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Join retail and consumer goods industry experts for these casual ”coffee shop” discussions where The Parker Avery Group team shares insights and realistic advice from past industry experiences and the firm’s many consulting projects. Our podcast features occasional guests from the firm’s roster of retail and CPG clients, along with partners and industry colleagues. Get to know the team’s unique culture and why we form long-term relationships with so many of our clients.
Episodes

Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Master Data Management: The Backbone of Omnichannel Retail
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
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/
You may also like this content:
Retailer’s Master Data Management Improvements Drive Omnichannel Growth: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/retailers-master-data-management-improvements-drive-omnichannel-growth/
The Expert Guide to Data Governance in Retail: https://parkeravery.com/data-governance-in-retail/
Project Planning: Four Considerations for Data Readiness: https://parkeravery.com/four-considerations-for-data-readiness/
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

Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
What You Need to Know About Retail Software Selection Projects
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
On this episode of the Talk Retail to Me podcast, Parker Avery Senior Partner Amanda Astrologo and Tricia Gustin interview retail expert Julie Cheney. Julie has over 25 years of experience as an executive and consultant in the retail and wholesale industries. 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, the trio of retail experts discusses how retail system selection projects have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, 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/
You may also like this content:
The Expert Guide to Retail System Selection: https://parkeravery.com/retail-system-selection/
Five Key Tenets to Successful Retail Software Selection: https://parkeravery.com/five-key-tenets-to-successful-retail-software-selection/
Core Merchandising and Finance System Selection to Drive Visibility and Results: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/core-merchandising-and-finance-system-selection-to-drive-visibility-and-results/
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

Friday May 21, 2021
Bridging the Gap Between Humans & Artificial Intelligence
Friday May 21, 2021
Friday May 21, 2021
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/enterprise-intelligence/
You may also like this content:
A Game-Changing Advanced Analytics Solution: https://parkeravery.com/retail-cpg-advanced-analytics-game-changer/
Annual Profit Improved Through AI-Driven Retail Warranty Price Optimization: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/annual-profit-improved-through-ai-driven-retail-warranty-price-optimization/
How to Transform Your Retail Enterprise with Advanced Analytics: https://parkeravery.com/how-to-transform-your-retail-enterprise-with-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

Tuesday May 04, 2021
Key Considerations of Remote System Implementations
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Tuesday May 04, 2021
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

Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Chasing Challenges: Parker Avery's Analytics SWAT Team Leaders
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
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/enterprise-intelligence/
You may also like this content:
One Demand Signal, Endless Growth: EI Hypercube Redefines Retail Success: https://parkeravery.com/ei-hypercube-redefines-retail-success/
Enterprise-wide Planning Solution Drives Global Retailer’s Agility: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/enterprise-wide-planning-solution-drives-global-retailers-agility/
A Demand Analytics Time Machine: https://parkeravery.com/podcast-a-demand-analytics-time-machine/
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

Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
How to Approach Merchandise Financial Planning for 2021
Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
Wednesday Feb 17, 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/
You may also like this content:
The Expert Guide to Merchandise Financial Planning: https://parkeravery.com/retail-merchandise-financial-planning/
New Merchandise Financial Planning Solution Drives Retail Results: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/new-merchandise-financial-planning-solution-drives-retail-results/
Retailer’s Planning System Implementation Expected to Drive Growth and Success: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/retailers-planning-system-implementation-expected-to-drive-growth-and-success/
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

Wednesday Feb 03, 2021
Training Strategies and Tactics for a Virtual World
Wednesday Feb 03, 2021
Wednesday Feb 03, 2021
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/consulting-services/organizational-change-services-retail/
You may also like this content:
The Expert Guide to Organizational Change Management for Retail: https://parkeravery.com/organizational-change-management/
Empowering Brand Excellence With a New Merchandising Academy: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/empowering-brand-excellence-with-a-new-merchandising-academy/
Advancing Proficiency Through Sustainable Learning: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/advancing-proficiency-through-sustainable-learning/
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

Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
Meet Parker Avery Change Management Expert Carrie Habel
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
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/
You may also like this content:
The Expert Guide to Organizational Change Management for Retail: https://parkeravery.com/organizational-change-management/
Organizational Change Strategy Brings Efficiency and Growth to Mattress Manufacturer: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/organizational-change-strategy-brings-efficiency-and-growth-to-mattress-manufacturer/
Enhancing System Implementation Value with Executive Change Leadership: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/enhancing-system-implementation-value-with-executive-change-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

Wednesday Jan 13, 2021
Diving Deep into Demand Analytics: Meet Leo Greyz
Wednesday Jan 13, 2021
Wednesday Jan 13, 2021
Parker Avery's Chief Analytics Officer, Sam Iosevich, sits down with demand planning expert Leo Greyz to discuss the firm's latest developments in demand analytics for retail and consumer goods companies. Hear about the key drivers pushing advanced demand analytics capabilities far deeper and faster than the industry had ever imagined. Also, get realistic advice from Parker Avery's retail experts that will help your company achieve strong analytics capabilities to quickly realize meaningful results.
Check out the highlights of Sam and Leo's conversation, including Leo’s recommendations for retailers and CPGs who are moving forward with their advanced analytics initiatives: https://parkeravery.com/retail-cpg-advanced-analytics-game-changer/
Learn more about The Parker Avery Group's advanced analytics services by visiting: https://parkeravery.com/enterprise-intelligence/
You may also like this content:
Ask the Hypercube: Democratizing Predictive Analytics with Generative AI: https://parkeravery.com/ask-the-hypercube-democratizing-predictive-analytics-with-generative-ai/
Enterprise-wide Planning Solution Drives Global Retailer’s Agility: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/enterprise-wide-planning-solution-drives-global-retailers-agility/
A Demand Analytics Time Machine: https://parkeravery.com/podcast-a-demand-analytics-time-machine/
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

Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
Advanced Pricing Success Story
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
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/
You may also like this content:
Markdown Optimization Solution Vastly Improves Retailer’s Sell-Through and Margin: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/markdown-optimization-solution-vastly-improves-retailers-sell-through-and-margin/
Strong Profit Results from International Grocer’s Price Optimization Solution: https://parkeravery.com/industry-experience/strong-profit-results-from-international-grocers-price-optimization-solution/
Boost Your Bottom Line with Smarter Price Optimization: https://parkeravery.com/boost-your-bottom-line-with-smarter-price-optimization/
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