Forecasting, Demand Planning in a Difficult Economy

In this declining economy, Forecasting and Demand Planning is gaining much attention in the board room...
article posted December 16, 2008 in Supply Chain Brain

2008 Year in Review

As I sat on the couch with my husband watching one of the many 2008 recap shows that are aired this time of year, my thoughts drifted back towards the highlights of my own 2008 with the IBF. It was a year that held so many “firsts” for our organization as well as several memorable learning experiences.
So it is! My top 5 highlights of 2008 for the IBF!

Let me know if you agree/disagree? What did I miss?

1) Dr. Chaman L. Jain, Editor in Chief of the Journal of Business Forecasting, featured in the Wall Street Journal. Thinking about Tomorrow, Seven tips for making forecasting more effective, an article summing up the importance of collaboration between vendors and suppliers, and the results are effective planning. Putting Forecasting and Planning on the map, not only was the article printed in their special quarterly section, but in addition, Dr. Jain was interviewed and can now be found on several video housing websites. The video can be viewed here: http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&vid=e6227778-0813-42c5-aa91-cd64fc1ac8a3

2) First ever APICS/IBF Best of the Best S&OP conference. Sold out with over 100 people waitlisted for registration, yes, forecasting for new products is quite difficult. But seriously, the hot topic of 2008 was certainly Sales and Operations Planning and the collaboration of the two well established organizations brought to life a major event of 2008 for Supply and Demand folks. A second event was held in December to meet the demand with continued success in Dallas.

3) IBF’s First Latin America Supply Chain Forecasting and Planning Conference held in Mexico, speakers presenting in Spanish. Certainly an accomplishment on many levels for our organization, which included presentations from well known companies such as Revlon, Campbell Soup and Office Max.



4) The inauguration of IBF Chapters, with the very first lead by John Gallucci, Director of Demand Planning for Nestle, in the New York Area. 2008 was a year where networking was key and sharing ideas and knowledge amongst peers helped companies stay afloat during these challenging times. Other chapters launched in the US as well as South Africa and Dubai.

5) Lastly, with great pleasure, I would like to add a personal note of accomplishment for the Managing Director of IBF. April 1, 2008 was the birth date of Ajay Jain, son of Anish and Alka Jain. Although with dual citizenship of UK and US, Ajay and his parents reside in NY.

Welcome Message from your FDP blogger

Welcome demand planners and those who have forecasting and planning in their professional roles as well as those who are simply interested in the topic. I do hope to be a bit more casual than my last blog, but hey, it was my first posting ever. We at the IBF are truly excited for the release of this JBF issue and we are trying to get the word out to all those who are attempting to get this right at their company. In the future, I hope to hear your comments and suggestions on demand planning, and I will try to give pertinent updates as well. Spread the word to your colleagues and friends to “follow” and participate. It will be a fun as well as educational journey together.

Peace during this holiday season and wintery day here in NY!

Constance

A One of a Kind JBF issue, POS/ Consumption Based Demand Planning and Forecasting

Approaching our 30^th year Anniversary for the Journal of Business Forecasting, the Special POS and Syndicated Data Winter 08-09 issue will be one that is both unique and is held dear to the editor’s heart. It has been a long time in the making, recruiting authors from well known companies and experts in the area, that cover soup-nuts on POS/ Consumption based demand planning and forecasting. The issue covers how Big Box Retailers are benefiting from sharing their POS data with their suppliers and how the landscape of forecasting has changed greatly from Silo forecasting to Collaboration, Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR). We also discover real world experiences and lessons learned from authors representing Nestle as well as Osram Sylvania. The issue will hit the shelves in January 2009, and reservations can be placed by contacting The Institute of Business Forecasting and Planning (IBF) at www.ibf.org, 516.504.7576 or info@ibf.org

The Journal of Business Forecasting is a leading publication of the Institute of Business Forecasting and Planning (IBF). A quarterly Journal that is complimentary with IBF membership and available in .pdf electronic format as well as hard copy.