--- title: Category Management Insights for Retail and CPG Teams for Retail & CPG teams. | Executive Solutions description: Executive Solutions | Explore practical insights, category management thinking, and capability-building ideas for modern retail and CPG organizations. --- [![CMKG Train Ahead Logo](https://blog.cmkg.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CMKG%20Train%20Ahead%20Logo.png?width=260&name=CMKG%20Train%20Ahead%20Logo.png "CMKG Train Ahead Logo")](https://www.cmkg.org) [![Artboard 12](https://blog.cmkg.org/hubfs/Artboard%2012.png) ](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/identifying-growth-opportunities-in-your-business) ## [Identifying Growth Opportunities In Your Business](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/identifying-growth-opportunities-in-your-business) By | [Sue Nicholls, Founder & President CMKG](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/author/sue-nicholls-cpsa-founder-president-cmkg) | 0 Comments | [Retailer Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/retailer-solutions) [Category Analytics](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/category-analytics) [Executive Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/executive-solutions) [Supplier Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/supplier-solutions) [Strategic Priorities Work](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/strategic-priorities-work) In a previous blog, I wrote about the importance of business acumen, which is the ability to assess an external market and make effective decisions. Or more simply put, it’s understanding how YOU and the work you do fit into the bigger picture. [Read More](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/identifying-growth-opportunities-in-your-business) [![CMKG-Blog-35895715_s-edited](https://blog.cmkg.org/hubfs/CMKG-Blog-35895715_s-edited.jpg) ](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/refresh-your-catman-approach-with-strategy) ## [Refresh your Category Management Approach with Strategy](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/refresh-your-catman-approach-with-strategy) By | [Sue Nicholls, Founder & President CMKG](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/author/sue-nicholls-cpsa-founder-president-cmkg) | 0 Comments | [Retailer Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/retailer-solutions) [Strategy](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/strategy) [Executive Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/executive-solutions) [Supplier Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/supplier-solutions) Working with many manufacturers and retailers is a great privilege for me, and one that gives me the unique perspective to help identify broader issues and opportunities for our industry. A recent opportunity that was identified by Tom McDonald (Category Management Association) and I was to improve the connection of what we do in category management to the Shopper. How do we better connect with Shoppers? It starts by focusing on the big picture - including defining your department's purpose, and identifying your expected outputs AND inputs. By delving deeper into your inputs - including data, tools, strategy, processes and people (based on where your biggest gaps are) - you can uncover ways to improve your overall approach. These improved inputs can change your game! Are you ready? Although it may be difficult to get out of your comfort zone and start to think about ways to make changes to improve the future for your department, there are three steps that can get you started. [Read More](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/refresh-your-catman-approach-with-strategy) [![38910231_m.jpg](https://blog.cmkg.org/hubfs/2017%20Blogs/38910231_m.jpg) ](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/managing-change-in-retail-category-management) ## [Managing Change in Retail Category Management](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/managing-change-in-retail-category-management) By | [Sue Nicholls, Founder & President CMKG](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/author/sue-nicholls-cpsa-founder-president-cmkg) | 0 Comments | [Retailer Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/retailer-solutions) [Executive Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/executive-solutions) Retail has changed significantly over the past 20 years – new data, technology, tools, analytics, Shoppers, omni-channel … How much have you changed your internal approach to reflect these changes? I recently co-facilitated a “Retail Leaders’ Forum” for retail executives responsible for category management, with Tom McDonald of the Category Management Association. We talked about the importance for this audience to evaluate their current category management approach in 3 areas. [Read More](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/managing-change-in-retail-category-management) [![](https://blog.cmkg.org/hubfs/analytic%20pathway.png) ](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/5-ways-to-maximize-roi-on-category-assessments) ## [5 Ways to Maximize ROI on Category Assessments](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/5-ways-to-maximize-roi-on-category-assessments) By | [Sue Nicholls, Founder & President CMKG](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/author/sue-nicholls-cpsa-founder-president-cmkg) | 0 Comments | [Retailer Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/retailer-solutions) [Executive Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/executive-solutions) [Supplier Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/supplier-solutions) We spend a lot of time analyzing our business, but we need to ask whether we are looking at the entire picture or just scratching the surface. Are you looking for the big opportunities? Developing next year’s category plan? Identifying weaknesses when business is soft? Determining the next big innovation? Evaluating the post results from an initiative? Or analyzing a specific tactic? Identifying the question will help you achieve your goals. [Read More](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/5-ways-to-maximize-roi-on-category-assessments) [![Training-Plan-for-2018.png](https://blog.cmkg.org/hubfs/2017%20Blogs/October,%20November,%20December%202017/Training-Plan-for-2018.png) ](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/whats-your-training-plan-this-year-for-category-management) ## [What’s YOUR training plan this year?](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/whats-your-training-plan-this-year-for-category-management) By | [Sue Nicholls, Founder & President CMKG](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/author/sue-nicholls-cpsa-founder-president-cmkg) | 0 Comments | [Retailer Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/retailer-solutions) [Executive Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/executive-solutions) [Supplier Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/supplier-solutions) If you’ve made cuts to next year’s training budget or plan to, there’s still time to avoid: Productivity losses, Missed opportunities, and Strategic misfires … All for a fraction of the cost of Data, Technology, and Shopper Insights. Here’s how … [Read More](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/whats-your-training-plan-this-year-for-category-management) [![CMKG-CatMan-GPS-042677-edited.png](https://blog.cmkg.org/hubfs/2017%20Web%20Assets/backgrounds/CMKG-CatMan-GPS-042677-edited.png) ](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/navigating-your-catman-priorities-is-easier-than-you-might-think) ## [Navigating Your Category Management Priorities is Easier Than You Might Think](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/navigating-your-catman-priorities-is-easier-than-you-might-think) By | [Sue Nicholls, Founder & President CMKG](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/author/sue-nicholls-cpsa-founder-president-cmkg) | 0 Comments | [Retailer Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/retailer-solutions) [Executive Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/executive-solutions) [Supplier Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/supplier-solutions) Our industry is changing. Has your organization responded? Are you stuck in a holding pattern or waiting for a signal? This blog will help you to get started in leading the journey for your organization. [Read More](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/navigating-your-catman-priorities-is-easier-than-you-might-think) [![33118140_m-709328-edited-257337-edited.jpg](https://blog.cmkg.org/hubfs/2017%20Blogs/Space%20Planning%20Shelving/33118140_m-709328-edited-257337-edited.jpg) ](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/category-strategy-and-scorecards) ## [Category Strategy and Scorecards](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/category-strategy-and-scorecards) By | [Sue Nicholls, Founder & President CMKG](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/author/sue-nicholls-cpsa-founder-president-cmkg) | 0 Comments | [Category Management](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/category-management) [Executive Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/executive-solutions) [Supplier Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/supplier-solutions) [Space Mgmt](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/space-mgmt) The direction you need to achieve your goals. You’ve completed a category review or category assessment, ultimately identifying your biggest areas of opportunity to help you achieve your target goals and objectives in the category. Now what? [Read More](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/category-strategy-and-scorecards) [![](https://blog.cmkg.org/hubfs/2017%20Blogs/April,%20May,%20June/13848279_xxl.jpg) ](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/why-catman-needs-more-critical-thinkers-part-one) ## [Why Category Management Needs More Critical Thinkers](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/why-catman-needs-more-critical-thinkers-part-one) By | [Sue Nicholls, Founder & President CMKG](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/author/sue-nicholls-cpsa-founder-president-cmkg) | 0 Comments | [Retailer Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/retailer-solutions) [Executive Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/executive-solutions) [Supplier Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/supplier-solutions) We’re all searching for better ways to tap into Shopper insights data to address the “why” in category management — why aren’t we finding it? [Read More](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/why-catman-needs-more-critical-thinkers-part-one) ## [10 Opportunities to Master Change in Category Management](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/10-opportunities-to-master-change-in-category-management) By | [Sue Nicholls, Founder & President CMKG](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/author/sue-nicholls-cpsa-founder-president-cmkg) | 0 Comments | [CatMan 2.0 Update](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/catman-2-0-update) [Category Management in E-Commerce](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/category-management-in-e-commerce) [Executive Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/executive-solutions) Which Opportunities Match Your Priorities for the Year? With change comes opportunity. And there are tons of changes happening in category management unfolding as you read this post. Most are being driven by CatMan 2.0™, and the commitment of Retailers like Walmart who are demanding more advanced solutions and approaches both internally and from their Vendor community. So where are the biggest changes and what are the opportunities for YOU? [Read More](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/10-opportunities-to-master-change-in-category-management) [![](https://blog.cmkg.org/hubfs/Expressions-16-205459-edited.jpg) ](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/master-advanced-category-management_catman-2-0) ## [6 Avenues to Master Advanced Category Management](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/master-advanced-category-management_catman-2-0) By | [Sue Nicholls, Founder & President CMKG](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/author/sue-nicholls-cpsa-founder-president-cmkg) | 0 Comments | [Retailer Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/retailer-solutions) [CatMan 2.0 Update](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/catman-2-0-update) [Executive Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/executive-solutions) [Supplier Solutions](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/supplier-solutions) How are you going to stay relevant in this rapidly changing industry? Category management practitioners, executives and solution providers all need plans to move to more advanced category management approaches to reflect changing data, technology and Shopper. As an experienced category management professional in Retail, Manufacturing or as a Solution Provider, you’ll need concrete ways to reflect the changes that have happened over the past 30 years. Here’s what you need to understand CatMan 2.0 from your point of view … [Read More](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/master-advanced-category-management_catman-2-0) [All posts](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/all) [Next](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/executive-solutions/page/2) #### Subscribe ### Posts by Audience - [Analytics Work (15)](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/analytics-work) - [Business Acumen Development (2)](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/business-acumen-development) - [Business Reviews / Category Reviews (1)](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/business-reviews-category-reviews) - [Career Advancement (1)](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/career-advancement) - [Category Analytics (7)](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/category-analytics) - [Category Definition Work (5)](https://blog.cmkg.org/blog/topic/category-definition-work) ### Latest Posts ### Practical learning solutions for retail, category management, and sales teams # CMKG Practical training and assessment solutions for retailers, suppliers, and commercial teams. 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