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Route to Market & Supply Chain Blog

Welcome to our blog!

We are passionate about Route to Market and supply chain management and we are delighted to share our thoughts with you. We would like to hear from you too, so please comment on our posts or contact us.

Michael Thompson

Recent Posts

Supply Chain Blog Enchange Oscars - and the Winner is...

Michael Thompson Tue, Mar 08, 2011
Lest we were caught up in the furore of the Hollywood version, it is now time to announce the winners of the inaugural Enchange Supply Chain Blog Oscars. Without further ado: Best Route to Market Blog – goes to Evaluate your FMCG Route to Market…

Enchange Supply Chain Blog of the Year 2011

Michael Thompson Fri, Feb 18, 2011
It’s that time of year. With just over a week to go until the cinematic version, it is time to reflect upon a year of supply chain blogging. Ladies & gentlemen I give you the nominations for the inaugural 2011 Enchange supply chain blogs. Supply…

11 Critical Success Factors for Route To Market Programmes

Michael Thompson Fri, Feb 04, 2011
Trying to get the best out of distributors in some less developed markets is particularly challenging. The traditional non-key account trade is unstructured and characterised by very many players many of whom are opportunists and not interested in…

What has S&OP ever done for us? The role of the CEO

Michael Thompson Tue, Jan 04, 2011
We have started a debate about S&OP - “What has S&OP ever done for us?”. Our protagonists are REGINALD, the CEO of a multinational FMCG company and JACEK the new Head of Supply Chain Development at the same company. Both do not believe that S&OP is…

To S&OP or not to S&OP - That is the question

Michael Thompson Wed, Dec 22, 2010
Our mailbag is expanding ... Sire To S&OP or not to S&OP: That is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer The claims and errors of outrageous sales forecasts Or to make plans against a sea of market uncertainties, And by opposing end…

What has S&OP ever done for us? A great deal actually ...

Michael Thompson Fri, Dec 17, 2010
From Monty Python to S&OP via integrated supply chain planning to forecasting and related issues, and a conclusion shared by our two protagonists that S&OP is not really necessary, we received the following in our mailbag ... Dear Mike, I have been…

Santa & Opening Presents, S&OP the Elves Respond

Michael Thompson Thu, Dec 09, 2010
Dear Santa, I refer to the recent blog article, "Santa & Opening Presents; Why S&OP is Invaluable at Christmas". As I mentioned in the consultation process just prior to S&OP implementation, I was prepared on behalf of our members to support the…

Is S&OP Really Necessary? Forecasting & Supply Chain Responsiveness

Michael Thompson Wed, Dec 08, 2010
Last time we started a debate entitled “Is S&OP really necessary?”. Our protagonists are REGINALD, the CEO of a multinational FMCG company and JACEK the new Head of Supply Chain Development at the same company.Both do not believe that S&OP is really…

The Role of Integrated Supply Chain Planning

Michael Thompson Thu, Dec 02, 2010
Having met the protagonists, let’s see if S&OP is really necessary. First, let’s remind ourselves of the players: REGINALD is CEO of a multinational FMCG company.He does not believe that S&OP is necessary for his business and expressed his views in…

Is S&OP Really Necessary? Integrated Supply Chain Planning

Michael Thompson Tue, Nov 30, 2010
From Monty Python to S&OP and integrated supply chain planning in one blog. The next instalment .... Dear Mike I thought that you were joking when you said my email would make a great series of articles about integrated supply chain planning.…

What has S&OP ever done for us?

Michael Thompson Mon, Nov 22, 2010
Inspired by Monty Python’s film “Life of Brian” ... What have the Romans ever done for us? And one of our consultants ..... "What has S&OP ever done for us? ...said Reginald the (very frustrated) CEO at the annual operational review meeting. Silence…

Enchange, Supply Chain, Route to Market, Distribution, S&OP, ...

Michael Thompson Fri, Nov 19, 2010
Sorry, this blog has nothing to do with any of the above. It is everything to do with Friday afternoon & a bit of fun. We had a meeting today about how to improve our blogging & some whit suggested that if we were really serious about increasing web…

Doing business in Africa - 11 signs that your S&OP needs improvement

Michael Thompson Fri, Oct 29, 2010
“We’ve been doing S&OP in our African Operating Companies for 5 or 6 years .... & it’s still not working properly....” This was one of several discussions we have had with clients over the last couple of weeks and something of a recurring theme.…

The Challenges of FMCG Supply Chain & Route to Market in West Africa

Michael Thompson Thu, Oct 21, 2010
I have been thinking about Africa this year & its particular needs regarding supply chain. We have been working there since 1993 & it came back into consciousness during the World Cup. Many African countries are growing rapidly. However, I have been…

S&OP (Sails & Operational Planning) – Consensus

Michael Thompson Mon, Aug 16, 2010
The CEO listened while the Commercial Director & Supply Chain Director tried to reach an agreement during the monthly S&OP meeting. Not only was he disappointed to hear a version of the same arguments from previous months (“we are short of stock…

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