LMA Futurist Award
What is an LMA Futurist?
Since our 10-year anniversary in 2015, we have been recognizing people who have contributed to our success with our LMA Advocate award. As we approached our 20th anniversary, we decided to expand with what is essential to growth and success. Thus, the LMA Futurist award was born.
Over the next few years, supply chains will transform as companies are starkly aware of geopolitical risks and global trade shifts, artificial intelligence’s critical importance in fueling dramatic growth and productivity, and a renewed appreciation for re-industrialization in combination with advanced technologies. Predictive processes such as SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning) and forward-thinking leaders with a focus on innovation and an eye to the future will be pivotal to thrive in the next decade.
The LMA Futurist is to recognize the organization and leaders who go above and beyond “excellence”. Although excellence is certainly desirable, it is no longer enough. We must achieve excellence, resilience and see into the future so that we can be innovative, proactive and strategic instead of reactive and playing catch up in the marketplace. Thus, the LMA Futurist embodies these qualities and recognizes organizational leaders who think beyond current circumstances, prepare their organization for changing conditions and, most importantly, braze the trail into the future.
2025 LMA Futurist
Julie Dorr and I worked together closely for several years when I first kick started LMA marketing. I was referred to Julie as I realized that although I had been writing newsletter articles and speaking at events since I formed LMA, I was a well-kept secret. I had no idea when I asked her to post blog articles that she would be forward-thinking, full of ideas, and futuristic. After one minute of dialogue, we left blog posts in the dust and become enthralled in a futurist conversation that led to dramatic growth in LMA Consulting. Fast-forward a few years, and I emerged as a thought leader and overnight success. Julie was integral in accelerating this success. She not only thinks beyond what is next to three or four steps down-the-line, but she is creative, passionate and focused on results. As her career transitioned back to corporate, she stayed true to her futurist core as one of the first to embrace AI for exponential growth and taking on the role of ABM strategist to drive dramatic B2B growth and customer value.
LMA Futurist Prior Years
Steve Erickson and the Corona Clipper team epitomizes the LMA Futurist. It goes without saying that there is a constant persistence to strive for excellence – grow sales, increase profitability, accelerate cash flow, create customer engagement, lower costs and much more. However, they do not stop there. For example, early in the e-commerce world, Steve and the team were exploring options to expand their business and grow in this area. They parallel pathed taking tangible steps forward with research and exploration of options to grow Corona.com as well as their business with Amazon, Home Depot, and more. When COVID-19 hit, they were prepared to pivot with e-commerce.
In addition, they constantly reevaluate supply options with Asia, Mexico, and more. Thus, when the tariffs hit, they were already in transition in moving some volume to Vietnam. But, thinking strategically never stops. How to successfully achieve customer responsiveness in product innovation and customer service while managing costs remains top of mind.