499: Navigating the EV Revolution, with Anaplan

Emily Nicholls of Anaplan talks about how integrated business planning helps automotive OEMs navigate EV growth & build finance-forward future-ready businesses. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [03.38] An introduction to Emily, her background in physics, and how her boutique supply chain specialist consultancy was acquired by Anaplan. [05.44] An overview of Anaplan – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. "We provide a cloud-based platform that helps people truly connect their plans. We operate across all the major business functions of the business, and can connect data to people, processes and plans. It's a holistic approach." [07.07] The significant transformation happening in the automotive industry, and the geopolitical factors and supply chain volatility impacting that transition. "When you're doing a massive transformation, you're usually thinking three to five years out, but trying to predict where the world will be in three to five years is nigh on impossible. It's an interesting backdrop to what should be a fairly simple transition, from a supply chain perspective." [11.41] Integrated business planning: exactly what it is, why it's no longer a 'nice to have,' and how it's giving leaders much needed visibility, as well as both horizontal and vertical connection within a business. "It's a process that tries to align a company's financial, operational and strategic objectives, which often coexist but in quite siloed environments." [15.57] Why teams are still using spreadsheets and legacy tools, and how traditional S&OP processes are falling short in today's volatile market. [19.41] How integrated business planning breaks down siloes to connect the dots and empower teams to make better decisions. "Part of the process is to eliminate siloes by making sure that every element of the business is brought in at the right time. Technology enabling that process is really where the collaboration comes in, and you can make it not just effective but enjoyable." [24.50] The power of scenario planning and AI-driven modeling, how they're helping teams to avoid analysis paralysis, and the big impact they can have for teams juggling different priorities and making trade-offs, against an ever-changing backdrop. "Issues in your source data can have real insidious effects in your supply chain, that can add up to something quite dramatic." [31.37] The problem with cost-cutting, and how integrated business planning can elevate a company's financial health to North Star status and ensure that all decisions are tied back to that, from cost cutting to investments for the future. "Cost-cutting feels like an easy option, but it doesn't make you more resilient. It's very reactive – it's a scattergun approach to fixing a problem." [35.19] How integrated business planning can help businesses achieve competitive advantage. "If you have a strong cost-management strategy – not a cost-cutting objective – you can build resilience and identify opportunities and investments." [37.14] A case study exploring how Anaplan helped a large global automotive OEM manage tariffs by modelling scenarios, allowing them to make agile decisions and pivot quickly to minimize impact and maximise opportunity. [40.26] How listeners can work with the Anaplan.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Anaplan's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Anaplan and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or YouTube, or you can connect with Emily on LinkedIn. Check out our other podcasts HERE.