5 Steps to Implementing IBP

Integrated Business Planning (IBP) is a game-changer for mid-market brands, aligning your sales, marketing, supply chain, and finance departments into one unified strategy.

1. Establish Cross-Functional Collaboration: Break down silos and create shared goals across departments.

2. Build a Demand-Driven Forecasting Model: Leverage data and advanced analytics to optimize demand predictions.

3. Optimize Inventory Management: Balance supply and demand to reduce carrying costs and meet customer expectations.

4. Streamline Financial Planning: Align operational goals with financial planning for smoother execution.

5. Continuous Improvement: Regularly update your strategy to stay ahead of market shifts and challenges.

IBP helps mid-market brands create an adaptive and resilient strategy for sustainable growth.

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What We’re Reading

• How to Build a Strategy for Coming Trade Battles: To navigate upcoming trade conflicts, businesses should develop strategies that account for potential tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions. This involves diversifying markets, investing in local production, and staying informed about international trade policies. (Harvard Business Review)

• On the Front Lines of the Trade War: How Customs Officers Screen for Prohibited Goods at U.S. Ports: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is enhancing its efforts to detect prohibited goods at U.S. ports by employing advanced chemical forensic techniques. These methods are particularly focused on identifying products potentially manufactured using forced labor in China. (WSJ)

• New York’s Congestion Pricing Takes a Toll on Truckers: New York City’s implementation of congestion pricing has significantly increased operational costs for trucking companies, with heavy-duty trucks now incurring a $21.60 toll each time they enter Manhattan south of 60th Street during specified hours. This toll is scheduled to rise to $28.80 in 2028 and $36.00 in 2031, prompting concerns among truckers about the financial impact on their businesses. (WSJ)

• Warehouse Leasing Prices Are Holding Up Despite Declining Demand: Warehouse leasing prices are remaining steady, despite a decline in demand, as limited supply continues to support rents in key logistics markets. While the overall leasing activity has slowed, landlords are benefiting from high demand for warehouse space in strategic locations close to consumer markets. (WSJ)

• China Has a $1 Trillion Head Start in Any Tariff Fight: Despite Western efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese manufacturing since 2017, China’s dominance continues to grow, with its 2024 trade surplus reaching nearly $1 trillion—three times higher than in 2018. This underscores the challenges of reshaping global supply chains and the enduring strength of China’s manufacturing sector. (WSJ)

Partner Spotlight: Passport

We’re excited to share that our partner, Passport, has acquired Brand Access, marking a big step in their mission to help ecommerce brands unlock global growth. As one of Passport’s 3PL partners, we’re proud to support their game-changing solutions that enable lower costs through local fulfillment, faster delivery with in-country logistics, and flexible options for seamless international expansion. Brands like Ridge.com, HexClad, and Rhode Beauty are already scaling globally with less friction and more control thanks to this partnership. Learn more about this exciting milestone here.

Business Worth Buying

Build a Business Worth Buying brings you candid conversations with industry leaders, M&A experts, and successful founders. Learn advanced strategies to scale, optimize, and prepare your business for an acquisition—because building a business worth buying starts with smart decisions today.

In this episode, our host Aaron Alpeter sits down with the legendary supply chain expert Jim Tompkins to discuss the complexities of modern supply chains and how businesses can stay resilient amid global disruptions.

Here are some of the key insights you’ll gain from this episode:

• 🚚 Impact of Tariffs and Global Supply Chain Trends

• 🌍 The Concept of Re-globalization

• 🏗️ Building a Resilient Supply Chain

• 🏰 Creating a Moat Around Your Business

• 🧩 Inventory as Strategic Insurance

• 🤖 Embracing Disruption

• 📊 Due Diligence for Acquisitions

Head over to your favorite podcast platform, subscribe to Build a Business Worth Buying, and start listening today!

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