GEP Insights

Having a broad, forward-looking vision is crucial for success — when navigating a complex, dynamic marketplace, one needs to have a clear idea of the path forward.  However, vision without execution is just vision unfulfilled. It’s execution that ensures outcomes and delivers value, drives ROI, and promotes user engagement and adoption.   In this podcast — Beyond Vision: Executing To Drive Procurement Performance — GEP experts take a deep dive into what you need to consider to execute on your vision. They also discuss best practices and pitfalls to avoid, with expert guidance to drive success, as well as explore the technology and tools that can help you achieve flawless execution. What You’ll Hear: The importance of considering vendors’ ability to execute and deliver value when evaluating procurement software  The essential elements for successful adoption of new technology  Best practices and expert insight to guide implementation The benefits and considerations of AI and low code in executing on a procurement strategy 

Direct material procurement has become more complex than ever amid cost fluctuations, demand variability, supply uncertainties and expanding sustainability goals. Procurement leaders must assimilate learnings from the past years and rethink their priorities and metrics. In this GEP podcast, Virat Venkataraman, director of consulting, and Vinita Singh, associate director of product marketing, discuss the most pressing challenges in direct material sourcing and walk you through proven strategies to enhance resilience in the year ahead. What you’ll hear: •            How to balance costs and supply security with real-time intelligence and visibility •            Ways to improve demand forecasting with cross-functional collaboration •            Case studies about implementation of innovative sourcing strategies  

The use of plastic in packaging has reduced drastically. Or has it? Why do many CPG companies continue to rely on plastic packaging? How can they adopt sustainable packaging and deliver on ESG goals? Join GEP’s consulting experts Alex Hayes and Shanna Bell in an insightful podcast to understand how CPG companies can move the needle on ESG targets. Learn how CPGs can replace plastic with environment-friendly packaging and meet the expectations of customers, investors and governments. What you’ll hear: Why oil price volatility has compelled the CPG industry to seek alternatives to plastic packaging How digital technology can provide more visibility into ESG KPIs and metrics How procurement cost models can help explain the economic value of the transition away from plastic packaging

Inflation. Early signs of a recession. Continued geopolitical instability. Macroeconomic events continue to influence the business landscape in 2023. How can procurement and supply chain leaders rise to the challenge and deal with growing uncertainties? Can they address these enterprisewide challenges and help businesses adjust to a new normal? Join the conversation between GEP’s consulting experts Abhishek Goel and John Carter as they look closely at the top macroeconomic trends from the 2023 GEP Outlook report. Learn how to make sense of the impact of global events on your business operations and how to guard against the macro challenges. You’ll Hear About: The possibility of inflation dipping this year Why GDP growth will continue to slow down across economies How to deal with rising energy costs, interest rates and labor shortages

Supply chains have never been static. With disruption around every corner, supply chain leaders are racing to keep pace with changing consumer demands, a shifting competitive landscape and technological advances. However, many enterprises have hit a plateau. How do they get to the next level of performance? In this new podcast, GEP’s Pramod Gupta and Mason Sponem explore supply chain digitalization and the tools that enable greater visibility and transparency across the supply chain and increase efficiency and resilience. They offer a strategy for organizations to respond to disruption effectively and take the next step in driving operational excellence. What You’ll Hear: Why supply chain digitalization is the number one priority for the C-suite How ERPs may have exacerbated the problems brought on by supply chain disruption The new technology platforms and tools that promote agility and efficiency What you need to overcome the biggest hurdle to implement a digital supply chain

In a dynamic market, mergers and acquisitions are a necessary evil that create a great deal of uncertainty. When your vendor gets acquired, what does it mean for your business? Will the solution you’re relying on still exist after the inevitable reorganization? Will your account team? Navigating those uncertainties will keep C-suite executives up at night. In this timely and insightful podcast, GEP senior director of engagement Paul Blake talks with GEP marketing directors Raj Aggarwal and Alex Zhong about the current state of the procurement and supply chain software market, what’s driving the latest round of consolidation and what customers should expect when their vendor suddenly gets acquired. You’ll learn how customer-centric companies weather these cycles and what to look for as your company takes the next step in its digital transformation. What You’ll Hear: What’s driving the recent wave of consolidation in the procurement and supply chain software space How convergence is creating multi-enterprise ecosystems for risk management, sustainability and resilience Why customer focus can fall by the wayside in the wake of a merger What companies should be looking for when considering the next move in their digital journey Why working with a single company isn’t the same as working with a unified platform

Why do many businesses continue to falter at supply chain planning? Some don’t consider planning a top priority. Others have struggled to find planners with the right skills to efficiently leverage the vast amount of data generated. How can businesses overcome these roadblocks and get their planning right? Join supply chain consulting experts Robert Giacobbe and Beth Araujo in a new GEP podcast to understand strategies you can use to build a successful supply chain planning program. Learn why effective data management is the key to planning and to strategic supply chain management. What You’ll Hear: What makes supply chain planning complex Leveraging supply chain planning technology and predictive analytics Why autonomous planning is the future for supply chains The need for strong leadership governance

While European chemicals remains a pioneer in innovation, the global pandemic has nevertheless taken its toll on the industry, reshaping supply/demand dynamics and imposing a new set of daunting challenges. In this new podcast, GEP consulting managers John Carter and Virat Venkataraman take a close look at the trends currently impacting European chemicals as well as the short- and long-term strategies the industry must embrace to ensure a prosperous future — from digitizing supply chains and exploring the benefits of shale gas to preplanning for cross-continental and cross-border shipments.

As rising oil & gas prices continue to impact several industries, CPG companies as well as consumers are having a tough time. In fact, it’s hard to remember the last time when consumer goods prices rose so significantly. What’s worse, there are no signs of prices stabilizing given the current market conditions. How can CPG brands weather the storm and stay competitive? In this new podcast, GEP consulting leaders Celeste Ponce and Abhang Mehendale discuss strategies that CPG companies can use to withstand the impact of price fluctuations. Learn how CPG brands can adjust key priorities and retain customers while keeping costs in check.

Corporate sustainability is now more important than ever. Both stakeholders and customers are putting increasing pressure on businesses to manage and report their carbon footprints — yet many companies are still unsure of the path forward. In this timely podcast, GEP consulting managers Ayushi Dadhich and Von Ying Lee reveal why supply chain and procurement are central to transforming a company’s ESG goals into actionable plans. You’ll learn how their strong influence can drive social impact across the supply base and also increase competitiveness while enabling organizations to hit their critical sustainability targets. What You’ll Hear: The 5 key challenges to kickstarting ESG projects Ways improved planning can help to decrease emissions How to drive cross-functional collaboration to achieve ESG targets The critical factors in driving businesses to prioritize ESG