This may be my most important, and urgent, episode yet. I recently audited an executive S&OP meeting where something alarming happened: 9 people in the room… and 15 AI bots taking notes, summarizing, and listening in. We’ve crossed a line, and we don’t even realize it. In this episode, I sound the alarm on how companies are accidentally sabotaging their planning process by deploying AI in the wrong way and maybe what we should be doing instead. This is a wake-up call for every planner, executive, and digital transformation leader. AI is here, but if we don't integrate it intentionally, we’re not advancing, we're eroding the very thing S&OP is built on: alignment and clarity.

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Everyone’s talking about tariffs, and price hikes are already hitting. In this episode, I break down what’s really happening behind the headlines and constantly changing policies from the oval office and how it impacts demand planning, forecasting, and inventory strategy.

We’ll unpack the ripple effects of guaranteed price increases, what the data are actually telling us, and why chasing the news cycle can break your planning process. Most importantly, I’ll share practical steps you can take right now to plan in the unknown, without panic, overreaction, or waste.

If you’re in supply chain, S&OP, or demand planning, you can’t afford to just react, let’s talk about how to lead instead.

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To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org

I dive into the often-overlooked secret to a successful S&OP process: asking the right questions. It's not about dashboards or software, it’s about fostering curiosity, healthy conflict, and conversation that surfaces blind spots and misalignment. I’ll share the four essential questions every planning team should be asking and explain why the goal of your S&OP meeting isn’t agreement, it’s clarity. If you’re not challenging assumptions, you’re not moving forward. This episode is your reminder that the most powerful tool in S&OP is free, and it starts with asking why.

Support the show

To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org