Talk Retail to Me

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

Retail Inventory Management: Post-Pandemic Focus Areas

This week President and Managing Partner Clay Parnell, along with Partner Amanda Astrologo and Senior Director Rob Oglesby discuss key areas retailers are focusing on now and where they must focus in the near future for effective retail inventory management.  This may come as a surprise, but it's less about technology and much more about core capabilities driven by business processes and a sizable shift in traditional organizational roles and responsibilities across the retail enterprise. Further, it's about a focus on foundational elements to ensure resiliency and agility throughout the supply chain to ensure retailers meet customer demand and expectations. 

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

Master Data Management: The Backbone of Omnichannel Retail

This week, Senior Managers Heidi Csencsits and Mike Johnson talk about a recent client project, where The Parker Avery Group helped a home décor retailer define and standardize product attributes across 50,000 items to improve the omnichannel customer experience and merchandising effectiveness.  The two retail experts also outline the importance of strong master data management and governance as the backbone of all retail omnichannel initiatives, as well as best practices and tips on getting started. 

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

What You Need to Know About Retail Software Selection Projects

This week, Parker Avery Partner Amanda Astrologo and Tricia Gustin introduce retail expert Julie Cheney, who joined the firm earlier this year. Julie has over 25 years of experience in the retail and wholesale industries as both an executive and consultant. She has held leadership positions in buying, merchandise planning & allocation, and program management within specialty apparel, footwear, outdoor equipment, and general merchandise retailers.   In addition to Julie's perspectives on consulting from within and outside the corporate halls, we discuss how package selection projects have changed over the last year, as well as what elements necessitate more focus in a remote or hybrid environment. 

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

Bridging the Gap Between Humans & Artificial Intelligence

The Parker Avery Group's analytics team gives their perspectives on finding the balance between artificial and emotional (human) intelligence.  Led by Chief Analytics Officer, Sam Iosevich, this team of mathematics PhDs has been continuously enhancing the firm's advanced analytics offerings for Parker Avery's clients.  In this episode, Scott Kirila, Evan Witz, and Luke Vaicunas discuss how intimately understanding each client's situation is key to providing the best solution--as well as the importance of helping the business understand and embrace artificial intelligence.  They also provide insights into the differences and learnings of bringing deep science from academia into the retail and consumer goods business world. 

We invite you to learn more about The Parker Avery Group's analytics consulting services by visiting: 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

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