Manufacturing

In many cases, the focus is now on improving returns from one of the industrys most valuable assets: The sales force. We asked StayinFronts Sam Barclay to explain how companies are using a number of performance management strategies and tools to do just that.

ABM was measuring store-level retail execution and sales performance by manually collecting data making the process time-consuming, inefficient and tough to scale. Heres a look at how the company ensured the data collected was not only accurate and consistent, but also aligned with best practice standards.

How can leaders get the growth vibe on the inside of their companies to match their external marketing and sales efforts? As with most things, it starts with the top.

This year's agenda honed in on interactive, discussion-type sessions with the launch of CGT University, for starters. Here are 10 conference highlights that will strike a leadership chord.

Everyone creates a plan, thats easy or at least it should be. But if you dont have a good way to measure execution against what was planned, then it is by sheer luck that the plan hits the target.

About 12 years ago, McCormick & Company, Inc. embarked on an initiative to develop close, collaborative relationships with a number of its retailers and national food wholesaler customers. This initiative evolved into its customer collaboration platform, which has allowed McCormick to develop formal vendor managed inventory relationships today, among many other unexpected benefits along its supply chain.

Most consumer goods companies have traditional R&D organizations that are driven by marketing and operations and completely focused on new product innovation. Yet, the word innovation has become more of a charter or strategic goal as companies strive to innovate in process areas across the business, even challenging fundamental business models. This months Straight Talk takes a look at how innovation can lead to success beyond product extensions and how new thinking can disrupt the status quo.

Did you know that only one in three companies is satisfied with its demand and supply chain planning solution? Here, Supply Chain Insights Founder Lora Cecere shares insights on how to avoid the pitfalls.