Conference season is once again in full swing, with a chance for industry leaders to catch up on the latest trends, as well as the opportunity to network with friends and colleagues. Sousana Ruokonen and Michel Savini from Argon & Co will be attending the annual Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit in London on October 14-15, and have shared some of their thoughts on what attendees should be looking out for:
Integrated decision making
A common topic of discussion with our clients at the moment is the increasing prevalence of decision automation within planning organisations. This trend is underscored by the numerous sessions dedicated to topics such as Touchless Planning, AI leading decisions, and Integrated Decision Making. As automation becomes more sophisticated, the skills required to shape and guide these technologies are becoming crucial. This raises an important question: should planners themselves be adept at managing decision automation, or is this primarily the responsibility of planning leaders?
Supply chain technologies – what is hype and what is happening
Conferences are often a great opportunity to get up to speed with the latest insights on supply chain technologies. Participants will hear from a diverse array of planning technology providers, each showcasing their latest innovations. Always worth looking out for are the insights on the ‘Magic Quadrant’, providing a comprehensive view of the current landscape and the ‘Hype Cycle’, predicting which new innovations might be shaping our work in the years to come. The innovation trigger phase is brimming with potential game-changers. Technologies such as digital twins, advanced analytics, and blockchain are poised to revolutionize supply chain operations in the coming years, offering new ways to enhance efficiency, transparency, and resilience.
Change management and culture
We have recently seen a shift in our client conversations around change management, from merely driving change within an organization’s planning team to transforming how planning interacts with the rest of the organization. This shift aims to increase the perceived value of planning across all departments. Attendees should look out for discussions on influencing change from a center of excellence, emphasizing the importance of persuasive leadership and the value of fostering strong internal relationships. These sessions will provide valuable insights into how planning leaders can effectively champion change, ensuring that planning functions are not only integrated but also pivotal to the organization’s overall success.
Building a case for investment
A recurring challenge we encounter with clients is demonstrating the case for investing in new technology or systems. While it is often clear that such investments are crucial for achieving the organization’s strategic goals, proving the business case can be difficult. This is why we are excited to see multiple sessions on this topic at this year’s conference, including Julia von Massow’s talk on the benefits of a 1% improvement in forecast accuracy, and Eva Dawkins’ discussion on the advantages of selecting different providers for Demand and Supply Planning. Additionally, the opportunity to meet system providers in person and experience hands-on demonstrations of their products is an excellent way to build confidence.
S&OP and S&OE
Finally, Sales and Operations Execution (S&OE) and Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) remain key year after year. We regularly tell clients that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and the conference showcases a variety of approaches to these critical processes. This event provides an excellent opportunity to see how other organizations are tackling S&OE and S&OP, offering valuable insights and best practices. One notable session is the roundtable discussion on evolving S&OP through financial alignment, which promises to deliver actionable insights on integrating financial planning with operational strategies.
A chance to network and connect
Michel and Sousana from the Argon & Co UK office will be attending both days of the conference, and are looking forward to connecting with new and old contacts from across the industry.
To help bring people together, we are hosting a dinner and drinks reception nearby on the evening of Monday 14th October. If you are interested in joining an evening of conversation and discussion with other leaders in Supply Chain Planning, click below to register your interest. Also open to those who are unable to make the conference.
Authors: Michel Savini and Sousana Ruokonen
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