Learn how to drive sales and manage the full cycle business process around trade with CPGvision's roadmap for implementing a TPM software solution.
In the most recent POI survey, only 16% of GPC companies said they were satisfied with their ability to manage trade promotions. 16% - satisfaction with the ability to manage the second largest spend line in most CPGs.
One thing is clear, replacing manual spreadsheet processes or old legacy systems is absolutely vital to the health of the business.
TPM software is a powerful tool to assist you in profitably driving sales and managing the full cycle business process around trade. But while a TPM implementation can feel like an overwhelming project to take on, it doesn’t have to be.
In the paragraphs that follow we outline the knowledge and considerations you need as you get started.
These are the top considerations to arm yourself with before starting your search for a trade promotion management solution:
Ask yourself: What are the capabilities I should evaluate in my decision?
This will drive the software vendors you choose to include in your consideration set. Be sure to consider both the company’s needs NOW and what you will likely need in the FUTURE. Don’t make the mistake of partnering with a company that you will outgrow in a few years.
It has long been the case that CPG companies have struggled with efficiency when it comes to trade promotion processes. With so many TPM vendors on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right fit. Here are some of the essential features you should look for in your TPM software:
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You need a powerful, efficient, and user-friendly system that allows you to manage the full cycle of TPM. (see image to the right)
A healthy solution must start with a strong foundation of data that will predict sales with and without promotions, provide reliable uplift factors and eliminate the user’s need to “do the math”.
Your TMP software should be able to establish budgets, fixed and/or accruals, and allocate down to planning accounts to keep everyone on track to deliver the plan within the allowed spending parameters
Your TPM software must have the ability for your sales team to quickly and efficiently plan their promotions with the appropriate approval workflows built-in and running smoothly. Your users want fewer clicks and “easy buttons” like plan and promotion cloning.
Managing deductions, settlements, and reconciliation isn’t a simple task, but TPM software with deduction management features can automate these processes and improve accuracy and efficiency.
Deduct management capabilities must ensure timely and proper credit or payment, shorten AR aging, provide a reliable and sustainable audit trail, and enable your team to quickly and easily validate deductions.
Whether you choose to do all reporting within the TPM software or export to BI tools like Tableau or Power BI, your team will want real-time operational reports in the system. Establish your KPIs and reporting needs upfront and be sure that these are included in the scope of the project.
You will want to make sure that the platform you pick is highly configurable to avoid costly customizations. Reliability and cyber-security are areas to probe with every vendor you consider. And most importantly, the system must reduce user burden for productivity, efficiency, and change management.
User support is an important feature of any software, but especially TPM software. Selecting a vendor that exhibits strength in CPG industry knowledge as well as practical applications can be a game-changer. As you talk to vendors, probe on best practices and keep a log of how these practices apply to your business.
Beyond the table stakes, you will want to consider a broader cycle – either now or to ensure you are prepared to expand capabilities in the future.
This expanded cycle adds:
Can the tool assist with top/down, bottom/up planning, and collaboration?
Utilization of advanced ML and AI to optimize spend both on a promotion and promotion plan basis – gain X% in ROI!
The predictive modeling capabilities are the foundation of TPM as well as advanced RGM functions. Ensure that you are comfortable with your vendor partner’s capabilities in this area.
Do they have an in-house data science team? What methodologies are they employing? For more information, read our data science blog here.
Price sensitivity trends that used to be fairly static have literally gone haywire in the past few years. Having a tool that measures elasticity at a granular level and allows you to manage your overall pricing strategy across the organization can be a lifesaver. Enable faster speed to action with a strong price management solution.
Here's what you need to do:
You will need support from IT, Finance, Sales, Sales Ops, etc. – spend some time gathering their needs and understanding their concerns. Make sure your RFP addresses the needs of all parties.
This can be tricky since you don’t have proposals yet, but you should have a range of acceptable spend as well as an understanding of where (whose budget) this will fall.
TPM systems are data-hungry machines. A range of master and historical data is required to fully utilize TPM software capabilities, including:
When you are comfortable that your organization is ready, it's time to start the RFP process, here is a good outline of the steps you will want to incorporate into your RFP strategy:
2. Create a project team - Include trusted team members from sales, finance, ops, etc., that will lead the project.
3. Outline project scope and objectives - This should consider the go-live time frame, number of users, etc.
4. Research the market - it’s always a good idea to carry out your own background research to get an overview of which vendors you think are worthwhile considering.
Consider checking the following:
5. Produce an RFP document - Create a document that enables you to easily compare the capabilities, pricing, etc., of TPM vendors. Alternatively, you can download CPGvision’s TPM RFP template
6. Demo your top vendors - Select 2-3 TPM vendors and deep dive into important attributes and information with a demo.
7. Make a final decision - Collate all your information and select the TPM vendor that best fits your business needs.
Although the task of selecting the right TPM vendor may seem daunting, having a place to start and a simple outline of steps like the ones above will help ensure your TPM adoption runs smoothly.
There is little doubt that a TPM software solution can have a positive impact on your CPG promotional activities and overall efficiency. Don’t lose sight of the fact that TPM implementation is a huge investment, not just in money but also time. What can be difficult is quantifying the benefits and convincing stakeholders that it is a necessary investment.
Determining the exact ROI can be challenging, but it is crucial for gaining support from within your organization. This is why building a robust business case for TPM adoption is essential.
Here we will help you calculate that ROI and create a convincing argument for the investment.
Below are some facts to help you build a business case for key stakeholders and secure their approval for the TPM project and vendor.
Having a TPM system in place makes it easy for brands to drive growth, optimize promotions, and improve productivity. All together these will ensure that the company is able to achieve its objectives.
Try our own ROI calculator to help make your business case as persuasive as possible.
Once you’ve convinced important decision-makers within your CPG company that a TPM is the right way to go, the next step is to ensure a smooth transition to a new system.
Successful implementation of a TPM system requires managing and communicating changes to stakeholders and team members, ensuring your organization is prepared for the transition, and providing support to workers as they adapt to the new ways of working.
To make this process as smooth as possible, it is important to keep in mind the following key considerations:
As mentioned in the organizational readiness section, having the right data and information ready is essential when setting up your TPM system. Data health is vital to successful change management. If your users don’t believe the output they will not want to invest time in the input.
Reliable, harmonized data with accurate reporting and visualizations are strong motivators for your users.
Securing the support of key stakeholders and team members is vital for the success and longevity of your initiatives and should be gained prior to adoption. These individuals or groups have a vested interest in the organization's growth or are involved in daily operations that will be impacted by the program.
Involving them in the development process allows for consideration of their concerns, building support and commitment to the TPM software. It also ensures that the necessary resources are available to you to successfully carry out the implementation.
Clear communication of the program's benefits and potential challenges, and how they will be addressed, is crucial, especially for revenue growth management initiatives that involve multiple teams such as sales, finance, IT, and marketing.
This will ensure that the whole team understands how to operate the system. Include planning timelines, promotion standards, approval processes, and anything that is particular to your company and therefore not outlined in the user manual.
Every business is unique, which means that your TPM system will require time to adjust and for your team members to become familiar with it. By selecting an MVP (minimum viable product), you can launch the software, identify features that do not align, and make short-term changes to align it with your processes and revenue goals.
CPGvision’s adaptable approach enables you to immediately access basic trade promotion planning, funding, reconciliation, and standard reporting in a matter of weeks. Our software is highly scalable as your organization grows and as you incorporate other TPO and RGM capabilities.
Change is often challenging, but it is also a fundamental aspect of human existence and improvement. Effective change management is a valuable skill for any manager or business leader. In cross-functional projects, leaders must stay motivated and keep team members focused on the big picture. By implementing bottom-up change management rather than top-down, the organization relies on the workforce's ability to adapt before turning to the executive level.
Meet CPGvision: the best-in-class fully connected and integrated TPM and RGM solution suite for Consumer-Packaged Goods, built on the Salesforce platform. With the most advanced functionality in the industry, CPGvision equips you with real-life problem-solving applications for TPM, TPO, and RGM.
Your success is our success- CPGvision proudly provides a dedicated customer success team staffed with CPG industry professionals. Regardless of where you are in your RGM journey, you’ll be fully equipped with the solutions you need for profitable revenue growth. Contact us today to get started.
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