SCN Best of 2025: Eureka Moments from Research, Data & An Incredible Supply Chain Journey

Supply Chain Now – December 31, 2025
Host: Scott Luton
Guest: Melanie Salter, Director of Inclusive Supply Chain Research, Boom Global Network

Episode Overview

In this special "Best of 2025" episode, host Scott Luton welcomes industry veteran Melanie Salter to explore pivotal moments and hard-won insights from decades of global supply chain leadership. The conversation dives deep into strategic network design, complex problem-solving, the narrative power of data, lessons learned in building inclusive supply chains, and empowering the next generation of female supply chain professionals. Melanie shares "eureka moments" from research and practice, blending sharp expertise with refreshing humility and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Melanie’s Supply Chain Journey & Personal Background

• Global Experience: Over 25 years in Europe, Africa, North America.
• Current Role: Director of Inclusive Supply Chain Research at Boom Global Network, connecting female professionals worldwide.
• Fun Fact: Kickboxing is her stress reliever and intellectual challenge.

  “It’s such a brilliant way to release tension, anger… but it’s also quite intellectual because you’ve got to use your brain to coordinate your body.” (A, 03:14)

• Insider Travel Tip: Visit the world-renowned Kew Botanical Gardens in London, even when it rains, for peace among historic glasshouses.

  “It’s one of my happy places in the world.” (A, 05:13)

2. Strategic Network Design: Demystifying a Critical Skill

• Misconception: Not just for “the big guys;” even small firms & startups need intentional supply chain network design for competitiveness and sustainability.
• Accessible Approach: A “quick and dirty” center-of-mass analysis can make a huge impact using basic data and affordable software.

  “I’d love to see supply chain network design just become absolutely standard, as standard as, as I say, route optimization or planning.” (A, 08:44)

• Purpose-Driven Design: Start with: “What is the purpose of your supply chain?” then plan backwards from customer value.

Notable exchange:

“Don’t let the fear or the complexity stop you from doing it. It’s got some powerful outcomes…” (B, 08:56)

3. Complex Problem Solving: Navigating Perfection vs. Pragmatism

• Practical Wisdom: Go for the “80% solution”—good enough is often better than nothing and delivers more than the perfectionist, over-engineered option.

  “Get it good enough. It’s already a hell of a lot better than nothing at all, which is probably where you are at the moment and a lot better than any of your competitors will have…” (A, 11:34)

• Life Application: Avoid “paralysis by analysis.”

4. The Power & Art of Data Storytelling

• Data as Narrative: Data tells compelling business stories, reveals hidden problems and opportunities, and enables effective decision-making.

  “Give me loads of data and I’ll tell you the story it’s telling you about your business.” (A, 14:16)

• Example: A simple bar chart revealed a driver retention crisis: riders working double shifts due to low pay. The data prompted direct solutions and business savings.

  “It’s one bar chart tells a massive story about… retention.” (A, 15:36)

• Critical Thinking: Don’t accept the numbers at face value—dig deeper. Ask "So what?" as Melanie’s mentor advises.
• Presentation Pro Tip: Never overload slides with data alone—communicate a clear, concise narrative.

  “Having the data isn’t good enough. Go the extra mile and work on that superpower…” (B, 19:59)

5. Eureka Moment: The Missing People Pillar

• Supply Chain Framework: During the pandemic, Melanie created a “temple” of supply chain strategy with pillars for resilience, sustainability, innovation…and missed the “people” pillar.
• Hard-won Lesson: No matter how beautifully designed, a supply chain’s full potential cannot be realized without engaged, diverse, and fully empowered people.

  “I can design the most beautiful supply chain ever, but if my people are not engaged... you’re never going to realize all the potential of that supply chain.” (A, 00:00; 26:21)

• Industry Blindspot: Separating “people” as just HR’s domain is a massive, recurring mistake.

6. Boom Global Network: Advancing Inclusivity in Supply Chain

• Purpose: Online community and resource hub supporting women in supply chain globally; research, professional development, and networking.
• Personal Impact: Melanie reflects on the professional loneliness of being the “only woman in the room” and the power of finally connecting with a constellation of support.

  “It’s the organization I wish had been there when I was younger.” (A, 31:21)

• Value: Matching members for mutual support; building inclusive supply chains benefits everyone—not just women.

7. Advice to Aspiring Female Supply Chain Leaders

• Conquer Self-Doubt: The biggest barrier identified by female leaders is the internal voice saying “you’re not ready.”

  “Get your constellation of support in place… cheerleaders. If there’s an opportunity and the voice inside you is going, ‘No, I’m not ready’—go check in with your cheerleaders…” (A, 35:53)

• Be Authentically Yourself: Don’t contort yourself to fit molds—bring your whole self to work, and seek workplaces that value the real you.

  “If you’re hiding yourself, if you’re trying to be someone else… that was always going to be a disaster.” (A, 39:41)

• Acknowledge Realities: Sometimes practicalities or toxic cultures mean you must protect yourself or move on when you can.

8. Research Eureka Moments & Emerging Trends

• Inclusion Drives Performance & Wellbeing:

  • Citing Oxford and Harvard research: Supporting employee authenticity and inclusion leads to higher productivity, greater engagement, and healthier, longer lives for employees.

  “Be nice to people. It literally pays… The knock-on effect is that people access healthcare less and live longer because they’re happy at work.” (A, 43:32)

• AI Readiness:

  • Most supply chain professionals are excited about AI (70% positive), but only a minority of organizations (20%) have a clear AI strategy or provide needed skills.

  “There’s just so much noise about AI, but the practicality… is still just not there for so many companies.” (A, 47:49)

  • Clean data is the bedrock—most organizations need to do more prep and communication before realizing AI’s promise.

  “I know what your data looks like… you’ve got to have clean data [for AI]… think of the stories we’re going to uncover that we just had no visibility of before.” (A, 50:50)

• AI + Network Design:

  • Trend to watch: Conversational models will soon enable all levels within an organization (even non-tech execs) to directly interact with network design scenarios, drastically increasing speed and engagement.

  “We’re going to have models that you can talk to… for stakeholder engagement, that is huge.” (A, 53:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Essential “People” Pillar:

  “If my people are not engaged… you’re never going to realize all the potential of that supply chain.” (A, 00:00; 26:21)

• On Complex Problem Solving:

  “Go for the 80%. Go for the good enough because it’s already a hell of a lot better than nothing at all…” (A, 11:34)

• On Inclusion in Leadership:

  “The single biggest thing holding [women leaders] back was their own internal voice… Get your constellation of support in place.” (A, 35:53)

• On Inclusion’s Societal Payoff:

  “Be nice to people. It literally pays…” (A, 43:32)

• On AI Excitement vs. Readiness:

  “So much noise about AI, but the practicality… is still just not there…” (A, 47:49)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – Quote on the importance of people in supply chains
• 02:52 – Kickboxing for stress relief and mind-body learning
• 07:07 – Strategic network design: myth-busting and practical advice
• 11:29 – 80/20 rule in complex problem-solving
• 14:10–16:51 – Data storytelling and the driver retention example
• 22:39–26:46 – “Temple” framework and the missing people pillar
• 27:55–34:45 – The founding, value, and personal impact of Boom Global Network
• 35:45 – Advice for aspiring female leaders: conquer the inner critic, build support
• 42:09 – Inclusion’s broad business and social benefits
• 45:51 – AI research findings: excitement, gaps, and next steps
• 53:11 – Future trend: Conversational AI in network design

Connect with Melanie Salter and Boom Global Network

• LinkedIn: Melanie Salter
• Web: boomglobalnetwork.com
• Upcoming Events: Speaking and moderating at Logicam in the Netherlands, 2026

Final Thoughts

This episode is an essential listen for supply chain professionals seeking actionable advice, honest reflections on failure and growth, and foresight into the inclusive, data-driven future of the industry. Melanie’s blend of technical acumen, mentorship, and advocacy for inclusivity embodies the evolving spirit of global supply chain leadership.

To learn more about upcoming events and further research:
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“You got to take something you heard today—just one thing—and put it into practice… Deeds, not words.” – Scott Luton (56:57)