![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?
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?
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
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
![Triaging Your Inventory: Decisions for Stability]()
June 9, 2020
For those non-essential retailers with all doors closed, almost all store commerce has been stopped for weeks, and we can’t say with certainty when stores will re-open. PO’s have been cancelled or deferred. Inventory is stale and inventory accuracy might be in question. How do you plan now for steps that need to take place in advance of re-opening and as operations resume? This practical session will help you consider measures to stabilize an unknown environment, minimize the impact of the excess, stale, and displaced inventory, as well as manage the risks of future inventory plans.
In this podcast excerpt of the 1st webinar in Parker Avery's Reconstructing Retail series, Parker Avery experts Clay Parnell, Amanda Astrologo, and Rob Oglesby are joined by industry analyst Joe Skorupa in helping you understand:
- How to evaluate potential inventory options – risk vs. reward
- How to think about your assortments moving forward
- How to consider future demand, by channel, based on likely store opening and ramp-up scenarios
- What systems and tools will be most useful as you manage through the immediate season and simultaneously plan for the next
The webinar content references a slide deck, which can be found by clicking here
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
![Predicting the Future: Retail’s New World]()
June 5, 2020
Even as we work to ramp back up, re-open stores, and improve our view of current inventory positions, we need to start developing perspectives of future sales and inventory demand. The ability to predict and react quickly to customer demand is critical, along with having a common demand signal that can help support various functions across planning, pricing, and fulfillment. Retailers can view this near-term period as an opportunity to significantly enhance their ability to quickly and dynamically drive business insights for improved decision making.
In this audio session of our Reconstructing Retail webinar series, Parker Avery experts Sam Iosevich and Amanda Astrologo are joined by industry analyst Joe Skorupa in helping you understand::
- The challenges and options for considering future demand as the COVID-19 crisis lessens and our retail economy begins to re-open
- How AI/ML tools can be used to provide dynamic demand signals and quickly produce multiple scenarios
- Options for addressing short-term inventory, allocation, and replenishment challenges while planning for future demand
The webinar content references a slide deck, which can be found by clicking here.
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
![Mobilizing & Sustaining a Resilient Organization]()
June 4, 2020
Have you considered what type of leadership and support your team will need on day one? Do the traditional leadership and change management models feel outdated to you now? Parker Avery's industry experts will share tools and frameworks that surpass typical approaches and are more relevant in today's environment, so you can confidently guide teams through this transformational period. We’ll provide real-world examples you and your teams can use during the first weeks “back” as you tease out the business practices and behaviors that will carry you into the future.
In this podcast excerpt of our Reconstructing Retail webinar series, Parker Avery experts Kathi Toll, Deanna Emsley, and Marty Anderson are joined by industry analyst Joe Skorupa in helping you understand:
- Understand how to prepare yourself to lead in a post-COVID 19 world
- Gather skills, tools, and frameworks to prepare your team for Day 1 and build resiliency
- Understand the stages of personal change and learn how to identify and assist your team members during the early weeks of return
- Learn how to collectively assess “lessons learned” and determine which elements your team wants to continue into the new world
The webinar content references a slide deck, which can be found by clicking here.
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
