Contact: Kaie Pohi Latterner

Phone: 715-247-5054

Email:  TEC@TECconsultants.com

Retail Forecasting, Replenishment Skills

Can Be Developed, Sharpened with New

Forecasting 101^® Workshop

TEC, Inc., a Twin Cities-based company, has created and designed Forecasting 101^® as a customized and interactive workshop that provides a baseline understanding of fundamental activities and considerations involved with the forecasting and replenishment of goods and services.

TEC, Inc., is a leading provider of customized and user-based retail, technology and systems training programs and workshops, manuals, job aids and handbooks. TEC also provides a myriad of management development, skill enhancement and people-focused change management services for organizations across North America.

 “This workshop will significantly improve a merchandiser’s ability to know what products to buy, when to buy them, and when they will sell,” says TEC, Inc., founder and president Kaie Pohi Latterner. “Accurate forecasting is critical to a retail organization’s ability to operate and compete. We created Forecasting 101^® to be a unique and efficient training tool that retailers can use to boost their competitive position in today's challenging retail environment.”

Forecasting 101^®, held at any location chosen by the client, is a two-day workshop that can be expanded to meet any organization’s specific needs. It is designed to significantly improve each participant's knowledge of key forecasting activities in order to:

• define key process steps and elements;
  
  
• understand the roles, responsibilities, language and technologies involved in accurate forecasting;
  
  
• reduce frustrating and costly mistakes associated with poor forecasting and replenishment practices; and
  
  
• improve the planning and communication skills of employees involved in the forecasting process.

Among many new skills, Forecasting 101^® participants learn:

• how to determine and analyze a SKU’s past performance;
  
  
• how to determine present conditions and their effect on sales forecasts;
  
  
• ways to identify and understand sales patterns and potential unit and dollar sales;
  
  
• the use of technology to capture information and conduct forecasting; and
  
  
• how to ensure that forecasts are performing as planned.

Latterner says this unique workshop can be customized to include the client company's own terminology, roles and responsibilities and unique qualities.

"Accurate forecasting is directly tied to a retailer’s bottom line,” says Latterner. “Because the retail climate can change on a dime, companies must match their inventory to projected sales. This workshop offers a thorough look at all the key elements and practices involved with forecasting to educate new employees or enhance the skills of people already in related positions."

Also available from TEC, Inc., are retail skill enhancement workshops entitled Retail 101^® and Inventory Management 101^®. When bundled with Forecasting 101^® or on their own, these customized workshops address a variety of critical retail management and skill development issues.

TEC, Inc., was established in 1984 to provide technical training and skill enhancement services to clients acquiring new computer technologies. From offices in Somerset, Wis., and near Tampa, Fla., TEC provides customized training, system design and documentation, group productivity, leadership development, communication and change management services to companies in the service, retail, manufacturing and engineering fields.

Clients include: American Dental Association; Brooks Brothers; Eckerd Corp.; Family Dollar Stores, Inc.; Fingerhut; Government of Alberta, Canada; Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P); Ingram Micro; Payless Cashways, Inc.; National Convenience Stores; Tennant Co.; and Trans World Music Corp., among others.

For more information, please contact TEC at 715-247-5054 or visit the company's website at: www.TECconsultants.com.

# #  #