Simply Trade

[ROUNDUP] Long-Term Thinking in a Short-Term World: A CEO’s View on Growth and Culture with Chris Bachinski

Host: Annik Sobing [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annik-sobing-mba-b226251a2/] Guest: Chris Bachinnski, Co‑CEO & President, GHY [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-bachinski-cjb/] International Published: March 2026 Length: ~35 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center Annik sits down with Chris Bachinnski, Co‑CEO and President of GHY International, for a leadership‑focused conversation on what it really takes to build and sustain a customs brokerage and trade business in a volatile, tech‑driven environment. Starting from sweeping floors in his dad’s trucking company at age 12 to leading a 100+ year‑old firm, Chris shares how work ethic, curiosity, and culture have shaped his career across transportation, marketing, and now trade. What You’ll Learn in This Episode * Chris’s unconventional path to trade * Grew up in trucking, bought his dad’s company in his 20s, then sold into a publicly traded roll‑up and learned the pros/cons of “quarterly mindset.” * Shifted into a small marketing agency as CFO/COO, where he discovered the tight link between brand and culture and began doing leadership/culture training for clients. * GHY first hired his firm for branding and leadership work; later, owner Rick Reeseinvited him in as President specifically for his leadership and culture skills, not customs expertise. * Designing and changing culture on purpose * Chris interviewed all 105 GHY associates in his first 6–7 months just to listen, then worked with leadership to define: what must never change, what needs to improve, and which behaviors will be tolerated. * His core belief: “Culture is the result of the behaviors you permit”—leaders must live values first, then hold people accountable, even when that means making hard calls on long‑tenured but misaligned employees. * From operator to enterprise‑level leader * With GHY now ~245–250 people, Chris’s CEO coach pushed him to stop being involved in everything and focus on: looking around the corner, aligning the organization, and holding leaders accountable. * He still stays grounded by walking the office daily, restarting one‑on‑one interviews with staff after 10 years, and sharing results from his annual leadership feedback survey with the entire company. * Leading through uncertainty and mistakes * In COVID and the recent tariff/trade waves, GHY leaned into two non‑negotiables: care for people and care for clients, avoiding knee‑jerk layoffs and thinking long‑term even after a “spooked” decision in early 2025. * On errors, Chris rejects the “I let people make mistakes so they learn” line as arrogant; instead, he tells the story of a six‑figure error where GHY refused a resignation, treated it as (expensive) education, and moved forward. * Advice for aspiring leaders * Chris distinguishes between title‑driven leaders and those who see leadership as stewardship: taking what’s been entrusted, making it better, and protecting it for the future. * His core advice: cultivate insatiable curiosity, ask lots of questions, seek mentors, practice empathy (especially now, with stressed employees and customers), and avoid short‑term, fear‑based decisions. * Tech, AI, and the future of brokerage * Chris is candid with his board that technology is the one thing he least wants to under‑estimate; the impact he thought was 5–10 years out is arriving much faster. * GHY’s focus: embrace technology plus process improvement not as a headcount weapon, but as a tool to make people better, improve accuracy, and help clients succeed—constantly questioning “we’ve always done it this way.” Credits Host: Annik Sobing Guest: Chris Bachinnski (Co‑CEO & President, GHY International) Producer: Annik Sobing Subscribe & Follow • YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@simplytradepod?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast] • Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast] • Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast] Join the conversation with fellow trade professionals in the Trade Geeks Community: https://globaltrainingcenter.com/portal/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast [https://globaltrainingcenter.com/portal/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast]

The Pete & Cindy Show: Trade, Tariffs, and Real Talk from the Front Lines

🎧 Host(s) * Cindy Allen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-allen-a3188210/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast] – CEO, TradeForce Multiplier * Pete Mento [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-mento-17a5943/]– Director, Global Trade Advisory, Baker Tilly [https://www.bakertilly.com/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast] 📅 Published Date March 24, 2026 ⏱️ Episode Length ~42 minutes 🧠 Episode Summary Welcome to a special edition of Simply Trade—The Pete & Cindy Show. In this episode, industry veterans Cindy Allen and Pete Mento take the mic for a candid, unscripted conversation on the current state of global trade. With no guests and no filters, the two dive into real-world challenges, industry trends, and the evolving role of trade professionals. Blending humor, sharp insight, and deep experience, Cindy and Pete break down complex trade topics in a way that’s both practical and engaging. From tariff pressures to business strategy, this episode feels less like an interview—and more like sitting in on a conversation between two of the industry’s most respected voices. 🔑 Key Learnings * Why today’s trade environment demands both technical expertise and business awareness * How leaders in trade are adapting to constant regulatory and economic shifts * The importance of communication and storytelling in trade compliance * How humor and personality can play a role in making complex topics accessible * Why experienced professionals are rethinking how they engage with the next generation of trade talent 💡 Key Takeaways * Trade is no longer just operational—it’s strategic and highly visible * The best insights often come from open, unstructured conversations * Industry leaders must balance compliance, economics, and business realities * Authenticity and personality matter more than ever in education and content * Sometimes, the most valuable discussions happen when you drop the formal format 🔗 Resources & Mentions * TradeForce Multiplier * Baker Tilly Global Trade Advisory * Simply Trade Podcast 👏 Credits * Host: Cindy Allen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-allen-a3188210/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast] * Host: Pete Mento [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-mento-17a5943/] * Produced by Lalo Solorzano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalosolorzano/] * Published by Global Training Center 📲 Subscribe & Follow * 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast] * 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast] * 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simplytradepod?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@simplytradepod?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast] 🔗 Connect With Us * Global Training Center: https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-training-center?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-training-center?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast] * Trade Geeks Community: https://globaltrainingcenter.com/portal/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast [https://globaltrainingcenter.com/portal/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast] 🎙️ Want to Be on the Show? Have insights on trade, customs, or global logistics? We’d love to feature your voice on Simply Trade. Reach out and join the conversation.

[ROUNDUP] Scaling AI in Global Enterprises: Live Trade Compliance Conversations

Host: Annik Sobing Guests: Jennifer Varney (Volvo Group) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-varney-95b81210/], Penny Chen (PAX) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennypinyichen/] Recorded at: ICPA Conference, San Antonio, TX Published: March 2026 Length: ~25 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center AI Meets Trade Compliance: From Auto Supply Chains to AI Live from ICPA San Antonio, Annik sits down with Jennifer from Volvo Group and Penny from PAX for an all‑women, International Women’s Day‑timed conversation about how AI is actually being used in trade compliance today—far beyond the buzzwords. They explore the reality of AI inside a massively complex automotive supply chain, how duty drawback is being reimagined with AI, and what trade teams should think about before buying or building any tools. What You’ll Learn in This Episode * Session highlights from ICPA * Jennifer: Practical implementation of AI to support customs clearance at the enterprise level—how one company uses AI to survive an “ever‑changing and incredibly volatile” trade landscape. * Penny: A “beginner‑friendly” intro to general AI tools, how large language models work, and how trade compliance leaders can evaluate AI quality and fit. * The automotive reality: 1,000+ policy changes and thousands of parts * In just the last year, there have been 1,000+ trade policy changes worldwide, affecting about 5 trillion dollars in spend. * Most of the real impact comes from trade barrier changes, not facilitation measures. * A single vehicle can have 2,000–3,000 parts sourced from thousands of suppliers globally, some in‑house, some external. * New demands around Section 232 (steel/aluminum/copper), forced labor, EUDR, connected vehicle rules, dual‑use, etc. mean OEMs must know their supply base down to raw material origin and processing, sometimes 5–6 tiers deep. * Why human-only workflows can’t keep up * Many tier‑1 suppliers don’t even have the data OEMs now must report, or consider it proprietary. * Trade teams are drowning in documentation, entry creation, and ever‑changing regulatory demands—falling behind risks blocked shipments and massive cost. * Jennifer’s view: AI is less about replacing people and more about augmenting limited resources before they’re “buried under all of the legislative changes.” * Where AI fits in (and where it doesn’t) * Example use case: consolidating multiple documents (PO, invoice, BL, shipping manifest) to build a single 7501—AI reads different formats, extracts the right fields, and populates data so humans review instead of retyping. * Penny’s rule of thumb: if it’s a task you’d happily delegate to an intern, it’s a candidate for automation or semi‑automation. * AI frees people to focus on high‑value work: audits, wider coverage (5% → 99%), forecasting regulatory changes, and adjusting systems/processes for what’s coming next. * Starting your AI journey: practical adoption path * Step 1: Use free or existing tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot) for summaries, data cleaning, and simple tasks. * Step 2: When needs get more complex, consider specialized AI tools (like PAX’s AI‑powered duty drawback service), but pair them with solid ROI analysis: cost vs. time savings vs. recovered dollars. * Step 3: For large enterprises, begin with defining pain points and a data strategy: * Where do you spend the most time? * Which activity is eating 90% of your bandwidth? * What data will go into AI, and what exactly do you want back out? * Overcoming fear and building buy‑in * Penny’s take: curiosity is your best ally—if you don’t know how to use AI, start by asking AI how to use AI. * Jennifer’s advice: * Engage stakeholders early; give them a voice in how the tool is designed and used. * Set realistic expectations—even with aggressive automation, maybe only ~30% of workload can be automated today. * Focus human effort on strategy and change management, not repetitive admin. * Choosing the “right” AI for your team * Not every company needs every AI—e.g., if you classify one item a month, a classification platform may not be worth it. * For trade leaders, tool selection should be guided by: * Where you lose the most time or money. * Data type mix (text + structured data). * Compliance/guardrail needs and vendor transparency about models and controls. * Conferences like ICPA are key: they surface real use cases, connect trade and tech experts, and help teams refine what they actually need. International Women’s Day Spotlight This episode also celebrates International Women’s Day and highlights women leading in trade, tech, and compliance—from OEMs to AI startups. Annik closes with a shoutout to all women in trade who are building, leading, and pushing the industry forward. Credits Host: Annik Sobing Guests: Jennifer (Volvo Group), Penny (PAX) Recorded at: ICPA Conference, San Antonio, TX   Listen & Subscribe * Simply Trade main page: https://simplytrade.podbean.com [https://simplytrade.podbean.com/] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq [https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq] * Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8de7d7fa-38e0-41b2-bad3-b8a3c5dc4cda/simply-trade [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8de7d7fa-38e0-41b2-bad3-b8a3c5dc4cda/simply-trade] Connect with Simply Trade * Podcast page: https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/simply-trade-podcast [https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/simply-trade-podcast] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/simply-trade-podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/simply-trade-podcast] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod [https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod] Join the Trade Geeks Community * Trade Geeks (by Global Training Center): https://globaltrainingcenter.com/trade-geeks/ [https://globaltrainingcenter.com/trade-geeks/]

[ROUNDUP] GTM Prep 101: Clean your Data Like You're Hosting the In-Laws

Host: Annik Sobing Guest: Kenneth G. Peters Published: February 2026 Length: ~20 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center GTM Software Prep: Don't Install Until You've Done These 3 Things First In this Simply Trade Roundup, Annik talks with Kenneth G. Peters, President at MIC US and Director of Commercial Operations in North America, about Global Trade Management (GTM) software—specifically, what trade teams must do before implementation to avoid creating “digital chaos.” Ken shares real talk from his ATCC presentation on data cleanup, process mapping, and testing, plus why “cleaning your data like you're hosting the in-laws” is now his signature advice. Shoutout to Alison for the killer slides. What You’ll Learn in This Episode * Ken’s new grandpa status (the little guy is 7 months old—congrats!) and why it’s the “next step in life” that keeps him energized for trade tech. * The #1 mistake companies make with GTM software * Data cleanup first: Don’t dump junk into GTM. Scrub inactive vendors, obsolete parts, invalid HS codes (like 111111 or all zeros). Clean it like you're hosting the in-laws—no mess allowed. * Why: GTM amplifies what you give it. Bad data in = faster mistakes out. * Avoid the “Big Bang” implementation trap * Don’t try to do everything at once (denied party screening + classification + FTA rules + solicitation). * Start small: 1. Classification (builds the foundation—parts, HS codes, values). 2. Denied party screening (uses your vendor/part data). 3. FTA analysis (relies on classification/HS from step 1). * Why: Master data dependencies mean you build once and reuse everywhere. * Processes over pixels * GTM won’t fix broken workflows. Map your processes before going live. * If your current setup is emailing Excel files between systems, you’re not automating—you’re digitizing chaos. * True automation: ERP ↔ GTM via SFTP, APIs, XML—no human hands on keyboards. Reduces errors, speeds everything up. * Who owns what after go‑live * MIC US (GTM provider): Manages the software backend—reg updates, HS databases, platform maintenance. * Your team: Owns the process (classification, entry creation, decision‑making). Someone still reviews outputs for accuracy. * No “managed services” from MIC—GTM is a tool, not a full‑service outsource. * Testing: where most implementations fail * Allocate real time and resources to testing—don’t rush it. * Test end‑to‑end: data flow, workflows, edge cases. * Why: Skipped or rushed testing = live problems that cost more to fix later. * “If your systems are emailing Excel files to each other, you're not automating” * Ken’s golden rule: Hands‑off data flow (ERP → GTM) eliminates errors. * Excel handoffs = manual errors waiting to happen. Key Takeaways * Clean data first: Active parts, valid HS, no ghosts—GTM makes good data shine and bad data explode. * Start small, build smart: Classification → screening → FTA, not “big bang everything.” * Fix processes before pixels: GTM won’t save broken workflows; it speeds them up. * Testing = non‑negotiable: Rushed testing = expensive live fixes. * GTM is a force multiplier—if your foundation is solid. Credits Host: Annik Sobing Guest: Kenneth G. Peters, President, MIC US Producer: Annik Sobing  Listen & Subscribe * Simply Trade main page: https://simplytrade.podbean.com [https://simplytrade.podbean.com/] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq [https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq] * Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8de7d7fa-38e0-41b2-bad3-b8a3c5dc4cda/simply-trade [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8de7d7fa-38e0-41b2-bad3-b8a3c5dc4cda/simply-trade] Connect with Simply Trade * Podcast page: https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/simply-trade-podcast [https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/simply-trade-podcast] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/simply-trade-podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/simply-trade-podcast] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod [https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod] Join the Trade Geeks Community * Trade Geeks (by Global Training Center): https://globaltrainingcenter.com/trade-geeks/ [https://globaltrainingcenter.com/trade-geeks/]

[ROUNDUP] Tariffs, Trust Issues & USMCA 2.0 with Joshua Beker

Host: Annik Sobing Guest: Joshua Beker Published: February 6, 2026 Length: ~20 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center ATCC 2026: Cookies, Customs Law, and Why Trade is Suddenly Sexy Live from Day 3 of the Advanced Topics in Customs Compliance (ATCC) Conference in Houston, Annik sits down with trade lawyer Joshua Beker from Roberts & Kehagiaras LLP Law Firm (met thanks to their irresistible local cookies). Joshua shares how he accidentally fell into trade law before it was "cool," why kids are now chasing trade careers, and what brokers/importers need to fix right nowamid tariff chaos. What You'll Learn in This Episode: * How Joshua stumbled into trade law during school and now gets constant "how do I become a trade lawyer?" messages from students * Why 2018's first 301 tariffs (2.5% → 25%) made everyone suddenly care about duties—and 2026's even wilder environment is drawing new talent * Common mistakes still killing companies: Chinese-labeled boxes from "Vietnam," missing factory photos, zero origin verification * The compliance "magnifying glass": origin, valuation, classification now mean 50% duty swings under USMCA if you get it wrong * Trust crisis aftermath: 2025's Truth Social posts that went nowhere (Canada 100%, Korea hikes, India rollback)—how to rebuild process confidence * Cross-functional training is non-negotiable: engineers, finance, procurement mustunderstand why compliance asks for BOMs/pictures/policies * ATCC value for brokers: quick expert guidance on 232 valuations (CBP guidance often thin), E&O help, license audits, client advising (auto/steel/furniture/medical) Joshua's 2026 Predictions: * Retraction/scale-back of aggressive trade actions (already starting) * IEEPA case decision post-State of the Union * USMCA renegotiation: all 3 countries want updates—lobby now via public comments (it works—tariff shift rules already changed from past efforts) * Policies aren't static: build living procedures that adapt monthly, assign owners, train cross-functionally ATCC Highlights (Houston, Feb 2026): Joshua emphasizes ATCC's blend of C-suite policy + operational "how-to-file-today" sessions with lawyers/brokers/importers. Global networking (Canada/Brazil/Mexico/Adidas reps) creates crisis-call contacts. For Southern border brokers, it's essential intel to serve auto/steel/furniture/medical clients amid monthly rule shifts. Key Takeaways: Trade law went from invisible to hot overnight—leverage conferences like ATCC to upskill fast Start fixing compliance with education: get lawyers in front of decision-makers, scare with penalties, build policies Cross-train everyone—they don't need expertise, just enough to escalate red flags and support compliance asks Lobbying works: USMCA tariff shift changes prove public comments shape outcomes—submit yours now ATCC isn't optional for brokers/importers—it's where you translate big-picture chaos into industry-specific procedures Resources & Mentions: * Roberts & Kehagiaras LLP: customs practice, broker E&O, audits, rulings * ATCC Conference: advanced customs compliance, Houston 2026 * PaxAI & Global Training Center: Simply Trade Podcast Sponsors Presented by: Global Training Center [https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast] Listen & Subscribe * Simply Trade main page: https://simplytrade.podbean.com [https://simplytrade.podbean.com/] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq [https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq] * Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8de7d7fa-38e0-41b2-bad3-b8a3c5dc4cda/simply-trade [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8de7d7fa-38e0-41b2-bad3-b8a3c5dc4cda/simply-trade] Connect with Simply Trade * Podcast page: https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/simply-trade-podcast [https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/simply-trade-podcast] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/simply-trade-podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/simply-trade-podcast] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod [https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod] Join the Trade Geeks Community * Trade Geeks (by Global Training Center): https://globaltrainingcenter.com/trade-geeks/ [https://globaltrainingcenter.com/trade-geeks/]