A Tale of Two Forecasts: Using Sales Forecasting Software to Bridge the Gap
A common problem in both portfolio management and sales and operational planning (S&OP) is reconciling product revenue forecasts between a company’s regional sales analysts and its corporate decision-makers. Typically, regional sales analysts focus on short-term objectives, and their forecasts must align with targets or commitments set by regional heads. By contrast, corporate staff tend to be strategically oriented, using long-term forecasts that extend beyond region- or country-specific details. Forecasting is an iterative process, and without a common platform, it’s easy to lose track of the latest inputs as corporate and regional teams try to reconcile differences and harmonize assumptions. This often leads to a chaotic scramble in order to get reports and figures ready for the portfolio review.
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