Legal technology and global logistics

In this interview, Lana, Radial Europe’s contract manager, shares her unique perspective on legal technology and global logistics, contract management, the impact of AI and blockchain in logistics, and the value of diverse cultural experiences.

With a background spanning multiple countries and disciplines, Lana discusses how her legal education, interest in technology, and personal challenges have shaped her approach to work.

She emphasizes the importance of employee education, cross-cultural understanding, and the potential of emerging technologies in the logistics industry. Lana also touches on her personal interests, including yoga, meditation, and interior design, offering a glimpse into the multifaceted life of a truly global professional.

Lana, first of all, can you tell us what contract management is, exactly?

It’s primarily a management process of contract lifecycles. Simply speaking, contract managers are safeguards of a contract’s complex evolution.
Contract managers are responsible for controlling the compliance and duration of contracts. They ensure that everything is organized regarding document flow and maintaining control of this order.

So it’s a very specific discipline of the legal business area, closer to legal technology and global logistics than to classical Legal Services.

For example, if a company doesn’t maintain proper document flow or educate its employees about the importance of document order, a court can decide that the company waives its rights.

Take confidential information as an example. To qualify information as confidential, it’s not enough to just label it as such. It must be maintained and secured within the company. If it’s not secured properly, this information may lose its protection and not be qualified as confidential.

What’s the main risk?

The company could lose its competitive edge and reputation among business partners and customer. Reputation is an intangible asset which sometimes is even more valuable than tangible assets.

Why did you choose to work for Radial Europe?

I chose Radial Europe because it’s a global company with great potential. I have legal education from both Europe and the US, so I was looking for a company where I could utilize my skills and education from both. From very beginning I realized that Radial is a place where I can grow and where I want to be as team player.

You’ve lived in several countries – the US, Lithuania, Malta, Indonesia, Turkey, Poland. Do you consider yourself a global nomad or just a very cosmopolitan person?

Logistics is an industry that’s dominated by men. What are your thoughts on gender equality?

Honestly, I’ve always worked in industries where men prevailed, but I’ve never experienced any discrimination as a woman. In industries like logistics and manufacturing, the focus is on skills and results. It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female; what’s important is your attitude and how quickly you can solve issues and find solution, and how the solution is effective.

My role model is Hildegard Wortman, a leader in automotive, another male-dominated industry. I think that Hildegard indirectly motivated me to study across the ocean. That’s the impact of real leadership.

Can you tell us about your educational background?

I started studying International Law with the goal of becoming a diplomat. I always wanted to work in an international area and combine my job with travel. Later, I realized that working in international companies applies many of the same principles as diplomacy. I studied public and european law and then legal technology in the US.

Speaking of AI and blockchain, how do you see these technologies impacting logistics?

Blockchain is already being used by big carriers. In logistics, blockchain can reduce transportation costs, eliminate unnecessary intermediaries, and reduce document processing time.

It also helps in making supply chains more transparent and can almost eliminate counterfeit products.

Supply chains are constantly improving and becoming more complex. At the same time, the relationship between carriers, manufacturers and customers becomes less transparent. Detecting a violation or attempted deception in a long chain is difficult and time consuming. The utilization of blockchain in logistics will make all processes fast, transparent and secure.
I believe that in the future blockchain technology will become a gold standard in industry, so I just wonder which player will pioneer and customize such technologies for logistics.

As for AI, it’s revolutionizing many aspects of logistics, from route optimization to predictive maintenance. A larger topic for another discussion on legal technology and global logistics.

On a personal note, you mentioned that you practice yoga. How would you recommend it for business people?

Yoga and meditation provides a skill to deal with all types of situations with serenity, tranquillity and equanimity. Even starting your workday with just 5-10 minutes of meditation can help you focus and make a huge impact on your productivity and сreativity

You’re affected by dyslexia. How has this impacted your life?

It mostly affects my communication skills, which is why I prefer to avoid public speaking. I need to be in a secure area to communicate and speak freely. Being both dyslexic and an introvert, it’s challenging in areas where public speaking is required. However, it also means I have plenty of ideas in my head – almost every day, I have a new startup idea.

Impressive how you’ve managed to achieve so much despite these challenges. What other personal interests do you have?

I heard you’re also studying Japanese?

Back to technology, is there any area where we are actually implementing AI and blockchain within Radial technology and global logistics operations, either in the US or Europe? Or are we planning to do so?

I’m not able to answer this question specifically for Radial due to confidentiality. However, I can say that blockchain technology is being widely adopted in areas like electronic banking and cryptocurrency due to its high level of security for transactions.

What’s the area where you would like to develop within Radial?

For me, it’s very important to educate all employees through communication and constant exchange of experience. I believe that the best investment for a company is to have educated and motivated employees.

Would you like to have an active role?

I’d like to take part in trainings and help with education. When you educate someone, it’s interactive – you educate them, and they provide feedback that educates you in return. This helps improve processes because they can highlight problems that I might not see. With such attitude we build a strong team where everyone is important and everyone’s input is impactful.

For example, when I give a presentation to my colleagues and hear their feedback, I often realize they have brilliant ideas that could simplify and make processes more transparent. It’s always a dialogue, and it’s very important to me to have contact with all my colleagues and hear their feedback. I think we can learn from each other.

Thank you for sharing all these insights, Sviatlana. Your diverse background and interests bring a very unique perspective to your work at Radial.

Thank you, Matteo. I’m always eager to apply my various experiences and knowledge to contribute to Radial’s success.