--- title: FMCG – Hunker down and find Supply Chain Analytics description: Don't always blame your forecast. Blame your lack of Supply Chain Analytics for failing to understand what is really happening or what may happen. image: https://supplychain.enchange.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/supply_chain_analytics_fmcg_inventory_performance.jpg --- [Login](https://www.enchange.com/login/) - - - - [![Enchange](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hubfs/Enchange_October2019/Image/logo.png)](https://www.enchange.com/) # Route to Market & Supply Chain Blog # FMCG – Hunker down and find Supply Chain Analytics Posted by Dave Jordan on Wed, Jun 06, 2018 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Have you ever “hunkered down”? I remember being asked to hunker down during a business game training course many years ago and I had no idea what I was supposed to do. Eventually I had to ask as failing to follow the hunker downwards request appeared to be causing a bit of a problem for the American presenter. This hunkering failure occurred during one of the many versions of the Beer Game in which I have taken part or delivered over the years. Anyone who has been involved with supply chain activities will probably have taken part in the Beer Game, or the Moussy Game as it is sometimes known in dry countries of the Middle East. What does the beer game do? The rules are relatively simple and in summary, the overall objective is to meet consumer demand for cases of beer in a complex, extended supply chain while controlling unplanned expense on back orders and inventory. The game involves four overlapping and inter-dependent supply chains, i.e. source, make, distribution, and a retail outlet. There is a cost penalty for holding excess stock and any backlog unfulfilled orders. Players rely on colleagues in the other departments to do the right things at the right time for the business but frustration soon surfaces. Usually, things do not go well and players feel frustrated because they are not getting the results they expect. Assumptions are made about consumer demand and erratic patterns emerge as backlogs mount and/or massive unnecessary inventory accumulates. It was at this stage in the game I was invited to “hunker down……….”. Does that sound like your own supply chain – not the hunkering bit? Frustration is common between departments who all aim to do the right thing but only have the necessary data and information to do the right thing for their specific area of responsibility at that specific time. Even after careful consideration and informed debate, the real effect of an adjustment can only be seen in the future. ![supply_chain_analytics_fmcg_inventory_performance.jpg](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/supply_chain_analytics_fmcg_inventory_performance.jpg?width=322&name=supply_chain_analytics_fmcg_inventory_performance.jpg)IF - a big if -  nothing else changes and all assumptions are correct and accurate then there is a chance the desired effect will develop as predicted. However, life is not like that and certainly not supply chain life.   What can happen? 1. New launches kick-in and are successful, or perhaps not. 2. Competition by definition is designed to try and disrupt your plans. 3. The weather turns out rather different to the forecast and nobody wants beer. 4. The economy takes a turn up or down, again. 5. Factories, 3PLPs and distributors all suffer performance variability. 6. Customers and consumers change their needs and habits. Etc., etc., etc., this list really is endless. Absolutely anything can happen to turn apparently sensible decisions into foolish, future forecast failure. Hey, what about all that expensive IT we have? Doesn’t that help us understand what is going on and what is going to happen? No, not necessarily. Common supply chain IT tells us what has happened, what is happening, where and when but not precisely why an event happened or what will happen. Subtle differences perhaps but to up your game you need to hunker down with [Supply Chain Analytics](http://www.enchange.com/services/supply-chain-analytics/) to gain a full unexpurgated understanding of how changes you make today will impact the future and more importantly, how you can change that future. Yes, you can change the future with a classy analytics tool. *Image courtesy of Enchange at [Enchange.com](http://www.enchange.com/services/supply-chain-analytics/)* Tags: [Customer service](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/customer-service), [FMCG](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/fmcg), [CEO](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/ceo), [Inventory Management & Stock Control](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/inventory-management-stock-control), [Supply Chain Analytics](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/supply-chain-analytics), [IT](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/it) ### Subscribe Here! ## Implementation Guide - 20 Steps to RtM Excellence [![cta-20-steps-implementation-guide-1](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cta-20-steps-implementation-guide-1.png?width=336&name=cta-20-steps-implementation-guide-1.png)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/implementation-guide-to-20-steps-to-route-to-market-excellence) ## RtM Distributor Assessment Tool [![rtm-distributin-assessment-tool-enchange](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/rtm-distributin-assessment-tool-enchange.png?width=336&name=rtm-distributin-assessment-tool-enchange.png)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/analyse-the-performance-of-your-distributors---free-route-to-market-assessment-form) ## Distributor Assessment Guide [![distributor assessment guide-2](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hubfs/Enchange_October2019/Image/distributor%20assessment%20guide-2.webp)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/distributor-assessment-guide) ## 3rd Degree Partnership Guide [![3rd degree partnership download](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hubfs/Enchange_October2019/Image/3rd%20degree%20partnership%20download.webp)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/implementing-third-degree-partnerships-guide) ## Indirect Distribution: FMCG  Distributors vs. Wholesalers [![cta_ditributor-wholesale-download_sidebar](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cta_ditributor-wholesale-download_sidebar.png?width=336&name=cta_ditributor-wholesale-download_sidebar.png)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/indirect-distribution-fmcg-distributors-vs.-wholesalers) ## 8 Steps to Drive Distributor Excellence ![cta-8-steps-distributor-excellence](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cta-8-steps-distributor-excellence.png?width=336&name=cta-8-steps-distributor-excellence.png)   [![awrad](https://supplychain.enchange.com/hubfs/Enchange_October2019/Image/Supply-Chain-transparent_216px.png)](http://blog.feedspot.com/supply_chain_blogs/) ### Connect with Enchange Online ### Posts by Topics - [Dave Jordan (432)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/dave-jordan) - [FMCG (386)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/fmcg) - [Supply Chain (249)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/supply-chain) - [S&OP (226)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/sop) - [Route to Market (202)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/route-to-market) - [Forecasting & Demand Planning (177)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/forecasting-demand-planning) - [Performance Improvement (175)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/performance-improvement) - [Distribution (141)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/distribution) - [Traditional Trade (114)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/traditional-trade) - [Sales (112)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/sales) - [CEO (111)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/ceo) - [Inventory Management & Stock Control (105)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/inventory-management-stock-control) - [Humour (94)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/humour) - [Brewing & Beverages (88)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/brewing-beverages) - [Michael Thompson (88)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/michael-thompson) - [Pharma (84)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/pharma) - [RTM Assessment Tool (83)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/rtm-assessment-tool) - [RTM (77)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/rtm) - [RtM Strategy (74)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/rtm-strategy) - [Logistics Management (71)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/logistics-management) - [CEE (67)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/cee) - [Ross Marie (64)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/ross-marie) - [20 Steps to RtM Excellence (63)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/20-steps-to-rtm-excellence) - [Customer service (63)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/customer-service) - [KPI (61)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/kpi) - [SKU (57)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/sku) - [Logistics Service Provider (48)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/logistics-service-provider) - [Cost Reduction (37)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/cost-reduction) - [Retail (37)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/retail) - [Supply Chain House (36)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/supply-chain-house) - [supply chain excellence (35)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/supply-chain-excellence) - [Doing Business in Africa (31)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/doing-business-in-africa) - [ERP/SAP (30)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/erp-sap) - [Supply Chain Analytics (30)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/supply-chain-analytics) - [Christmas (28)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/christmas) - [Integrated Business Planning (28)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/integrated-business-planning) - [The ABC of RtM (27)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/the-abc-of-rtm) - [Interim Management (22)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/interim-management) - [Promotions (22)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/promotions) - [Manufacturing Footprint (18)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/manufacturing-footprint) - [IT (12)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/it) - [3PL (10)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/3pl) - [Information (10)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/information) - [Order to Cash (10)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/order-to-cash) - [Logistica Management (9)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/logistica-management) - [Mergers & Acquisitions (9)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/mergers-acquisitions) - [Telecoms (9)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/telecoms) - [4PL (6)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/4pl) - [Compliance (6)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/compliance) - [ERP (6)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/erp) - [Transportation (6)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/transportation) - [3PLP (5)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/3plp) - [Communication (5)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/communication) - [Sourcing (5)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/sourcing) - [Keith Marshall (4)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/keith-marshall) - [Outsourcing (4)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/outsourcing) - [Spare Parts (4)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/spare-parts) - [Stefan Cucu (4)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/stefan-cucu) - [Vietnam (4)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/vietnam) - [covid19 (4)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/covid19) - [Balanced Scorecard (3)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/balanced-scorecard) - [DIY (3)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/diy) - [DRS (3)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/drs) - [Digital (3)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/digital) - [Production Planning (3)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/production-planning) - [Ratib Ratib (3)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/ratib-ratib) - [Recovery (3)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/recovery) - [SUPPLY PLANNING (3)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/supply-planning) - [Andy Dixon (2)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/andy-dixon) - [IBP (2)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/ibp) - [Low Carbon (2)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/low-carbon) - [Planning (2)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/planning) - [Private Equity (2)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/private-equity) - [Supply Chain Strategy (2)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/supply-chain-strategy) - [WMS (2)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/wms) - [Warehousing (2)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/warehousing) - [Wholesale (2)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/wholesale) - [Agrochemicals (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/agrochemicals) - [Aristide Kouame (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/aristide-kouame) - [CONSULTING (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/consulting) - [Deposit Recovery Scheme (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/deposit-recovery-scheme) - [Dianna Vorpagel (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/dianna-vorpagel) - [Dumisani Siziba (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/dumisani-siziba) - [Food (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/food) - [HR (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/hr) - [INNOVATION (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/innovation) - [Make (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/make) - [Manufacturing (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/manufacturing) - [Refillable PET (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/refillable-pet) - [Scheduling (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/scheduling) - [WASTE (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/waste) - [finance (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/finance) - [procurement (1)](https://supplychain.enchange.com/topic/procurement) [See all](https://supplychain.enchange.com/fmcg-hunkering-down-for-supply-chain-analytics-0#) Enchange Registered office: 2 Piries Place, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1EH, UK.   Enchange Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 2862912.  Enchange VAT number: 528 7834 08                                                                                   ©2019 Enchange Ltd. All rights reserved [Privacy Policy](https://www.enchange.com/privacy-policy) [Cookies](https://www.enchange.com/cookie-policy/)