Route to Market & Supply Chain Blog
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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.
Supply chain services; Big Firm vs Small Niche experts?
Michael Thompson Mon, Mar 14, 2011
In the 1970s when organisations bought PCs it used to be said that "you never got fired for buying IBM". I wonder if the same attitude to risk is still true in 2011 when organisations buy supply chain consultancy services? Here are two recent…
10 Reasons Why NOT to Evaluate your FMCG/Pharma Route To Market
Dave Jordan Fri, Mar 11, 2011
The reasons and benefits for carrying out a professional review of your Distribution network are well documented. Most of the senior people I meet understand the value of such a programme but there is a sizeable minority holding opposing views.…
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…
Essential Elements of FMCG/Pharma Route To Market (RTM) Success
Dave Jordan Mon, Mar 07, 2011
With Traditional Trade enjoying something of a revival due to the extended recession some savvy companies are sorting out their RTM distribution networks. This will provide an immediate advantage over competitors and once the recession cloud blows…
FMCG Complexity: Factory Efficiency versus Operating Company Cost
Dave Jordan Thu, Mar 03, 2011
Initiatives such as 6-Sigma and TPM have helped producers towards optimised output from their manufacturing networks. Line changeovers are carried out with Grand Prix slickness. Packaging components have been harmonised and rationalised. Output…
A Practical Guide to FMCG/Pharma SKU Complexity Reduction
Dave Jordan Mon, Feb 28, 2011
Get your business in shape to take advantage of the expected upturn in economic conditions by giving your sku list a thorough review. Few businesses are lucky to operate with just one or two monster skus but an excessive list of items on offer can…
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…
Time to Spring Clean your Supply Chain in Brewing, Pharma & FMCG
Dave Jordan Mon, Feb 14, 2011
Is the market getting any better, really? Many big name companies have announced indifferent full year 2010 results recently and all caution about the continuing “difficult market conditions”. Ok, so 2010 has been put to bed but many will be paying…
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…
FMCG Supply Chain - What do all those initials really mean?
Dave Jordan Wed, Feb 02, 2011
Like many business functions Supply Chains use multiple initials and/or acronyms to describe various tasks they manage on a daily basis. Those not familiar with SC-speak will often sit bemused in meetings as various initials are quoted and debated…
Yes, you can work in an FMCG Supply Chain and have a sense of humour
Dave Jordan Mon, Jan 24, 2011
Frankly, if you do not have a sense of humour you will be lost in the Supply Chain. Seldom recognised, under paid, under graded, under stress and most of all, misunderstood. The only real fun is reading the sales force accuracy figures and the…
FMCG International Key Accounts (IKA) and Traditional Trade (TT)
Dave Jordan Tue, Jan 18, 2011
I regularly see headlines about how much the IKA sector has suffered in the recession. Expansion plans curtailed; fewer stores opening; CEE not a boom town now etc etc. The ongoing recession has delayed the onward march of the IKA and I think that…
Top 10 Signs Your Route To Market Distribution Programme Worked!
Dave Jordan Fri, Jan 14, 2011
So you evaluated your distribution network and wait to see the promised results? What changed? You are selling more volume - no, not sales in but real Sales Out – and your bottom line looks far healthier. Your Distributors bring well thought-out and…
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…
