a successful supply chain in the 21st century. Garrick Thomas will share his experiences in keeping his company compliant with federal mandates.
Content Level: Moderate-Advanced

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EO 404 - CASE STUDY - Using TMS to Optimize Parcel Spend and Service
Parcel rates, transit times and service levels vary significantly by geographies. For shippers looking for domestic and international strategies, this session will provide an overview on how to take advantage of technologies and carrier management strategies to get the best from the parcel market. Vladimir Landaverde shares his experiences in aligning the right TMS systems for geographic areas including the US, Canada, UK and other European destinations.
Content Level: Basic-Moderate

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PL 504 - CASE STUDY - Transforming Parcel Reporting into Operational Savings
In this session, you will learn how Instawares transformed parcel data, metrics and KPIs into operational savings. Instawares LLC is a national e-commerce distributor of food service equipment and supplies to the commercial and consumer markets. The savings experienced by Instawares can easily be implemented at other companies. Metrics covered will include: » Financial metrics: » Trend analysis: » Third-party shippers, including surcharges and accessorials measuring. By taking action on this data, you can enhance operational efficiencies that result in savings.
Content Level: Moderate

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6th

8:00 am – 8:45 am

TF 105 - POWER SESSION - Negotiating: Part 1: Secrets to Negotiating Rates & Terms
There are two equally important parts when you negotiate carrier contracts-rates and terms. And when you leave this session, you will take with you the strategies to negotiate best-in-class carrier pricing as well as the terms and conditions of your contract. Oftentimes, shippers overlook or don't review the fine print in detail, which in turn can be very costly. In addition, new extra charges are added every year, which have a major impact on your transportation costs! At latest count, there are more than 80 so-called extra charges. If you're feeling the impact of these yearly increases and other excess shipping charges, then this session is for you! You will learn "insider" information from a former carrier executive on how to conduct historical distribution analyses to identify key areas for negotiation; negotiate base, matrix and portfolio discounts; identify and reduce the impact of accessorial charges; and utilize leverage, benchmarks and other negotiation strategies.
Content Level: Basic-Moderate

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TM 205 - Which LTL Carrier Is Best for Your Business
Selecting a carrier for your transportation needs is not as easy as it sounds, especially when it comes to LTLs. Each carrier's operational and service characteristics are different, and the ones that meet your company's needs are what should be taken into consideration during carrier selection. In this session, you will take a look at the three main categories of LTL carriers-national, inter-regional and regional-and examine the strengths and weaknesses of each from a service and operational standpoint. You will also take away the "must ask" questions to include during your evaluation as well as the deciding factors or scenarios for picking one type of carrier over the over when pricing agreements from competing carriers are very similar.
Content Level: Moderate-Advanced

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AT 305 - CASE STUDY - Package Exception Management: A New Level of Customer Service
When you ship hundreds or thousands of parcels on a daily basis, how do you ensure each one is delivered, and delivered on time? How do you manage tracking and proof-of-delivery information across multiple carriers? This session will explain how Jabil After-Market-Services uses a package exception management module to view multiple carriers' tracking status information from one central portal, and how taking a pro-active approach to identifying and managing delivery exceptions is raising the bar on the level of service their customers receive.
Content Level: Basic-Moderate

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EO 405 - EXPERT PANEL - After the Recall Is Announced: Logistics Call to Action
Once a product recall is announced, shipping and logistics professionals are front and center. Notification may involve shipping containers to consumers or retailers. Supply chain partners may ship thousands of replacement parts to dozens of locations. Defective products need to be withdrawn in mass quantities and shipped to a central location. Tight collection and accounting procedures are required for business and government reasons. This panel will explain best practices in this fast moving, crisis environment that can make or break a company's reputation.
Content Level: Moderate

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PL 505 - I Didn't Know You Could Do That: Protect Your Intellectual Property in Distribution
Did you know that processes you create may be patentable? Should you go through the effort to obtain a patent? Are you infringing on someone's patent? Even companies that are only shipping packages can be involved in intellectual property lawsuits. It is important to research new processes and patent business methods to protect your business. In this session, you will learn about intellectual property rights, avoiding frivolous lawsuits associated with IP and understanding your risks in everyday language.
Content Level: Moderate-Advanced

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9:00 am – 9:45 am

TF 106 - POWER SESSION - Negotiating: Part 2: Secrets to Being Skillful
It's great to learn what you can negotiate in a carrier contract, but what good is that knowledge if you don't possess negotiating skills? Based on principles developed at the Harvard Negotiation Project and by Roger Fisher, co-author of the bestseller Getting To Yes, this session will build your capacity to transform adversarial approaches to negotiation and conflict into problem-solving collaborations, producing better outcomes for all parties while enhancing long-term working relationships. This framework will help you structure the process of negotiating in a way that promotes joint problem-solving and collaboration; recognize when to accept and when to "walk away" from a deal; respond to threats and otherwise uncooperative behavior; separate the people from the problem; communicate clearly and effectively; and build, strengthen and improve relationships.
Content Level: Basic-Moderate

Presenter: Charles "Chuck" Doran is a negotiation trainer and consultant with MWI in Boston. Chuck serves as MWI's Executive Director and has worked nationally and internationally with a range of clients including Coca-Cola Enterprises, Analog Devices, General Motors, Deloitte & Touche, the Rockefeller Foundation, and with the Harvard Negotiation Project at Harvard Law School. Since 1994, Chuck has worked with top executives, sales, procurement, and delivery professionals to diagnose and resolve negotiation challenges across multiple industries. In addition to his work as a negotiation trainer and consultant, Chuck has mediated over 2000 of business, commercial, employment and workplace cases since 1992. Chuck is a mediator with the CPR Dispute Resolution Panels of Distinguished Neutrals, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), Mediation Works Incorporated (MWI), the Harvard Mediation Program and the United States Postal Service REDRESS I and REDRESS II Mediation Panels. Chuck completed a Specialization in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution at the Program on Negotiation and has served as a teaching assistant to Professor Roger Fisher at Harvard Law School's Program of Instruction for Lawyers Negotiation Workshop on multiple occasions. Chuck served as a member of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution as Chair of the Qualifications Subcommittee and is a past president of the Association for Conflict Resolution (formerly the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution), New England Chapter.

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TM 206 - POWER SESSION - Part 1: Mitigating Accessorial Expenses
Accessorial charges continue to become a larger share of shippers' freight expense as carriers annually increase rates and roll out new categories of charges. In this session, attendees will learn tactics, supported by examples, to mitigate accessorial expenses through contract negotiation, network analysis and shipping/handling fee assessment.
Content Level: Moderate-Advanced

Presenter: Mike Lambert is Director of Consulting Services for Green Mountain Consulting. In this role, Mike is responsible for managing Contract Negotiation and Network Optimization solutions on behalf of Green Mountain Consulting clients. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis. Mike possess over 15 years of diverse logistics and transportation experience. Prior to joining Green Mountain in early 2007, Mike held the position of Engineering Senior Manager at FedEx Global Supply Chain Services, where he was recognized with FedEx's highest honor for his leadership and involvement in implementing FedEx's Critical Inventory Logistics service offering. Mike has also held logistics positions at FedEx Express, Williams-Sonoma, Nike and Milliken & Company.

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AT 306 - CASE STUDY - The Newest Shipping Systems: It's All about Rapid Information Call-Ups
The way that companies handle their shipping applications is changing. In the past, people either had home-grown IT shipping systems or they purchased black box third-party enterprise systems. If you have had either of these, you know that there are benefits and drawbacks to each. But what if there is a third option? One where you can capitalize on flexibility of a home-grown system but get the speed of and experience of a third-party vendor shipping system? But let's not stop there, let also decrease deployment time and increase the number of carriers, services offered and overall functionality. We can achieve all of this by integrating web calls to our current system. A shipping system is a tool to help us get product where it needs to go, but if we can leverage this system to cut freight costs, reduce transit times and overcome shipping logistical problems, why should we not ask for it all? With the continuously improving speed over the Internet, we now have the tools in web calls to bridge this gap and unleash the power of this new methodology. In this session, Oscar Murray will explain this methodology and show examples of how this can be implemented in SAP and other environments.
Content Level: Moderate-Advanced

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EO 406 - Multi-faceted Dimensioning: Space Utilization, Integration and Surprising ROI
Dimensioning equipment, perhaps once thought of as a luxury item intended for only the biggest warehouses and shippers, is getting a serious look by all companies as the demand to cut costs continues to be a #1 priority and since national carriers now charge a DIM accessorial fee. Used enterprise-wide, this equipment can increase operational efficiencies throughout the logistics process. In this session, you will learn how automated dimensioning (cubing) equipment can work with your warehouse management and shipping software systems to optimize DC storage space, order fulfillment, cartonization, manifesting, shipment planning and transportation costs. Dimensioning equipment can be used at the receipt of inventory and/or later in the storage and shipping processes to provide valuable operational data. Several application types and classes of equipment, from low-tech to hi-tech, will be discussed. BONUS : After discussing ROI, you will receive a spreadsheet to take back to your operation and "punch in" your numbers to help with cost-justification and return-on-investment metrics.
Content Level: Basic-Moderate

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PL 506 - CASE STUDY - Coffee Shops Can Be Key to Your Success… hmmm?
Today, you are under pressure to come up with new and innovative ideas to improve your company's bottom line. Ease the pressure on yourself by either implementing or tuning up a results-driven suggestion program. Learn how Michael Warber with Siemens used a very effective suggestion program that provided a double digit return-on-investment for his company. Learn what questions to ask, who should manage the program, how to set the reward levels and what metrics you should keep. Using a simple and proven methodology, the suggestions will help engage and encourage your workers. Use the savings realized from suggestions to implement new technology or other ideas from the Forum!
Content Level: All

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1:45 pm – 2:30 pm

TF 107 - Closing the Loop on Managing Transportation Costs: Invoice Auditing
We all know how important it is to make sure you are using the right carriers and picking them based on your needs (price, service, reliability, etc.). But how do you know that the service you chose is the service you are paying for each and every package you send? Too often, companies fail to perform a 100% audit on actual invoices. There are plenty of companies who will just pay carrier bills. There are also plenty of companies who will check simple math on carrier invoices. But companies who actually perform a 100% audit of every characteristic of their bills based on matching records really protect their bottom lines. Learn what to audit, how to audit, when to audit. Savings are continually realized by companies who go the distance and perform audits as demonstrated year after year in the PARCEL Best Practices Survey Results.
Content Level: Basic-Moderate

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TM 207 - POWER SESSION & CASE STUDY - Part 2: Mitigating Carrier Rate Hikes
NORCAL (California Association of Flower Growers and Shippers) is a non-profit trade association established to represent the professional needs and interests of the floral industry in California. It is also one of the largest FedEx shippers in the Western U.S. Told by FedEx it had to take a 10% rate increase, NORCAL was able to renegotiate its FedEx contract, resulting in a cost decrease of 15%! Jointly presented by NORCAL and Shipware Systems, this presentation will provide valuable tools to help you negotiate best-in-class pricing and reduce your overall shipping costs. Most importantly, this presentation is designed to impart tangible value that you can implement upon returning from the PARCEL Forum to immediately impact YOUR operation and drive savings. Learn how NORCAL: » Negotiated the best upfront discounts, contracts and services available. » Mitigated the impact of annual rate increases. » Avoided paying those hidden charges. » Structured its contract for maximum benefit. » Identified and reduced the impact of accessorial charges and much more!
Content Level: Moderate-Advanced

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AT 307 - The "Parcelization" of Shipping and Tracking Freight (LTL) Shipments
There are thousands of LTL carriers in the marketplace today all with various methods of quoting, booking, executing, tracking and delivering LTL shipments unlike parcel which is very well defined and standardized by a handful of carriers. This complexity and lack of standards promotes disjointed and segregated shipping processes across the shippers' and contracted carriers. However, technology can standardize all of the freight carriers into a single interface and process flow and allow for the ability to compare LTL with small parcel. This technology now operates very similar to the way parcel mode operates today with point and click quoting, execution, track and proof of delivery all in one, creating the "parcelization" of freight shipping.
Content Level: Moderate-Advanced

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EO 407 - Why Packaging Is More Critical than You Think
Packaging is an important component of the parcel environment that often gets overlooked-even though it is a costly consumable, protects your product in transit and makes a first impression on your customer. This presentation will provide a high-level view on packaging topics, including cushioning and void full types, over-boxing and green packaging. How packaging relates to parcel rating and how to best negotiate points about packaging with your carrier will also be covered.
Content Level: Basic-Moderate

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PL 507 - Career Insurance: What Is It? How Do I Get It?
It is surprising that individuals will insure all their valuable possessions yet overlook the need to insure their most valuable asset-their careers! Attend this session and you will discover the basics of career insurance. Specifically: What it is; why do I need it; and how do I get it? We will look at the things you need to do to protect your career in the event the unexpected catastrophe occurs. What is going to happen if you are one of those that become unemployed? But most importantly, we reveal the technical and interpersonal skill sets that are required in order to succeed in your career.
Content Level: All

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2:45 pm – 3:30 pm

TF 108 - MEGA SESSION EXPERT PANEL: Ask the Transportation Experts
Now that you have heard all the speakers and your head is filled with ideas, take this opportunity to ask questions and get your final answers from our panel of transportation experts. Bring in a real work issue and get expert advice; ask for follow-up or clarification on an issue presented in one of the sessions; or just sit and listen to what challenges your peers have on their minds and how those challenges can be resolved. And you can be sure that our Chair, Mark Taylor, will use his special talents to make this session one to remember.
Content Level: All

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PL 308 - MEGA SESSION EXPERT PANEL: Operational Success Stories: Executive Decisions that Work
We have gathered experts in distribution center operations to share the secrets of how they have saved companies hundreds of thousands of dollars. Each consultant will reveal different methods used at each company to save money, increase productivity or improve customer service. In this round robin tell-all, the experts will reveal the need, the solution, implementation highlights, the resulting benefits and the ROI. This takes the visualization out of the classroom and into real DC operations. This session is sure to leave you with a multitude of proven ideas to take back for implementation.
Content Level: All

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