Route to Market & Supply Chain Blog
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“People and Process lead – IT supports” Regional & Global S&OP Critical Success Factors
Christian Cusworth Fri, Jul 30, 2010
This is a debate that I am starting to loose, I’ll stick with it though at least until such time as IT systems develop intelligence and personality. The theoretical debate on the role of IT in S&OP will of course run for a long time, hence this…
A gift from the FMCG Drinks Distribution Agony Aunt
Dave Jordan Fri, Jul 30, 2010
Dear Frustrated of FMCG Drinks, Thank you for your letter, which was a delight to read. Believe me; you are not alone in having such feelings and concerns. There is nothing worse than seeing the world’s greatest drinks salesman shining downand not…
S&OP – that’s Sails & Operational Planning
Michael Thompson Fri, Jul 30, 2010
It’s amazing how the mind wanders when one is stuck. In my case I have just started a sailing holiday with family in tow. Here we are in the South of France west of Marseille, boat at the ready & raring to go. Problem – there is a Mistral blowing.…
S&OP Regional/Global Critical Success Factors:"We are communicating"
Christian Cusworth Fri, Jul 23, 2010
This week’s success factors cover the areas of organisation and people when developing S&OP. Some time ago the president of a major CEE trading group summarised the outcomes of a business wide S&OP implementation in three words “we are…
Viva Africa United :World Cup Business Improvement
Michael Thompson Tue, Jul 13, 2010
Well its over & the African showcase that was the World Cup has finished. As Spain (deservedly) celebrates and the circus leaves town, I am left to wonder “what next” for the continent? Thankfully I am not the only one in a similar reflective mood.…
Regional & Global FMCG S&OP - Critical Success Factors
Christian Cusworth Mon, Jul 12, 2010
The following blogs will address key points of consideration when embarking on a regional or global S&OP implementation. Part one covers the areas of End Market commitment & ownership and Process Design. End Market commitment & ownership: End Market…
A letter to the FMCG Drinks Distribution Agony Aunt
Dave Jordan Fri, Jul 09, 2010
Dear Agony Aunt, I have reached the end of my patience. I’m drinking too much coffee, I smoke like a chimney, I’m not eating properly and I just cannot sleep. I did not see any of the World Cup nor Wimbledon and now even my kids call me Uncle Dad as…
Oh Ghana: Supply Chain Progress denied by the hand of Suarez
Michael Thompson Tue, Jul 06, 2010
Oh Ghana, Ghana! wherefore art thou Ghana? Deny thy goal by penalty in the last minute of extra time and refuse thy destiny; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn to do better in the shoot out, And we’ll no longer be denied an African team in the…
The players in a high performing Supply Chain
Dave Jordan Mon, Jul 05, 2010
There are no individuals in this team. This is a team where the whole is far greater than the sum of the parts. The Supply Chain operates quietly and often in the background but is an essential team for any business. Team Sheet Goal Keeper S&OP –…
Doing Business in Africa – S&OP is part of the answer
Michael Thompson Wed, Jun 30, 2010
A short rest from the World Cup today. I speaking to a colleague today who had attended a conference last week about doing business in Nigeria. There were echoes from several chats I have had recently with some of our West African clients including…
England Out of Africa
Michael Thompson Wed, Jun 30, 2010
"... and another thing ... they're all paid millions ... and now it's all over, they all disappear on holiday ..." (leaving us to pick up the pieces of our shattered dreams is the unspoken message). And so continues another England footballing…
Vuvuzelas and the value of S&OP
Dave Jordan Tue, Jun 29, 2010
Suddenly, many companies in South Africa are grossly overstocked with red, white and blue Vuvuzelas! They will not be allowed at Wimbledon and even the cricket authorities would think twice. Skiing, possibly? There may be quite some capital tied up…
SKU Proliferation and its’ effect on your FMCG Customer Service
Dave Jordan Tue, Jun 22, 2010
Sku's sneak onto price lists when nobody is looking. Sales & Marketing colleagues like launches with lengthy lists of skus; different flavours, different sizes, different colours. How many shelf facings do they want? How do these decisions get…
Doing FMCG, Pharma Business in Africa : England vs USA World Cup
Michael Thompson Wed, Jun 16, 2010
The inevitable post-match, post-mortem. A bunch of lad's dads extolling wisdom & virtue on a Sunday morning after the night before. What was Capello thinking about? If we can't beat the USA, what hope is there? Green the villain; Green the…
Africa, the World Cup, & Supply Chain – what’s the connection?
Michael Thompson Tue, Jun 15, 2010
Well it has finally started. The world cupis here. And Africa is centre stage again in the collective conscious of the world. Not since the G8 summit in July 2008 has the world turned its attention to Africa; too often the forgotten continent.…
