Companies Turn to Supply Chain Forecasting and Consumer Trend Insights

Supply chain forecasting is being promoted as a way for firms to anticipate demand spikes, optimise inventory and cut costs. A 2021 survey cited in the Ivalua guide notes that global organisations lose an average of $184 million annually from disruptions, while those that improve forecasting can reduce supply‑chain costs by about 15 % and achieve cash‑to‑cash cycles up to three times faster.

In a separate Vistage webinar, Nichola Quail, founder and CEO of Insights Exchange, highlighted findings from the 2026 Australian Consumer Trends Report. She warned that cost‑of‑living pressures have become a structural shift influencing buying behaviour, and that trust, value and genuine human connection now outweigh price alone. Demographic changes are reshaping both customer expectations and workforce dynamics, while AI offers large opportunities provided it is governed with transparency and human oversight. Quail described the prevailing mindset as “cautious realism”, urging CEOs to answer why customers should choose their brand rather than competing solely on cost.