Proven Steps to Accelerate the ROI of Your Supply Chain Solution
Introduction
Welcome back to the PlanningPosts Podcast! Today we’re not just talking about demand forecasting, or new items, or deal buys. Episode 9 focuses on how getting a great start to your implementation can accelerate the ROI of your supply chain management solution. A strong kickoff. Dominating the first inning. Scripting the first 10 plays of the game.
This session is going to be eye-opening. “The First 100 Days” podcast draws on the deep experiences of PlanningPosts supply chain evangelist Dan Craddock and special guest Crystal Seeley – an inventory leader who has successfully led four major implementations in 4 years, impacting 100 planners and hundreds of teams.
For businesses already active on their supply chain management solution… This is an invitation to listen in, follow this same guidance, and your results will soar.
Episode 9 Show Notes
Todd: Today is about how to prepare and execute an implementation game-plan that can’t miss. Everything you should do — and shouldn’t — in the first 100 days of your new supply chain management solution.
Obviously, to do this we need great experience, and that’s why I’m excited to have Crystal and Dan sitting here with me.
 

Crystal Seeley is the Director of Inventory and Demand Planning at Watsco, the country’s largest HVAC distributor, who has led and lived inventory implementations from every angle.
Crystal, it’s great to have you with us because you have experienced implementations as a user, an executive, a consultant and even a trainer.
Tell us a bit about your unique background.
Crystal: 

* I started in retail at Macy’s/Garts – solid foundation in supply chain management
* Learned through M&A, really like to solve problems and help the business, so I transitioned into an ongoing role for that purpose
* IC – perspective into many companies’ pain points, ongoing gain of experience and expertise
* Now for $4B+ enterprise, I’ve experienced 4 major implementations in 4 years. 100 planners, hundreds of impacted teams. All that experience definitely came into play for on-time and on-budget projects, with successful go-lives.

Todd: Dan, welcome back to you also. We will have the chance to have both you and Crystal share all of your ideas and suggestions for the first 100 days. I believe you are suggesting that this guidance is NOT just for inventory teams who are brand new to their inventory planning solution.
Dan: Thanks Todd, always great to be here. Todd, I hope you have a lot of tape on that reel-to-reel recorder of yours because this is a huge topic!
Crystal and I have talked quite a bit over the years about all of the things companies should do to achieve and accelerate their results with supply chain planning solutions. This includes the executives, the inventory analysts, and of course the position we call ‘Team Champion’.
These suggestions will benefit brand-new inventory teams, as well as teams who implemented 12 months ago — or 5 years ago. We see many companies go back and put a whole new focus on the keys to success.
Our favorite question is when someone’s preparing to implement, and they sit with a notebook and ask, “Tell me everything you would do if you wanted ultimate success”. That question has been asked of some great company leaders.
So Todd,