Our Method

In the NorthFind method, we start with data to identify the root cause of issues rather than just focusing on symptoms.  Through an extensive multi-level analysis including part demand profile, inventory and supply chain maturity, the root causes of your supply chain inefficiency can be identified and those challenges met head on. 

Through a multi-segmented parts analysis, clear insights can be made about each and every SKU in your portfolio.  Part segmentation is carried out from multiple perspectives such as customer, financial impact, suppliers, and supply chain complexity.  Segmentation is not just about responding to the varying market and SKU demand characteristics, but also building a long term strategy considering elements such as long term trends, adjusting for uncommon orders, examining the effect of seasonality, and elucidating the underlying mechanisms driving demand.  By segmenting various parts of the supply chain, we are able to isolate the real and artificial supply complexity of the business. In doing so, we are able to develop transformation strategies that fit your goals for customer service and profitability.  Part segmentation is one piece of the puzzle that ensures that you are ahead of the game, and can align your supply chain to take advantage of each new opportunity.

Demand Planning is an essential function for all organizations that are trying to effectively manage inventory to maintain a competitive edge in the global marketplace. Examining the demand planning capabilities of your business, allows for you to gain intelligence on both the vulnerabilities in your process, but also highlights all opportunities of improvement when compared to best practices. A capabilities audit should not only look at current practices, but also the ability to systematically work with promotions, macroeconomic influences, and your business intelligence through managerial overrides.

Product lifecycle management is a system, when well-designed, can integrate data, processes, business systems and, ultimately, people across the enterprise.   As an enterprise wide strategy, it lets an organization collaborate as a single team to design, produce, support, and retire products.  A well-managed product life cycle system not only achieves efficient management of products, but also captures best practices and lessons learned along the way. It enable the profitability for every part. The right process allows the business to see issues in advance and mitigate risk to introduction and operational costs.

For every organization, measuring supplier performance is an integral part of an effective supplier management program.  A well-managed supplier performance program not only has the benefit of increased efficiency but also of service levels, and reduced operational costs as well.  Supplier performance benchmarking enables you to minimize vendor risk, as well as making the most out of your supplier relationships.

Developing strategic plans is of paramount importance in any organization. Operations planning and effectiveness ensures that operations support the strategic objectives and plans of upper management.  A clear understanding of the elements of tactical and operational planning helps you develop and implement your strategic goals.

Correct inventory optimization helps your business with balancing capital investment constraints, objectives and service-level goals with your inventory.  Inventory optimization for your business is about having the right amount of inventory, in just the right places, to meet customer service and revenue goals.

Supply chain metrics are vital in an area where successful management requires oversight of complex dependencies between functions, departments and partner companies across international boundaries.  Metrics may include measurements for procurement, production, transportation, operational efficiency, inventory, warehousing, material handling, packaging, forecast accuracy, and customer service. There are hundreds of metrics that can be used to score supply chain performance, and as supply chain metrics document real-world supply chain performance and track changes over time, it’s important that your metrics are giving you the right information.

A strong relationship with your customer is key.  A meaningful measurement of your customer experience in dealing with your organization will ensure not only that you retain their business, but you can use their feedback as a driver for designing a best-in-class customer experience.