Planning is essential for business management, but by really embracing it and getting into a planning mindset you can figure out innovative, improved strategies across all segments of your company. Developing a planning mindset can be invaluable to not only planners but also to any supply chain management employee/ [...]
A reenergized demand plan is fortified with meaningful data trends that point the way to improved service levels and increased profit margins. Sales and operations planning, also known as S&OP or SIOP (to include inventory) processes are key to improving service levels, accelerating cash flow and increasing margins. Thus, [...]
When connecting people and process, think about using customer collaborative programs to link strategy with execution. Collaborative customer programs are becoming increasingly popular in today’s new normal business environment. Customers such as Cardinal Healthcare, Boeing, and the like are searching for ways to partner closely with suppliers in a [...]
Published in "The ACA Group" website, March, 2011 As we are emerging from the recession, we are by no means returning to the high growth days of the past. Instead, the new normal is here to stay - slow growth for those who stay ahead of the curve, tight [...]
In today's economic and business environment, cash is king. The critical importance of cash in businesses continues to rise. One just has to read the news to see cash highlighted on a daily basis in relation to several high profile companies - GM, Chrysler, MGM Mirage, GE Capital etc. [...]
Businesses continue to cut back as the economy continues to worsen - seemingly every day. Cutting costs in a reasonable and smart manner is required; however, cost cutting alone rarely achieves success. As one of my mentors used to say, the best problem to have is a cost problem [...]
Prepare, prepare, and prepare: 80% of your success is in preparation. Organize the warehouse, clearly mark areas, label exceptions, complete and review system transactions, etc. Stop / isolate movement: When you begin your physical count, stop all physical and system movements and transactions. This is a critical foundation - [...]
A few best practices for reducing inventory levels without negatively impacting customer service include the following: Put the "right" people in the "right" jobs - it is amazing how much this one point contributes to success. Managing inventory levels requires a unique skill set - analysis, seeing the bigger [...]
