Setting a data-driven course in a new tariff landscape

The new US tariff policy and the international reactions to it pose major challenges for companies worldwide. Similar to the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, framework conditions are changing rapidly and unpredictably. Those who continue to rely on “incomplete” and “inconsistent” data only risk recognizing new dangers like icebergs in the fog when a course correction is hardly possible. Delayed reactions can have serious consequences, and no company wants to find itself in a situation reminiscent of the Titanic.

Decision-makers now face the particular responsibility of preparing their companies for new impasses and steering against them in good time. A reliable map, a calibrated compass, a dependable radar and a responsive steering wheel are essential for navigating safely through uncertain waters.

In a dynamic economy that changes daily, companies cannot expect perfect forecasts. However, they can influence their planning in a targeted manner with the right tools.

Many companies still manage their business using outdated methods: isolated, department-specific reports that only provide an overall view by the end of the month. These are based on historical data that is usually neither daily updated nor consolidated across the entire company. They only show where the company was, but not where it currently stands or what dangers are approaching.

Just like on a ship, modern navigation and orientation tools are crucial so that management and the board of directors can steer their company safely through uncertain times, regardless of size and industry.

Only those who know exactly where they currently stand, where they want to go and what risks lurk beneath the surface can manage their company in a stable and agile manner. To do this, managers need modern tools:

• Daily overview of operational activities (GPS)
• Early detection of changes among partners, suppliers, customers or competitors (radar)
• Management reports and dashboards for quick course adjustments (steering wheel)
• Ongoing monitoring of budgets, costs, margins and risks for operational stability (engines and sensors)

• The new US tariff policy and international countermeasures are increasing uncertainty along the entire value chain
• Forecasts for purchase prices, sales prices, logistics costs, margins, production and investments (capex/opex) are becoming increasingly inaccurate
• Information from ERP, CRM, logistics and procurement systems is often fragmented
• The basis for decision-making is often founded on monthly financial statements, and therefore on a snapshot of the past
• Decision-makers need up-to-date, cross-departmental insights

• Intelligently networking different systems and data sources (ERP, CRM, logistics, procurement)
• Consolidate data in real time and make it available
• Develop forecasting models (predictive reports) to better estimate future developments
• Ensure transparent, cross-departmental data integration
• Provide management reports and dashboards to enable well-founded course adjustments

In a rapidly changing world, targeted, pragmatic steps are needed to overcome uncertainties and remain capable of acting quickly. Our proposal follows a clear structure: what is being done? Why is it being done? And: what is expected of it?

• What we do: management and specialist departments work together to analyze where missing, outdated or incomplete information has the greatest impact on decision-making. At the same time, we check which internal business and IT capacities, and budget resources can be made available at short notice
• Why: to prioritize areas with a direct impact on sales, purchasing, supply chains and margins and ensure that the necessary resources are available for rapid implementation
• Expected result: clear overview of where transparency needs to be created quickly, including resource planning

• What we do: capture and evaluate existing data sources from ERP, CRM, logistics and procurement systems
• Why: to identify which data is up-to-date and reliable and where critical gaps exist
• Expected result: rapid utilization of the most important available data sources

• What we do: check whether solutions already exist in other areas, subsidiaries or projects that can be adapted or scaled up
• Why: to avoid duplication of effort and using existing proven approaches
• Expected result: faster implementation by reusing existing solutions and reducing costs and time expenditure

• What we do: initiate the first small measures, such as the daily update of supplier prices or stock levels
• Why: to make quick successes visible and immediately improve decision-making capabilities
• Expected result: initial operational dashboards and reports that support concrete decisions

• What we do: create a consolidated, up-to-date overview of prioritized data areas
• Why: management and specialist departments need a clear, operational view of current developments
• Expected result: ability to react quickly to changes and make better daily decisions

• What we do: continuously gather feedback from management and specialist departments and iteratively expand the dashboard
• Why: to adapt to new requirements and continuously improving transparency
• Expected result: expansion of the daily decision-making basis across other areas of the company

The choice of technology platform remains open: The aim is to use existing systems efficiently and supplement them in a targeted manner - regardless of whether solutions are based on Azure, AWS, GCP, Databricks, Snowflake or other platforms.

Those who continue to rely on historical data and delayed reports are steering blind. Today, companies need up-to-date information in order to react flexibly and take advantage of opportunities at an early stage.

COVID-19 has shown how important agility is. Today - thanks to the new US tariff policy and the international reactions to it - companies are once again at a turning point.

With the right map, a reliable compass, a working radar and a responsive steering wheel, companies can navigate safely through rough waters.

We support companies in quickly achieving initial results while laying the foundation for agile, data-based decision-making. Fast impact. High flexibility. Future-proof decisions.

Contact us - we will accompany you on your course!