Consumer sector enterprise business planning in volatile markets

Consumer and retail companies today are contending with persistent disruption, changing demographics and shifting consumer demands. Decision cycles are faster, and technology is accelerating. In this environment, traditional business planning approaches, siloed by function and unsynchronized, are inadequate.

In this webcast, EY‑Parthenon leaders will explore how leading consumer organizations can reshape enterprise business planning (EBP) as a system that connects strategy, finance and supply chain functions to improve the speed of decision-making and quality of outcomes. The moderated panel discussion will examine why planning is under pressure today, what “good” looks like, how leading companies are using integrated planning, and how EBP can be leveraged in an AI‑enabled environment.

The discussion will also identify real‑world lessons and common pitfalls for executives navigating planning transformation.

Key themes we'll explore:

• How volatility, shifting consumer behavior and decision speed are exposing the limits of traditional planning models
• How leading consumer and retail companies are organizing planning around enterprise decisions rather than functional silos
• Lessons learned from real‑world planning transformations across strategy, finance and operations
• The evolving role of AI in applying predictive analytics for better decision-making

Learning outcomes

• Examine why companies are struggling to align plans across functions in today’s operating environment
• Recognize the core elements of effective EBP and how they enable better decisions
• Describe how AI is reshaping planning cadence, scenario analysis and leadership dialogue
• Identify practical considerations and common challenges when integrating planning across functions

Panelists:

• Ken Olsen, Managing Director, EY-Parthenon, Ernst & Young LLP
• Tyler Brewster, Managing Director, EY-Parthenon, Ernst & Young LLP
• Jessica Shaw, Principal, EY-Parthenon, Ernst & Young LLP