IBF On Demand sponsored by Arkieva, your one-plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's innovative approach to forecasting here httpbit.lybusiness-forecasting 

This is my response to my previous episode A Demand Planning Manifesto for the AI Era. If that episode was the warning, this one is the way forward. Yes, AI is being misused, but it’s also incredibly powerful when applied the right way. In this episode, I move from rant to roadmap, sharing practical tips, best practices, and mindset shifts to help you integrate AI into your planning process responsibly. How to use AI to challenge your own thinking, not just validate it. How to stay curious, critical, and in control in the age of generative tools. The future isn’t human vs. machine. It’s smarter humans with smarter tools. Let’s make sure we’re building that future the right way.

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IBF On Demand sponsored by Arkieva, your one-plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's innovative approach to forecasting here httpbit.lybusiness-forecasting 

In this bold episode, I deliver a powerful warning that every planner, forecaster, and supply chain professional needs to hear. This isn’t anti-AI. But there are things we are doing wrong and the ugly side of AI misuse every day. We’ve glamorized LLMs, prompt engineering, and automated insights, yet many are unknowingly trading clarity for convenience, and intelligence for illusion. What you think is making you faster and sound smarter is exposing you and maybe making things worse.

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Everyone's talking about AI—but what does it really mean for demand and supply planners? In this must-watch episode, I sit down with Jess Lee, an amazing data scientist from Microsoft, to break down the most common AI buzzwords in a way anyone can understand. We dive into the real-world applications already being used in forecasting and planning—and what you need to know to stay ahead.

From generative models to predictive analytics, Jess helps separate the hype from the reality. If you're in demand planning, supply planning, or S&OP, this is your roadmap to understanding the AI that's shaping the future of our field.

 Subscribe and watch now—because understanding AI isn't optional anymore

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To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org

IBF on Demand, sponsored by Arkieva, your one-plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's approach to S&OP here: https://bit.ly/improving-sop-performance

See how IBF's S&OP assessments help your company get started in S&OP or improve existing processes with industry-leading bench-marking and recommendations: https://bit.ly/3d58dMT

What exactly are the new 5 steps in S&OP for 2020? I interview demand planning guru and self-proclaimed S&OP nerd Pat Bower. Sr. Director Global Supply Chain Planning & Customer Service at Combe Inc. We discuss what best in class S&OP looks like, what process steps you need and how to get started with your S&OP process.

04:00 Special guest Pat Bower, self-proclaimed S&OP nerd and demand planning leader
05:35 How many steps we need in an S&OP process
10:16 Is the traditional 5 step process from the 1990's still viable?
12:20 Best practices for data gathering and the Product Review
14:40 Why SKUs are growing and inventory turns look unusual compared to the past
16:40 What needs to lie within S&OP and what lies outside it?
23:40 Looping S&OP back to feed functional and operational systems
25:10 Newcomers! Start with demand then move to supply, and don't try to do all steps at once
28:05 Three golden rules to remember about S&OP
33:50 How IBF's S&OP and assessments get your company on the path to S&OP success

Find out more about IBF at www.ibf.org and www.demand-planning.com
Find out about Arkieva at www.arkieva.com

SHOW LESS

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Sponsored by Arkieva, your one plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's approach to S&OP here: https://bit.ly/improving-sop-performance

Right now nearly half of companies have abandoned S&OP and moved to S&OE (Sales & Operations Execution) to help manage the current demand disruptions. But is it a good idea, and what does a good S&OE process look like? I invited S&OP expert Jeff Baker to reveal best practices and how S&OP and S&OE can work together to both "firefight" the short term demand volatility while managing the longer term strategy.

02:58 46% of companies are on a weekly S&OP cycle. Is that a good idea?
05:11 S&OP expert Jeff Baker explains what S&OE is
09:24 Differences between S&OP & S&OE
10:40 What does a weekly S&OP process look like?
12:54 What are the inputs into the S&OE meeting?
18:15 Point of Sale data for demand sensing
19:49 Time fences and lead time to set your S&OP meeting cadence
21:06 Overview of S&OE
21:40 Should you choose either S&OP or S&OE or have both?
25:20 Should you start with S&OP or S&OE?
28:27 Why S&OP fails
29:05 The power of communication, collaboration and transparency during times of difficulty

Find out more about IBF at www.ibf.org and www.demand-planning.com
Find out about Arkieva at www.arkieva.com

Support the show

To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org

IBF on Demand episode 10 sponsored by Arkieva, your one-plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's innovative approach to forecasting here: https://bit.ly/forecast-modeling

Become an IBF member here: https://bit.ly/ibf-membership

I get on my soap box and explain why that statement is wrong and how you can, in fact, be 100% right. I also discuss why moving away from just a point forecast to forecast ranges (and getting comfortable with uncertainty) provides so much more value to decision makers. By changing our mindset, we can reveal the real value lying in variability. After all, our role is not to be precise, but to provide useful insights. 

02:00 IBF membership - the demand planning club that helps your career
03:15 Why saying "forecasts are always wrong" harms us and our companies
05:28 Your job is not about numbers, but about insights
08:25 Getting comfortable with ambiguity 
10:10  Becoming probabilistic thinkers - forecasting ranges vs. single numbers
14:14 Measuring forecast error and my favorite KPI
15:18 The valuable information lying in uncertainty and variability that decision makers need to know
21:15 Providing the right forecast range with cones of uncertainty 
23:05 Coefficient of Variation (CoV) and Demand Variation Index (DVI)
27:18 Using the right KPIs to measure the full spectrum of uncertainty
30:18 The goal is not to be precise but to provide useful insights 

Article on eScore, a measurement of probabilistic forecast performance that measures error, range and probability all in one formula: https://demand-planning.com/2018/08/16/introducing-escore-simplified-mape-for-todays-business/

Find out more about IBF at www.ibf.org and www.demand-planning.com
Find out about Arkieva at www.arkieva.com

Support the show

To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org

IBF on Demand Episode 9 (28.6.20)

Sponsored by Arkieva, your one plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's approach to demand planning here: https://arkieva.com/software/demand-planning/

Learn about IBF 's world-leading consulting services to build or transform demand planning here: https://bit.ly/3d58dMT

Data Scientists Suck At Demand Planning! Or do they? Can they learn the required skills? Conversely, can demand planners learn new data science skills? I interview author of 'Data Science For Supply Chain Forecast', Nicholas Vandeput, and examine the differences and similarities between data scientists and demand planners, and how we need to learn from each other.

02:12 Forecast accuracy by university degree
04:30 Data scientists make horrible demand planners
06:16 Mindset of data scientists
07:35 Experimenting in data science
12:55 Differences between data scientist and demand planning roles
14:04 Will data scientists do the modeling then hand over to a demand planner?
16:45 Should we get data scientists into demand planning, or do we keep them as separate roles?
17:00 Human judgement, collaboration and data science
20:10 Will data science be part of supply chain or will demand planning be a data science function?
20:25 The value if an independent analytics function
25:48 The importance of knowing new models and techniques 
29:13 Demand planners need to adapt
34:50 IBF maturity assessments to establish forecasting and analytics functions
35:19 The ultimate goal of a centralized planning and data scientist function 

Find out more about IBF at www.ibf.org and www.demand-planning.com
Find out about Arkieva at www.arkieva.com

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To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org

IBF on Demand Episode 8 (13.6.20) 

Sponsored by Arkieva, your one plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's approach to demand planning here: https://bit.ly/demand-planning-solution

Learn about IBF 's world-leading cooperate consulting services to build or transform demand planning here: https://bit.ly/3d58dMT

Here I talk about demand planning as career and what it can do you for you. The role of demand planner is always important, but especially now as companies rely on the visibility and planning to survive. That means demand planners and forecast analysts are highly paid professionals. If you're the right person for this role, then you're set for a very rewarding career. But what skills do you need?

07:10 CEOs reporting forecasting as key priority 
08:00 Demand planning is no longer a supply chain function
08:45 Demand planning salaries
11:30 What skills do you need to be a demand planner?
13:00 Passion trumps knowledge when it comes to succeeding
17:00 Resources to learn about the field
21:10 Creating a career map
24:25 The best degrees for demand planning
26:00 Getting certified to build your career
27:04 Developing confidence 
30:40 IBF jobs board


Find out more about IBF at www.ibf.org and www.demand-planning.com
Find out about Arkieva at www.arkieva.com

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07:28 What supply planners do
10:00 The central plan and changing culture
13:25 One number forecasts vs. one set of assumptions
18:23 Time horizons in supply planning
21:21 Supply planning lead times and frozen zones
27:00 Understanding the fundamentals of the planning process
30:48 Recommendations to build bridges with supply planning

Find out more about IBF at www.ibf.org and www.demand-planning.com
Find out about Arkieva at www.arkieva.com

Support the show

To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org

IBF on Demand Episode 6 (19.5.20)

Sponsored by Arkieva, your one plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's approach to demand planning here: https://bit.ly/demand-management-reso...

Here I discuss Forecast Value Added (FVA) with special guest Sara Park, Vice President, Exec S&OP, Forecasting COE and Supply Chain Planning at The Coca-Cola Company. We discuss how to use FVA to determine which forecasting models, inputs, or activities are either adding value or are actually making it worse. This technique can be game-changer for your forecast accuracy.

08:00 Collaborating with other functions to get the inputs that are either helping or hurting
12:15 Knowing which functions help or hurt forecast accuracy
14:55 FVA at the item level
16:00 Getting started with FVA
17:28  FVA for mature organizations
19:19  What's a good FVA percentage?
22:50 Why FVA is better than MPE and MAPE
26:54 5 best practices when using FVA

Useful article on FVA: https://demand-planning.com/2018/02/1...

Find out more about IBF at www.ibf.org and www.demand-planning.com
Find out about Arkieva at www.arkieva.com

Support the show

To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org

IBF on Demand Episode 5: Is S&OP Dead & What Would Replace It?

Sponsored by Arkieva, your one plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's approach to S&OP here: https://bit.ly/demand-planning-perfor....

S&OP isn't adding value for most companies, failing to improve key KPIs like days of inventory or customer service. Eric Wilson discusses whether this 32 year old process is fit or for purpose and whether it should be killed off, or adapted and saved. He presents the 5 tenets off effective S&OP that allow to it become a true business-wide process.

01:15 S&OP is failing in key KPIs
05:00 What S&OP needs to do
08:27 Turning S&OP into a business process
12:23 S&OP Strategy for decision making
16:43 Getting people involved and cross functional culture
17:48 Metrics to track effectiveness of S&OP
23:38 Enabling S&OP with technology


Read about Decision Mapping: https://bit.ly/2yyLxpZ-decision-mapping

S&OP Research Report: https://bit.ly/2yoeftV-SOP-research-r...

Bram Desmet's book: Supply Chain Strategy and Financial Metrics: The Supply Chain Triangle Of Service, Cost And Cash

Find out more about IBF at www.ibf.org and www.demand-planning.com
Find out about Arkieva at www.arkieva.com

Support the show

To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org

Over 70% of predictive analytics implementation initiatives fail. Eric Wilson CPF and special guest, Misty Doan CPF, dive into how to make digital transformation work. Hear how Misty achieved a 26% improvement in forecast accuracy after 18 months, reduced excess inventory, increased fill rates by 10%, and reduced premium freight costs and fines by 17%. And hear Eric's 5 tips for digital transformation success.

Useful article on change management: www.demand-planning.com/2018/01/25/want-to-implement-sop-first-you-must-become-an-architect-of-change/

Find out more about IBF at www.ibf.org and www.demand-planning.com
Find out more about Arkieva at www.arkieva.com

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IBF on Demand Episode 3 (3.4.20) 

Sponsored by Arkieva. 

Eric talks to special guest, demand planning expert Andrew Schneider ACPF, to answer a fan question about segmentation and clustering. They explore multidimensional segmentation of items, going beyond standard Pareto distribution to find hidden correlations and reveal which items you need to prioritize. 

Check us out at ibf.org and at www.demand-planning.com
Check out our sponsor at www.arkieva.com

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In today’s global business environment, S&OP is more than just balancing supply and demand—it’s about aligning cross-regional teams, navigating cultural nuances, and creating a unified strategy across borders. In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Christopher Mael, Director of S&OP at Precor, to unpack the real challenges of implementing global S&OP. We discuss the differences between regional and multinational strategies, how culture impacts collaboration and decision-making, and the common mistakes organizations make when scaling S&OP globally. Whether you’re building a global process or want to strengthen alignment across regions, this episode delivers the insights you’ve been looking for. Click play and join the conversation.

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IBF on Demand Episode 2 (14.3.20). Learn about Arkieva's What-if Scenario Planning: bit.ly/what-if-planning

"The world is coming to an end, we're all going to die, and you didn't get that forecast right." How do you forecast black swan events like Coronavirus? Short answer is you don't because if you could predict them, they wouldn't be black swan events. But what we do as demand planners when they happen really matters.  

Check us out at ibf.org and at www.demand-planning.com

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IBF on Demand Episode 1 (4.3.20)

Learn about AI-driven forecasting with Arkieva: bit.ly/smart-forecast-ai

Welcome to the very first episode of IBF On Demand. In this episode, I discuss the impact of AI and machine learning on demand planning and forecasting. I also discuss Big Data and the challenges and opportunities it presents, and how you can survive and thrive in this new era.

Check us out at www.ibf.org and at www.demand-planning.com
Check out our sponsor at arkieva.com

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Many professionals don’t plan for a career in S&OP—they find their way there by accident. In this episode, I sit down with Sergio Luiz Winter, Associate Director of Plasma Supply Chain Planning at Grifols, to discuss his unexpected journey from FP&A and controllership to becoming a successful S&OP leader. We explore the key skills needed to thrive in this role, how financial expertise translates to planning success, and what it takes to champion S&OP in today’s complex supply chain landscape. If you're looking to transition into S&OP or refine your leadership skills, this is a must-listen! 

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Join me in this enlightening episode as I interview Viktoriia Khorolska, a leading expert from Ukraine and Germany, on the role of Collaborative Planning and Forecast Replenishment (CPFR) in today's supply chain management. We explore whether CPFR remains crucial in modern business, compare regional practices across Europe, and discuss how evolving market dynamics are reshaping collaborative strategies. Tune in for actionable insights that could redefine your approach to planning and replenishment.

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In this episode, I break down the essential KPIs in demand planning—what they are, what they aren’t, and how to calculate them correctly. I’ll explore the most commonly used metrics, debunk misconceptions, and explain why MAPE (Mean Absolute Percentage Error) is not the villain it’s made out to be. Learn how to leverage these KPIs to drive better forecasting accuracy and smarter decision-making.

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In this episode, we explore how Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) functions on a global scale, bridging the gap between regional requirements and overarching business objectives. Discover three distinct approaches to implementing S&OP worldwide, and learn which option might be best suited to your organization. Gain insights on creating a critical framework that respects local differences while driving a unified, high-level strategy across multiple geographies.

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In this insightful interview, I sat down with Cynthia Trevino de Leon, CFO at Mexilink and a driving force behind their emerging S&OP process. We explore the crucial role of finance in S&OP/IBP, the importance of linking KPIs directly to the income statement and balance sheet, and how this financial lens can foster stronger collaboration and shared strategy across the organization. Cynthia also shares her experiences as part of Chief—an empowering community of women executives—and offers inspiration on how we can nurture the next generation of female leaders in our field. Tune in for practical guidance, inspiring stories, and a fresh perspective on what it takes to elevate S&OP and drive meaningful business success.

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In this special follow-up episode and the second part of our 2-part series, I sit down with Meredith Cannon, Sr. Director of S&OP at Bimbo Bakeries. Building on discussions from the recent IBF Orlando conference, we dive into the pivotal role of cross-functional collaboration in demand planning and S&OP, explore consumption-based forecasting, and discuss how leadership in our field is evolving. Tune in for Meredith’s expert insights and actionable strategies to elevate your planning processes!

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In this first installment of a two-part series, I bring you a special interview with Patrick Bower, a supply chain expert with extensive experience and deep insights in the field. Fresh from the IBF Orlando conference, I ask Patrick some of the same tough questions I posed as moderator at the leadership forum. Join us as we dive into topics like S&OP, collaboration, transparency, and explore where we agree—and respectfully disagree—on the scope of S&OP/IBP. This episode offers a rare glimpse into the minds of top industry leaders and the strategic thinking that drives them forward.

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In this special seasonal episode, we're serving up spine-chilling stories that will make any supply chain professional break into a cold sweat! From terrifying data disasters to forecast nightmares that spiraled out of control, these tales are a reminder that even the smallest oversight in supply and demand planning can have monstrous consequences. You may want to listen with the lights on... Tune in for hair-raising stories that are sure to haunt you long after the episode ends.

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Prices are rising. Consumers are reacting. And demand planners? We're somewhere in the middle, stuck trying to model behavior that doesn't follow the rules anymore. In this episode, I sit down with Stephen McClurkin, Senior Demand Manager at T-Mobile, to unpack the reality of price elasticity in today's volatile market. From the ripple effects of policies and politics to the unpredictable outcomes of pricing moves, we explore how to Forecast smarter in the face of uncertainty. Whether you're feeling the pressure of COGS increases or just trying to keep your forecasts sane in a noisy world, this episode is for you.

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In this episode, I sit down with Kyle Garcia, Director of NAM SCM Strategy at Adidas, to explore the surge of meetings during COVID and why they never seemed to go away. Drawing from his recent survey, Kyle shares insights into the current state of decision-making and I show how businesses can adopt decision mapping techniques to streamline meetings, reduce overload, and make faster, more efficient choices.

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In this insightful episode, I sat down with Imane (Amy) Sabeh, the Director of Global S&OP at KBI Biopharma and my co-author of the latest book Practical Guide to Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP/IBP). Together, we unveil what readers can expect from this timely and essential guide that’s flying off the shelves. Discover why this book is perfect for the current landscape, what makes it a must-have resource, and gain a behind-the-scenes look at the purpose and thought process behind its creation. Whether you’re new to S&OP or a seasoned professional, this episode will show you why this guide should be on your reading list!

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Join us for this incredible milestone as we celebrate our 100th episode after 4 unbelievable years! In this celebratory episode, I bring back some of your favorite past guests and share exclusive behind-the-scenes stories about the inspiration that fueled this podcast. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey, especially our amazing guests and even more amazing viewers. We couldn't have reached this milestone without your support! Tune in to relive the highlights and look forward to what’s next.

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In this eye-opening episode, we delve into why the traditional annual business budget cycle might be more of a hindrance than a help. I'll share common practices and highlight the critical issues with the current budgeting methods, such as inefficiencies, rigidness, and the misalignment with real-time business dynamics. Discover how adopting S&OP/IBP can be your game-changing solution, eliminating months of unnecessary work and unproductive meetings. Tune in to learn how you can transform your budgeting process and drive more agile, responsive, and effective financial planning.

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Dive into the future of planning with our latest episode! I sit down with Matthew Walz, head of the predictive intelligence team at General Mills, to uncover how artificial crowdsourcing and generative AI are transforming the landscape. Matthew shares groundbreaking practical use cases and offers exclusive insights into the innovative strategies he's pioneering in the field. Don't miss this chance to learn how to leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance your planning processes and stay ahead of the curve!

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Join us in this insightful episode as we explore the idea that the right person can excel in any function or industry with the right fundamentals. I sit down with Michael Kennamann, who is leading the introduction of the IBF-Chicagoland Chapter and boasts over 27 years of experience across multiple industries and roles. We delve into his career journey, discuss the challenges of changing careers and industries, and highlight the common threads that make success transferable. Don’t miss this deep dive into career adaptability and the power of core skills.

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In this episode, we delve into why and how you need to assess your current S&OP and planning processes. I highlight common issues found in immature S&OP processes and emphasize the critical notion that sometimes, the biggest problem is not knowing what you don’t know. By sharing insights from IBF's extensive research, I provide a comprehensive look into S&OP/IBP maturity and guide you through the steps to elevate your planning processes to the next level. Don't miss this opportunity to identify gaps and unlock the full potential of your S&OP strategy.

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In this episode, we delve into the current state of work and its impact on the field of supply chain planning. With a focus on remote and hybrid environments, we explore the evolving job market, potential unemployment, and job reductions ahead. Join me as I interview Jason Breault, an experienced supply chain recruiter from LifeWork Search, who shares his expert insights on these pressing issues. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives on the future of work in supply chain planning. Tune in to stay informed and prepared for the changes ahead.

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Join us for an enlightening interview with Douglas Guilherme, VP of Supply Chain at Hershey's, as we delve into the intricacies of managing and mastering complexity in supply chains. From external market fluctuations to internal challenges, Douglas shares practical insights and use cases on understanding and effectively handling complexity in both supply and demand. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives from a seasoned industry leader.

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In this eye-opening episode, we debunk the top 5 myths surrounding Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP/IBP). From the misconception that S&OP is not worth it to the belief that it's overly complicated and time-consuming, we set the record straight. Drawing insights from IBF research and our own expertise, we shed light on what S&OP truly entails and why it's a game-changer for businesses. Tune in to find out why you may be wrong!

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No fluff. Just real talk from the field, made simple.

Whether you're new to the world of planning or a seasoned pro looking for a refresher, this episode breaks down the fundamentals of demand planning in a way that’s practical, approachable, and actually useful. I cover the essentials who owns the forecast, what makes a good one, which KPIs matter most, and how to choose the right methods. This is your crash course and survival guide, designed to give you the clarity and confidence to plan better today.

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Join me as I delve into the future of planning jobs amidst the AI revolution. I share insights from our latest research on the evolving skill sets required for planners today and in the coming years. Plus, a candid discussion on the rampant misinformation surrounding our field and the importance of substance over click bait. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between AI and planning careers (and the 101 things you must know before you take your next job.)

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Unlocking Success Amidst Common Pitfalls. Tune in as I delve into the critical topic of S&OP challenges, shedding light on why so many companies struggle to advance to the next level of maturity. Drawing from  research and personal experience, I unveil the top 7 hurdles that hinder lower maturity S&OP processes. Learn how to overcome these obstacles and propel your S&OP journey towards Next level maturity. 

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Join me in a riveting Q&A session with Michael Day, the seasoned Head of Integrated Planning at Glatfelter. We dive deep into the real world of integrated planning, exploring real career highlights, challenges, and real-world experiences. Gain invaluable insights, learn from practical examples, and enrich your understanding of integrated planning in the real business landscape

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Join me in this special extra episode as we unravel the transformative power of Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)/Integrated Business Planning (IBP). Delve into the intricacies of the top 10 benefits that manifest when S&OP is executed with finesse. From enhanced agility to streamlined collaboration, each benefit is a building block for organizational brilliance. Tune in and gain insights into how S&OP maturity propels companies toward unparalleled success.

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In this riveting episode, I sit down with bestselling author and predictive analytics luminary, Eric Siegel. Our discussion unravels the mysteries of his latest book, "The AI Playbook," and takes a no-holds-barred dive into the world of AI. We debunk fallacies, explore the evolving landscape of machine learning, and share insights on why mastering the art is as much about process as it is about technology. Get ready for an honest, entertaining, and enlightening conversation that challenges the way we perceive and navigate the buzzword BIZ ML. 

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Embark on a riveting exploration of Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) as we delve into a candid conversation with the illustrious Bob Stahl. An influential figure in the S&OP realm with over 50 years of expertise, Bob shares insights from his newest book, "S&OP: An Executive Update." Join us as we reflect on the evolving landscape of S&OP, exploring its core definitions, dispelling misconceptions, and unraveling the nuances between volume and mix.

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This is our bonus episode of our four-part series on the basics of S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning). In our series finale it unwraps the significance of "tactical reviews," a key component enriching your S&OP/IBP process. Explore the nuanced objectives and essential elements of S&OE, gaining insights that bridge the gap between planning and execution.

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This is our Fourth and Final of our four-part series on the basics of S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning), we raise this to the imperative component of "Executive Reviews." Join Eric as he provides insights into the objectives and elements of Executive reviews within S&OP/IBP and let you know what yours may be missing. 

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Dive into the dynamic world of supply chain with Dr. Steven Melnyk, a distinguished academic and prolific author in the field. Unravel the pendulum effect in supply chain planning, exploring how constant shifts from crisis to crisis have become the new norm. Join the conversation as we discuss the evolving role of supply chain managers, the changing focus from cost efficiency, and the imperative of being a translator in the complex language of the modern supply chain. Gain insights on preparing the workforce for a future that is perpetually in flux.

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This is our third of our four-part series on the basics of S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning), we dive deep into the critical component of "Supply & Resource Reviews." Join Eric as he discusses the objectives and elements of supply and resource reviews within S&OP and shows it a lot more than just balancing supply and demand. 

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This may be my most important, and urgent, episode yet. I recently audited an executive S&OP meeting where something alarming happened: 9 people in the room… and 15 AI bots taking notes, summarizing, and listening in. We’ve crossed a line, and we don’t even realize it. In this episode, I sound the alarm on how companies are accidentally sabotaging their planning process by deploying AI in the wrong way and maybe what we should be doing instead. This is a wake-up call for every planner, executive, and digital transformation leader. AI is here, but if we don't integrate it intentionally, we’re not advancing, we're eroding the very thing S&OP is built on: alignment and clarity.

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In this insightful interview, join us as we sit down with Karin Bursa, a renowned influencer in supply chain innovation. We demystify the world of AI, exploring what is real, what's myth, and what is exaggerated. I delve into the discussion on the genuine challenges faced in AI adoption, the human aspects of planning, and how to define your unique problems to discover the right AI solutions and if we are lagging if we're not implementing AI right now? 

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This is our second of our four-part series on the basics of S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning), we dive deep into the critical component of "Demand Reviews." Join Eric as he discusses the process of consensus forecast and demand reviews within the S&OP/IBP cycle and we look at the objectives, critical KPIs, and other elements of this step.

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Join us for an insightful interview with Marcia Williams, author of "Scaling Supply Chains with Maria." In this episode, we delve into the critical partnership between supply chain and finance. Discover the not-so-secret world of finance and why it is essential for supply chain and demand planning to embrace it as a trusty sidekick.

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To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org