From Dispatcher to Global Strategist with Wolfgang LaMarca | Ep 52

Wolfgang LaMarca joins Miles and Mentors for a wide ranging conversation that begins at the dispatch desk and stretches to boardrooms across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He started in local distribution, moved through ocean freight, and ultimately led strategy for major organizations including TNT and GeoPost, with advisory work at the World Economic Forum. Now based in Hong Kong, Wolfgang advises startups and multinationals on digitization, freight technology, and the future of supply chains.

Early in the episode he explains why trucking hooked him from the start. Transport never stops, which makes it a problem solving profession that rewards people who can make sense of incomplete signals and move fast. He contrasts his early days as a dispatcher in the 1980s, when there were no mobile phones, with today’s data rich operations. The core job remains the same. Gather information, decide quickly, and keep freight moving.

Wolfgang underscores the global importance of logistics. No modern economy is self sufficient, so transport connects centers of excellence across borders. He encourages operators to notice the common threads that run through different regions. The vehicles, software, and workflows often converge, even as markets mature at different speeds. In places with heavy constraints, he has seen leapfrogging. Southeast Asia’s logistics apps and Brazil’s security driven monitoring are examples where necessity pushed technology forward.

On technology, Wolfgang cuts through the hype. He views IoT as foundational because it connects assets and shipments to data. Blockchain is already embedded in real systems such as financial flows and port processes, even if it is not loudly marketed. AI matters when it is wrapped in practical tools. Operators do not buy AI or blockchain, they buy transport, fleet, and warehouse systems that quietly bundle these technologies. The hardest part is not the tool but the implementation. Leaders should plan for multi year rollouts, focus on adoption, and treat every technology program like a project with clear ownership and milestones.

Leadership and growth are consistent themes. Wolfgang credits mentors for opening doors, then stresses personal responsibility for swimming when thrown into the deep end. He offers concrete advice for trucking owners who want to grow beyond the cab. Learn the broader economic and social context, build a disciplined network, and carve out time to think beyond day to day firefighting. He also emphasizes the inner game. Confidence, judgment, and the ability to translate new ideas into action are the real multipliers. Languages matter too. Understanding both low context and high context cultures helps leaders navigate international relationships more effectively.

The episode closes with lessons from Hong Kong as a strategic base for Asia. Proximity to major hubs keeps travel efficient and decision cycles short. Wherever you operate, the same principles apply. Treat each shipment like a project, rely on collaboration, and keep learning. If you want a grounded view of where freight is going and how to lead through the change, this conversation delivers practical insight you can use immediately.