Forecasting With Out-Liars: Mitigating Blame, Bias, and Apathy in Your Planning Process to Drive Meaningful and Sustainable Financial Improvements

by John Mink

Overview

Forecasting business is one of the biggest challenges all companies face. It requires dealing with a significant number of variables that are unknown, uncontrollable, and difficult to manage. Implementing a formal Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process promises the company better alignment, financial benefits, and improved customer satisfaction. But often, the process falls short of expectations. So, to improve forecasting, leaders invest in consulting, systems, and tools, only to find themselves frustrated with the results. This frustration contributes to a "blame culture" that drives forecast bias and apathy, thus giving forecasting little chance to succeed.

As a seasoned professional who has implemented and managed S&OP at several firms, I have found ways to break through barriers that prevent organizations from succeeding. By sharing experiences you can relate to, I provide you with tips and a unique perspective on how to better manage the forecasting challenges you face. In the pages of this book, you'll find insights on why the forecasting and execution processes fail to improve while it provides solutions that can dramatically improve your processes - and your results.

As a successful supply chain leader and expert in S&OP, John Mink developed the concept of this book early in his career. He has been working on continually improving the forecasting processes through trial and error while discovering successes along way-ones that benefit customer experiences and bring improved financial results.

John resides with his family in the Chicagoland area. A self-proclaimed King of the Dad Jokes, John plays the French horn, enjoys motor sports with a passion, and loves family outings at the beach.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781736841013
Publisher:	MindStir Media
Publication date:	04/19/2021
Pages:	108
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.26(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword 9

Introduction 11

Chapter 1 What Is S&OP? 15

Chapter 2 The Vicious Circle of Blame 19

Chapter 3 Bias Runs Rampant 27

Chapter 4 Beat the Mink 33

Chapter 5 Look at Us, We are Awesome! 39

Chapter 6 Forecasting Myths 49

Chapter 7 Strive for inventory Visibility 59

Chapter 8 Lead Time Decision-Making 65

Chapter 9 Characteristics of an S&OP Lead 71

Chapter 10 Aligning Like an Orchestra 81

Chapter 11 Behaviors and Culture 89

Chapter 12 Putting it All Together 97

Glossary 101