Press Release April 2012 Oliver Wight Asia Pacific Releases Effective Demand Planning White Paper

Business improvement specialists, Oliver Wight, have released a white paper sharing key insights from over 40 years experience in demand planning. The white paper, Effective Demand Planning, explains how businesses can take their first step to successful business planning. Demand planning forms an essential component of the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) or advanced S&OP process, which brings with it a truly strategic perspective and aligns people and processes across the organization. Written by Peter Metcalfe, who has over 28 years experience helping blue chip organisations across the world improve their planning processes, the white paper outlines five out of ten Oliver Wight principles, which form the critical elements of a successful demand planning environment: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ownership and accountability Statistical forecasting Management of Assumptions Demand Control is an essential part of Demand Planning Measuring and managing forecast inaccuracy

With such uncertainty in the global economy, every organisation needs to develop a process which allows it to take a long range view, explains Metcalfe. These five keys to managing demand, offer a valuable insight in to the monthly and weekly demand planning process, which generates a 24-month rolling forecast; puts sales and marketing in the lead role; and provides a solid foundation on which to build a true capability for Integrated Business Planning. In each of the key lessons Metcalfe explores the fundamental behaviours, processes and tools required to establish accountability, maximise benefits from the supporting tools, and formalise the key inputs. Acquiring these keys to demand planning will help organizations prepare for the future, whatever it holds, concludes Metcalfe. The white paper, Effective Demand Planning, can be downloaded from http://www.oliverwightasiapacific.com/en-GB/library-events/white-papers/m/product/view/36

Notes to editors About Oliver Wight Oliver Wight has a 40 year track record of delivering business improvement to some of the worlds best-known organisations. With a team of professionals offering a wealth of experience, Oliver Wight is the largest consultancy of its type, with offices throughout Europe, South Africa, North and South America, and the Asia Pacific region. We believe that sustainable business improvement cant be delivered by external consultants but only by our clients own people, so unlike other consultancy firms, we transfer our knowledge to them, helping deliver performance levels and financial results that last. Integrated Business Planning At the leading edge of management thinking and practice, our Integrated Business Planning (IBP) model lies at the heart of our clients journey to outstanding business performance. Oliver Wight are the originators of sales and operations planning (S&OP) and IBP can most simply be described as advanced S&OP. However, unlike S&OP, IBP brings a truly strategic perspective, integrating diverse processes - in the extended supply chain, product and customer portfolios, customer demand and strategic planning - into one seamless management process. Supply Chain Optimisation In an uncertain business climate, volatile demand and unpredictability can expose weaknesses in supply chain performance. Supply Chain Optimisation helps companies improve sub-standard systems and processes, delivering a significant return to the bottom line. Meeting the Class A Standard The Oliver Wight Class A Checklist is the longest standing and most successful business assessment tool. The latest, Sixth Edition, raises the bar, and sets ever more demanding standards for companies on their journey to business excellence and the Oliver Wight Class A standard.

More information Yolanda Muser Oliver Wight AP YMuser@oliverwight-ap.com www.oliverwight-ap.com Clare Sutton RONIN Marketing Limited +44 (0) 20 3326 5039 clare@roninmarketing.co.uk www.roninmarketing.co.uk