Don’t let a well-intending, but ill-informed consultant or technologist set an expectation that you cannot meet. No when wins when there is a check written that cannot be cashed. In this case, the consultant will move to the next account leaving you holding the bag. Fight back with a data-driven argument. Help the organization think about inventory more holistically.
For the period of 2016-2025, the industry average was 11% operating margin and 7.82 inventory turns, with a 35% decline in industry inventory performance. Few companies were aware of or adapted to the shift in industry potential.
Today, the shifts are faster as consumers trade down to cheaper brands and retail private label gains market share. Major inflationary spikes in protein, especially beef and eggs, due to supply shortages and disease-related disruptions in 2025, continue the never-ending ride in commodity volatility. Yet, companies are insular to adapt their supply chain practices. Putting AI on top of traditional supply chain processes is a recipe for disaster.
This post aims to shed light on a dark, automated world where supply chain leaders believe they have answers and are busy automating outdated processes but not driving value.
In the first quarter of 2026, the value of the companies offering Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) fell by 25-30%. The sell-off occurred as investors worried that Artificial
The supply chain is knotted. It is unruly. It is complex. It is growing more so. Current supply chain planning deployments often degrade value. This is
The buyer today for supply chain planning is more conservative. The leaders — Chief Supply Chain Officers —are hardened and conservative, with many becoming “Dr. Nos” during sales cycles while pushing traditional definitions of technology.
The journey of AI automation is a path of carrying small stones starting with the redefinition of architectures with a focus on semantics.
The industry need state requires the redefinition of the current taxonomy of planning based on first principles. This is in conflict with the current thrust to automate existing platforms using agents.
As I enter my fifteenth year of trying to help supply chain leaders improve value through supply chain planning software, I answer a challenge by a reader on what is the value of an industry analyst. My reply centers on how I think we can help, and that it takes a village and I hope that he will help as well.
My answer to Vijay on techniques to try to improve outcomes in this uncertain world.
