Nike, Inc.

Earlier this week, consumer goods executives convened at The Coleman Center in New York City to discuss pain points and lessons learned at the second CGT Connects event, titled "Best Practices for Becoming Demand Driven".

Keep an eye on these leading-edge IT innovators in 2006

In its attempts to better compete with industry leader Nike, adidas-Salomon AG will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Reebok International Ltd. for approximately $3.8 billion.

Even though the following IT firms did not land a coveted spot on this year's Reader's Choice list, Consumer Goods Technology would be remiss by not bringing them front and center.

25 mid-market companies to watch out for

It amazes me that failed technology implementations that occurred years ago continue to make headlines today.

In 1987, Nike started a revolution by unleashing The Air Max running shoe, the first of its type to incorporate Nike-AIR cushioning, which put a comfy new spin on athletic footwear and sent the industry-at-large back to the drawing board.

With a higher degree of mandates from retailers, corporate legislation like Sarbanes-Oxley and a crowded product marketplace, it would appear that the consumer goods landscape is an unforgiving atmosphere full of revenue roadblocks.