Prices are rising. Consumers are reacting. And demand planners? We're somewhere in the middle, stuck trying to model behavior that doesn't follow the rules anymore. In this episode, I sit down with Stephen McClurkin, Senior Demand Manager at T-Mobile, to unpack the reality of price elasticity in today's volatile market. From the ripple effects of policies and politics to the unpredictable outcomes of pricing moves, we explore how to Forecast smarter in the face of uncertainty. Whether you're feeling the pressure of COGS increases or just trying to keep your forecasts sane in a noisy world, this episode is for you.

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No fluff. Just real talk from the field, made simple.

Whether you're new to the world of planning or a seasoned pro looking for a refresher, this episode breaks down the fundamentals of demand planning in a way that’s practical, approachable, and actually useful. I cover the essentials who owns the forecast, what makes a good one, which KPIs matter most, and how to choose the right methods. This is your crash course and survival guide, designed to give you the clarity and confidence to plan better today.

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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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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

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.

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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

What happens when your supply chain meets viral fame? I sat down with Tara Tarazi, VP of Supply Chain at DUDE Wipes, to uncover the real-world planning challenges behind TikTok Shop and other in-app e-commerce platforms. From flash demand spikes to unpredictable affiliate influence, Tara reveals how DUDE Wipes is building a resilient, agile, and disciplined S&OP strategy in one of the most chaotic and fast-moving digital markets today. Whether you're in CPG, retail, or just trying to make sense of modern omni-channel planning—this is an episode you can’t miss.

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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

In this episode, I sit down with Yoshika Hirata, Senior Director of Integrated Business Planning at Xponential Fitness, to explore a powerful yet often overlooked truth great people alone can’t fix bad processes. We unpack how strong, structured processes not only enable success but actually attract and retain top talent, while broken ones push them away. Yoshika shares how she uses OGSM (Objectives, Goals, Strategies, and Measures) to align supply chain planning, and why she believes S&OP is the pinnacle of process-driven performance. If you want to elevate your S&OP game, boost team alignment, and stop losing good talent to bad systems this is a must-listen.

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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

IBF On Demand sponsored by Arkieva, your one-plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's innovative approach to forecasting here: http://bit.ly/business-forecasting

This one picks up right where the last episode left off—with real talk on AI in planning and forecasting, minus the hype. I break down the buzzwords people are throwing around (agentic AI, synthetic data, etc.) in plain English—and share what these things actually mean for demand planners, supply chain pros, and S&OP leaders.

And yes… I tell a story about my Pappi’s mule that might explain why AI, at its core, is still kind of dumb and mean (and why that’s not always bad).

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by AI promises or just want to understand how it’s being used right now in our field, this is the episode for you.

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