Supply Chain Innovation Series: Part 2
Josh Saffran and the Plug and Play crew return to Doing Business in Bentonville this week, talking compliance, venture capital, labor models and the Phoenix tech scene... with a little Mad Libs thrown in.
As Josh, Alaina and Harvey banter and swap tales of their podcast's 'unexpected rise to fame', guest Michael Zalle of Yellowbird unfolds the narrative of his tech startup adventures and details how Yellowbird is turning the environmental health and safety compliance world on its head.
Get ready to chuckle at the Mad Libs game, which cleverly mirrors the current temperament of venture capital funding, ensuring both giggles and enlightenment. Then, Plug and Play puts the spotlight on Yellowbird's knack for swiftly connecting skilled professionals with enterprises craving their expertise.
This episode peels back the curtain on their astute use of AI and their expansive network, painting a vivid picture of their API strategy and symbiotic software company partnerships.
The group also ponders the virtues of flexible labor models and their vital role in upholding service excellence—without the rigidity of a sizable full-time workforce. While they may keep the case studies under wraps, the implications of Yellowbird's ROI for businesses are as evident as the clear blue skies of Bentonville.
The crew wraps up with a candid discussion on the evolution of the startup ecosystem in Phoenix, and how it's shaping up to be more than just cacti and desert views. Tune in for a conversation that's as engaging as it is informative, crossing the intersection of labor tech trends, risk assessment, talent acquisition, and the pulse of Phoenix's tech scene.
Ep. 38 - Yellowbird's Take on Environmental Health and Safety - with Michael Zalle
Josh Saffran and the Plug and Play crew return to Doing Business in Bentonville this week, talking compliance, venture capital, labor models and the Phoenix tech scene
Latest
Ep. 5 - The Hidden Cost of EDI Chaos
Clean data keeps retail moving. Orderful SVP Jonathan Kish explains why EDI still powers omnichannel, where it breaks, and how modern integrations speed onboarding, cut chargebacks, and sync inventory as AI driven shopping raises the bar for accuracy.
Why Talent Development Is the Hidden Engine of Retail Innovation
Retail’s future depends not just on AI, but on building the people who can bring innovation to life.
Shrink Is a Systems Problem, Not Just a Security One
Shrink isn’t just theft—it’s a supply chain and data integrity issue retailers must fix from the source.
Why Secondhand, Analog, and Brand Meaning Matter in 2026
Secondhand retail is booming as shoppers seek authenticity, sustainability, and identity over instant gratification.