I woke up early this morning, had my tea, and started reading business and industry news as per my usual routine.

The first article I read predicted manufacturing production to outpace the overall economy with 5.5% growth in 2011 and 4.6% growth in 2012, which left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. The second story told of transportation woes, the third of a decent fourth quarter for logistics last year, and the fourth of driver shortages and high fuel rates.

I was left with enough hope to keep me optimistic, but enough sense to know that we’ve still got a ways to go.  Every day, the headlines change and we’re left with a slightly different prediction of the future.  One thing I know for sure: in times of uncertainty like these, it’s important to work hard, plan strategically and strive for profitable growth.

In a recent conversation I had with Steve Ganster, CEO of Technomic Asia, we discussed the position of strategic market planning in the supply chain and its main role in helping to create shareholder value.  Strategic market planning is really a hot topic now, being the key process to support both short and long-term growth goals for a company.

You can hear our conversation by listening to this Strategic Market Planning and the Paradox of Profitable Growth podcast.

With all of the uncertainty of the coming years, the role of strategic market planning has definitely changed.  Growth initiatives have been put on the back burner as the focus becomes trimming the balance sheet and streamlining operating costs.  Steve and I discussed the advantages of strategically planning for profitable growth and offer up some suggestions on how to achieve it in today’s marketplace.

How do you plan on integrating strategic market planning in the years to come?  What are your goals for profitable growth?

Go! Go! Go!

Jim

Photo Credit: Skeddy NYC