30% of the world's food is wasted – and much of it is down to supply chain failures that technology can prevent. Souroush Honary, CEO and founder of SystemLoco, joins Mark Francis to talk about how near real-time data is transforming the way goods are tracked, monitored, and protected from farm to shelf. With over 3 million devices deployed and 50+ staff across the US, UK, and Taiwan, SystemLoco is making supply chain visibility accessible to businesses of all sizes – not just those at the high end of the market.
Souroush shares what it took to build a purpose-driven tech company over nearly 10 years, why engineers are natural problem solvers and how to lead them without micromanaging, and how thinking like a PhD researcher helps him approach every business challenge differently. He also opens up about the realities of scaling – restructuring teams, managing partners, riding exponential market curves, and staying data-driven in a company that sells data-driven solutions.
If you're a founder, tech CEO, or supply chain professional wondering how to lead with curiosity, scale with purpose, and build a team that stays with you for the long haul, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
Real-time supply chain data can prevent problems before they happen, reducing disruption costs that are often 5-10x the value of the goods themselves.
Embedding tracking technology into reusable packaging is dramatically reducing the cost of shipment monitoring and opening up markets that were previously unaffordable to serve.
Great leadership is about asking the right questions, not having all the answers – a shift in mindset that transformed Souroush's approach to running his team.
Building a strong partner ecosystem lets you scale without losing focus on what your company does best.
Empowering your team means accepting they may do things differently – and backing them anyway.
Incentivising staff with share options and making them part of the mission reduces knowledge loss and drives long-term retention.
Keeping your finger on the pulse of market trends – especially exponential shifts driven by AI and falling hardware costs – is essential to positioning your company for the next growth curve.
The best sales approach in complex B2B markets is to listen more than you pitch and solve the core problem before expanding scope.
Follow SystemLoco: Website: https://www.systemloco.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/systemloco
Connect with Souroush Honary:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/souroush-honary-5925986/
I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team
Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/
Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com
Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K
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Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship.
If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.
What is Who's Your Captain??
Who's Your Captain explores the leadership lessons hidden in the stories of sports' greatest captains. Hosted by Mark Francis, this podcast dives deep into what separates good leaders from legendary ones—on the field, in the locker room, and beyond.
Each episode features conversations with elite athletes, coaches, and sports professionals who've experienced world-class leadership firsthand. From the mental resilience required to lead under pressure to the communication strategies that unite divided teams, Mark unpacks the principles that make exceptional captains unforgettable.
Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, or navigating your own personal challenges, the insights from sports captains translate directly to everyday leadership. These aren't just sports stories—they're blueprints for building trust, inspiring performance, and leading with integrity.
Mark Francis brings his passion for sports and leadership together to deliver authentic, actionable conversations that inspire listeners to step up and lead in their own lives. New episodes drop weekly, bringing you closer to understanding what it truly means to captain your own ship.
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