Category Archives: Biz

DEMAND-DRIVEN LOGISTICS

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Adopting demand-driven logistics can increase visibility, drive supply chain efficiency, and offset any market advantage your competitors might have.

Shippers in today’s economic climate face myriad challenges over which they have little or no control: consumer behavior, fluctuating fuel costs, supply chain disruptions, and capacity and labor availability. Many of these variables are, at best, difficult to predict. Consequently, they force supply chains to function reactively.

But companies don’t have to follow the herd. As much as market volatility breeds complacency and risk-averse decision-making, it also raises the stakes for shippers to seize control of their supply chains where there are opportunities to do so—to identify, anticipate, manipulate, and manage change, and leverage this demand responsiveness as a competitive differentiator.

Adapting demand-driven logistics principles empowers shippers to drive collaboration across different functional areas; engage customers, suppliers, and third-party intermediaries more closely; and broadly drive out costs and inefficiencies within their supply chains.

By controlling decision-making and dictating actions downstream from origin, companies grow more responsive to demand and nimble to change. It allows them the structure to optimize what is known, and the flexibility to adapt to countless unknowns. Visibility is a key enabler in this paradigm shift. Yet it also remains a sticking point.

Typically, the first pain point shippers face is visibility to control their inventory and react to different situations. The secondary consideration is cost.

When companies don’t have visibility to inbound flows, or can’t align supply to demand signals, costs can quickly spiral out of control.

Transportation management systems (TMS) and supply chain visibility tools provide shippers with a common platform to share information and manage transportation and logistics processes throughout the network. Having data in one repository that feeds upstream planning and analysis helps facilitate demand-driven logistics. While companies are using technology to move in this direction, control remains elusive for many businesses.

Demand-driven logistics has not yet been widely adopted. Shippers may manage only certain subsets of inbound materials procurement.

Without a true demand-driven vibe coursing through the supply chain, shippers are likely to adapt parts, rather than optimize the whole. Companies struggle when individual functions aren’t in sync—a lack of alignment creates slack in the form of additional inventory, time, and cost.

Most companies successfully manage outbound transportation and distribution processes, largely because they directly impact the end customer. When something goes awry, there is an immediate and obvious consequence. With a demand-driven logistics approach, impacts are more subtle, and build gradually over the entire order cycle. That’s why it requires a holistic perspective, and often a paradigm shift within the organization—one that likely doesn’t occur without executive mandate or a push from 3PLs.

The Power of Pull

Sometimes the ability to successfully run a demand-driven operation depends on whether a strong enough stake exists within the enterprise to control the inbound supply line. If the top of the organization isn’t interested in inbound logistics or procurement, it becomes a moot point. Once you get past that obstacle, it comes down to having the technology to evaluate how best to create visibility and control.

Transportation is an obvious flash point for companies that struggle with supply chain visibility, simply because transport costs have a tendency to creep. By contrast, when shippers are able to accurately forecast demand farther out, they have more flexibility to mix and match transportation options to meet their need.

For shippers and consignees sourcing globally, failing to communicate with upstream partners can create any number of inefficiencies and costs. That’s why companies are driven to reach deeper into the supply chain and work more closely with suppliers and manufacturers to fine-tune production systems and make sure they are in lockstep with downstream processes.

Fall Fest is This Weekend in Downtown Bethel!

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 From the Bethel Chamber of Commerce–

September 17th and 18th in Downtown Bethel!

The Annual Harvest Festival!  Come Enjoy Bethel’s Many Fine Shops and Restaurants
The weekend will be filled with Activities, Games, Craft, Vendors, Music, and more!
Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday 11:00am to 4:00pm.

Schedule of Events

Saturday
Live music by Billy Michael from 11am to 2pm celebrating the life of “UFO Pioneer” Dante Vaghi. The “Flying Wing” commemorative cookie will be unveiled. Dante’s Flying Wing replica will be on display, along with visits from Wonder Woman.

Stop by Alice’s Flower Shop with A Country Touch Gifts from 10:00 to 2:00pm on Saturday for your free gift.

Bethel United Methodist Church will be hosting a Shred Day from 9am to 12pm.  The Shredder will be located in the parking lot.  All proceeds will benefit the Bethel Youth Mission at the Appalachia Service Project. Join them after the Festival from 5pm to 7pm for their Pasta Dinner.  Your whole family can eat for $25.  More details at www.bethelmethodist.net

Bethel Visiting Nurse Association will be hosting a Flu Clinic from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday outside of Chamber Office.

Craft Fair from 10:00am to 4:00pm on the Municipal Center Lawn.

Sunday
Live Music by the Hot Cat Jazz Band at 3:00pm on the Municipal Center Lawn.

All Weekend
The Toy Room – Kids age 3-12 can enter a coloring/drawing contest sponsored by Faber-Castell creativity for kids.  Everyone who enters get a free gift and is entered into a National and Local Contest (complete details on The Toy Room Facebook page)  They will also be having a HUGE sale on Melissa & Doug puzzle and outdoor items.
Sidewalk Sales, Craft Booths, Kids Crafts, and the new Passport to Bethel Game Circuit!

Editor’s note: 

Ultra Violet Productions will have FREE Kid’s Karaoke on the green at P.T. Barnum Square on Saturday from 10:00 a.m until 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Ultra Violet’s puppets Harry & Molly will be there to greet children,  give away balloons, party coupons & special party savings! Ultra Violet’s Youth Theater program will be accepting registrations for the fall session. Sign up this weekend and they will waive the $25 enrollment fee!

Beyond the Flea Adds Scales & Tails

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Beyond the Flea Adds Scales & Tails ~ By Wendy Mitchell

For the last 20 years Melissa Gale has owned and operated a successful pet grooming salon in downtown Bethel, Beyond the Flea. This September, Gale is expanding with a wide variety of “Scales & Tales.” The new shop is located right next to Beyond the Flea on P.T. Barnum Square, in the space that used to house the cigar shop. Fresh paint and beautiful pet photos from Bethel Photoworks adorn the walls of the new store which features water frogs, fish, lizards, hermit crabs and much more, all at very reasonable prices.

Go in and check out their “Candy Cane” water frogs, also known as African Water Frogs, that are on display while they set up their new shop. They are easy to maintain and long-lasting. The different colored frogs are sold as a complete package with tank, accessories and the frog, all for $30.00. Feeder crickets, feeder fish, fish food, weekend feeders and many more supplies are also available.

Other “scales and tails” to be sold include the Green Tea Frog, the Corn Snake, lizards, beta fish, fantail, black telescope and comet goldfish and catfish. All fish, lizards, frogs are hand picked each week from Gale, who gets them from a local specialty supplier. Anything can be custom ordered.

Beyond the Flea also sells holistic dry food formulas for dogs and cats. The Canine Caviar Difference is flash-cooked which maintains nutritious integrity. It is GMO and gluten-free with no added hormones or antibiotics. The specialty food helps settle digestive upsets, reduces scratching, shedding and hot spots. The food is specially formulated to combat cancer, diabetes, kidney, liver and heart disease in canines.

Gale is excited to announce her official Grand Opening, which will take place on September 10. I-95′s Tim Sheehan will broadcast live from the shop and there will be many sales, raffles and giveaways.

Store hours will be Monday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.The shop is located at 18 P.T. Barnum Square. Call the store for pet grooming appointments and/or special orders (203) 743-3474.

Sunday’s Open Houses in Bethel

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Sunday’s Open Houses in Bethel

11 Racebrook Drive, $729,000

4 Bedroom, 2 Full, 2 Half Bath

4,352 Square Feet

Sunday, 1-3:00 p.m.

21 Codfish Hill, $499,900

4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath

2,258 Square Feet

Sunday, 2:30-4:20 p.m.

2 Long Meadow Lane, $450,000

4 Bedroom, 2 ½ Bath

2,432 Square Feet

Sunday, 1-3:00 p.m.

17 Fox Den Road, $399,000

4 Bedroom, 2 ½ Bath

2,391 Square Feet

Sunday, 1-3:00 p.m.

 

State Rep. Reminds Residents About "Tax Free Week"

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Editor’s note: The following is a press release form State Representative Dan Carter–

I want to remind you to take advantage of the upcoming “Tax Free Week.”

From Sunday, August 21 to Saturday, August 27, Connecticut residents will not incur sales taxes for purchases of clothing and footwear under $300.  This is a good opportunity to save, since Connecticut’s longstanding sales tax exemption for all clothes and footwear under $50 is now gone.

In these tough economic times, every little bit of relief helps.  Fortunately, Connecticut shoppers will again be offered tax free shopping for one week this year, just in time for the busy ‘back to school’ season. This is more beneficial than ever before since the rest of the year, clothing under $50 is now taxed and the overall state sales tax rate has been increased from 6% to 6.35%.

Original budget plans drawn up by Governor Malloy also included an elimination of the celebrated sales-tax holiday meant to provide families a little relief with all the back-to-school bills. Due to much public outcry and strong opposition, the sales tax free week was preserved.

Tax Free Week is not only a much needed break for consumers, but also boosts consumer confidence and spurs sales, which helps businesses keep jobs and grows our economy.

First enacted in 2000, Tax Free Week applies to most clothing and footwear purchases that are intended for everyday use.  Goods not covered under the program include items that are solely intended for use in sporting activities and accessories such as jewelry, watches, handbags, and wallets.  By law, Tax Free Week is to run from the third Sunday in August to the following Saturday.

For more information go to the Department of Revenue Services website: www.ct.gov/drs

Rep. Dan Carter

Bethel, Danbury, Redding

Ultra Violet Productions Gears Up For Wednesday's Last Show of the Summer

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Ultra Violet Productions Gears Up For Wednesday’s Last Show of the Summer

For the last 6 weeks Bethel children and their families have enjoyed the free children’s concert series presented by Ultra Violet Puppets in downtown Bethel. Wednesday night the series goes out with a bang as many vendors and sponsors come out to share their products and services with attendees on the last night for the summer.

Wendy Mitchell (that’s me) is the owner of Ultra Violet Productions (UVP) and spearheaded this event after an overwhelming response to other local kid’s events put on, such as puppet shows and kid’s karaoke nights.  Bethel Parks and Recreation approved the application to hold the series downtown but had run out of funds to cover a second concert series.  “All of our sponsorship money was already used up for the adult concert series,” they said. They turned down the opportunity to secure sponsors for a second free concert series geared toward children so UVP secured sponsorship on their own.

Over the past 6 weeks many parents and families have enjoyed the free puppet shows, kid’s karaoke nights, candy, crafts and giveaways. (I am now no longer “The Puppet Lady,” I am now “The Lollipop Lady!”) Other parents, however, were concerned over a number of things when the series first began.

Week 1 was held at P.T. Barnum Square and had a great turnout.  Parents said that it was very hot with little shady areas and was very loud due to traffic noise during peak hours.  Parents grew extremely concerned when a motor vehicle accident occurred just a few feet away from  the event and asked why it could not be moved to School Street.

The following week the large crowd was enclosed with police caution tape which was roped off around the lampposts. But parents still asked why there could not be police presence and/or road closures due to the large turnout. Due to lack of funding, Ultra Violet Productions was unable to cover the cost of hiring a police officer for traffic control. The evening went off without a hitch with children singing popular songs from Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and many more current artists, until the rains came. Families quickly scattered into nearby businesses while UVP hurried to get the electronic equipment out of the rain.

The third week we received approval to move the venue location to the gazebo to the delight of many nervous parents. The lack of traffic noise, plethora of shady areas and large space made it much more family-friendly. Children enjoyed free crafts from The Toy Room and danced beneath the bubbles after Ultra Violet’s puppet show.

Many parents commented on what a great idea it is to bring families out to enjoy free entertainment during the week, while others complained about the “lack of variety of entertainers.”

One woman said, “This is supposed to be a kid’s concert series. Where are all the musicians? I thought we were going to get a different musician each week.”

When we explained that children’s entertainers cost anywhere from $250 – $350 each for a one-hour performance, parents began to realize the cost involved of presenting such an event. The next question was “Why doesn’t the town of Bethel or Parks & Rec help with sponsorship?”  Parents were encouraged to write letters to each department and let them know of their concerns and requests.

The following week UVP brought in a special guest musician, Will Michael, son of legendary Bethelite Billy Michael. Will brought in dozens of hand drums, congas, bongos and other cultural instruments for children to play with. Kids followed rhythm patterns and mimicked songs played under the shade of the trees on the town hall green. The Purple Zebra and Macaroni Kids provided free crafts for the kids.

Week 5 was postponed due to the rain, which extended the 6-week series to Wednesday’s event on Week 6. The concerts have been run from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings with free crafts at 5:00, a puppet show at 6:00, and kid’s karaoke or other events at 6:00 p.m.

Ultra Violet Puppets would like to publicly thank our sponsors: The Toy Room, Private Studio Fitness, O’Neil’s Restaurant, The Purple Zebra, Brennan Purdy State Farm Insurance, American Pride, Jacqueline’s Bakery & Restaurant, Marisol’s Consignment Shop, Dilillo Realty and Famous Pizza for their support.

Next summer the Bethel Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce their plans of working with Bethel Parks & Rec to secure more sponsors in the beginning of the season. The new Bethel Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Bobbi Jo Beers, thanked Wendy Mitchell of Ultra Violet Productions for “paving the way to make it possible for more family-friendly events to happen in downtown Bethel next year.”

Wednesday night’s last Ultra Violet Productions free kid’s concert series is being sponsored by Marisol’s Consignment and Jacqueline’s Restaurant. Marisol Haynes, owner of Marisol’s Consignment Boutique on Greenwood Ave. Marisol said she will provide free “mining for gold” for the children, in keeping with the Country-Western Hoedown theme. The owner of Jacqueline’s, Arelis, said she will set up a table for children and their families to enjoy special sweet treats the night of the event.

Families are encouraged to come down the gazebo, located at 1 School St., Bethel on Wednesday, August 17, from 5-7:00 p.m. At 5:00 p.m. there will be mining for gold. At 5:30 p.m. children can enjoy a country-western themed puppet show. At 5:45 p.m. a member from Bethel’s Color Guard  will twirl and from 6-7:00 p.m. children and teens can belt out their favorite pop tunes with free kids karaoke! Jennifer McCann Photography will be doing free kid’s portraits as well.

For more information please email UVProductions@yahoo.com or call Wendy at (203) 826-7194.

To Sell Or Not To Sell; That is the Question, Part 2

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To Sell Or Not To Sell; That is the Question, Part 2 ~ By Pat Forger

To continue from last week – There are many reasons to sell your home.  You might want to downsize if you are retiring or empty nesters.  Or you may need a bigger home to accommodate your growing family.  However, it seems that in this economy, the prevalent reason is because you can no longer afford the mortgage payments, taxes, insurance and other related costs because of job loss or illness.

Here are additional tips for you once you list your home on the market:

 1. Do I really need an open house?  Yes you do!  When you sign with a Realtor® they will explain to you the two types of open houses.  The first type will be to invite other Realtors® to tour the house.  This may be done by a caravan where a group of Realtors® from the same office and other offices stop by in the hopes they have potential clients who will be interested.  This type of Realtor® open house is normally held during the week.

You may also have an open house for possible Buyers which is normally held on a weekend.   In this instance, anyone who sees the open house notice may stop by and look around.  Yes, this includes neighbors or those just being nosy but it definitely is a good thing as they may have a friend or relative that would be a perfect fit for your home.  Remember, however, you should NOT be present for either open house.  Your Realtor® will be there to represent your interests and answer any questions they may have.  The worst thing for you to do is to overhear possible criticisms about your home.  This only makes the process of selling your home unbearable.  Also, the potential buyers may feel ill at ease if they know the owner is present.

2.   After the open houses, sit down with your Realtor® and review what comments they have heard throughout both type of open houses.   These comments will give you a better indication if the house is priced right for the neighborhood and market and if any further cosmetic touches are required.  You may want to think about updating your kitchen or bath.  You don’t have to necessarily spend a lot – it may just be replacing a worn out appliance, flooring or fixtures.  As I said in last week’s column, you can visit home improvement stores and see what items are on sale, have been returned or on the “scratch and dent” list.  Sometimes the scratches and dents are not visible.  Remember, the smallest upgrade can bring a large return.

3.  So, your home has been on the market for quite some time, you and your Realtor® have dropped the price but the interest is just not there.  Look at your finances again.  Would it be worthwhile to move out of your house and in with friends or relatives and rent out your home?  Would the rent cover the mortgage, taxes and insurance?  In most instances, the answer is probably no. Discuss this option with your Realtor® who will be able to tell you what rent amount you can expect to receive.  The rental market is volatile right now as more and more people are unable to afford to buy a home, so renting is very desirable.  It especially holds true if your home is within walking distance of a beach or lake and has beach rights.  You may be able to rent out your home for a few months during the summer at a premium price that would be worth your while to rent and pay the mortgage payments from the rental.

Remember, you need to be patient, work with your Realtor® and lender and keep all lines of communication open.  You want to sell your house but not walk away from your mortgage and damage your credit long-term.  However, if you have exhausted all options and it’s beginning to affect you and your family, you need to know when to cut your losses and move on.

Next time – Wish list vs. Practicality – what do I really want and need in a home?

Pat Forger, Sales Executive, Realtor®

Turning your dreams into an address!

Neumann Real Estate, Christie’s International Real Estate

72 Route 37

New Fairfield, CT 06812

Cell:  203-300-6168

Patricia@NeumannRealEstate.com