June 22, 2016 Last week I was in New Zealand, and I went on a wild ride on the Dart River (see below). We went at 100 kph with just 4 inches of water. It was a thrilling ride with amazing scenery in the background, and it got me [...]
Demand planning delivers such useful information on client demand that even Lean devotees will find data on longer-term forecasts, seasonal products and trending patterns useful. Whether you are on the Lean journey or not, you need a demand plan! Prior to forming LMA Consulting Group, I was a VP [...]
June 15, 2016 This past week, I've been in New Zealand, following my strategy / mentor advisory meeting in Sydney and a few tours in Australia. Our first stop was Christchurch. It was devastated by an earthquake in 2011 with buildings crumbling everywhere - apparently, they hadn't built Christchurch [...]
The full benefits of SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning), also known as S&OP, blossom when it's treated like an organization-wide strategic initiative instead of a narrower supply chain project. Although the supply chain and operations resources typically coordinate the SIOP process as their skills align best with the majority [...]
June 8, 2016 This past weekend, I was in Sydney for a strategy / mentor advisory meeting. Sydney happened to have Vivid Sydney (a color light show throughout the city with entertainment etc.) in full force for the first two weeks of June - what a great way to [...]
The Spring Executive Panel & Networking Symposium focused on emerging supply chain trends and acknowledged those emergent leaders contributing to manufacturers, supply chain professionals and distributors to improve their education, lead times, forecasting, data analysis and supplier relationships. The Inland Empire Chapter of APICS, the leading association for supply chain and [...]
May 31, 2016 This past weekend, I visited my good friend's step-mom, and she is a master at communication. Undoubtedly, she can "win" any conversation with anyone at any time, and the other party will be happy with the outcome. Wouldn't we all like to be this good?!? One [...]
The technical aspects of SIOP, also known as S&OP, still have to filter through people. Success happens when everyone in an organization is operating from a single integrated plan. As with everything in business success, SIOP (sales, inventory and operations planning) success is a straight line back to people. [...]
May 25, 2016 I just had a brainstorming session with one of my key clients about the integrated planning process - in essence, how demand and supply match up to ensure customer service (which is #1 for every client in today's environment), growth, and improved margins and cash flow. [...]
Worker skill gaps continue to impact manufacturers and distributors productivity and profitability who don’t make an investment in their human capital In the past week, I’ve had the opportunity to hear the leading experts in manufacturing, distribution and logistics. There were a few common threads among EVERY expert yet [...]
