The Freight RFP Process is Broken – Let’s Fix It with Maggie Petrovic
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
Release Date: 09/13/2021
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
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In "Scaling Logistics Innovation at Descartes Systems Group”, and , the General Manager of Transportation Management Solutions at Descartes Systems Group, discuss the strategic integration of trustworthy AI to enhance existing core logistics technology and solve practical pain points across the global supply chain. About Dan Cicerchi is the General Manager of Transportation Management Solutions at Descartes Systems Group, where he leads strategy and innovation for one of the industry’s most widely adopted logistics technology platforms. A seasoned entrepreneur and logistics tech pioneer,...
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In "The State of Logistics Hiring”, and , a recruiting and retention expert and CEO of CS Recruiting, discuss why employee-focused cultures and niche expertise are now critical to overcoming talent shortages in the supply chain industry. About Charlie Saffro is a recruiting and retention expert, a female entrepreneur, and a TEDx speaker with a passion for sharing ideas around human leadership, talent acquisition and retention, employee engagement, and company culture. Charlie founded a third party recruiting firm in 2010 with the goal of connecting employers and professionals within...
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Leveraging Shipper Intent Data to Win More Freight”, and , CEO & Co-founder at CarrierSource, discuss how their platform provides the real-time intent signals and AI tools necessary to turn passive interest into high-value revenue. About Rob Light is the CEO and a Co-Founder of CarrierSource, the leading review website for brokers and carriers. Rob has been building CarrierSource for the past five years, and prior to that was an early employee at the software review website G2.com. At G2, Rob saw the power of customer reviews and how small businesses could leverage the voice of their...
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In “Who Stole Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar's Tequila”, and , Sr. Director of Intelligence Solutions at Babel Street, discuss how national security intelligence methods are now vital for solving commercial theft and securing global supply chains. About Jessica McFate is Sr. Director of Intelligence Solutions at Babel Street and a career intelligence professional, specializing in OSINT for national security. At the Institute for the Study of War, her research won acclaim for forecasting the rise of ISIS. She has authored over 50 publications, briefed top U.S. government agencies, appeared in...
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In “Real-World Supply Chain AI Applications with Gather AI's Sankalp Arora”, and , CEO and Co-founder at Gather AI, discuss how Gather AI's combination of drone-collected visual data, AI analysis, and WMS integration is revolutionizing warehouse inventory management. About Sankalp Arora is the CEO & Co-Founder of Gather AI. With 14 years of experience, Sankalp developed safety and sensor planning for the world's first safe autonomous helicopter, funded by DARPA, a project that won the Howard Hughes award, AUVSI Xcellence award and was nominated for the Collier Trophy. He is a...
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In “Beyond the Rate: Why Accuracy, Transparency and Context Matter”, and , President, Intelligence, at Triumph, discuss how accuracy, transparency, and network connectivity are the new drivers for precision and confidence in the logistics industry. About Dawn Favier serves as President, Intelligence, at Triumph following the acquisition of Greenscreens.ai in May 2025. She brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in transportation management and logistics technology. Prior to joining Triumph, Ms. Salvucci-Favier served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Product Officer of...
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In “Beyond the Mega Shipper: Finding Untapped Demand”, and , Co-founder of breadd.ai, discuss the massive, yet often overlooked, opportunity in the mid-market. This essential pivot from chaotic prospecting to laser-focused selling is what breadd.ai helps brokers achieve. About Shan Wu is the cofounder of . As a lifelong sales rep, Shan has sold anything from billion dollar payment contracts to "nothing": cold calling for donations as a telefundraiser – and he still argues freight is the hardest thing to sell. He believes there's enough for everyone to eat in freight today –...
info_outlineThe Freight RFP Process is Broken – Let’s Fix It with Maggie Petrovic
Maggie Petrovic and Joe Lynch discuss the freight RFP process is broken – let’s fix it. Maggie is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Emerge, a company that is Reinventing Freight Procurement.
About Maggie Petrovic
Maggie Petrovic joined Emerge just over a year ago following 8 years with Coyote Logistics as Director of Enterprise Sales. Maggie brings her passion, dedication, and industry knowledge as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, now responsible for operationalizing Emerge’s game-changing products, ensuring the company translates its goals and visions into practices that lead to success, not only internally, but in every customer interaction as well. She has a B.A in Business & Communications from the University of Iowa.
About Emerge
Emerge, based in Scottsdale, AZ, is one of the fastest-growing startups in the U.S. and is transforming the $800 billion transportation and logistics industry with its digital freight marketplace platform. Emerge’s award-winning marketplace provides access to direct capacity and live market conditions helping shippers and carriers make the strongest, most beneficial decisions when procuring domestic freight. Launched in 2017, Emerge is backed by Greycroft, New Road Capital, 9Yards Capital, and the founder of GlobalTranz.
Key Takeaways: The Freight RFP Process is Broken – Let’s Fix It
- Maggie Petrovic is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Emerge, a company that is Reinventing Freight Procurement.
- The freight request for pricing (RFP) process is broken for both shippers and carriers.
- Shippers hate the current process because:
- The lack of technology makes the process clunky, cumbersome, and time consuming – so time consuming that most shippers only want to endure the process once per year.
- Results in paper rates – rates that are only good on paper.
- Too much focus on the process and not enough focus on building win-win relationships with carriers.
- Lack of carrier vetting and not enough of the right carriers involved.
- Carriers hate the current process because:
- Bid fatigue – too much time wasted on RFPs for shippers that never move freight with your company.
- Shipper motivations are unclear. Are they seriously looking for new carriers or are they just market testing their current carriers?
- Predicting the market and developing solid rates for the next 12 months is pretty much impossible.
- Not enough focus on building relationships with the right shippers.
- Emerge has created a technology platform that has streamlined the freight RFP process and delivered the following benefits:
- Freed of the time consuming, clunky process, shippers and carriers can spend more time discussing the freight characteristics and getting to know each other.
- With the process streamlined, shippers are moving to quarterly RFPs, which enables the carriers to deliver more competitive bids – and live with them (no more paper rates).
- In addition to their incumbent carriers, shippers have access to thousands of vetted carriers within the Emerge system.
- Emerge enables shippers to grow their partner network by connecting to thousands of verified carriers and brokers to ensure their loads are always covered.
- Carriers gain access and bid directly on exclusive contract and spot lanes that they would not otherwise have access to. Emerge’s network connects carriers with shippers of all sizes, providing more opportunities for carriers to work in their preferred lanes.
Learn More About The Freight RFP Process is Broken – Let’s Fix It
Building a Freight Juggernaut Again with Michael Leto
The Emerge Story with Andrew Leto
Rethinking the Freight RFP Process