In this episode of Forward Thinking, Sam Smeaton speaks with Paul Zalai, co-founder and director of the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA).

They discuss the evolution of FTA, the challenges facing the freight forwarding and logistics industry, and the impact of AI and automation on talent. Paul shares insights on policy advocacy, customs broker shortages, and the importance of building a pipeline of skilled professionals.

This conversation covers industry trends, recruitment challenges, and what the future could look like for freight in Australia.

Ep 1 - "They think all freight forwarders are dumb", with Arman Muhović from Northline Logistics.

In this first episode of Forward Thinking, Sam Smeaton from LogiHire sits down with Arman Muhović, International Trade Lane & Pricing Manager at Northline. Arman shares how he carved out a unique role managing global agent relationships and why pricing, trust, and hustle still drive results in freight.

We also cover some common misconceptions about the logistics and freight forwarding industry.

We talk about:

• How the freight industry has changed in just a few years
• Why customers are getting sharper and savvier
• The real impact of geopolitical shifts and blank sailings
• What makes someone successful in forwarding (spoiler: it’s not your resume)
• How to get more young people into the industry
• Whether AI is a threat or just another tool

Arman doesn’t hold back - from pricing strategies to therapy sessions with clients, this one’s packed with honest insights, smart advice, and a few laughs.

For anyone in logistics, or thinking about getting into it, this is a must-listen.