Insightful Discussion with Will Chu: CEO at Vector - Exclusive Interview
At our platform, we're all about sharing secrets from the minds of industry leaders across the globe. So, we've launched our "Seasoned Leadership in ActionTM" Interview series. This one's with none other than Will Chu, CEO and Co-Founder of Vector, a company that's revolutionizing trucking and logistics by nixing physical paperwork.
Give us a peek into your background and career journey
When the Great Recession hit in 2009, Will and his team dived headfirst into tackling challenges as the Director and later VP of Engineering at Addepar—a wealth management platform that grew from a napkin scribble to over 300 employees. In 2015, they spotted an opportunity to modernize transportation by eliminating paperwork—and so, Vector, a contactless pickup and delivery solution for shippers, carriers, 3PLs, and retailers, was born.
Last year, when COVID-19 sent the supply chain industry into a tizzy, they ramped up their efforts, joining the Consumer Brands Association's Contactless Delivery Task Force, and developing an open standard, encompassing e-bills of lading, driver workflow, and mobile capture. All in the name of safeguarding drivers, dock workers, and administrative staff.
What are your proudest business accomplishments?
Will takes great pride in Vector's nimbleness and ability to adapt swiftly to market fluctuations. His team keeps pushing and adapting, delivering on products, restructuring marketing and sales, taking on new customer onboarding challenges—all while supplying an exceptional user experience. For almost 20 years, he's leveraged opportunities to boost industries in need. He's also grateful to his employees, partners, and pals for their support in the transformations they've wrought together.
How have Business and Supply Chain evolved through your career?
When Vector was conceived in 2014, they set out to digitize driver operations in the transportation industry. This vision morphed into a broader goal—a paperless supply chain. But then the pandemic struck, adding a new wrinkle—ensuring employee safety alongside efficiency, visibility, accuracy, timeliness, and sustainability. Now, it's apparent that safety is no longer just an optional concern; it's a top priority.
Fortunately, companies and industry leaders have started to collaborate more closely to construct a stronger, more agile supply chain.
What critical career lessons can others learn from your experiences?
- Staff your team with top-notch individuals who excel in their areas of expertise—you can't do it all alone.
- Fashion a culture that encourages autonomy, creativity, taking chances, and the occasional failure.
- If you're addressing a problem, you're probably not a subject matter expert (SME). Chat with as many customers and prospects as possible, discuss your ideas, and refine them before building a solution.
Which global challenges demand your attention?
Streamlining the delivery system—ensuring goods get where they need to go—is pivotal to our global economy. It's a complex challenge that often goes unnoticed until a snag arises! Improving the system's resilience is vital to address this challenge.
How can Business, Supply Chain, and Change Leadership contribute to resolving these challenges?
It's our responsibility to keep one eye on the future and anticipate future needs. We must continually tweak processes and technologies that easily adapt when unforeseen events occur.
What projects are you immersed in today?
Lately, Vector has been hard at work alongside the Consumer Brands Association as part of the Contactless Delivery Task Force. They've developed a comprehensive contactless pickup and delivery pilot program to foster better understanding of the data and process standards required for industry-wide adoption at scale.
What advice would you offer to aspiring business and supply chain professionals?
The average career-changer switches jobs 5 to 7 times. A lot of this can be prevented by knowing what you want early on. If your goal is to become a CFO of a technology company or a VP of Supply Chain in a retail company, speak with as many industry leaders as possible to get a feel for their career paths. Once you have a good sense of the career path, gain experience in that industry. Engaging in internships during high school and college will better prepare you for the real world and lend more meaning to your academic pursuits.
Want to reach out to Vector?
Email us at [email protected] or call (855) 442-5623. Link up with Will on LinkedIn, too!
Resources
- Copyright © Mortson Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
- Originally published on April 13, 2021.
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- In the transportation and logistics sector, Vector, under Will Chu's leadership, has revolutionized the industry by eliminating paperwork, nimbleness, and adaptability to market fluctuations being key drivers of their success.
- Recognizing the evolving nature of business and supply chain, Will Chu stresses the importance of fostering a workplace culture that encourages autonomy, creativity, and taking calculated risks, which he believes is essential for adapting to industry changes.
- Collaboration among companies and industry leaders is crucial for constructing a stronger, more resilient supply chain, with an increased focus on safety and sustainability becoming key priorities in navigating global challenges such as streamlining the delivery system.
