Forecasting has been blamed for supply chain problems for decades. But what if the real issue isn’t the forecast itself?

In this episode, Tom Goldsby and Scott DeGroot speak with Mike Burnette, Lance Saunders, and Dan Pellathy about new research from the University of Tennessee’s Global Supply Chain Institute examining why forecast-driven planning continues to fall short and how leading companies are redesigning their planning processes to be more agile and responsive.

The conversation explored how many organizations still rely on one-size-fits-all planning models, why improving forecast accuracy alone rarely fixes service and inventory problems, and how leading-edge companies are segmenting demand, using different demand triggers, and building capability in the supply chain instead of buffering uncertainty with excess inventory.

The group also discussed planning agility, the limits of traditional ERP-based approaches, and the behavioral challenges that prevent companies from fully using advanced planning systems.

Burnette, Pellathy, and Saunders's research was conducted alongside GSCI participating in the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative. Their work led to the forthcoming white paper Love to Hate the Forecast, which will be released at the Supply Chain Forum, April 21–23.

The episode was recorded virtually on March 10, 2026.

Related links:

• Read Mike Burnette's two-part blog series on the cultural roots of forecasting failures and shifting to a right-to-left planning model
• Download free white papers from UT experts
• Save the date for the Spring Supply Chain Forum, April 21–23
• Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars
• Become a GSCI partner
• Follow GSCI on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter
• Read the latest news and insights from GSCI

Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For our latest episode, guest hosts Scott DeGroot and Lance Saunders spoke with Kevin O’Marah, co-founder of Zero100 and GSCI Distinguished Fellow, about structural shifts in global trade policy, the acceleration of agentic AI in supply chain workflows, and the widening performance gap between early movers and holdouts.

The conversation explored how industrial policy and tariff normalization are driving regionalized supply networks, why AI must be embedded in end-to-end workflows rather than siloed tasks, and how process discipline—not data alone—determines technology success.

O'Marah, who previously held leadership roles at Amazon, Gartner, and SCM World, argued that supply chains are entering a K-shaped era, where organizations that differentiate talent, rethink planning, and adopt AI with intent will accelerate sharply, while others risk stagnation. The discussion also touched on capital investment trends, trust-based supplier ecosystems, planning reform beyond traditional S&OP, and the continued importance of circularity and resource stewardship in a shifting geopolitical landscape.

The episode was recorded during the GSCI Advisory Board meeting at the Haslam College of Business on February 26, 2026.

Related links:

• Download free white papers from UT experts
• Save the date for the Spring Supply Chain Forum, April 21–23
• Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars
• Become a GSCI partner
• Follow GSCI on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter
• Read the latest news and insights from GSCI

Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For the third episode of Season 4, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby are joined by Stuart Sandlin, president of Hapag-Lloyd North America, for a candid conversation about how global supply chains hold together when conditions refuse to stabilize.

Drawing on extensive experience in ocean shipping and global trade, Sandlin shares insights on Red Sea disruptions, Panama Canal capacity, shifting trade routes, and the operational and financial realities of longer transit times. The conversation centers on why predictability often outperforms flexibility, how leaders can manage expectations when certainty isn’t possible, and which behaviors help organizations execute credibly under pressure.

This episode offers practical perspective for supply chain professionals and executives navigating risk, reliability, and decision-making in a changing global environment.

Plus, Ted and Tom break down the latest supply chain signals and headlines, including holiday demand performance, tariff-driven ordering shifts, and more.

The episode was recorded virtually on January 26, 2026.

Related links:

• Download free white papers from UT experts.
• Save the date for the Spring Supply Chain Forum, April 21–23
• Learn about our SCM Academy programs, including upcoming virtual courses on Leadership (spring registration closed), Finance (March 2–May 3), and Planning (March 11–May 10)
• Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars
• Become a GSCI partner
• Follow GSCI on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter
• Read the latest news and insights from GSCI

Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!