University of Arkansas Data Science --Why am I here?

This past week marked the 4th time I’ve been asked to guest lecture at University of Arkansas Data Science - Data Visualization & Communication (aka DASC 1223H/DASC1223 - ?DATA SCI IN TODAY'S WORLD).? I have been a founding board member of the data sciences program since inception. Yet I do not have a traditional job in data sciences, analytics, programming or tech.? I am the CEO of a boutique retail firm ( Sightline Retail ) - where we manage end to end supply chain for clients tied to a cohesive sales strategy.? We focus on how to make more money for our clients, the retailer, AND save the customer money too.? No matter how many points of distribution, there is always a way to make things work better in the retail value chain. ?Yet Every time Dr. Karl Schubert asks me to come to a class and present, I scratch my head and wonder ‘Why does he keep asking me, surely there must be someone better?’?(but I always say yes to Dr. Schubert—not only is he is the smartest guy I’ve ever met; he pulled off an amazing new degree program at University of Arkansas in record time that is one of a kind not only in the state, but the country!).

This year I pulled together a real-world business case of the tension between in store promotions and maintaining inventory with only shelf space capacity.? Layered on to this were sku count differences ranging from 1 to 5 items of the same brand, and then regional differences to compare as well.? ??

• Should pricing promotions be offered if shelf space capacity can’t keep up??
• Should shelf capacity determine IF a promotion should take place??
• Which of these is a better option to manage the business…. for whom??
• Is selling out of a product on shelf a bad problem to have? Seriously?
• ?Is it better to have fewer skus in more stores, or more skus in less stores?
• What regions do better with what and why do you think that is?

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Before you think this is going to be another ‘THESE STUDENTS ARE AWESOME article, and EVERYONE SHOULD SEND THEIR KIDS TO University of Arkansas IF THEY WANT TO SAVE MANKIND’….? which has even me cringing at the thought of another predicable fairy-tale ending to an article.? However, the business case was real, tough, and no straight path to the finish line.? My team and I still struggle with these questions, and we don’t always have swarms of data at our fingertips to know how to solve for every situation we encounter in the world of retail. However, I was most surprised by the amount of discussion that took place in the class. Thoughtful, insightful, and very engaging. I couldn’t believe that the students were FRESHMAN! So, while I’m not sure which ones are going to save mankind, I do have a newfound appreciation for 18- and 19-year old’s and have had to rethink my personal bias towards an age group I never defined quite as capable of what I saw this week.? ?

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In closing, I’d really like the thank the students of DASC 1223 this week. I’m probably not the guest lecturer who will ?save mankind, bring world peace to the planet, or stop global warming, but I did learn a lot from you today.? You are smart, capable, and the smartest group of Freshman I’ve ever met! Hope I did well enough to get an invite back next year too!

Brynne Van Guilder Scarlet Frese Stella Shipman Ben Anderson Ryan Harvey Ethan Ericson Garrett Fuhrman Addison Wilson

xo-shannon