Talk Retail to Me

Giving Back and Moving Forward: The JEDI Challenge

This week, we took a departure from our usual industry focus and talked about an initiative that’s near and dear to The Parker Avery Group's culture—our partnership with RetailROI and the JEDI Challenge.  We began this relationship early in 2021 with a sponsorship of RetailROI’s SuperFriday event, which led to another sponsorship of their March Gladness event. Those two events began a series of conversations among Parker Avery’s team about what more could we could do to help, beyond sponsorships, ultimately leading us to create an entrepreneur program for young Jamaicans.

In this episode, we discuss the JEDI Challenge with Greg Buzek, President and Secretary of RetailROI, along with key principals from the Fergus Simpson Foundation, Janeth Brown, Carol and Lawrence Madden. We dive into what our young entrepreneurs have been up to since the JEDI Challenge ended late last year, as well as our plans going forward. 

For more information about RetailROI: https://www.retailroi.org/

To participate in March Gladness: https://www.retailroi.org/march

For more information about the Fergus Simpson Foundation: https://fergussimpsonfoundation.org/

To learn more about the JEDI Challenge: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/the-parker-avery-group-develops-entrepreneur-program-in-jamaica/

To get involved in JEDI 2.0 (slated for summer 2022): contact tricia.gustin@parkeravery.comgivin

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 

A Demand Analytics Time Machine

This week, Tricia Gustin sat down with The Parker Avery Group's Chief Analytics Officer, Sam Iosevich, along with Senior Manager Dmitry Magas, who joined the firm almost exactly a year ago. The trio talked about Dmitry's analytics background and history with Sam, as well as some highlights of past client projects focused on forecasting and demand analytics.  They also discussed some recent Parker Avery pricing and analytics projects including a recently completed price optimization project for a global grocery retailer.  Learn about Dmitry's development of what Parker Avery's analytics team calls their "time machine," as well as why analytics is just one part of the overall forecasting and demand planning solution.

To learn more about Parker Avery's advanced analytics services and expertise, we invite you to visit: https://parkeravery.com/advanced-analytics/ 

 

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 

Implications and Perspectives of Homegoods‘ E-Commerce Launch

Just in time for the holiday shopping frenzy, retail experts Kathi Toll, Heidi Csencsits, Carrie Habel, and Tricia Gustin discuss the recent launch of Homegoods' e-commerce platform, and the implications of this strategy on store operations, roles and responsibilities, merchandising, customer perception, inventory management, and more.  Enjoy this entertaining and casual conversation that not only veers off into other retail segments, but also highlights the deep industry expertise and the consumer perspectives of these professionals.

To learn more about Parker Avery's retail and consumer goods consulting services and expertise, we invite you to visit: 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 

Leading Analytics in India: Meet Dinesh Helwade

This week, Chief Analytics Officer, Sam Iosevich, and Director of Analytics, Dinesh Helwade, discuss their decades-long working relationship as well as Dinesh's plans for the firm's analytics team in India.  Learn how their deep analytics expertise, combined with a strong organizational culture, create compelling analytics solutions for Parker Avery clients. 

To learn more about Parker Avery's analytics services and expertise, we invite you to visit: https://parkeravery.com/advanced-analytics/

 

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 

A Refreshing Change: Why Traditional Change Management Methods Fail

In this episode, Parker Avery’s change management leader Kathi Toll, along with experts Carrie Habel and Heidi Csencsits talk about the firm’s best-of-breed approach to change management and why it raises the bar above more traditional methods.  

In this lively discussion, the team touches on:

• Why a more tailored approach to change is needed in every client environment and project
  
• Situations where we’ve seen clients “wing it” or use outdated tools/philosophies—and expect success (but are usually disappointed)
  
• At what point in a project change management activities should start
• Key tenets for success in helping clients navigate change
  

To learn more about Parker Avery's change management services and expertise, we invite you to visit: 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 

Thriving Through Constant Change

After recently completing an in-depth change management initiative with popular retailer Abercrombie & Fitch, Parker Avery's change management leader, Kathi Toll, sat down with Dru Dominici, Director of Wholesale, and Tony Bradley, VP of Corporate Development, to discuss the need for more agile and adaptable organizations.  During this lively chat, the three experts also discuss John Kotter's “Thrive versus Survive” response, as outlined in a recent HBR article, as well as the criticality of understanding that the most effective change activities specifically address these innate human responses. With the world's increasing volatility and complexity, and rapid change increasingly accepted as the “new normal,” these tenets are key to developing successful change competencies. 

To learn more about Parker Avery's change management services and expertise, we invite you to visit: 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 

The Demand Intelligence Difference

This week we're talking about Demand Intelligence, Parker Avery’s software-as-a-service demand planning platform.  Demand Intelligence is not only powered by the latest in advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, but it’s also driven by deep retail and CPG industry expertise.  One of the unique things about Demand Intelligence is that its development was informed with input from several global retail and CPG executives. The guiding light was to solve real retail and consumer goods business challenges and incorporate industry best practices bolstered with advanced analytics.
Outside of the deep science and math, Demand Intelligence is a workflow-guided solution with a very intuitive and user-friendly interface.  What’s more, it can be implemented in a matter of weeks, not months.

In this episode, we give you a first-hand encounter of why Demand Intelligence is different from so many advanced analytics platforms on the market. Joining the discussion is our Chief Analytics Officer, Sam Iosevich, along with Partner Amanda Astrologo, and Principal Marty Anderson. 

To learn more about Demand Intelligence, we invite you to read our latest press release:
Parker Avery Solves Demand Planning Challenges with Groundbreaking AI Enabled Solution

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 

Assortment Planning: Expert Perspectives and Insights

In this episode, assortment planning experts, Senior Manager Heidi Csencsits, hosts Principal Marty Anderson and Senior Manager Louann Villasor to discuss assortment planning.  The Parker Avery Group has seen tremendous interest in our clients for improving their assortment planning capabilities, not only bringing in new technology but also revamping business processes and organization to ensure these retailers are providing compelling assortments that drive both customer traffic and bottom-line profit.  Louann and Marty recently completed a major assortment planning system selection and implementation for a large home décor retailer, and the three experts provide their perspectives on the subject.  The team discusses:

• Insights, unique requirements, and some "ah ha" moments experienced during the recent assortment planning implementation
• Why attribution and data quality are so critical for assortment planning
• Where assortment planning fits into the overall strategy, demand forecasting, planning, and buying processes
• Measures of successful assortment planning and retail store clustering methodologies
• The key tenet of simplicity as retailers desire to expand their assortment planning capabilities and expertise
• Where advanced assortment planning and retail clustering strategies should be headed to go beyond sales and margin

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

Success as a Retail Consultant: Introducing Nia McDonald

In this episode, Partner Amanda Astrologo introduces one of the newest members of The Parker Avery Group, Senior Consultant Nia McDonald.  With over a decade of experience across a wide variety of retailers, retail segments, and CPG companies, Nia focuses on merchandise and sales planning, forecasting, and replenishment, as well as pricing and promotional strategies.  

Amanda and Nia discuss her journey into retail consulting, the key skills and characteristics that successful consultants share, what it's like to be on the "consulting side," as well as being part of The Parker Avery Group's unique culture.  

Meet the other members of The Parker Avery Group: https://parkeravery.com/pag-team/

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

New Muscles for Effective Retailers

Organizational change management experts Kathi Toll, Deanna Emsley, and Marty Anderson talk about the new muscles retail and consumer brand companies must develop to be effective and competitive.  In this episode of Parker Avery's "Talk Retail to Me" podcast, the team discusses:

• Tenets that must be true for an organization to be effective
• Their experiences of going "back" into the office and traveling
• How communication within an organization needs to change with such a different work environment
• What associates in the corporate buildings can learn from the retail staff "on the front lines"
• Why higher priority must be placed on empathy in a professional setting
• The importance of hind-sighting on a more frequent basis

We invite you to learn more about The Parker Avery Group's consulting 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