ABOUT THIS EPISODE
As businesses prepare for 2027, traditional annual planning is being challenged by faster-moving markets, changing customer expectations, supply chain volatility, new technology, and geopolitical uncertainty.
In this episode of Value Creation Nation, hosts Gene Tyndall and Scott Moon, joined by co-host Lane Taylor, explore how companies should rethink planning for an environment where assumptions can change long before the annual plan is complete.
Gene and Scott discuss why leaders need to move beyond simply taking last year’s numbers and adding inflation. Instead, organizations need bottom-up planning, stronger scenario modeling, connected operational decisions, and continuous reassessment throughout the year.
Why “last year plus inflation” is a dangerous way to build a budget
Moving from top-down assumptions to bottom-up planning
Connecting strategy with operational and financial planning
How AI can support scenario planning and decision-making
Why clean data and data governance must come before AI at scale
Planning for 2027 while investing in capabilities needed for 2028 and beyond
Why sourcing decisions should focus on total landed cost
Nearshoring, lead times, inventory, and supply chain responsiveness
Using scenario planning to prepare for disruption and unexpected growth
Why annual planning must evolve into continuous planning
One of the biggest planning mistakes is assuming last year’s performance plus an inflation adjustment equals next year’s plan. Scott argues that teams should instead justify costs from the bottom up, rethink processes, and identify where technology or new ways of working can create greater value.
Build AI Into the Plan
AI can help businesses evaluate information, model risks, and explore different scenarios—but it depends on usable data. Gene and Scott explain why companies should already be investing in data quality, governance, and AI readiness as part of their 2027 plans.
Think Beyond First Cost
A lower manufacturing cost does not necessarily mean a lower total cost. Long lead times create inventory, working-capital, transportation, and disruption risks. Companies need to evaluate sourcing through total landed cost and consider how nearshoring or onshoring could improve responsiveness.
The goal isn’t to perfectly predict what happens next. It’s to identify the operational, financial, and risk drivers that matter most and understand what happens when those variables change. That gives leaders the ability to respond faster instead of starting the analysis after disruption occurs.
Annual plans aren’t disappearing, but they can no longer be created once and forgotten. Gene emphasizes continuous planning—tracking the right KPIs, challenging assumptions, and adjusting throughout the year as conditions change.
Connect
Gene Tyndallhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/genetyndall/
Scott Moonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/m-scott-moon-pmp-94038bb/
to learn more about creating value through stronger strategy, operations, supply chain, and business planning.
Value Creation Nation explores the strategies, leadership decisions, and operational practices that help organizations improve performance and create measurable business value. Hosted by Gene Tyndall and Scott Moon, the show delivers executive insights into supply chain strategy, operations, technology, risk, customer value, and business transformation.
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
