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Can a Small Company Create a Demand Responsive Operation and Compete with the Big Boys?
“We will what?” I had heard it. We will be doubling shipments in the next 4 months, and this was just the beginning. I cannot say I wasn’t excited. It felt good. Volumes going up.. Its a good problem to have. But the memories of demand sliding unexpectedly were etched clearly in my mind..... »
Yokohama Tire Canada: Forecast Accuracy and the Cost of Being Right
Demand planning and forecasting is a process which, because of its intrinsic focus on “error”, too often invites misguided efforts at producing perfection. Like the alchemists’ quest for gold, the goal is illusory and may cost more than any benefit it yields. Consider that the result of demand planning is only profitable to the... »
S&OP or BUST! at Land O’Lakes Company
Eighteen months ago I decided I would put my job on the line if that is what would take to improve our planning processes and implement S&OP. Due to the changes required, some implementation issues, and my own actions; I must admit that I came very close to that line. Fortunately, I survived and... »
Can Forecasting Help Me Staff a Specific Hewlett-Packard Call Center at 10:30 am on a Friday?
We can do a good job of predicting this, but the question is “Can we do better?”. The Statistician W. Edwards Deming showed Japan’s auto industry the importance of increasing quality and HP aims to do the same. How do you staff a calling center optimally so that you balance the phones getting answered... »
Rockin’ the S&OP Process at Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
Monday, 8:05am: your boss calls you into his office and says, “I just got back from the Supply Chain Forecasting & Planning Conference. We need to start a S&OP process!” He hands you a 9 inch thick textbook and barks “get it going!!.” So you dutifully read the textbook, gather your team, collate the... »
“One Number Planning” & S&OP
I was asked recently to clarify my previous objections to a “One Number” planning world! In the late 90’s and early 2000’s there was a movement underfoot to drive the entire organization from a single operating number. In theory that would be a good thing as long as you have the right number. Too... »