Key Considerations of Remote System Implementations

Retail experts Marty Anderson and Russ Smith discuss how system implementation projects have fundamentally changed during the pandemic.  Based on their experience of halting solution implementation projects mid-stream when the pandemic first hit and then ramping back up months later, Marty and Russ highlight key considerations for implementation success, including:

• How the overall structure of implementation teams changed.
• What activities are better conducted in person vs. remotely.
• How communication, change management, and engagement tactics need to adapt to accommodate a remote environment.

We invite you to learn more about The Parker Avery Group's implementation consulting services by visiting: https://parkeravery.com/solution-evaluation-selection-implementation/

Introduction music:  On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cover image by Jorge Guillen from Pixabay

Chasing Challenges: Parker Avery’s Analytics SWAT Team Leaders

In this episode, Parker Avery's Chief Analytics Officer and Managing Partner Sam Iosevich sits down with Senior Director of Analytics, George Arutyunyants to talk about George's lifelong journey into and through analytics, his development philosophies, and his passion for chasing challenges in his eternal pursuit of gaining more knowledge.  Discover how the saying, "We are born with two ears and one mouth" and partnerships with academia, coupled with deep analytical, retail, and consumer goods expertise translate to better solutions for Parker Avery's clients. 

We invite you to learn more about The Parker Avery Group's analytics services by visiting: https://parkeravery.com/tailored-intelligence/ 

Introduction music:  On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cover image by Jorge Guillen from Pixabay

How to Approach Merchandise Financial Planning for 2021

Parker Avery retail planning experts, LouAnn Villasor and Lee Whitaker, discuss how merchandise financial planning (MFP) has changed over the course of 2020.  Based on their deep experience implementing MFP solutions, you will get their perspectives on how retailers need to think differently in approaching MFP going forward into 2021 and beyond. 

Learn more about The Parker Avery Group's services by visiting: https://parkeravery.com/services/ 

Introduction music:  On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cover image by Jorge Guillen from Pixabay

Training Strategies and Tactics for a Virtual World

This week, retail expert Heidi Csencsits and Parker Avery's change management and training experts, Kathi Toll, LouAnn Villasor, and Carrie Habel discuss training training strategies and tactics for a virtual world.  As with many corporate initiatives, training needs have fundamentally changed. These four retail experts provide insights about how companies must adopt new remote training strategies and tactics to ensure sustainable learning and better adoption of new business processes, roles, and supporting technologies.

Learn more about The Parker Avery Group's change management and training services by visiting: https://parkeravery.com/change-management-leadership/change-management-services/ 

Introduction music:  On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cover image by Jorge Guillen from Pixabay

Meet Parker Avery Change Management Expert Carrie Habel

This week, Parker Avery's Change Management leaders, Kathi Toll and Carrie Habel talk about Carrie's incredible career-long experience helping retailers navigate and manage change.  Discover how and why Carrie made the decision to join The Parker Avery Group.  Also, Kathi and Carrie provide their insights into how leaders should recognize their own feelings as well as their teams' to make sure they're working together to bring about positive, effective change, despite the entire world facing continual "FFT's." 

Learn more about The Parker Avery Group's change management services by visiting: https://parkeravery.com/change-management-leadership/ 

Introduction music:  On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cover image by Jorge Guillen from Pixabay

Diving Deep into Demand Analytics: Meet Leo Greyz

Parker Avery's Chief Analytics Officer, Sam Iosevich sits down with demand planning expert Leo Greyz to talk about the firm's latest developments in demand analytics for retail and consumer goods companies. Hear about the key drivers that are pushing advanced demand analytics capabilities far deeper and faster than what the industry had ever imagined. Also, get realistic advice from Parker Avery's experts that will help your company achieve strong analytics capabilities to quickly realize meaningful results. 

Learn more about The Parker Avery Group's advanced analytics services by visiting: https://parkeravery.com/tailored-intelligence/ 

Introduction music:  On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cover image by Jorge Guillen from Pixabay

Advanced Pricing Success Story

You don't want to miss the story behind the unbelievable ROI achieved in a mere 8 weeks--to the tune of $8 million.  Parker Avery's pricing leader Josh Pollack and retail expert Heidi Csencsits discuss what made this particular advanced pricing implementation so successful, why pricing solutions can achieve such meaningful results, and several approaches retailers can take to move far beyond their beloved spreadsheets into real solutions driven by advanced analytics.  

Learn more about The Parker Avery Group by visiting: https://www.parkeravery.com/ 

Introduction music:  On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cover image by Jorge Guillen from Pixabay

Key Takeaways from CSCMP’s 31st Annual State of Logistics Report

In this episode, retail supply chain and logistics experts Lee Whitaker and Rob Oglesby discuss their key takeaways and some surprising findings from the 31st Annual State of Logistics Report®, produced by The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).  Click here for the full report.  Lee and Rob give their perspectives on:

• The growing importance of 5-G networks on logistics.
• Key actions that will contribute to a faster recovery for retail and consumer goods companies.
• Carrier and shipper behaviors and initiatives that warrant focus in the coming months.
  
• The importance of looking beyond the technology and incorporating process and change management.

Learn more about The Parker Avery Group by visiting: https://www.parkeravery.com/ 

Introduction music:  On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cover image by Jorge Guillen from Pixabay

Why I Chose The Parker Avery Group (During a Pandemic): Introducing Rob Gentry

Making a career move and joining a new firm in the middle of a pandemic is truly a bold move.  In this episode Senior Manager Deanna Emsley interviews the newest member of The Parker Avery Group's team: Rob Gentry.  Learn about Rob's interesting path into retail, why he chose to work for Parker Avery (after many years in much larger companies), and what his "super power" is. 

Learn more about The Parker Avery Group by visiting: https://www.parkeravery.com/ 

Introduction music:  On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cover image by Jorge Guillen from Pixabay

Strategic Sourcing in a Disrupted Supply Chain

In this episode, I interviewed Parker Avery's CEO, Robert Kaufman, along with inventory and supply chain expert Rob Oglesby to discuss sourcing strategies and actions retailers and consumer brands need to consider as we continue to face highly disruptive supply chains.  We explore considerations such as:

• How do retailers and consumer brands need to change how they think about and manage their sourcing strategies during such tensions and unknowns? 
• There is also a fair amount of consumer unease about products made overseas, in countries who aren't America-friendly, and increasing desire for “Made in the USA” and even local products.  How do consumer brands and retailers handle this, realizing the cost and price points may not be competitive with foreign-made counterparts?  
  
• A few years ago, there was a focus on visibility deeper into the supply chain and transparency in sourcing raw materials. How much of a factor is this today?  
  
• What technologies do retailers and consumer brands need to be investigating to remain viable and competitive?  
  

Learn more about The Parker Avery Group by visiting: https://www.parkeravery.com/ 

Introduction music:  On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cover image by Jorge Guillen from Pixabay