CATEGORY MANAGEMENT
DRASKO JELAVIC : Procurement always dreams of innovation , something advanced and predictive , but is not yet able to deliver the basics of category management . Do your homework ! Identify the stakeholders – primarily the more senior executives – you have not reached out to in the past because you felt uncomfortable in discussions . Understand their needs and wants .
Prioritise and de-conflict them . The best prediction is to understand the future development of the business . Most of the business requirements per category are often not found in writing . As mentioned earlier , AI can cleanse data , track real-time developments and even trigger reviews and actions , but it won ’ t build a trustful relationship with the people that run the company . This is where AI will not replace them and they can carve out a new niche .
MATTHEW KIPPEN : At its best , AI uses up-to-date data to predict and plan for changes in the market . Utilising a centralised repository of information , AI can even run its own trend analyses . This ultimately creates better and more thorough baselines upon which planners can quickly build assortment and spacing plans , while also offering important insights and recommendations that improve long-term results .
By identifying where certain products are popular or underperforming , AI can further enable businesses to adjust inventory and stocking strategies in real time , shifting products to regions with higher demand and ensurin more efficient operations . This dynamic approach enhances decision-making and boosts responsiveness to market trends .