I am beginning to screen suppliers in even greater depth than before. In short, I am elevating my game to a whole new level. For example, instead of assessing a provider during off-the-record discussions, I am screening and interviewing them as I did for the 900-plus radio segments I hosted on the PI Window on the World podcast between 2009 and 2019 – only on video this time around.

Even better, like the broadcast, the sessions are being recorded so you can watch them and form your own opinions. You can even assess the quality of my questions and assessment.

I like this approach because you become part of the screening process – and I am not talking about a pre-rehearsed session in which providers have received my questions in advance. This is important because it is an actual “fact-finding” exercise versus a staged discussion where everything is nicely packaged. In short, it is real!

At the end of May, I shared the post “Who Is The “ONE” Missing From The Deloitte Solution Map?“

You can use the above link to read it at your convenience.

Getting straight to the point, in addition to what I wrote in the previous article, here are two additional reasons why I liked One Network Enterprises enough to interview them:

1. The company was founded in 2002 – I still believe that the length of time in business implies a level of needed experience and expertise.
2. They are privately owned. No VC interests to contend with or stock price to worry about.

Here is the video interview—it is energized and informative. In other words, you won’t find this on a solution map or solution provider website.

I am also sharing the summary transcript for easy reference in case you want to jump around a bit when you review the video a second time:

AI meeting summary:

• Summary: The meeting focused on introducing One Network Enterprises, highlighting its unique approach in solving supply chain problems, and explaining its solutions. Key points included discussions on the company’s agent-based approach, demand variability, supply variability, and lead time variability. Action items included Jon Hansen reviewing the information shared and Kent Ledgerwood writing a blog post on how he could have saved Red Lobster.

Notes:

• 📈 Introduction and Background (00:01 – 08:20)
• Jon Hansen and Kent Ledgerwood discuss their unfamiliarity with One Network Enterprises.
• Kent shares his journey of joining One Network in 2021 and his initial impressions.
• Discussion on why One Network is not on solution maps like Deloitte’s.
• 🔍 One Network’s Unique Approach (08:21 – 21:30)
• Kent explains the company’s focus on solving supply chain problems rather than marketing.
• Discussion on the company’s agent-based approach versus equation-based models.
• Jon shares his experience with his software company and the pitfalls of VC funding.
• 💡 Explaining One Network’s Solution (21:31 – 26:31)
• Kent presents the pitch on One Network’s solution to supply chain issues.
• Discussion on demand variability, supply variability, and lead time variability.
• Explanation of how One Network’s architecture differs from traditional systems.

Action items:

Jon Hansen

• Jon Hansen to review the information shared by Kent Ledgerwood and come back with questions within a week or two (23:45)

Kent Ledgerwood

• Kent Ledgerwood to write and share a blog post on how he could have saved Red Lobster (25:35)

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