By Chris Kuehl, managing director, Armada Corporate Intelligence There has been a great deal of mood shifting as 2023 gets underway. At this juncture, it is as easy to find a pessimist predicting a deep and long recession as it is finding an optimist asserting the downturn will be mild. Why the variability? The easy answer is that some very significant motivators for the … [Read more...] about North American Outlook: Inflation Is the Focus
Business Planning
Despite Supply Chain Improvements, Skepticism Remains
by Andrew Carlsgaard, business relations manager, MAPP With recession and inflation concerns looming, plastics manufacturing leaders maintain a lukewarm stance on key industry metrics at the end of Q3, and only 13% have a positive six-month outlook on the industry overall. Over the past two and a half years, dynamic conditions in the plastics industry, manufacturing and … [Read more...] about Despite Supply Chain Improvements, Skepticism Remains
Four Steps to Improve Supply Chain Forecasting
by Matt Stekier, principal, and Ryan Muneio, manager, Plante Moran Good supply chain forecasting – working hand in hand with sales and operations – will help a company right-size stock levels, minimize lead times and optimize order management. Done right, the result will be increased efficiency, better information across the team, reduced costs, faster time to market and … [Read more...] about Four Steps to Improve Supply Chain Forecasting
How Does Healthcare Delivery Differ from Pizza Delivery?
by Susan Denzio, director of information and administrative services, First Resource, Inc. Mmmmm, pizza! When the order is placed, it typically is understood what options are available – size, toppings, additional side items, delivery and, of course, the total cost. Now, imagine if it were possible to create a healthcare delivery system that was as understandable to people as … [Read more...] about How Does Healthcare Delivery Differ from Pizza Delivery?
Employee Benefits: Rising Costs vs. Necessary Incentives
by Maggie Taylor, writer, Plastics Business Employers in virtually every industry are struggling to attract and retain high-quality employees. Large and small businesses alike are scrambling to overhaul their wage and benefit structures to remain competitive in a highly volatile employment market. Many companies have found themselves locked in constant competition with other … [Read more...] about Employee Benefits: Rising Costs vs. Necessary Incentives