Latest from Lawrence
Tuesday, September 3, 2024 · Larry Lapide
Prior S&OP planning assumed supply was plentiful, and that forecasting could be done using historical demand. Thus, I realized that at least two special planning teams would have to be assembled to support forecasting and planning under uncertainty, and during severe…
Friday, July 5, 2024 · Larry Lapide
Almost four and a half years ago, I wrote my first Insights column on artificial intelligence (AI) titled: “Rely on AI to make decisions? Yes, but warily” [March/April 2020]. I had planned to do an annual update, however, the COVID-19 pandemic came along—consuming much…
Sunday, May 19, 2024 · Larry Lapide
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for special short-term planning teams to supplement an S&OP team. An S&OP team is always vital to managing the rudder for navigational purposes. However, Quick Response and supply-in-mind planning specialists need to help out…
Monday, March 4, 2024 · Larry Lapide
Supply chain managers working with sales and marketing can ensure products in demand match with available supply to maximize profits.
Thursday, January 4, 2024 · Larry Lapide
It will always be prudent to reduce the use of carbon-based energy sources by making your supply chains as energy-efficient as possible.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 · Larry Lapide
As the industrialized world gets older, there is a lot of potential in developing products for older populations. This will have profound implications for both future global demand and supply (especially with regard to looming labor shortages).
Monday, July 3, 2023 · Larry Lapide
If you are doing planning for the supply needs of an installed base, the Pot of Water model may help develop more accurate plans.
Monday, May 1, 2023 · Larry Lapide
The recent column discussed how global policymakers have been relatively ineffective in using diplomacy to come up with a coordinated plan toward a world free of fossil fuels.
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 · Larry Lapide
Strategic planning and quick response (QR) processes are strategically focused. Therefore, both processes have to be directed by someone from the executive suite because the risks are too high vis-a-vis those taken during the SOE and S&OP processes.
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 · Larry Lapide
Executives should be educated to have a healthy respect for inventory so that managers won’t have to go overboard and throw bad inventory after good.
