![Strategic Sourcing in a Disrupted Supply Chain]()
September 24, 2020
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
![Deep Analytics: Why You Need it Now More Than Ever]()
July 28, 2020
In this episode, we focus on deep analytics. Parker Avery experts Clay Parnell and Sam Iosevich discuss how retailers and consumer brands can embrace analytics into their business models to enable cross-functional collaboration and deliver meaningful financial results. We explore questions like:
- While the recent disruptions have put an even stronger focus on integrating digital and physical channels and deeply understanding customer behavior, it certainly makes sense to involve analytics to some extent, but are these the most important areas right now?
- What are other top key areas or business challenges on which retail & consumer goods companies should focus their analytics investments and efforts?
- How can analytics system integrate into a company’s existing operating model without a major disruption?
- What prerequisites—besides data cleanliness and governance—are needed for a company to begin embarking on their analytics journey?
- What skills or resources are critical to ensuring successful outcomes?
- What benefits have been realized by retailers and consumer goods companies who’ve successfully adapted an analytics-driven mindset?
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
![Beginning the Journey: Emerge from COVID-19]()
June 10, 2020
For those retailers that are most impacted by COVID-19 and are either completely shut down or only operating with limited direct to consumer fulfillment, we can’t predict exactly when current conditions will allow re-opening of stores and operations. But it is coming, and it’s imperative to prepare now. How do you effectively re-start your business in a controlled manner, with stores re-opening based on regional conditions, and consumers finally venturing out from behind their computers and mobile devices? Many retailers were working hard or struggling to be competitive before the pandemic. The focus now is to quickly reset at least to where you were before the retail lockdown started, but perhaps there’s an opportunity to go further. How quickly your team can respond and rise to the challenge will determine your place in the future pecking order, if not survival itself.
In the podcast version of the 3rd webinar in Parker Avery's Reconstructing Retail series, Robert Kaufman and Clay Parnell are joined by industry expert Joe Skorupa in helping you::
- Understand what your leadership team should be thinking about now and how to prepare for Day 1
- Learn how to consider a roadmap for the first week, first month, and the initial 1-2 seasons back after being closed
- Hear survey results from other retailers on their experiences, concerns, and plans
- Consider how important accurate and timely data and related analytics will be to ensuring effective decision-making
The webinar content references a slide deck, which can be found by clicking here
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
