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Essential Reading for Retail CFOs: The Three Most Common Mistakes in Forecasting
Retail CFOs often make three major mistakes when forecasting demand: using static forecasts, having incentive structures that conflict with forecasting goals, and lacking real-time data sharing. These errors lead to inventory imbalances and lost sales. Experts recommend shifting to rolling forecasts, adjusting incentive structures, and adopting cloud-based data platforms.
Rolling Forecasts Help Liquor Companies Resolve Inventory Backlog Challenges
A spirits company frequently underestimated demand due to strong product sales, leading to stockout losses. Consultant Brian Kalish recommended adopting rolling 12-month forecasts with quarterly updates to better capture market dynamics. This article details the transformation process, challenges, and key talent management points.
A wave of biopharmaceutical bankruptcies looms, raising industry concerns in 2019
The number of bankruptcy filings in the biopharmaceutical industry rose in 2019, and experts warn that financial, legal, and political pressures may cause more companies to collapse.
CFO Insights: The Economics of Plant-Based Meat - Is It Really Worth It?
Plant-based meat is seen as a disruptor in the food industry, with Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods leading the trend, but high valuations coexist with losses. This article examines their market prospects, cost structures, and competitive pressures from a financial perspective to assess their economic feasibility.
CFOs Scrutinize Self-Funded Health Insurance: From Inertial Renewals to Data-Driven Cost Control
Five years ago, a rapidly growing biotechnology company in Maryland switched from fully insured to self-funded health insurance, saving nearly $400,000 over five years. Expert Casey Nunneker points out that the self-funded model is not suitable for all enterprises, but companies with more than 100 employees should at least understand its mechanics. Through data-driven decision-making, setting stop-loss limits, and supplemental insurance, companies can reduce annual premium increases from 8%-9% to around 5%, while enhancing employee benefit transparency.
2019 Open Enrollment: 8 Key Questions to Ask Your Insurance Broker
The 2019 open enrollment period will begin in November and last about six weeks. When selecting a benefits broker or consultant, companies should first clarify their priorities, then use structured interviews to assess their professional capabilities, data-driven strategies, and long-term planning support. Experts emphasize that an ideal broker should act as an extension of the company's HR team, providing ongoing communication and innovative solutions, rather than appearing only during renewal season.
Budgeting consultant advocates for rolling forecast advantages, recommends phased implementation
At a CFO.com webinar last week, a budgeting consultant stated that if companies have not yet adopted rolling forecasts, they should implement them gradually and give finance teams time to adapt. Rolling forecasts cover a specific time period and are updated monthly, replacing static annual forecasts. A Host Analytics executive pointed out that they provide near-real-time information, improving decision-making accuracy. A director at The Hackett Group noted that about 60% of world-class companies use this best practice, but 75% of companies still use offline Excel-based annual budgets. Experts recommend starting small, expanding gradually, and using cloud EPM platforms to enhance forecast objectivity.
A Practical Guide to Addressing New Economic Nexus Tax Collection Obligations in Various States
Following the Supreme Court's Wayfair ruling, economic nexus tax collection obligations in various states have increased significantly. Tax experts at a CFO.com webinar noted that businesses need to establish processes, assess their registration obligations, and properly manage exemption certificates to avoid compliance risks.