Expo West 2023 Hosted Education Session (Key Moments)

EXPO WEST 2023

Hosted Education Session - Key Moments

Managing Growth Through Economic Turbulence

SPEAKERS:

Fred Schroeder

President & CEO,
Adesso Solutions

Nicolas McCoy

Managing Director & Co-Founder, Whipstich Capital

Clara Paye

Founder,
UNiTE Food

Tara Burkley

Strategic Business Development Director,
New Hope Network

At this Natural Products Expo West 2023 Hosted Education Session, Adesso’s President & CEO, Fred Schroeder joined Nick McCoy of Whipstitch Capital, Clara Paye of UNiTE Food and New Hope Network’s Tara Burkley for a conversation on how to strategically manage your business and understand your trade spend to grow responsibly.

During this session, moderated by Nancy Coulter-Parker, we shared expert advice and predictions for the future of CPG and outlined top tactics for staying ahead of economic challenges, technology shifts and retail opportunities.

We invite you to pick from key moments of greatest interest to you below.

Key Moments

Improving Efficiency is Key to Scaling

Nick suggests companies can become more efficient by pulling a few key levers on the P&L, especially trade spend, freight, and COGs (packaging, tolling & ingredients).

Getting Comfortable with Trade Spending and Working With Distributers in the CPG Industry

Tara reviews the New Hope studies, and how newer companies in the industry are scared to leverage trade spending to grow, which is a common pain point for the industry.

Understand the Level of Expense Trade Spending is for Manufacturers

Fred reviews the main expenses on the P&L, including the surprise to many manufacturers who typically  view their trade spending as 15-20% of their gross revenue on trade spending, but often it turns out to be 40% when they look back.

How is Settlement Process of Deductions Similar to "Doing The Dishes"?

Adesso addresses trade spending in a structured process that includes much more than deduction management. Following this process enables analysis, which enables the manufacturer to improve effectiveness and leverage trade to drive more revenue and volume.

What are the Challenges Small Brands Face When Dealing with Distributors?

Clara discusses Off Invoice deals (OIs), as a necessary part of doing business with distributors. But how do you address over-buying? How do you push back if you see they already have excessive inventory in the DC?

Adesso's Trade Spend Strategies for Maximizing Savings and Investing in Customer Relationships

Clara points out that Adesso addresses trade promotion management from a customer-centric perspective, as she and Nick discuss the importance of looking at the pain points of the customer and buyer to help them be better at their jobs.

Quantify Trade at Each Customer to Evaluate SKU Performance & Avoid Losing Money

Fred reviews an example where a company gave away a free case per store, but the product did not sell as quickly as expected. With additional allowances & deductions, this resulted in no revenue with a cost per case of $197 to give product away.

The Challenges of Coupon Accounting for Small Brands

Nick reviews the challenges a small company needs to watch out for from an accounting perspective, as well as what promotions will be effective spending once you add it all up.

The Impact of Covid-19 on Trade Margins for Companies

Nick discusses how smaller vs. larger companies were able adjust trade and pricing during the pandemic. 

How Can We Help You?

If you would like to have a conversation about how we can help make your trade spending more effective through trade planning and deduction management in the Flamingo TPE Solution.

Expo West 2023 Hosted Education (Full) Session

EXPO WEST 2023

Full 1:22 Hour Hosted Education Session

Managing Growth Through Economic Turbulence

SPEAKERS:

Fred Schroeder

President & CEO,
Adesso Solutions

Nicolas McCoy

Managing Director & Co-Founder, Whipstich Capital

Clara Paye

Founder,
UNiTE Food

Tara Burkley

Strategic Business Development Director,
New Hope Network

At this Natural Products Expo West 2023 Hosted Education Session, Adesso’s President & CEO, Fred Schroeder joined Nick McCoy of Whipstitch Capital, Clara Paye of UNiTE Food and New Hope Network’s Tara Burkley for a conversation on how to strategically manage your business and understand your trade spend to grow responsibly.

During this session, moderated by Nancy Coulter-Parker, we shared expert advice and predictions for the future of CPG and outlined top tactics for staying ahead of economic challenges, technology shifts and retail opportunities.

We invite you to watch the full hour and 22 minute educational session to the right.

Click to Watch Full Session

How Can We Help You?

If you would like to have a conversation about how we can help make your trade spending more effective through trade planning and deduction management in the Flamingo TPE Solution.

Article: Addressing 2023 Opportunities in a Challenging Environment

Addressing 2023 Opportunities in a Challenging Environment

With inflation on the rise, the cost of doing business has also increased, for some, significantly. Now more than ever, it’s imperative that companies no matter their size, keep on top of expenses and possible repays. 

In this Q&A style discussion from a recent webinar in a series of 4 on-demand webinars – Adesso’s President & CEO, Fred Schroeder and New Hope Network’s Content Marketing Strategist, Nancy Coulter-Parker discuss how brands can set themselves up for success in 2023 by understanding their trade spending.

Their conversation discusses staying ahead of cost pressures, avoiding getting overwhelmed by addressing trade spending, as well as what to expect from a partnership with Adesso Solutions.

Micro-Webinar Series (#1 of 4): Get Your Trade Spend Under Control

NHN Micro-Webinar Series 1 of 4 Get Your Trade Spend Under Control

New Hope Network Micro-Webinar #1 of 4

Get Your Trade Spend Under Control

With the complexities of deductions, navigating your company’s trade spend can be a troublesome process, quickly spiraling out of control and costing your company more than it should. Although, with the right tools, trade spending can be seamless, ultimately benefiting companies and creating a successful path to the future.

Watch this webinar to hear Adesso’s President & CEO, Fred Schroeder, and New Hope Network’s Executive Director of Content, Jessica Rubino, discuss how natural products CPG brands can wrangle their trade spending, ultimately boosting their bottom line.

In this 27-minute on-demand webinar, they discuss what goes into trade spending, key challenges natural products companies face, realistic examples, and how to overcome common obstacles and begin to leverage trade spending strategically for business growth.

Jessica RubinoModerator:

Jessica Rubino
Executive Director, Content
New Hope Network

Fred SchroederSpeaker:

Fred Schroeder
President & CEO
Adesso Solutions

Getting Ready to Grow

The Neglected Cost Center for a New CPG Manufacturer… 

As you may know, we at Adesso, focus within the emerging area of the natural channel. Many emerging CPG companies enter this complex arena with an understanding on how to address payroll (rather straightforward) and the entire Cost of Goods area, ranging from raw materials, to production costs & planned logistical areas. Seems pretty simple as they enter into what seems to be a rather straightforward sales channel with QuickBooks as a financial system & Excel as their basic analysis platform. 

Then they secure a distributor, gain some distribution in retail stores (many call it ‘doors’), get excited & send an invoice. They have an agreement with the distributor, but it is quite complex – most do not read it nor do they align their GL accordingly. While not looking to be crude, in about 20 or so days, when payment arrives, they hit a bit of a ‘holy shit’ moment. 

They receive 20%, 30% or sometimes even a negative amount in return on the invoice and the challenges & confusion begins – why did they not pay the total amount? Not just that, but they paid next to nothing. Then another order arrives, and another – all with this level of short-payment – and the cycle continues. 

We get calls weekly on this. 

The Reality is as Follows & is Not that Complex

There are 3, not 2 major cost centers for a new CPG manufacturer – COGS, payroll (probably #3) and Trade Spending. 

Trade spending has been a part of the CPG industry for over 40 years. We have a term for this here at Adesso; it’s not terribly clever, but it is accurate. We call it ‘consistent complexity’. It is the same for everyone entering the space & everyone has dealt with it for decades. 

It can be relatively simple to solve, but you need to be open to some change & rely on a solution partner with deep industry experience. Our group has dealt with this for over 10 years as a team here, and we all have countless years (well into the hundreds) in the industry from large sales agencies/brokers, CPG manufactures, experts in trade management technology & infrastructure – and, yes, we have exemplary client service references. That is because our clients drive what we do every day.

What we can tell you is that working with us will reduce your internal admin time, you will know what you are spending & where you are spending it very quickly. Then, if someone owes you $ (yep they do) you will have the information to get it repaid, and as you move forward with us as partners, you will clearly understand what works and what is not working in your trade promotions – we do this better than anyone!

If this sounds like what you may need, please contact us.

Micro-Webinar Series (#2 of 4): The Measurable Benefits of Managing Trade Spend

New Hope Network Micro-Webinar #2 of 4

The Measurable Benefits of Managing Trade Spend

Incorporating a trade solution to your business could be pivotal in saving your business money. Often times, brands underestimate the percentage of their revenue being attributed to trade spending, but integrating a trade management system can help support your business and boost your bottom line.

Watch this micro webinar on-demand with Adesso to get actionable steps for how to reign in trade spend and how natural products CPG brands can ensure their promotional strategies are supporting their revenue goals.

Moderator:

Nancy Coulter-Parker
Content Marketing Strategist
New Hope Network

Fred Schroeder, Adesso's CEO & President, Trade Expert Speaker:

Fred Schroeder
President & CEO
Adesso Solutions

Micro-Webinar Series (#3 of 4): What to Look for in a Trade Promotion Partner

New Hope Network Micro-Webinar #3 of 4

What to Look for in a Trade Promotion Partner

This webinar is third in a 4-part series in our ongoing partnership with New Hope Network. While the first two webinars address the challenges of trade management, as well as the measurable benefits of a solution, Adesso’s President & CEO, Fred Schroeder and Nancy Coulter-Parker of New Hope Network continue the discussion to explore what to look for in a trade promotion partner.

With decades of industry experience, Fred provides his expertise on qualities to look for in a solution provider, and how Adesso Solutions matches up to these traits. Through their discussion on 4 key areas to consider, Fred shares his conclusions on how partnering with the right trade promotion partner enables you to leverage trade to maximize growth for your business.

Moderator:

Nancy Coulter-Parker
Content Marketing Strategist
New Hope Network

Fred Schroeder, Adesso's CEO & President, Trade Expert Speaker:

Fred Schroeder
President & CEO
Adesso Solutions

Micro-Webinar Series (#4 of 4): Addressing 2023 Opportunities in a Challenging Environment

New Hope Network Micro-Webinar #4 of 4

Addressing 2023 Opportunities in a Challenging Environment

This webinar is last in a 4-part series in our ongoing partnership with New Hope Network. The first three webinars address the challenges of trade management, as well as the measurable benefits of a solution, followed by a discussion to explore what to look for in a trade promotion partner.

Trade spend has been an issue for CPG manufacturers for decades. Often making up 20-40% of gross revenue, it’s important for businesses to understand how to best use trade spend to their benefit. Adesso Solutions has been a leader in the small and medium CPG space for over 20 years, and our experts are ready to demystify trade spend and help businesses save money.

When working with Adesso, you will quickly understand the details surrounding your trade spend, spend less time on administrative tasks, and most importantly, make more effective short- and long-term spending decisions to leverage trade spend as a key marketing tool.

Watch this quick webinar with Fred Schroeder, President and CEO of Adesso Solutions, to learn how brands can set themselves up for success in 2023 by understanding their trade spend.

Moderator:

Nancy Coulter-Parker
Content Marketing Strategist
New Hope Network

Fred Schroeder, Adesso's CEO & President, Trade Expert Speaker:

Fred Schroeder
President & CEO
Adesso Solutions

Article: What to Look for in a Trade Promotion Partner

What to Look for in a Trade Promotion Partner

It pays to manage trade spend with a complete solution, but how do you choose the right partner for your natural products brand?

In this Q&A style discussion from a recent webinar in a series of 4 on-demand webinars – Adesso’s President & CEO, Fred Schroeder and New Hope Network’s Content Marketing Strategist, Nancy Coulter-Parker discuss the qualities a natural products manufacturer should look for in a solution provider.

Through their discussion on 4 key areas to consider, Fred shares his conclusions on why these are important, and how partnering with the right trade promotion partner can enable you to leverage trade to maximize growth for your business.

Article: The Measurable Benefits of Managing Trade Spend

The Measurable Benefits of Trade Spend

In Adesso Solutions’ continuing partnership with New Hope Network, President & CEO, Fred Schroeder, discussed the benefits of evaluating trade through a proven solution in this Q&A style discussion from a recent webinar in a series of 4 on-demand webinars – “The Measurable Benefits of Managing Trade Spend”.

Throughout the article, Fred briefly recaps the first webinar in the series titled “Get Your Trade Spend Under Control”, pertaining to the major challenges emerging companies experience around trade spend, and then moves to share how natural-specialty companies can address these obstacles.

Fred discusses the short and longer term benefits of using a solution such as Adesso’s Flamingo TPE solution, and some specific reasons why now may be the time for your company to act.