[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":5778},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-config:published:site:nocv":3,"blog-categories":358,"blog-frame-colour:published":190,"blog-category-posts":365},{"name":4,"created_at":5,"published_at":6,"updated_at":7,"id":8,"uuid":9,"content":10,"slug":227,"full_slug":227,"sort_by_date":21,"position":352,"tag_list":353,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":21,"meta_data":21,"group_id":354,"first_published_at":355,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":357,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"site config","2026-02-19T19:29:53.658Z","2026-09-02T09:32:38.307Z","2026-09-03T08:33:22.271Z",146799794855168,"bd1a2489-f9d8-4e8f-8ce4-fef32304507b",{"_uid":11,"footer":12,"component":227,"login_url":228,"header_nav":229,"header_buttons":332,"default_og_image":341,"show_login_button":35,"default_og_image_alt":347,"announcement_bar_link":348,"announcement_bar_text":349,"default_seo_description":350,"announcement_bar_enabled":35,"announcement_bar_cta_label":351},"3483d7a0-23ba-4d43-ba5e-c715d6150643",[13],{"_uid":14,"copyLine":15,"component":26,"footerLinks":27,"policyLinks":183,"socialLinks":198,"footerTagline":219},"ccf2be9f-694d-42e6-90bf-853813405f50",{"type":16,"content":17},"doc",[18],{"type":19,"attrs":20,"content":22},"paragraph",{"textAlign":21},null,[23],{"text":24,"type":25},"Kaleidoscope® and Kaleidoscope Solutions™ are trademarks of Kaleidoscope Solutions Limited.","text","footer",[28,46,93,119,164],{"_uid":29,"link":30,"name":34,"title":35,"navItem":36,"component":45},"0d82a1c9-a5ff-4c64-aa59-35a2472bbd1b",{"id":31,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":31},"","story","multilink","Platform",true,[37],{"_uid":38,"link":39,"name":42,"title":43,"navItem":44,"component":45},"0d6c91a0-702a-4132-a89c-5ed92170defa",{"id":40,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":41},"0d921e4d-735b-4140-84bd-ff2cae17f238","platform\u002Fplatform-overview","Platform overview",false,[],"navItem",{"_uid":47,"link":48,"name":49,"title":35,"navItem":50,"component":45},"58e0570f-e369-4b0c-842f-a9eccd63736e",{"id":31,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":31},"Solutions",[51,58,65,72,79,86],{"_uid":52,"link":53,"name":56,"title":43,"navItem":57,"component":45},"00e1d103-5fb2-47f8-9661-fd7e62e1177b",{"id":54,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":55},"cc69217b-59ce-4e57-8a59-70006fc170bf","solutions\u002Fteams\u002Ffinance-teams","Finance teams",[],{"_uid":59,"link":60,"name":63,"title":43,"navItem":64,"component":45},"6940c2e9-61b3-49aa-9dd9-e60d85344ec9",{"id":61,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":62},"e72f5819-8b4d-48d2-abbb-43569a155e5b","solutions\u002Fteams\u002Fecommerce-teams","Ecommerce teams",[],{"_uid":66,"link":67,"name":70,"title":43,"navItem":71,"component":45},"57a37f98-028d-4f45-a3bf-846683c1fe7c",{"id":68,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":69},"b70c1a66-d0f7-49bf-bebb-0b2525846bcd","solutions\u002Fuse-cases\u002Fthree-statement-modelling","Three-statement models",[],{"_uid":73,"link":74,"name":77,"title":43,"navItem":78,"component":45},"57361dc0-774e-43b9-91b6-fea85e2417b3",{"id":75,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":76},"298f6453-6274-4863-8f80-84c145ad5c43","solutions\u002Fuse-cases\u002Ffinancial-planning-analysis","Financial Planning & Analysis",[],{"_uid":80,"link":81,"name":84,"title":43,"navItem":85,"component":45},"f96759ab-9387-4c28-a9e5-7bd089f100dc",{"id":82,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":83},"70e02e6c-1847-4f63-9e42-e14cd8ad1813","solutions\u002Fuse-cases\u002Fconnected-planning","Connected planning",[],{"_uid":87,"link":88,"name":91,"title":43,"navItem":92,"component":45},"c1926028-c5b3-43ef-8168-05ee97c558ae",{"id":89,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":90},"6345739d-5024-41e2-a197-ccd5d9e50491","solutions\u002Fuse-cases\u002Fstrategic-planning","Strategic planning",[],{"_uid":94,"link":95,"name":96,"title":35,"navItem":97,"component":45},"d7df4deb-9d1a-414a-94f3-3c7e6ae815d9",{"id":31,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":31},"Company",[98,105,112],{"_uid":99,"link":100,"name":103,"title":43,"navItem":104,"component":45},"4078740a-94ff-49b2-b92e-092473645012",{"id":101,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":102},"472dad76-19c1-43a6-8842-13311ce12b22","company\u002Ffounder","Our founder",[],{"_uid":106,"link":107,"name":110,"title":43,"navItem":111,"component":45},"9d34ce09-568c-461a-b15f-1603336b89e9",{"id":108,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":109},"b66287a1-f2f2-425e-9796-0e22b557e52b","company\u002Fmeet-the-team","Meet the team",[],{"_uid":113,"link":114,"name":117,"title":43,"navItem":118,"component":45},"7883c3d6-a064-4451-bae7-ee1c29e4b59e",{"id":115,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":116},"cc1d179a-8cd0-4a4d-9645-c235a57d7b93","company\u002Fabout-us","About us",[],{"_uid":120,"link":121,"name":122,"title":35,"navItem":123,"component":45},"fba5a72f-c029-4107-95ef-4faf335dc6ca",{"id":31,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":31},"Resources",[124,131,138,150,157],{"_uid":125,"link":126,"name":129,"title":43,"navItem":130,"component":45},"52716179-96de-4f92-a625-23b5ff183b47",{"id":127,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":128},"39cbf0f3-96eb-40c7-8177-af79f6ecad32","resources\u002Ffinancial-modelling-report-2026","Industry Report 2026",[],{"_uid":132,"link":133,"name":136,"title":35,"navItem":137,"component":45},"269d8762-f716-40e2-9097-9cdacd69c7e9",{"id":134,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":135},"c8fee4b4-fbbd-4804-b8e1-ba417e8bb3f6","resources\u002Fhow-we-compare","How we compare",[],{"_uid":139,"link":140,"name":143,"title":35,"navItem":144,"component":45},"99678731-91ad-4404-85b5-6b7fb0e79580",{"id":141,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":142},"857f080e-0863-47d2-9630-4135bbe803cf","resources\u002Fjarapa-case-study","Customer stories",[145],{"_uid":146,"link":147,"name":148,"title":43,"navItem":149,"component":45},"59459578-c435-4804-9d25-4bc750a45c66",{"id":141,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":142},"Jarapa case study",[],{"_uid":151,"link":152,"name":155,"title":43,"navItem":156,"component":45},"a0c80846-e4f0-4f2e-8f31-6ce195789e23",{"id":153,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":154},"edac92d1-e37e-422d-8b41-ae956ec8f243","blog\u002Fblog","Blog",[],{"_uid":158,"link":159,"name":162,"title":43,"navItem":163,"component":45},"56dc3f44-a7e5-441a-b6d4-a6b68aa7fc49",{"id":160,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":161},"20112591-e522-4dfa-9090-f2d1170255c5","resources\u002Ffaqs","FAQs",[],{"_uid":165,"link":166,"name":167,"title":35,"navItem":168,"component":45},"ecbb5f02-cc0d-4720-a9de-2a40cf96d690",{"id":31,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":31},"Useful links",[169,176],{"_uid":170,"link":171,"name":174,"title":43,"navItem":175,"component":45},"f324fb69-1942-4812-b861-3679401141ef",{"id":172,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":173},"94fddf36-6c3b-4f22-90fc-ce6f2fe9b0d2","company\u002Fcontact-us","Contact us",[],{"_uid":177,"link":178,"name":181,"title":43,"navItem":182,"component":45},"109a2325-4947-4561-826f-c75d92135b07",{"id":31,"url":179,"linktype":180,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":179},"https:\u002F\u002Falpha.kscope.com","url","Log in",[],[184,192],{"_uid":185,"link":186,"label":189,"style":31,"colour":190,"component":191},"2966dcc0-0e33-461a-a254-c154d06817aa",{"id":187,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":188},"c3625a2a-266d-4ba6-944e-4dcb71ae0f9d","privacy-policy","Privacy policy","violet","Button",{"_uid":193,"link":194,"label":197,"style":31,"colour":190,"component":191},"8796a0ce-971e-4e28-93d3-940440ada94e",{"id":195,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":196},"4ed70643-4c68-4717-a052-f5617384bfd8","cookie-policy","Cookie policy",[199,204,209,214],{"_uid":200,"link":201,"label":203,"style":31,"colour":190,"component":191},"7fb7b981-f63a-497d-bd19-4f6e9c28826e",{"id":31,"url":202,"linktype":180,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":202},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fkaleidoscope-com","linkedin",{"_uid":205,"link":206,"label":208,"style":31,"colour":190,"component":191},"5005a910-6278-4e0b-9e31-1a6947660de6",{"id":31,"url":207,"linktype":180,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":207},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fpeople\u002FKaleidoscope-Solutions\u002F61553174440250\u002F","facebook",{"_uid":210,"link":211,"label":213,"style":31,"colour":190,"component":191},"f1de5ee7-0e8a-46c1-b804-88a8340ea3fd",{"id":31,"url":212,"linktype":180,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":212},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002F@Kaleidoscope-Planning","youtube",{"_uid":215,"link":216,"label":218,"style":31,"colour":190,"component":191},"399bc798-9344-46fa-802d-8051d7349fc9",{"id":31,"url":217,"linktype":180,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":217},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.instagram.com\u002Fkaleidoscopeplatform","instagram",{"type":16,"attrs":220,"content":221},{"backgroundColor":21},[222],{"type":19,"attrs":223,"content":224},{"textAlign":21},[225],{"text":226,"type":25},"Imagine the \u003Cem class=\"line-wiggle\">possibilities\u003C\u002Fem>","site-config",{"id":31,"url":179,"linktype":180,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":179},[230],{"_uid":231,"nav_item":232,"component":331},"7c266583-4129-4742-af72-a61f8f7da7af",[233,240,244,282,302],{"_uid":234,"link":235,"name":238,"title":43,"navItem":239,"component":45},"d808adca-d007-4b39-9bd4-435c58ef7420",{"id":236,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":237},"53b651a8-f0f7-41f8-8237-8cef4ea1fb65","home","Home",[],{"_uid":241,"link":242,"name":34,"title":43,"navItem":243,"component":45},"c77aa55f-08fd-4f09-b0e6-fffa47914e1e",{"id":40,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":41},[],{"_uid":245,"link":246,"name":49,"title":35,"navItem":247,"component":45},"6e456f13-8cc7-4297-99c5-bc8afb21b3d0",{"id":31,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":31},[248,261],{"_uid":249,"link":250,"name":251,"title":35,"navItem":252,"component":45},"e2e98076-a7f5-4893-9574-3b82d31f5c9f",{"id":31,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":31},"Teams",[253,257],{"_uid":254,"link":255,"name":56,"title":43,"navItem":256,"component":45},"10da478d-1e9e-4c17-8138-2d8887d15d44",{"id":54,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":55},[],{"_uid":258,"link":259,"name":63,"title":43,"navItem":260,"component":45},"8d2f9ab9-6c4c-4e99-b5a2-57f6f0c34062",{"id":61,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":62},[],{"_uid":262,"link":263,"name":264,"title":35,"navItem":265,"component":45},"db212dc6-cea0-4b5d-aaff-382dd76ed934",{"id":31,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":31},"Use cases",[266,270,274,278],{"_uid":267,"link":268,"name":77,"title":43,"navItem":269,"component":45},"36beb32e-794d-4566-8b14-6b2a2765ee7e",{"id":75,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":76},[],{"_uid":271,"link":272,"name":70,"title":43,"navItem":273,"component":45},"23c83535-ffc7-4a05-8942-3f731528194c",{"id":68,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":69},[],{"_uid":275,"link":276,"name":91,"title":43,"navItem":277,"component":45},"1d33cbeb-5e72-4549-a757-b26b846e42d1",{"id":89,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":90},[],{"_uid":279,"link":280,"name":84,"title":43,"navItem":281,"component":45},"310df396-bd14-47a2-bae0-8d3d8bf6bc59",{"id":82,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":83},[],{"_uid":283,"link":284,"name":96,"title":35,"navItem":285,"component":45},"bd7180c2-8555-4eb8-8ee4-bb1603614aad",{"id":31,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":31},[286,290,294,298],{"_uid":287,"link":288,"name":103,"title":43,"navItem":289,"component":45},"b2c9c837-d5fc-452d-befd-89c66a4377d0",{"id":101,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":102},[],{"_uid":291,"link":292,"name":117,"title":43,"navItem":293,"component":45},"b7590236-ea69-4ae2-ab8b-d1b3739adead",{"id":115,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":116},[],{"_uid":295,"link":296,"name":110,"title":43,"navItem":297,"component":45},"2d0a4374-654e-444b-92d9-6846bf112d58",{"id":108,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":109},[],{"_uid":299,"link":300,"name":174,"title":43,"navItem":301,"component":45},"9e179e51-390a-4ad7-98ac-6a7c70367d95",{"id":172,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":173},[],{"_uid":303,"link":304,"name":122,"title":35,"navItem":305,"component":45},"90b81e59-c776-4b59-9275-1baa04636fe2",{"id":31,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":31},[306,311,315,323,327],{"_uid":307,"link":308,"name":309,"title":43,"navItem":310,"component":45},"8ace4e4a-ee4c-4035-9b9c-47f5220dc327",{"id":127,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":128},"Industry Report",[],{"_uid":312,"link":313,"name":136,"title":43,"navItem":314,"component":45},"7d7e0af3-588b-473d-8091-a095bcd4aa50",{"id":134,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":135},[],{"_uid":316,"link":317,"name":143,"title":43,"navItem":318,"component":45},"5252dd36-5e6d-4d0e-a8de-1bbe65e5a9ac",{"id":31,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":31},[319],{"_uid":320,"link":321,"name":148,"title":43,"navItem":322,"component":45},"6f2f1e6e-9a71-46cb-82c8-c96d50625ce8",{"id":141,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":142},[],{"_uid":324,"link":325,"name":155,"title":43,"navItem":326,"component":45},"a3a0f596-0953-4d46-86d6-6eed79ddcad9",{"id":153,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":154},[],{"_uid":328,"link":329,"name":162,"title":43,"navItem":330,"component":45},"094bf092-288b-4a80-b03d-4d5168f04103",{"id":160,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":161},[],"headerNav",[333],{"_uid":334,"link":335,"label":338,"style":339,"colour":340,"component":191},"3aedd868-1db3-469d-8345-478a9ca16363",{"id":336,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":337},"a96aecc7-f647-48db-b92f-6d7db46c885f","waitlist","Join the waitlist","primary","white",{"id":342,"alt":343,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":343,"source":31,"filename":344,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":346,"is_external_url":43},203370015094189,"Kaleidoscope","https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F512x512\u002F2c060381c0\u002Fdefault-social.png","asset",{"alt":343,"title":343,"source":31,"copyright":31},"Kaleidoscope ",{"id":127,"url":31,"linktype":32,"fieldtype":33,"cached_url":128},"Financial modelling is being pushed to its limits. We asked the industry, see what they said.","The Financial Modelling Platform that stays true to your business | Kaleidoscope","Read the report",-40,[],"bbe3e1cf-8aee-43b4-9b4d-b27adf31bccf","2026-02-20T13:15:21.902Z","default",[],[359,361,363],{"name":360,"value":360},"Insights & Analysis",{"name":362,"value":362},"Inside Kaleidoscope",{"name":364,"value":364},"Planning fundamentals",[366,547,1610,1811,2033,2821,3143,3665,3882,4724,5047,5330,5644],{"name":367,"created_at":368,"published_at":369,"updated_at":370,"id":371,"uuid":372,"content":373,"slug":539,"full_slug":540,"sort_by_date":21,"position":541,"tag_list":542,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":544,"first_published_at":545,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":546,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"We're heading to Ecommerce Expo London","2026-02-25T15:05:56.926Z","2026-09-02T09:12:35.658Z","2026-09-02T09:12:35.672Z",148858293996002,"3a573942-cc0e-4c87-9663-b276d5154e66",{"SEO":374,"_uid":382,"image":383,"title":367,"author":388,"content":389,"category":362,"component":529,"read_time":530,"description":531,"author_image":532,"published_at":538},[375],{"_uid":376,"noindex":43,"og_image":377,"og_title":31,"component":379,"seo_title":380,"og_image_alt":31,"og_description":31,"seo_description":381},"3bf234db-fcf5-42b8-9b91-f0ae8d7d6b17",{"id":21,"alt":21,"name":31,"focus":21,"title":21,"source":21,"filename":31,"copyright":21,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":378},{},"seo","We're heading to Ecommerce Expo London in September at Excel London","This September, Kaleidoscope is heading to London for the UK’s biggest ecommerce event—Ecommerce Expo—and we’d love to see you there.","88960ed3-c8d7-4e77-9701-adf1c8b68b0b",{"id":384,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":385,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":386,"is_external_url":43},213872244353061,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F4096x2304\u002F95b6941189\u002Fkaleidoscope-exhibiting-at-ecommerce-expo-2025.png",{"size":387},"4096x2304","Alice",{"type":16,"attrs":390,"content":391},{"backgroundColor":21},[392,397,421,426,428,437,442,447,452,465,476,487,489,496,501,512,514,516,524],{"type":19,"attrs":393,"content":394},{"textAlign":21},[395],{"text":396,"type":25},"This September, Kaleidoscope is heading to London for the UK’s biggest ecommerce event—and we’d love to see you there.",{"type":19,"attrs":398,"content":399},{"textAlign":21},[400,402,407,409,413,415,419],{"text":401,"type":25},"We’ll be exhibiting at ",{"text":403,"type":25,"marks":404},"Ecommerce Expo London",[405],{"type":406},"bold",{"text":408,"type":25}," on ",{"text":410,"type":25,"marks":411},"24–25 September 2025",[412],{"type":406},{"text":414,"type":25}," at ",{"text":416,"type":25,"marks":417},"ExCeL London",[418],{"type":406},{"text":420,"type":25},", alongside 12,000+ ecommerce professionals, founders, and tech providers shaping the future of online retail.",{"type":19,"attrs":422,"content":423},{"textAlign":21},[424],{"text":425,"type":25},"Whether you're running a fast-growing Shopify store, juggling spreadsheets to plan inventory, or looking for a better way to scale your ops—we’ll be there to show you how Kaleidoscope helps product businesses like yours plan smarter, see clearer, and grow faster.",{"type":19,"attrs":427},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":430,"content":432},"heading",{"level":431,"textAlign":21},3,[433],{"text":434,"type":25,"marks":435},"Why we’re exhibiting",[436],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":438,"content":439},{"textAlign":21},[440],{"text":441,"type":25},"At Kaleidoscope, we're building the first growth planning platform designed specifically for product-based ecommerce businesses. Think forecasting, inventory, and growth planning—without the guesswork, gut feel, or spreadsheet fatigue.",{"type":19,"attrs":443,"content":444},{"textAlign":21},[445],{"text":446,"type":25},"Ecommerce Expo brings together the people and tools driving retail forward. It’s the perfect place to share what we’re building, learn from other founders, and connect with ecommerce operators facing the same challenges we solve every day.",{"type":19,"attrs":448,"content":449},{"textAlign":21},[450],{"text":451,"type":25},"If you're scaling a product business and want a smarter way to plan your next move, this is your chance to get an early look.",{"type":19,"attrs":453,"content":454},{"textAlign":21},[455,461],{"type":456,"attrs":457},"image",{"id":458,"alt":31,"src":459,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":460},213872244344868,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F4096x2304\u002F2bc8958591\u002Fcome-and-see-us-at-ecommerce-expo-2025.png",{"size":387},{"text":462,"type":25,"marks":463},"Visit us at stand G60 (opposite main stage)",[464],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":466,"content":467},{"textAlign":21},[468,470,474],{"text":469,"type":25},"We’ll be running live demos, answering questions, and offering ",{"text":471,"type":25,"marks":472},"free early access to Kaleidoscope",[473],{"type":406},{"text":475,"type":25}," for Shopify-connected businesses.",{"type":19,"attrs":477,"content":478},{"textAlign":21},[479,481,485],{"text":480,"type":25},"Plus, we’ve got a limited number of our ",{"text":482,"type":25,"marks":483},"free plant grow kits",[484],{"type":406},{"text":486,"type":25}," to give away—just swing by our stand and complete a demo to grab yours.",{"type":19,"attrs":488},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":490,"content":491},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[492],{"text":493,"type":25,"marks":494},"Let’s talk planning",[495],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":497,"content":498},{"textAlign":21},[499],{"text":500,"type":25},"If you're attending and want to chat about planning, forecasting, or how to take the guesswork out of scaling, come and find us at the show.",{"type":19,"attrs":502,"content":503},{"textAlign":21},[504,506],{"text":505,"type":25},"See you in London ",{"type":507,"attrs":508},"emoji",{"name":509,"emoji":510,"fallbackImage":511},"wave","👋","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.jsdelivr.net\u002Fnpm\u002Femoji-datasource-apple\u002Fimg\u002Fapple\u002F64\u002F1f44b.png",{"type":19,"attrs":513},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":515},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":517,"content":519},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},4,[520],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":522},"About Kaleidoscope",[523],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":525,"content":526},{"textAlign":21},[527],{"text":528,"type":25},"Kaleidoscope Solutions™ is a financial modelling platform that builds a true structural representation of a business — from existing spreadsheets, in minutes. Powered by AI you can rely on, it creates a model businesses can interrogate, defend, and evolve with confidence, rather than a formula-based approximation. Built for finance today, with the same foundation designed to support every team that models — sales, operations, and planning — as it moves towards commercial launch.","blog","2","This September, Kaleidoscope is heading to London for the UK’s biggest eCommerce event—Ecommerce Expo — and we’d love to see you there.",{"id":533,"alt":534,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":535,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":536,"is_external_url":43},205800755027234,"alice","https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F600x604\u002F7c5d241a5e\u002Falice.webp",{"alt":534,"size":537,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31},"600x604","2026-07-06 00:00","ecommerce-expo","blog\u002Fecommerce-expo",0,[],148842314516910,"17f57797-00df-49ec-818c-516f40dd3afe","2026-02-25T15:06:15.025Z",[],{"name":548,"created_at":549,"published_at":550,"updated_at":551,"id":552,"uuid":553,"content":554,"slug":1603,"full_slug":1604,"sort_by_date":21,"position":1605,"tag_list":1606,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":1607,"first_published_at":1608,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":1609,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"How to use AI in your financial model (without losing control)","2026-07-13T13:47:40.923Z","2026-09-02T09:11:32.330Z","2026-09-02T09:11:32.353Z",197676486382617,"7b953b2f-9b6d-4a54-970f-512b5509eebc",{"SEO":555,"_uid":566,"image":567,"title":548,"author":388,"content":569,"category":364,"component":529,"read_time":1598,"description":1599,"author_image":1600,"published_at":1602},[556],{"_uid":557,"noindex":43,"og_image":558,"og_title":31,"component":379,"seo_title":563,"og_image_alt":564,"og_description":31,"seo_description":565},"81274663-273f-435e-9c08-f42e00baf568",{"id":559,"alt":560,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":560,"source":31,"filename":561,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":562,"is_external_url":43},197676848765154,"not all AI is built the same","https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F1280x720\u002Fca869fbffc\u002Fai_week_3_blog_image_1.webp",{"alt":560,"title":560,"source":31,"copyright":31},"How to use AI in your financial model (without losing control of the numbers) | Kaleidoscope","Not all AI is built the same | Financial Modelling","A practical guide to the three ways finance teams are using AI in their financial models right now — what each approach does, what it costs, where it breaks down, and how to choose the right one for your business.","80c526fd-2341-45ea-9795-1332404801fb",{"id":559,"alt":560,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":560,"source":31,"filename":561,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":568,"is_external_url":43},{"alt":560,"title":560,"source":31,"copyright":31},{"type":16,"attrs":570,"content":571},{"backgroundColor":21},[572,577,582,587,592,597,605,610,615,622,629,664,671,676,683,688,695,700,705,710,715,720,727,732,734,741,747,752,757,763,768,774,779,785,790,795,800,806,811,812,819,825,830,836,868,876,882,887,894,899,904,909,914,919,924,956,958,964,969,971,978,980,1357,1358,1360,1367,1372,1379,1386,1421,1423,1430,1454,1456,1463,1476,1477,1484,1489,1491,1500,1509,1518,1527,1536,1541,1565,1567,1572,1584,1586,1588,1594],{"type":19,"attrs":573,"content":574},{"textAlign":21},[575],{"text":576,"type":25},"AI has arrived in finance. The question is no longer whether to use it, it's which version of it is actually worth your time.",{"type":19,"attrs":578,"content":579},{"textAlign":21},[580],{"text":581,"type":25},"For finance leads at growing businesses, the options can feel overwhelming. Every platform claims to be AI-powered. Every vendor promises faster forecasts, fewer errors, and models that practically build themselves. The reality is more nuanced.",{"type":19,"attrs":583,"content":584},{"textAlign":21},[585],{"text":586,"type":25},"There are three distinct ways finance teams are integrating AI into their financial modelling workflows right now. They are not interchangeable. Each one solves a different problem, suits a different stage of business, comes with its own limitations, and carries a very different price tag and level of accuracy. Understanding the difference is the starting point for making a decision that actually moves things forward.",{"type":19,"attrs":588,"content":589},{"textAlign":21},[590],{"text":591,"type":25},"This guide breaks down each approach. What it is, when it makes sense, and where it falls short — and where the risks are. It ends with a framework for choosing the right one for your business.",{"type":19,"attrs":593,"content":594},{"textAlign":21},[595],{"text":596,"type":25},"The approach you take determines whether AI genuinely improves the reliability of your financial model or just adds a layer of complexity on top of an existing problem. And with costs ranging from near-zero to six figures depending on the route, getting this decision right matters.",{"type":429,"attrs":598,"content":600},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},2,[601],{"text":602,"type":25,"marks":603},"The three routes",[604],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":606,"content":607},{"textAlign":21},[608],{"text":609,"type":25},"Most finance teams at growing businesses are running on models they have built and maintained themselves in spreadsheets. Those models are valuable, as they encode years of institutional knowledge about how the business works. But they are also fragile. Logic lives in individual cells. When the business changes, the model requires manual surgery. When multiple people are involved, version control becomes a problem. When the model grows, performance degrades.",{"type":19,"attrs":611,"content":612},{"textAlign":21},[613],{"text":614,"type":25},"AI promises to solve this. In the routes below we will explore the benefits and what to watch out for.",{"type":429,"attrs":616,"content":617},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[618],{"text":619,"type":25,"marks":620},"Route 1: In your spreadsheet, with an LLM assistant",[621],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":623,"content":624},{"textAlign":21},[625],{"text":626,"type":25,"marks":627},"What it is",[628],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":630,"content":631},{"textAlign":21},[632,634,644,646,653,655,662],{"text":633,"type":25},"An AI assistant such as ",{"text":635,"type":25,"marks":636},"Copilot",[637,642],{"type":638,"attrs":639},"link",{"href":640,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fcopilot.microsoft.com\u002F","_blank",{"type":643},"underline",{"text":645,"type":25}," in Excel,",{"text":647,"type":25,"marks":648}," Claude",[649,652],{"type":638,"attrs":650},{"href":651,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fclaude.ai\u002F",{"type":643},{"text":654,"type":25}," or ",{"text":656,"type":25,"marks":657},"ChatGPT",[658,661],{"type":638,"attrs":659},{"href":660,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fchatgpt.com\u002F",{"type":643},{"text":663,"type":25}," on a second screen, or a similar tool — used alongside your existing spreadsheet model. The AI helps write formulas, explain outputs, generate scenarios, and answer questions about the model in plain English.",{"type":19,"attrs":665,"content":666},{"textAlign":21},[667],{"text":668,"type":25,"marks":669},"What it costs",[670],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":672,"content":673},{"textAlign":21},[674],{"text":675,"type":25},"This is the lowest-cost route by a significant margin. Microsoft Copilot is included in many existing Microsoft 365 business subscriptions, making the marginal cost close to zero for teams already paying for Office. Standalone tools like ChatGPT start at a few pounds per user per month. There are no implementation costs, no onboarding process, and no long-term commitment. You can start tomorrow.",{"type":19,"attrs":677,"content":678},{"textAlign":21},[679],{"text":680,"type":25,"marks":681},"When it makes sense",[682],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":684,"content":685},{"textAlign":21},[686],{"text":687,"type":25},"If your primary frustration is speed. If building formulas takes too long, explaining outputs to stakeholders is time-consuming, generating scenarios manually is a bottleneck — an LLM assistant addresses those friction points directly. For teams that are not ready to invest in a dedicated platform, it is a low-cost, low-commitment way to get more from the tools they already use.",{"type":19,"attrs":689,"content":690},{"textAlign":21},[691],{"text":692,"type":25,"marks":693},"Where it breaks down",[694],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":696,"content":697},{"textAlign":21},[698],{"text":699,"type":25},"The fundamental limitation is verification. When an LLM generates a formula or suggests a change to your model, it does not validate that output against your model's structure. It does not flag when the logic is unsound. It gives you an answer and it is your job to check it.",{"type":19,"attrs":701,"content":702},{"textAlign":21},[703],{"text":704,"type":25},"LLMs are inherently probabilistic. This means they are prone to hallucinations. You can't expect AI to deliver you an output with 100% accuracy. Therefore outputs need to be checked, regularly.",{"type":19,"attrs":706,"content":707},{"textAlign":21},[708],{"text":709,"type":25},"There is also an inconsistency problem. Ask the same question twice and you may get a different answer. For a financial model that needs to be reliable and auditable, that is a significant concern.",{"type":19,"attrs":711,"content":712},{"textAlign":21},[713],{"text":714,"type":25},"In practice, the time saved generating outputs is often spent checking them. The speed gain is real but smaller than it appears. More critically, the structural problems with the underlying spreadsheet model are unchanged. The model is still cell-based, still fragile, still prone to silent errors as it grows.",{"type":19,"attrs":716,"content":717},{"textAlign":21},[718],{"text":719,"type":25},"There is also the risk of uploading confidential financial data into standalone LLM platforms without the appropriate safeguards in place. Read more on this at the end of this article.",{"type":19,"attrs":721,"content":722},{"textAlign":21},[723],{"text":724,"type":25,"marks":725},"The verdict",[726],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":728,"content":729},{"textAlign":21},[730],{"text":731,"type":25},"Route 1 is a short-term productivity improvement, not a modelling improvement. The low cost makes it an easy experiment but easy to start does not mean effective at scale. For teams with simple, stable models and a primary need for speed, it is a reasonable short-term solution. For teams building complex models on which business decisions depend, the low price tag comes with a hidden cost: the time your finance lead spends checking outputs, fixing errors, and maintaining a model that was never designed to scale.",{"type":733},"horizontal_rule",{"type":429,"attrs":735,"content":736},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[737],{"text":738,"type":25,"marks":739},"Route 2: In a platform connected to your spreadsheet",[740],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":742,"content":743},{"textAlign":21},[744],{"text":626,"type":25,"marks":745},[746],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":748,"content":749},{"textAlign":21},[750],{"text":751,"type":25},"A dedicated FP&A or planning platform that connects to your existing spreadsheet data via an integration, add-in, or model protocol. The interface changes; you are working in a purpose-built tool rather than directly in Excel but the underlying data often still lives in or connects back to your spreadsheets.",{"type":19,"attrs":753,"content":754},{"textAlign":21},[755],{"text":756,"type":25},"Examples include Excel-native platforms that layer planning and reporting workflows on top of existing spreadsheet models, and tools that use model protocols to give an AI assistant direct access to your data.",{"type":19,"attrs":758,"content":759},{"textAlign":21},[760],{"text":668,"type":25,"marks":761},[762],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":764,"content":765},{"textAlign":21},[766],{"text":767,"type":25},"Route 2 sits in the mid-range. Most platforms in this category are priced on a per-seat or per-module basis, typically running from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds per month for a finance team at a growing business. Implementation and onboarding costs vary, while some platforms are self-serve, others require a setup process that adds to the initial investment. Expect a longer commitment than Route 1, with annual contracts common.",{"type":19,"attrs":769,"content":770},{"textAlign":21},[771],{"text":680,"type":25,"marks":772},[773],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":775,"content":776},{"textAlign":21},[777],{"text":778,"type":25},"If your team needs better reporting, cleaner workflows, or the ability to share models across the business without the version control chaos of emailing spreadsheet files, a platform in this category represents a meaningful improvement. The workflow benefits are real. Data consolidation, real-time reporting, and structured collaboration are all easier in a dedicated tool than in a spreadsheet.",{"type":19,"attrs":780,"content":781},{"textAlign":21},[782],{"text":692,"type":25,"marks":783},[784],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":786,"content":787},{"textAlign":21},[788],{"text":789,"type":25},"The critical question for any platform in this category is what the AI actually understands about your model — not just what it can access.",{"type":19,"attrs":791,"content":792},{"textAlign":21},[793],{"text":794,"type":25},"Connecting an AI to your spreadsheet data via an integration or model protocol means it can read your numbers and respond to questions about them. It does not mean the AI understands the logic behind those numbers, nor what they represent, how they relate to each other, or whether the structure is sound. And there can be a big difference between generating a plausible reason for what you're seeing and the human intent in the design.",{"type":19,"attrs":796,"content":797},{"textAlign":21},[798],{"text":799,"type":25},"If you change something fundamental about how your business operates, the question is whether the model reflects it automatically or whether someone still has to go in and manually update every touchpoint in the underlying spreadsheet logic. For most platforms in this category, the answer is the latter.",{"type":19,"attrs":801,"content":802},{"textAlign":21},[803],{"text":724,"type":25,"marks":804},[805],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":807,"content":808},{"textAlign":21},[809],{"text":810,"type":25},"Route 2 is a significant step forward in terms of workflow and accessibility, and the pricing reflects that. But higher cost does not automatically mean the structural problem is solved. The interface is better. The logic layer underneath may not be. The key test before committing: does the AI understand your model, or just your data?",{"type":733},{"type":429,"attrs":813,"content":814},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[815],{"text":816,"type":25,"marks":817},"Route 3: Native in an FP&A platform",[818],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":820,"content":821},{"textAlign":21},[822],{"text":626,"type":25,"marks":823},[824],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":826,"content":827},{"textAlign":21},[828],{"text":829,"type":25},"A platform built from the ground up for financial planning and analysis, where the model lives in the platform rather than in a spreadsheet. The AI is embedded throughout — not as an assistant bolted on top, but as a core part of how the model is built, interrogated, and maintained.",{"type":19,"attrs":831,"content":832},{"textAlign":21},[833],{"text":668,"type":25,"marks":834},[835],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":837,"content":838},{"textAlign":21},[839,841,848,850,857,859,866],{"text":840,"type":25},"Historically, this has been the enterprise tier — and for the established players, it still is. Platforms like ",{"text":842,"type":25,"marks":843},"Anaplan",[844,847],{"type":638,"attrs":845},{"href":846,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.anaplan.com\u002F",{"type":643},{"text":849,"type":25},", ",{"text":851,"type":25,"marks":852},"Pigment",[853,856],{"type":638,"attrs":854},{"href":855,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pigment.com\u002F",{"type":643},{"text":858,"type":25},", and ",{"text":860,"type":25,"marks":861},"Adaptive Planning",[862,865],{"type":638,"attrs":863},{"href":864,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.workday.com\u002Fen-gb\u002Fproducts\u002Fadaptive-planning\u002Ffpa-automation.html?\u002Fen-gb\u002Fproducts\u002Fadaptive-planning\u002Ffpa-automation.html?eid=engb_ppc_gg_gg_pl_plnedu_web_24.5758&utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=gg&productfocus=pl&aud=plnedu&assettype=web&assetid=24.5758&pblr=gg&ef_id=CjwKCAjwmJjSBhB-EiwAkZgxix3KP1plyCXB5sQydOqvYCqcRDDCPSqdUwbEsO8stApS-KMxohbcDxoCuwoQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!8892!3!730673450859!!!g!!!21067585866!163441648990&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21067585866&gbraid=0AAAAADou29IF9wzp7laUMTMRvV-mR1cLB&gclid=CjwKCAjwmJjSBhB-EiwAkZgxix3KP1plyCXB5sQydOqvYCqcRDDCPSqdUwbEsO8stApS-KMxohbcDxoCuwoQAvD_BwE",{"type":643},{"text":867,"type":25}," are priced for large organisations, with implementation projects that can run into six figures before you have built a single model. For a finance lead at a SMB business, that pricing has traditionally put Route 3 out of reach.",{"type":19,"attrs":869,"content":870},{"textAlign":21},[871],{"text":872,"type":25,"marks":873},"That is changing. Kaleidoscope's new generation of AI-native platform is being built specifically for growing businesses — with the rigour of enterprise calculation engine at a price point that reflects the size of the team using it, not the ambitions of a procurement department.",[874],{"type":875},"code",{"type":19,"attrs":877,"content":878},{"textAlign":21},[879],{"text":680,"type":25,"marks":880},[881],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":883,"content":884},{"textAlign":21},[885],{"text":886,"type":25},"For finance leads who have outgrown manual maintenance and need a model that can scale with the business, an AI-native platform is the right direction. The workflow is faster, the model is more robust, and the AI can genuinely reduce the time spent on maintenance and scenario building.",{"type":19,"attrs":888,"content":889},{"textAlign":21},[890],{"text":891,"type":25,"marks":892},"Where it breaks down and what to look for",[893],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":895,"content":896},{"textAlign":21},[897],{"text":898,"type":25},"Not all AI-native platforms are built the same way. The distinction that matters most is whether the AI was designed specifically for financial modelling or adapted from a general-purpose language model.",{"type":19,"attrs":900,"content":901},{"textAlign":21},[902],{"text":903,"type":25},"A general-purpose AI can fluently generate outputs that are structured like typical financial models. It cannot reliably sanity-check those outputs against your specific model. It does not have financial modelling best practice built in. It was trained on everything, which in practice means it has deep expertise in nothing.",{"type":19,"attrs":905,"content":906},{"textAlign":21},[907],{"text":908,"type":25},"There's a difference between content and structure, the latter is about how it looks whereas the former is whether it actually makes sense.",{"type":19,"attrs":910,"content":911},{"textAlign":21},[912],{"text":913,"type":25},"A platform built on a purpose-designed calculation engine, where the AI understands the structure of the model, validates its own suggestions before surfacing them, and has modelling expertise embedded from the ground up — solves the problem that every other route leaves open.",{"type":19,"attrs":915,"content":916},{"textAlign":21},[917],{"text":918,"type":25},"Even more, if it can move beyond structure, to content.",{"type":19,"attrs":920,"content":921},{"textAlign":21},[922],{"text":923,"type":25},"The questions worth asking any AI-native platform:",{"type":925,"content":926},"bullet_list",[927,935,942,949],{"type":928,"content":929},"list_item",[930],{"type":19,"attrs":931,"content":932},{"textAlign":21},[933],{"text":934,"type":25},"Does the AI validate what it suggests, or just generate it?",{"type":928,"content":936},[937],{"type":19,"attrs":938,"content":939},{"textAlign":21},[940],{"text":941,"type":25},"When the business changes, how does the model update? Is it robust? Can you track it?",{"type":928,"content":943},[944],{"type":19,"attrs":945,"content":946},{"textAlign":21},[947],{"text":948,"type":25},"Can you see why the numbers say what they say, at every stage?",{"type":928,"content":950},[951],{"type":19,"attrs":952,"content":953},{"textAlign":21},[954],{"text":955,"type":25},"Is the AI built on financial modelling expertise, or a general-purpose model pointed at finance data?",{"type":19,"attrs":957},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":959,"content":960},{"textAlign":21},[961],{"text":724,"type":25,"marks":962},[963],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":965,"content":966},{"textAlign":21},[967],{"text":968,"type":25},"Route 3 is the right destination for most finance teams at growing businesses. The historical barrier has been cost and implementation but that barrier is lower than it used to be. One built on a general-purpose LLM is Route 1 with a better interface and a higher invoice. An AI-native platform built on a purpose-designed calculation engine solves the structural problem.",{"type":19,"attrs":970},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":972,"content":973},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[974],{"text":975,"type":25,"marks":976},"How the three routes compare",[977],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":979},{"textAlign":21},{"type":981,"content":982},"table",[983,1023,1066,1104,1140,1178,1214,1252,1288,1321],{"type":984,"content":985},"tableRow",[986,993,1003,1013],{"type":987,"attrs":988,"content":990},"tableHeader",{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21},1,[991],{"type":19,"attrs":992},{"textAlign":21},{"type":987,"attrs":994,"content":995},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21},[996],{"type":19,"attrs":997,"content":998},{"textAlign":21},[999],{"text":1000,"type":25,"marks":1001},"Route 1",[1002],{"type":406},{"type":987,"attrs":1004,"content":1005},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21},[1006],{"type":19,"attrs":1007,"content":1008},{"textAlign":21},[1009],{"text":1010,"type":25,"marks":1011},"Route 2",[1012],{"type":406},{"type":987,"attrs":1014,"content":1015},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21},[1016],{"type":19,"attrs":1017,"content":1018},{"textAlign":21},[1019],{"text":1020,"type":25,"marks":1021},"Route 3",[1022],{"type":406},{"type":984,"content":1024},[1025,1036,1046,1056],{"type":1026,"attrs":1027,"content":1028},"tableCell",{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1029],{"type":19,"attrs":1030,"content":1031},{"textAlign":21},[1032],{"text":1033,"type":25,"marks":1034},"Where you work",[1035],{"type":406},{"type":1026,"attrs":1037,"content":1038},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1039],{"type":19,"attrs":1040,"content":1041},{"textAlign":21},[1042],{"text":1043,"type":25,"marks":1044},"Spreadsheet",[1045],{"type":406},{"type":1026,"attrs":1047,"content":1048},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1049],{"type":19,"attrs":1050,"content":1051},{"textAlign":21},[1052],{"text":1053,"type":25,"marks":1054},"Platform + spreadsheet data",[1055],{"type":406},{"type":1026,"attrs":1057,"content":1058},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1059],{"type":19,"attrs":1060,"content":1061},{"textAlign":21},[1062],{"text":1063,"type":25,"marks":1064},"Dedicated platform",[1065],{"type":406},{"type":984,"content":1067},[1068,1078,1088,1096],{"type":1026,"attrs":1069,"content":1070},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1071],{"type":19,"attrs":1072,"content":1073},{"textAlign":21},[1074],{"text":1075,"type":25,"marks":1076},"AI involvement",[1077],{"type":406},{"type":1026,"attrs":1079,"content":1080},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1081,1086],{"type":19,"attrs":1082,"content":1083},{"textAlign":21},[1084],{"text":1085,"type":25},"LLM assistant",{"type":19,"attrs":1087},{"textAlign":21},{"type":1026,"attrs":1089,"content":1090},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1091],{"type":19,"attrs":1092,"content":1093},{"textAlign":21},[1094],{"text":1095,"type":25},"Connected AI",{"type":1026,"attrs":1097,"content":1098},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1099],{"type":19,"attrs":1100,"content":1101},{"textAlign":21},[1102],{"text":1103,"type":25},"Embedded AI",{"type":984,"content":1105},[1106,1116,1124,1132],{"type":1026,"attrs":1107,"content":1108},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1109],{"type":19,"attrs":1110,"content":1111},{"textAlign":21},[1112],{"text":1113,"type":25,"marks":1114},"Typical cost",[1115],{"type":406},{"type":1026,"attrs":1117,"content":1118},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1119],{"type":19,"attrs":1120,"content":1121},{"textAlign":21},[1122],{"text":1123,"type":25},"Near zero",{"type":1026,"attrs":1125,"content":1126},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1127],{"type":19,"attrs":1128,"content":1129},{"textAlign":21},[1130],{"text":1131,"type":25},"Mid-range",{"type":1026,"attrs":1133,"content":1134},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1135],{"type":19,"attrs":1136,"content":1137},{"textAlign":21},[1138],{"text":1139,"type":25},"Historically high; changing",{"type":984,"content":1141},[1142,1152,1162,1170],{"type":1026,"attrs":1143,"content":1144},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1145],{"type":19,"attrs":1146,"content":1147},{"textAlign":21},[1148],{"text":1149,"type":25,"marks":1150},"Speed improvement",[1151],{"type":406},{"type":1026,"attrs":1153,"content":1154},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1155,1160],{"type":19,"attrs":1156,"content":1157},{"textAlign":21},[1158],{"text":1159,"type":25},"Moderate",{"type":19,"attrs":1161},{"textAlign":21},{"type":1026,"attrs":1163,"content":1164},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1165],{"type":19,"attrs":1166,"content":1167},{"textAlign":21},[1168],{"text":1169,"type":25},"Moderate–high",{"type":1026,"attrs":1171,"content":1172},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1173],{"type":19,"attrs":1174,"content":1175},{"textAlign":21},[1176],{"text":1177,"type":25},"High",{"type":984,"content":1179},[1180,1190,1198,1206],{"type":1026,"attrs":1181,"content":1182},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1183],{"type":19,"attrs":1184,"content":1185},{"textAlign":21},[1186],{"text":1187,"type":25,"marks":1188},"Structural improvement",[1189],{"type":406},{"type":1026,"attrs":1191,"content":1192},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1193],{"type":19,"attrs":1194,"content":1195},{"textAlign":21},[1196],{"text":1197,"type":25},"None",{"type":1026,"attrs":1199,"content":1200},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1201],{"type":19,"attrs":1202,"content":1203},{"textAlign":21},[1204],{"text":1205,"type":25},"Partial",{"type":1026,"attrs":1207,"content":1208},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1209],{"type":19,"attrs":1210,"content":1211},{"textAlign":21},[1212],{"text":1213,"type":25},"High (if purpose-built)",{"type":984,"content":1215},[1216,1226,1236,1244],{"type":1026,"attrs":1217,"content":1218},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1219],{"type":19,"attrs":1220,"content":1221},{"textAlign":21},[1222],{"text":1223,"type":25,"marks":1224},"AI validates outputs",[1225],{"type":406},{"type":1026,"attrs":1227,"content":1228},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1229,1234],{"type":19,"attrs":1230,"content":1231},{"textAlign":21},[1232],{"text":1233,"type":25},"No",{"type":19,"attrs":1235},{"textAlign":21},{"type":1026,"attrs":1237,"content":1238},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1239],{"type":19,"attrs":1240,"content":1241},{"textAlign":21},[1242],{"text":1243,"type":25},"Rarely",{"type":1026,"attrs":1245,"content":1246},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1247],{"type":19,"attrs":1248,"content":1249},{"textAlign":21},[1250],{"text":1251,"type":25},"Yes (if purpose-built)",{"type":984,"content":1253},[1254,1264,1272,1280],{"type":1026,"attrs":1255,"content":1256},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1257],{"type":19,"attrs":1258,"content":1259},{"textAlign":21},[1260],{"text":1261,"type":25,"marks":1262},"Model adapts to business change",[1263],{"type":406},{"type":1026,"attrs":1265,"content":1266},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1267],{"type":19,"attrs":1268,"content":1269},{"textAlign":21},[1270],{"text":1271,"type":25},"Manual",{"type":1026,"attrs":1273,"content":1274},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1275],{"type":19,"attrs":1276,"content":1277},{"textAlign":21},[1278],{"text":1279,"type":25},"Partially manual",{"type":1026,"attrs":1281,"content":1282},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1283],{"type":19,"attrs":1284,"content":1285},{"textAlign":21},[1286],{"text":1287,"type":25},"Automatic (if purpose-built)",{"type":984,"content":1289},[1290,1300,1307,1314],{"type":1026,"attrs":1291,"content":1292},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1293],{"type":19,"attrs":1294,"content":1295},{"textAlign":21},[1296],{"text":1297,"type":25,"marks":1298},"Modelling best practice built in",[1299],{"type":406},{"type":1026,"attrs":1301,"content":1302},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1303],{"type":19,"attrs":1304,"content":1305},{"textAlign":21},[1306],{"text":1233,"type":25},{"type":1026,"attrs":1308,"content":1309},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1310],{"type":19,"attrs":1311,"content":1312},{"textAlign":21},[1313],{"text":1243,"type":25},{"type":1026,"attrs":1315,"content":1316},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1317],{"type":19,"attrs":1318,"content":1319},{"textAlign":21},[1320],{"text":1251,"type":25},{"type":984,"content":1322},[1323,1333,1341,1349],{"type":1026,"attrs":1324,"content":1325},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1326],{"type":19,"attrs":1327,"content":1328},{"textAlign":21},[1329],{"text":1330,"type":25,"marks":1331},"Right for",[1332],{"type":406},{"type":1026,"attrs":1334,"content":1335},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1336],{"type":19,"attrs":1337,"content":1338},{"textAlign":21},[1339],{"text":1340,"type":25},"Teams needing quick speed gains",{"type":1026,"attrs":1342,"content":1343},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1344],{"type":19,"attrs":1345,"content":1346},{"textAlign":21},[1347],{"text":1348,"type":25},"Teams needing better workflow",{"type":1026,"attrs":1350,"content":1351},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[1352],{"type":19,"attrs":1353,"content":1354},{"textAlign":21},[1355],{"text":1356,"type":25},"Teams needing structural rigour",{"type":733},{"type":19,"attrs":1359},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":1361,"content":1362},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[1363],{"text":1364,"type":25,"marks":1365},"The hidden risk of AI adoption",[1366],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1368,"content":1369},{"textAlign":21},[1370],{"text":1371,"type":25},"For lean SMB finance teams, AI tools feel like a superpower for scaling daily output without increasing headcount. However, uploading confidential financial data into AI platforms without appropriate safeguards creates massive governance, compliance, and security risks. When you are the entire finance department, internal AI governance is just as important as understanding the technology itself.",{"type":429,"attrs":1373,"content":1374},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[1375],{"text":1376,"type":25,"marks":1377},"How to safeguard against the risks:",[1378],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1380,"content":1381},{"textAlign":21},[1382],{"text":1383,"type":25,"marks":1384},"Data control & privacy",[1385],{"type":406},{"type":925,"content":1387},[1388,1399,1410],{"type":928,"content":1389},[1390],{"type":19,"attrs":1391,"content":1392},{"textAlign":21},[1393,1397],{"text":1394,"type":25,"marks":1395},"Set clear boundaries: ",[1396],{"type":406},{"text":1398,"type":25},"Deploy a simple, one-page internal policy defining exactly what financial data can be pasted into public AI tools.",{"type":928,"content":1400},[1401],{"type":19,"attrs":1402,"content":1403},{"textAlign":21},[1404,1408],{"text":1405,"type":25,"marks":1406},"Lock down vendor terms: ",[1407],{"type":406},{"text":1409,"type":25},"Verify that your AI vendor uses enterprise-grade privacy settings so your corporate financial data isn't used to train public models.",{"type":928,"content":1411},[1412],{"type":19,"attrs":1413,"content":1414},{"textAlign":21},[1415,1419],{"text":1416,"type":25,"marks":1417},"Limit third-party access:",[1418],{"type":406},{"text":1420,"type":25}," Enforce strict controls over which accounts can share financial data with external apps, and ensure integrations are granted minimum permissions only.",{"type":19,"attrs":1422},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":1424,"content":1425},{"textAlign":21},[1426],{"text":1427,"type":25,"marks":1428},"Calculation integrity",[1429],{"type":406},{"type":925,"content":1431},[1432,1443],{"type":928,"content":1433},[1434],{"type":19,"attrs":1435,"content":1436},{"textAlign":21},[1437,1441],{"text":1438,"type":25,"marks":1439},"Keep calculations grounded: ",[1440],{"type":406},{"text":1442,"type":25},"Never allow Large Language Models (LLMs) to act as the primary system of record for financial figures; use AI to write formulas, but let Excel or your accounting engine run the calculations.",{"type":928,"content":1444},[1445],{"type":19,"attrs":1446,"content":1447},{"textAlign":21},[1448,1452],{"text":1449,"type":25,"marks":1450},"Sanity-check every output:",[1451],{"type":406},{"text":1453,"type":25}," Don't treat AI-generated figures as final. Spot-check formulas, test edge cases, and ensure every number traces back to a verified source.",{"type":19,"attrs":1455},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":1457,"content":1458},{"textAlign":21},[1459],{"text":1460,"type":25,"marks":1461},"Platform due diligence",[1462],{"type":406},{"type":925,"content":1464},[1465],{"type":928,"content":1466},[1467],{"type":19,"attrs":1468,"content":1469},{"textAlign":21},[1470,1474],{"text":1471,"type":25,"marks":1472},"Understand your platform's compliance posture",[1473],{"type":406},{"text":1475,"type":25},": Check whether the tools you're using are SOC 2 certified and GDPR compliant before feeding sensitive financial data into them.",{"type":733},{"type":429,"attrs":1478,"content":1479},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[1480],{"text":1481,"type":25,"marks":1482},"How to choose the right approach for your business",[1483],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1485,"content":1486},{"textAlign":21},[1487],{"text":1488,"type":25},"The right route depends on where your model is today, what problem you are actually trying to solve, and what investment makes sense right now.",{"type":19,"attrs":1490},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":1492,"content":1493},{"textAlign":21},[1494],{"type":456,"attrs":1495},{"id":1496,"alt":1497,"src":1498,"title":1497,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":1499},197677226395899,"how to use AI blog","https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F1280x720\u002Fef50cd3ad3\u002Fai_week_3_blog_image_2.webp",{"alt":1497,"title":1497,"source":31,"copyright":31},{"type":19,"attrs":1501,"content":1502},{"textAlign":21},[1503,1507],{"text":1504,"type":25,"marks":1505},"If your model is stable and your main frustration is speed",[1506],{"type":406},{"text":1508,"type":25},", Route 1 is a reasonable short-term move. The near-zero cost makes it easy to start. An LLM assistant will reduce friction on formula writing and scenario generation without requiring a platform decision. Just be clear-eyed about what it does not solve. And ensure you check its work.",{"type":19,"attrs":1510,"content":1511},{"textAlign":21},[1512,1516],{"text":1513,"type":25,"marks":1514},"If your model is becoming harder to maintain as the business grows",[1515],{"type":406},{"text":1517,"type":25},", Route 1 is not enough and the hidden cost of a finance lead spending hours checking AI outputs and manually maintaining a fragile model adds up faster than a platform subscription. Routes 2 or 3 are the right direction.",{"type":19,"attrs":1519,"content":1520},{"textAlign":21},[1521,1525],{"text":1522,"type":25,"marks":1523},"If you need better workflow and reporting but your model logic is sound",[1524],{"type":406},{"text":1526,"type":25},", Route 2 may be the right intermediate step. A platform that connects to your existing data improves how it is accessed and shared and the mid-range pricing reflects a meaningful improvement in capability.",{"type":19,"attrs":1528,"content":1529},{"textAlign":21},[1530,1534],{"text":1531,"type":25,"marks":1532},"If you need a model that can scale with the business, adapt to change, and be relied upon for real decisions",[1533],{"type":406},{"text":1535,"type":25},", Route 3 is where you need to be. The enterprise pricing of the established players has historically made this feel out of reach for growing businesses but it is worth investigating what is now available at your scale before assuming it is.",{"type":19,"attrs":1537,"content":1538},{"textAlign":21},[1539],{"text":1540,"type":25},"The three questions that cut through the noise, on capability and on cost:",{"type":1542,"attrs":1543,"content":1544},"ordered_list",{"order":989},[1545,1551,1558],{"type":928,"content":1546},[1547],{"type":19,"attrs":1548,"content":1549},{"textAlign":21},[1550],{"text":934,"type":25},{"type":928,"content":1552},[1553],{"type":19,"attrs":1554,"content":1555},{"textAlign":21},[1556],{"text":1557,"type":25},"When the business changes, does the platform do to the work of updating the model or do you?",{"type":928,"content":1559},[1560],{"type":19,"attrs":1561,"content":1562},{"textAlign":21},[1563],{"text":1564,"type":25},"What is the real cost of getting this wrong — in your finance lead's time, and in the decisions made on unreliable numbers?",{"type":19,"attrs":1566},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":1568,"content":1569},{"textAlign":21},[1570],{"text":1571,"type":25},"If any platform you are evaluating cannot answer the first two clearly, the answer to the third becomes a lot more expensive.",{"type":19,"attrs":1573,"content":1574},{"textAlign":21},[1575,1577],{"text":1576,"type":25},"Want to see how Kaleidoscope compares to spreadsheets? ",{"text":1578,"type":25,"marks":1579},"See how we compare.",[1580],{"type":638,"attrs":1581},{"href":1582,"uuid":134,"anchor":21,"target":1583,"linktype":32},"\u002Fresources\u002Fhow-we-compare","_self",{"type":19,"attrs":1585},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":1587},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":1589,"content":1590},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[1591],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":1592},[1593],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1595,"content":1596},{"textAlign":21},[1597],{"text":528,"type":25},"10","A practical guide to integrating AI into your financial modelling workflow — and how to know which approach is actually right for your business.",{"id":533,"alt":534,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":535,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":1601,"is_external_url":43},{"alt":534,"size":537,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31},"2026-07-02 12:00","ai-financial-modelling-which-approach","blog\u002Fai-financial-modelling-which-approach",-120,[],"fce413c4-bffc-426b-a35d-cf40521a609d","2026-07-13T13:51:23.266Z",[],{"name":1611,"created_at":1612,"published_at":1613,"updated_at":1614,"id":1615,"uuid":1616,"content":1617,"slug":1804,"full_slug":1805,"sort_by_date":21,"position":1806,"tag_list":1807,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":1808,"first_published_at":1809,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":1810,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"AI is transforming FP&A, but trust is the real challenge","2026-07-13T13:54:12.740Z","2026-09-02T09:11:21.585Z","2026-09-02T09:11:21.601Z",197678091257039,"0ed2dd74-baac-447e-9832-becaa8c1cc04",{"SEO":1618,"_uid":1628,"image":1629,"title":1611,"author":388,"content":1631,"category":360,"component":529,"read_time":1799,"description":1800,"author_image":1801,"published_at":1803},[1619],{"_uid":1620,"noindex":43,"og_image":1621,"og_title":31,"component":379,"seo_title":1626,"og_image_alt":1626,"og_description":31,"seo_description":1627},"5b1c9c88-9950-40fc-8190-17d3d3537668",{"id":1622,"alt":1623,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":1623,"source":31,"filename":1624,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":1625,"is_external_url":43},197678337972533,"how can you trust the output of AI","https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F1280x720\u002F6792d6f0ad\u002Fai_week_2_blog_image_1.webp",{"alt":1623,"title":1623,"source":31,"copyright":31},"AI in Financial Planning: Speed, Trust and Transparency","AI is transforming finance team workflows — but speed isn't confidence. Explore why trust, transparency and model integrity must come first in financial planning.","c81816be-3eaf-4bb2-a00f-ca5096469b03",{"id":1622,"alt":1623,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":1623,"source":31,"filename":1624,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":1630,"is_external_url":43},{"alt":1623,"title":1623,"source":31,"copyright":31},{"type":16,"attrs":1632,"content":1633},{"backgroundColor":21},[1634,1639,1644,1651,1656,1661,1666,1672,1677,1682,1689,1703,1708,1713,1720,1725,1730,1735,1740,1753,1758,1763,1768,1773,1780,1785,1787,1789,1795],{"type":19,"attrs":1635,"content":1636},{"textAlign":21},[1637],{"text":1638,"type":25},"AI is rapidly changing how finance teams work. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed in minutes, from generating spreadsheet formulas and financial summaries to creating forecasts and scenario models.",{"type":19,"attrs":1640,"content":1641},{"textAlign":21},[1642],{"text":1643,"type":25},"For finance teams under pressure to move faster, the appeal is obvious. But as AI becomes more embedded in planning and modelling workflows, a more important question is emerging: can you trust the output?",{"type":429,"attrs":1645,"content":1646},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[1647],{"text":1648,"type":25,"marks":1649},"Speed is not the same as confidence",[1650],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1652,"content":1653},{"textAlign":21},[1654],{"text":1655,"type":25},"The conversation around AI often focuses on speed and efficiency, and rightly so. However, finance teams are not judged on how quickly they build a model. They are judged on whether the numbers support good decisions. Generating a financial model is not the same as understanding a business.",{"type":19,"attrs":1657,"content":1658},{"textAlign":21},[1659],{"text":1660,"type":25},"Modern AI tools can now create sophisticated spreadsheets and calculations in seconds. Yet finance teams still face the same challenge they always have: does the model accurately represent how the business actually operates?",{"type":19,"attrs":1662,"content":1663},{"textAlign":21},[1664],{"text":1665,"type":25},"For decades, spreadsheets have been the default planning tool. They are flexible, familiar and easy to adapt. However, businesses do not operate in rows and columns. They operate through products, customers, employees, supply chains, warehouses and operational processes. Spreadsheets simplify that complexity into disconnected formulas and assumptions.",{"type":429,"attrs":1667,"content":1668},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[1669],{"text":1364,"type":25,"marks":1670},[1671],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1673,"content":1674},{"textAlign":21},[1675],{"text":1676,"type":25},"There is also another layer of trust that finance leaders need to consider: what happens to the data being uploaded into AI tools.",{"type":19,"attrs":1678,"content":1679},{"textAlign":21},[1680],{"text":1681,"type":25},"As organisations increasingly experiment with AI for forecasting, modelling and reporting, finance professionals need to understand not only whether the output is accurate, but also how their information is being processed behind the scenes. Uploading confidential financial data into AI platforms without appropriate safeguards could create governance, compliance and security risks. Understanding data retention policies, processing rules and internal AI governance is becoming just as important as understanding the technology itself.",{"type":429,"attrs":1683,"content":1684},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[1685],{"text":1686,"type":25,"marks":1687},"Why finance teams are looking beyond spreadsheets",[1688],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1690,"content":1691},{"textAlign":21},[1692,1694,1701],{"text":1693,"type":25},"The challenge is reflected in Kaleidoscope's ",{"text":1695,"type":25,"marks":1696},"State of Financial Modelling & Planning 2026 report",[1697,1700],{"type":638,"attrs":1698},{"href":1699,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kaleidoscope.com\u002Ffinancial-modelling-report-2026",{"type":643},{"text":1702,"type":25},". The research found that 42% of finance teams still rely exclusively on spreadsheets, while 45% spend significant time manually updating data and 44% spend major time checking for errors. At the same time, 72% expressed interest in adopting more specialised modelling tools.",{"type":19,"attrs":1704,"content":1705},{"textAlign":21},[1706],{"text":1707,"type":25},"AI can generate thousands of formulas almost instantly, but it does not automatically solve the structural weaknesses underneath a model. Many organisations still rely on disconnected spreadsheets and simplistic assumptions when planning for the future. Traditional \"best case\" and \"worst case\" forecasts often fail to capture the complexity of real business decisions.",{"type":19,"attrs":1709,"content":1710},{"textAlign":21},[1711],{"text":1712,"type":25},"Consider a new product launch. The impact extends far beyond projected sales. Inventory requirements, warehouse capacity, marketing budgets, production schedules, supplier lead times, staffing and financing all become interconnected. A delay in one area can create consequences elsewhere. Effective planning requires these relationships to be modelled together.",{"type":429,"attrs":1714,"content":1715},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[1716],{"text":1717,"type":25,"marks":1718},"The challenge of validating AI-generated models",[1719],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1721,"content":1722},{"textAlign":21},[1723],{"text":1724,"type":25},"This is where AI can provide significant value, but also where the risks become more apparent. An AI-generated model may look convincing and calculate correctly, but finance leaders still need confidence that the assumptions and relationships underneath genuinely reflect operational reality. That trust matters because FP&A is fundamentally about enabling decisions.",{"type":19,"attrs":1726,"content":1727},{"textAlign":21},[1728],{"text":1729,"type":25},"Finance teams are increasingly expected to help leadership evaluate risk, assess trade-offs and model future outcomes before resources are committed. That role becomes much harder when planning systems are fragmented across spreadsheets, disconnected data sources and manually maintained assumptions.",{"type":19,"attrs":1731,"content":1732},{"textAlign":21},[1733],{"text":1734,"type":25},"This is why AI adoption remains both exciting and challenging. Most finance professionals can already see the productivity benefits. AI can help clean data, generate reports, identify anomalies and accelerate modelling workflows. Those capabilities will continue to improve.",{"type":19,"attrs":1736,"content":1737},{"textAlign":21},[1738],{"text":1739,"type":25},"However, questions around visibility and control remain. If an AI tool generates a complex model containing thousands of formulas, how can a finance team validate it? How easily can someone trace the logic behind the numbers? How quickly can flawed assumptions be identified?",{"type":19,"attrs":1741,"content":1742},{"textAlign":21},[1743,1749],{"type":456,"attrs":1744},{"id":1745,"alt":1746,"src":1747,"title":1746,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":1748},197678479698259,"AI_week_2_blog_image_2","https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F1280x720\u002F8a4d8411fb\u002Fai_week_2_blog_image_2.webp",{"alt":1746,"title":1746,"source":31,"copyright":31},{"text":1750,"type":25,"marks":1751},"Building the future of financial planning",[1752],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1754,"content":1755},{"textAlign":21},[1756],{"text":1757,"type":25},"As businesses move faster and decision-making windows shrink, these questions become increasingly important.",{"type":19,"attrs":1759,"content":1760},{"textAlign":21},[1761],{"text":1762,"type":25},"The finance teams that gain the greatest advantage from AI will not necessarily be the ones using the most tools. They will be the ones building planning environments that remain transparent, connected and grounded in how the business actually works.",{"type":19,"attrs":1764,"content":1765},{"textAlign":21},[1766],{"text":1767,"type":25},"Planning is no longer simply a reporting exercise. Organisations are operating in increasingly volatile environments where pricing, inventory, hiring, investment and forecasting decisions can change quickly. Finance teams need systems that allow them to evaluate scenarios dynamically rather than react after problems emerge.",{"type":19,"attrs":1769,"content":1770},{"textAlign":21},[1771],{"text":1772,"type":25},"That means moving beyond disconnected spreadsheets and static forecasts towards planning models that reflect operational relationships in real time. AI can accelerate outputs, but confidence still depends on the quality, transparency and structure of the underlying planning environment.",{"type":429,"attrs":1774,"content":1775},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[1776],{"text":1777,"type":25,"marks":1778},"Trust remains the foundation",[1779],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1781,"content":1782},{"textAlign":21},[1783],{"text":1784,"type":25},"Finance professionals should not ignore AI. In fact, understanding AI may become one of the most important technical skills the profession develops over the coming years. The challenge is ensuring adoption happens alongside strong governance, transparency and planning discipline. Because ultimately, trust remains the foundation of financial planning.",{"type":19,"attrs":1786},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":1788},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":1790,"content":1791},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[1792],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":1793},[1794],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1796,"content":1797},{"textAlign":21},[1798],{"text":528,"type":25},"4","AI is rapidly changing how finance teams work. But as AI becomes more embedded in planning and modelling workflows, can you trust the output?",{"id":533,"alt":534,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":535,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":1802,"is_external_url":43},{"alt":534,"size":537,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31},"2026-07-01 12:00","ai-financial-planning-trust-transparency","blog\u002Fai-financial-planning-trust-transparency",-140,[],"9c577c64-c488-43fe-b6cc-4da55031935c","2026-07-13T13:56:04.058Z",[],{"name":1812,"created_at":1813,"published_at":1814,"updated_at":1815,"id":1816,"uuid":1817,"content":1818,"slug":2026,"full_slug":2027,"sort_by_date":21,"position":2028,"tag_list":2029,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":2030,"first_published_at":2031,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":2032,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"AI + Excel: Why it's still the wrong answer for Financial Modelling","2026-08-26T14:27:50.992Z","2026-08-27T14:34:57.567Z","2026-08-27T14:34:57.583Z",213257711617495,"dfe3581a-9d30-4434-b7d5-accea8b3cacc",{"SEO":1819,"_uid":1820,"image":1821,"title":1825,"author":1834,"content":1835,"category":360,"component":529,"read_time":1799,"description":2018,"author_image":2019,"published_at":2025},[],"7ff713a9-7e91-40fa-ba76-027f576b1719",{"id":1822,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":1823,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":1824,"is_external_url":43},213258182937960,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F1280x720\u002F75f8d8e8ed\u002Fis-adding-an-opaque-ai-layer-really-the-modelling-solution.webp",{},{"type":16,"attrs":1826,"content":1827},{"backgroundColor":21},[1828],{"type":429,"attrs":1829,"content":1830},{"level":989,"textAlign":21},[1831],{"text":1812,"type":25,"marks":1832},[1833],{"type":406},"David ",{"type":16,"attrs":1836,"content":1837},{"backgroundColor":21},[1838,1862,1864,1871,1876,1881,1886,1891,1899,1906,1916,1921,1926,1931,1936,1938,1945,1950,1955,1960,1965,1967,1974,1979,1984,1989,1994,1999,2004,2006,2008,2014],{"type":1839,"content":1840},"blockquote",[1841,1850],{"type":19,"attrs":1842,"content":1843},{"textAlign":21},[1844],{"text":1845,"type":25,"marks":1846},"David Smith, Principal Solutions Architect, Kaleidoscope",[1847,1848],{"type":406},{"type":1849},"italic",{"type":19,"attrs":1851,"content":1852},{"textAlign":21},[1853,1858],{"text":1854,"type":25,"marks":1855},"Author bio: ",[1856,1857],{"type":406},{"type":1849},{"text":1859,"type":25,"marks":1860},"David Smith is a qualified Management Accountant and Principal Solutions Architect at Kaleidoscope. He has spent 30 years building financial models across technologies and industries, with the last 20 years focused on specialist modelling tools. He authored the 'Planual'; the Anaplan book of modelling best practices and particularly enjoys solving the problems people say can't be solved.",[1861],{"type":1849},{"type":19,"attrs":1863},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":1865,"content":1866},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[1867],{"text":1868,"type":25,"marks":1869},"AI + Excel: why it's still the wrong answer for Financial Modelling",[1870],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1872,"content":1873},{"textAlign":21},[1874],{"text":1875,"type":25},"My conclusion from three decades working in this space is simple: spreadsheets are the wrong tool for modelling a business.",{"type":19,"attrs":1877,"content":1878},{"textAlign":21},[1879],{"text":1880,"type":25},"I know that's a bold statement. But stick with me.",{"type":19,"attrs":1882,"content":1883},{"textAlign":21},[1884],{"text":1885,"type":25},"If you work in finance, you have spreadsheets. Lots of them. And you will almost certainly know that they are fragile, prone to hidden errors, hard to maintain and harder still to control — especially when they are linked across teams and multiple people are involved. ",{"type":19,"attrs":1887,"content":1888},{"textAlign":21},[1889],{"text":1890,"type":25},"Many hard-to-manage, fragile and error-prone spreadsheets scattered around a business lead to stress, late nights and, more critically, wrong and inconsistent information flowing through the organisation. The kind that impacts your ability to make the right decisions.",{"type":19,"attrs":1892,"content":1893},{"textAlign":21},[1894],{"type":456,"attrs":1895},{"id":1896,"alt":31,"src":1897,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":1898},213258565578108,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F1280x720\u002Ffd5234e997\u002Fai-excel-why-it-s-still-the-wrong-answer-for-financial-modelling.webp",{},{"type":429,"attrs":1900,"content":1901},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[1902],{"text":1903,"type":25,"marks":1904},"The AI + Excel promise",[1905],{"type":406},{"type":1839,"content":1907},[1908],{"type":19,"attrs":1909,"content":1910},{"textAlign":21},[1911],{"text":1912,"type":25,"marks":1913},"\"You can't have escaped the AI + Excel messaging flooding your feeds and inboxes.\"",[1914,1915],{"type":406},{"type":1849},{"type":19,"attrs":1917,"content":1918},{"textAlign":21},[1919],{"text":1920,"type":25},"Without a doubt, the recent evolution of AI and LLMs has been extraordinary. Coupled with Excel, it sounds like an attractive proposition if you are struggling to maintain your spreadsheets — the solution to all your spreadsheet woes, if you believe the hype.",{"type":19,"attrs":1922,"content":1923},{"textAlign":21},[1924],{"text":1925,"type":25},"I'm afraid I disagree.",{"type":19,"attrs":1927,"content":1928},{"textAlign":21},[1929],{"text":1930,"type":25},"Don't get me wrong, spreadsheets are great. Until they're not.",{"type":19,"attrs":1932,"content":1933},{"textAlign":21},[1934],{"text":1935,"type":25},"Spreadsheets are fundamentally limited by their inherent architecture. They don't have structure. They are not designed to scale. Adding more formulas — or more complexity to existing formulas — just adds to the calculation overhead. Eventually, spreadsheets will crash. Yes, you can split them up. But do you really want more spreadsheets to manage? They are not designed with connectivity or version control in mind. You all know the chaos that ensues with broken links and multiple versions of the same metrics.",{"type":19,"attrs":1937},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":1939,"content":1940},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[1941],{"text":1942,"type":25,"marks":1943},"So is adding an opaque AI layer really the solution?",[1944],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1946,"content":1947},{"textAlign":21},[1948],{"text":1949,"type":25},"Do you understand the result? Can you really trust what is built? It reminds me of the old waterfall software development method — take a bunch of requirements, disappear, and deliver them back in a kind of black box. Not very fast, efficient or effective. That's why it was replaced with more agile and collaborative methods. Once you hand over control of the logic to something you can't fully see or validate, you are at its mercy.",{"type":19,"attrs":1951,"content":1952},{"textAlign":21},[1953],{"text":1954,"type":25},"It is like following sat nav on a diversion. You often don't know where you are, so you have to rely entirely on it and hope it's taking you the right way.",{"type":19,"attrs":1956,"content":1957},{"textAlign":21},[1958],{"text":1959,"type":25},"And there is no guarantee you will get modelling best practice. AI tools are designed to be generative — ask the same question twice and you may get inconsistent or hard-to-decipher results.",{"type":19,"attrs":1961,"content":1962},{"textAlign":21},[1963],{"text":1964,"type":25},"I have seen the argument that we should \"keep people comfortable and leave them in Excel.\" All very admirable. But if you always do what you've always done, you will never find out what else is possible. Often the best results come from pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone.",{"type":19,"attrs":1966},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":1968,"content":1969},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[1970],{"text":1971,"type":25,"marks":1972},"There is a better way",[1973],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":1975,"content":1976},{"textAlign":21},[1977],{"text":1978,"type":25},"Spreadsheets coupled with AI are still the wrong tool for running a business. If anything, adding an opaque AI layer makes the situation worse — there is now another layer you cannot easily interrogate or trust.",{"type":19,"attrs":1980,"content":1981},{"textAlign":21},[1982],{"text":1983,"type":25},"To model a business accurately, you do not need better spreadsheets. You need a model that is performant, structured, transparent, and easy to maintain and change.",{"type":19,"attrs":1985,"content":1986},{"textAlign":21},[1987],{"text":1988,"type":25},"Difficult to achieve? Yes. Impossible? No.",{"type":19,"attrs":1990,"content":1991},{"textAlign":21},[1992],{"text":1993,"type":25},"At Kaleidoscope, we are building just that. We are embedding AI into the platform to act as your own internal consultant. Using our decades of experience in modelling best practices in the FP&A space, we take your spreadsheets and turn them into a coherent, transparent, well-built and structured set of models — easy to understand, maintain and adapt. A platform with enterprise performance at its heart that scales and adapts as your business changes.",{"type":19,"attrs":1995,"content":1996},{"textAlign":21},[1997],{"text":1998,"type":25},"It is easy to stick to what you know. But when you look through a different lens, you might see things differently.",{"type":19,"attrs":2000,"content":2001},{"textAlign":21},[2002],{"text":2003,"type":25},"You might like what you see.",{"type":19,"attrs":2005},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2007},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":2009,"content":2010},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[2011],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":2012},[2013],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2015,"content":2016},{"textAlign":21},[2017],{"text":528,"type":25},"Kaleidoscope Solutions Architect argues that AI + Excel doesn't solve the fundamental problems with financial modelling — and makes them harder to see.",{"id":2020,"alt":2021,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":2022,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":2023,"is_external_url":43},205801731640713,"david","https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F300x300\u002F7e547d601d\u002Fdavid-headshot.webp",{"alt":2021,"size":2024,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31},"300x300","2026-06-04 10:00","ai-excel-financial-modelling","blog\u002Fai-excel-financial-modelling",-240,[],"9b33fd3c-3315-4da0-af26-bd02bf26ab70","2026-08-26T14:31:39.978Z",[],{"name":2034,"created_at":2035,"published_at":2036,"updated_at":2037,"id":2038,"uuid":2039,"content":2040,"slug":2814,"full_slug":2815,"sort_by_date":21,"position":2816,"tag_list":2817,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":2818,"first_published_at":2819,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":2820,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"How to forecast demand for summer seasonal products","2026-04-29T10:57:13.031Z","2026-08-28T07:53:07.838Z","2026-08-28T07:53:07.860Z",171092512941206,"1d71ff65-6635-4269-89a2-c3e7f456b987",{"SEO":2041,"_uid":2048,"image":2049,"title":2034,"author":388,"content":2053,"category":364,"component":529,"read_time":2809,"description":2810,"author_image":2811,"published_at":2813},[2042],{"_uid":2043,"noindex":43,"og_image":2044,"og_title":31,"component":379,"seo_title":2046,"og_image_alt":31,"og_description":31,"seo_description":2047},"5ade2f6c-8400-48f3-bc2d-8b9d809e6f25",{"id":21,"alt":21,"name":31,"focus":21,"title":21,"source":21,"filename":31,"copyright":21,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":2045},{},"Demand forecasting for summer: why retailers shouldn’t overcommit on inventory","Hot summers drive volatile demand spikes, not steady growth. Learn how retailers can use flexible demand forecasting to protect cash flow and avoid overcommitting on inventory.","ca2b68b3-a198-46f5-842a-ac0e9233b03e",{"id":2050,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":2051,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":2052,"is_external_url":43},171092663659043,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002F8348fed8bb\u002Fcover___blog_image_1.png",{},{"type":16,"attrs":2054,"content":2055},{"backgroundColor":21},[2056,2063,2068,2073,2078,2080,2087,2092,2115,2117,2122,2127,2150,2152,2154,2161,2163,2168,2175,2183,2188,2193,2216,2218,2223,2228,2230,2237,2242,2272,2274,2279,2284,2289,2313,2320,2328,2333,2340,2345,2350,2357,2362,2367,2390,2397,2402,2407,2409,2416,2421,2426,2456,2458,2460,2467,2469,2474,2481,2486,2491,2521,2523,2525,2532,2534,2539,2541,2549,2556,2564,2569,2574,2579,2602,2604,2609,2632,2640,2647,2652,2657,2680,2682,2687,2717,2719,2721,2728,2735,2740,2745,2750,2780,2782,2787,2795,2797,2799,2805],{"type":19,"attrs":2057,"content":2058},{"textAlign":21},[2059],{"text":2034,"type":25,"marks":2060},[2061,2062],{"type":406},{"type":1849},{"type":19,"attrs":2064,"content":2065},{"textAlign":21},[2066],{"text":2067,"type":25},"With forecasts pointing to a warmer-than-average summer in the UK, many retailers are adjusting their demand forecasting and inventory plans in anticipation of stronger seasonal sales.",{"type":19,"attrs":2069,"content":2070},{"textAlign":21},[2071],{"text":2072,"type":25},"But while hot weather can drive significant demand, it also introduces a level of volatility that traditional forecasting methods often fail to capture.",{"type":19,"attrs":2074,"content":2075},{"textAlign":21},[2076],{"text":2077,"type":25},"For retailers, the real challenge isn’t predicting demand — it’s managing uncertainty without overcommitting stock.",{"type":19,"attrs":2079},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":2081,"content":2082},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[2083],{"text":2084,"type":25,"marks":2085},"Why demand forecasting breaks down in hot weather",[2086],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2088,"content":2089},{"textAlign":21},[2090],{"text":2091,"type":25},"Most demand forecasting models rely on:",{"type":925,"content":2093},[2094,2101,2108],{"type":928,"content":2095},[2096],{"type":19,"attrs":2097,"content":2098},{"textAlign":21},[2099],{"text":2100,"type":25},"Historical sales data",{"type":928,"content":2102},[2103],{"type":19,"attrs":2104,"content":2105},{"textAlign":21},[2106],{"text":2107,"type":25},"Monthly or weekly averages",{"type":928,"content":2109},[2110],{"type":19,"attrs":2111,"content":2112},{"textAlign":21},[2113],{"text":2114,"type":25},"Long-term trends",{"type":19,"attrs":2116},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2118,"content":2119},{"textAlign":21},[2120],{"text":2121,"type":25},"But summer demand doesn’t behave like a typical trend.",{"type":19,"attrs":2123,"content":2124},{"textAlign":21},[2125],{"text":2126,"type":25},"Instead, it’s driven by short-term weather conditions, which means:",{"type":925,"content":2128},[2129,2136,2143],{"type":928,"content":2130},[2131],{"type":19,"attrs":2132,"content":2133},{"textAlign":21},[2134],{"text":2135,"type":25},"Demand can spike rapidly during warm periods",{"type":928,"content":2137},[2138],{"type":19,"attrs":2139,"content":2140},{"textAlign":21},[2141],{"text":2142,"type":25},"Sales can drop just as quickly when temperatures change",{"type":928,"content":2144},[2145],{"type":19,"attrs":2146,"content":2147},{"textAlign":21},[2148],{"text":2149,"type":25},"Consumer behaviour becomes unpredictable",{"type":19,"attrs":2151},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2153},{"textAlign":21},{"type":1839,"content":2155},[2156],{"type":19,"attrs":2157,"content":2158},{"textAlign":21},[2159],{"text":2160,"type":25},"“A hot summer can create very strong demand, but that demand often arrives in short bursts rather than steady growth.” — Michael Gould, Founder of Kaleidoscope",{"type":19,"attrs":2162},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2164,"content":2165},{"textAlign":21},[2166],{"text":2167,"type":25},"This creates a major gap between forecasted demand and actual sales patterns.",{"type":429,"attrs":2169,"content":2170},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[2171],{"text":2172,"type":25,"marks":2173},"The biggest forecasting mistake: assuming steady growth",[2174],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2176,"content":2177},{"textAlign":21},[2178],{"text":2179,"type":25,"marks":2180},"Why do retailers overstock in summer?",[2181,2182],{"type":406},{"type":1849},{"type":19,"attrs":2184,"content":2185},{"textAlign":21},[2186],{"text":2187,"type":25},"One of the most common demand planning mistakes retailers make is treating strong early sales as a signal of sustained demand.",{"type":19,"attrs":2189,"content":2190},{"textAlign":21},[2191],{"text":2192,"type":25},"In reality:",{"type":925,"content":2194},[2195,2202,2209],{"type":928,"content":2196},[2197],{"type":19,"attrs":2198,"content":2199},{"textAlign":21},[2200],{"text":2201,"type":25},"Early heatwaves often trigger temporary spikes",{"type":928,"content":2203},[2204],{"type":19,"attrs":2205,"content":2206},{"textAlign":21},[2207],{"text":2208,"type":25},"Retailers increase orders to keep up",{"type":928,"content":2210},[2211],{"type":19,"attrs":2212,"content":2213},{"textAlign":21},[2214],{"text":2215,"type":25},"Demand cools off — but inventory commitments remain",{"type":19,"attrs":2217},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2219,"content":2220},{"textAlign":21},[2221],{"text":2222,"type":25},"The result? Overstock, discounting, and margin pressure.",{"type":19,"attrs":2224,"content":2225},{"textAlign":21},[2226],{"text":2227,"type":25},"Effective demand forecasting for retail requires recognising that weather-driven demand is non-linear.",{"type":19,"attrs":2229},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":2231,"content":2232},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[2233],{"text":2234,"type":25,"marks":2235},"Demand forecasting vs demand reality: spikes, not trends",[2236],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2238,"content":2239},{"textAlign":21},[2240],{"text":2241,"type":25},"In categories like:",{"type":925,"content":2243},[2244,2251,2258,2265],{"type":928,"content":2245},[2246],{"type":19,"attrs":2247,"content":2248},{"textAlign":21},[2249],{"text":2250,"type":25},"Garden furniture",{"type":928,"content":2252},[2253],{"type":19,"attrs":2254,"content":2255},{"textAlign":21},[2256],{"text":2257,"type":25},"Barbecues",{"type":928,"content":2259},[2260],{"type":19,"attrs":2261,"content":2262},{"textAlign":21},[2263],{"text":2264,"type":25},"Fans and cooling products",{"type":928,"content":2266},[2267],{"type":19,"attrs":2268,"content":2269},{"textAlign":21},[2270],{"text":2271,"type":25},"Summer clothing",{"type":19,"attrs":2273},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2275,"content":2276},{"textAlign":21},[2277],{"text":2278,"type":25},"Demand typically follows a pattern of peaks and troughs, not smooth growth.",{"type":19,"attrs":2280,"content":2281},{"textAlign":21},[2282],{"text":2283,"type":25},"This creates challenges for retailers using static forecasts or rigid inventory plans.",{"type":19,"attrs":2285,"content":2286},{"textAlign":21},[2287],{"text":2288,"type":25},"To adapt, businesses need to shift from:",{"type":925,"content":2290},[2291,2302],{"type":928,"content":2292},[2293],{"type":19,"attrs":2294,"content":2295},{"textAlign":21},[2296,2298],{"text":2297,"type":25},"Fixed forecasts → ",{"text":2299,"type":25,"marks":2300},"dynamic demand forecasting",[2301],{"type":406},{"type":928,"content":2303},[2304],{"type":19,"attrs":2305,"content":2306},{"textAlign":21},[2307,2309],{"text":2308,"type":25},"Long-term assumptions → ",{"text":2310,"type":25,"marks":2311},"real-time adjustments",[2312],{"type":406},{"type":429,"attrs":2314,"content":2315},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[2316],{"text":2317,"type":25,"marks":2318},"A better approach: flexible demand forecasting",[2319],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2321,"content":2322},{"textAlign":21},[2323],{"text":2324,"type":25,"marks":2325},"How to manage inventory during hot weather",[2326,2327],{"type":406},{"type":1849},{"type":19,"attrs":2329,"content":2330},{"textAlign":21},[2331],{"text":2332,"type":25},"To manage uncertainty, retailers should rethink how they approach inventory forecasting and demand planning.",{"type":429,"attrs":2334,"content":2335},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[2336],{"text":2337,"type":25,"marks":2338},"1. Use staged purchasing instead of bulk buying",[2339],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2341,"content":2342},{"textAlign":21},[2343],{"text":2344,"type":25},"Rather than committing to large volumes upfront, place smaller, more frequent orders.",{"type":19,"attrs":2346,"content":2347},{"textAlign":21},[2348],{"text":2349,"type":25},"This reduces risk and allows forecasts to be updated as demand becomes clearer.",{"type":429,"attrs":2351,"content":2352},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[2353],{"text":2354,"type":25,"marks":2355},"2. Treat forecasting as an ongoing process",[2356],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2358,"content":2359},{"textAlign":21},[2360],{"text":2361,"type":25},"Demand forecasting shouldn’t be a one-time exercise.",{"type":19,"attrs":2363,"content":2364},{"textAlign":21},[2365],{"text":2366,"type":25},"Retailers should:",{"type":925,"content":2368},[2369,2376,2383],{"type":928,"content":2370},[2371],{"type":19,"attrs":2372,"content":2373},{"textAlign":21},[2374],{"text":2375,"type":25},"Monitor sales data closely",{"type":928,"content":2377},[2378],{"type":19,"attrs":2379,"content":2380},{"textAlign":21},[2381],{"text":2382,"type":25},"Update forecasts weekly (or more frequently in peak periods)",{"type":928,"content":2384},[2385],{"type":19,"attrs":2386,"content":2387},{"textAlign":21},[2388],{"text":2389,"type":25},"Adjust purchasing decisions in real time",{"type":429,"attrs":2391,"content":2392},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[2393],{"text":2394,"type":25,"marks":2395},"3. Don’t overreact to early demand signals",[2396],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2398,"content":2399},{"textAlign":21},[2400],{"text":2401,"type":25},"Short-term spikes — especially weather-driven — are not reliable indicators of long-term demand.",{"type":19,"attrs":2403,"content":2404},{"textAlign":21},[2405],{"text":2406,"type":25},"Strong early sales ≠ sustained growth.",{"type":19,"attrs":2408},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":2410,"content":2411},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[2412],{"text":2413,"type":25,"marks":2414},"Why cash flow matters in demand planning",[2415],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2417,"content":2418},{"textAlign":21},[2419],{"text":2420,"type":25},"Demand forecasting isn’t just about sales — it’s about financial outcomes.",{"type":19,"attrs":2422,"content":2423},{"textAlign":21},[2424],{"text":2425,"type":25},"Overestimating demand leads to:",{"type":925,"content":2427},[2428,2435,2442,2449],{"type":928,"content":2429},[2430],{"type":19,"attrs":2431,"content":2432},{"textAlign":21},[2433],{"text":2434,"type":25},"Excess inventory",{"type":928,"content":2436},[2437],{"type":19,"attrs":2438,"content":2439},{"textAlign":21},[2440],{"text":2441,"type":25},"Cash tied up in stock",{"type":928,"content":2443},[2444],{"type":19,"attrs":2445,"content":2446},{"textAlign":21},[2447],{"text":2448,"type":25},"Increased storage and operational costs",{"type":928,"content":2450},[2451],{"type":19,"attrs":2452,"content":2453},{"textAlign":21},[2454],{"text":2455,"type":25},"Discounting that erodes margins",{"type":19,"attrs":2457},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2459},{"textAlign":21},{"type":1839,"content":2461},[2462],{"type":19,"attrs":2463,"content":2464},{"textAlign":21},[2465],{"text":2466,"type":25},"“The real danger in a hot summer is running out of cash because too much money is tied up in inventory.”",{"type":19,"attrs":2468},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2470,"content":2471},{"textAlign":21},[2472],{"text":2473,"type":25},"Strong inventory planning and demand forecasting should always consider cash flow impact, not just revenue potential.",{"type":429,"attrs":2475,"content":2476},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[2477],{"text":2478,"type":25,"marks":2479},"Building flexibility into your supply chain",[2480],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2482,"content":2483},{"textAlign":21},[2484],{"text":2485,"type":25},"Accurate demand forecasting becomes less critical when your business is built to adapt.",{"type":19,"attrs":2487,"content":2488},{"textAlign":21},[2489],{"text":2490,"type":25},"Retailers should focus on:",{"type":925,"content":2492},[2493,2500,2507,2514],{"type":928,"content":2494},[2495],{"type":19,"attrs":2496,"content":2497},{"textAlign":21},[2498],{"text":2499,"type":25},"Shorter lead times",{"type":928,"content":2501},[2502],{"type":19,"attrs":2503,"content":2504},{"textAlign":21},[2505],{"text":2506,"type":25},"Flexible supplier agreements",{"type":928,"content":2508},[2509],{"type":19,"attrs":2510,"content":2511},{"textAlign":21},[2512],{"text":2513,"type":25},"Faster replenishment cycles",{"type":928,"content":2515},[2516],{"type":19,"attrs":2517,"content":2518},{"textAlign":21},[2519],{"text":2520,"type":25},"The ability to scale orders up or down",{"type":19,"attrs":2522},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2524},{"textAlign":21},{"type":1839,"content":2526},[2527],{"type":19,"attrs":2528,"content":2529},{"textAlign":21},[2530],{"text":2531,"type":25},"“In volatile conditions, flexibility is more valuable than scale.”",{"type":19,"attrs":2533},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2535,"content":2536},{"textAlign":21},[2537],{"text":2538,"type":25},"This approach reduces reliance on perfect forecasts — and increases resilience when forecasts are wrong.",{"type":19,"attrs":2540},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2542,"content":2543},{"textAlign":21},[2544],{"type":456,"attrs":2545},{"id":2546,"alt":31,"src":2547,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":2548},171093038918192,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002F33900906d6\u002Fblog_image_3.png",{},{"type":429,"attrs":2550,"content":2551},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[2552],{"text":2553,"type":25,"marks":2554},"Plan for the downside: end-of-season demand drops",[2555],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2557,"content":2558},{"textAlign":21},[2559],{"text":2560,"type":25,"marks":2561},"How to avoid excess stock at end of season",[2562,2563],{"type":406},{"type":1849},{"type":19,"attrs":2565,"content":2566},{"textAlign":21},[2567],{"text":2568,"type":25},"A key part of demand forecasting that’s often overlooked is what happens when demand slows.",{"type":19,"attrs":2570,"content":2571},{"textAlign":21},[2572],{"text":2573,"type":25},"Seasonal demand doesn’t taper gradually — it often drops off sharply.",{"type":19,"attrs":2575,"content":2576},{"textAlign":21},[2577],{"text":2578,"type":25},"Without a plan, retailers face:",{"type":925,"content":2580},[2581,2588,2595],{"type":928,"content":2582},[2583],{"type":19,"attrs":2584,"content":2585},{"textAlign":21},[2586],{"text":2587,"type":25},"Excess stock",{"type":928,"content":2589},[2590],{"type":19,"attrs":2591,"content":2592},{"textAlign":21},[2593],{"text":2594,"type":25},"Heavy markdowns",{"type":928,"content":2596},[2597],{"type":19,"attrs":2598,"content":2599},{"textAlign":21},[2600],{"text":2601,"type":25},"Reduced profitability",{"type":19,"attrs":2603},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2605,"content":2606},{"textAlign":21},[2607],{"text":2608,"type":25},"To mitigate this:",{"type":925,"content":2610},[2611,2618,2625],{"type":928,"content":2612},[2613],{"type":19,"attrs":2614,"content":2615},{"textAlign":21},[2616],{"text":2617,"type":25},"Set predefined discounting thresholds",{"type":928,"content":2619},[2620],{"type":19,"attrs":2621,"content":2622},{"textAlign":21},[2623],{"text":2624,"type":25},"Monitor inventory levels throughout the season",{"type":928,"content":2626},[2627],{"type":19,"attrs":2628,"content":2629},{"textAlign":21},[2630],{"text":2631,"type":25},"Build clearance strategies into your initial forecast",{"type":19,"attrs":2633,"content":2634},{"textAlign":21},[2635],{"type":456,"attrs":2636},{"id":2637,"alt":31,"src":2638,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":2639},171093038914095,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002F180180cfc2\u002Fblog_image_2.png",{},{"type":429,"attrs":2641,"content":2642},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[2643],{"text":2644,"type":25,"marks":2645},"Scenario planning: the future of demand forecasting",[2646],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2648,"content":2649},{"textAlign":21},[2650],{"text":2651,"type":25},"Instead of relying on a single forecast, leading retailers use scenario-based demand forecasting.",{"type":19,"attrs":2653,"content":2654},{"textAlign":21},[2655],{"text":2656,"type":25},"This means modelling different outcomes, such as:",{"type":925,"content":2658},[2659,2666,2673],{"type":928,"content":2660},[2661],{"type":19,"attrs":2662,"content":2663},{"textAlign":21},[2664],{"text":2665,"type":25},"Extended heatwave (sustained high demand)",{"type":928,"content":2667},[2668],{"type":19,"attrs":2669,"content":2670},{"textAlign":21},[2671],{"text":2672,"type":25},"Short heat spike followed by cooler weather",{"type":928,"content":2674},[2675],{"type":19,"attrs":2676,"content":2677},{"textAlign":21},[2678],{"text":2679,"type":25},"Wet or inconsistent summer",{"type":19,"attrs":2681},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2683,"content":2684},{"textAlign":21},[2685],{"text":2686,"type":25},"Each scenario should map:",{"type":925,"content":2688},[2689,2696,2703,2710],{"type":928,"content":2690},[2691],{"type":19,"attrs":2692,"content":2693},{"textAlign":21},[2694],{"text":2695,"type":25},"Expected demand",{"type":928,"content":2697},[2698],{"type":19,"attrs":2699,"content":2700},{"textAlign":21},[2701],{"text":2702,"type":25},"Inventory requirements",{"type":928,"content":2704},[2705],{"type":19,"attrs":2706,"content":2707},{"textAlign":21},[2708],{"text":2709,"type":25},"Cash flow impact",{"type":928,"content":2711},[2712],{"type":19,"attrs":2713,"content":2714},{"textAlign":21},[2715],{"text":2716,"type":25},"Required actions",{"type":19,"attrs":2718},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2720},{"textAlign":21},{"type":1839,"content":2722},[2723],{"type":19,"attrs":2724,"content":2725},{"textAlign":21},[2726],{"text":2727,"type":25},"“The goal is not to predict the weather perfectly, but to be ready for whatever it delivers.”",{"type":429,"attrs":2729,"content":2730},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[2731],{"text":2732,"type":25,"marks":2733},"The bottom line: demand forecasting is about adaptability",[2734],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2736,"content":2737},{"textAlign":21},[2738],{"text":2739,"type":25},"A hot summer can be a major opportunity for retailers — but only if it’s managed correctly.",{"type":19,"attrs":2741,"content":2742},{"textAlign":21},[2743],{"text":2744,"type":25},"The goal of demand forecasting isn’t perfect prediction.",{"type":19,"attrs":2746,"content":2747},{"textAlign":21},[2748],{"text":2749,"type":25},"It’s to ensure your business can:",{"type":925,"content":2751},[2752,2759,2766,2773],{"type":928,"content":2753},[2754],{"type":19,"attrs":2755,"content":2756},{"textAlign":21},[2757],{"text":2758,"type":25},"Respond quickly to changing demand",{"type":928,"content":2760},[2761],{"type":19,"attrs":2762,"content":2763},{"textAlign":21},[2764],{"text":2765,"type":25},"Avoid overcommitting inventory",{"type":928,"content":2767},[2768],{"type":19,"attrs":2769,"content":2770},{"textAlign":21},[2771],{"text":2772,"type":25},"Protect cash flow",{"type":928,"content":2774},[2775],{"type":19,"attrs":2776,"content":2777},{"textAlign":21},[2778],{"text":2779,"type":25},"Maintain margins",{"type":19,"attrs":2781},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2783,"content":2784},{"textAlign":21},[2785],{"text":2786,"type":25},"Retailers who treat forecasting as a dynamic, ongoing process — rather than a fixed plan — will be best positioned to navigate whatever the summer brings.",{"type":19,"attrs":2788,"content":2789},{"textAlign":21},[2790],{"type":456,"attrs":2791},{"id":2792,"alt":31,"src":2793,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":2794},171093038889518,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002F94605cc8d6\u002Fblog_image_4.png",{},{"type":19,"attrs":2796},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2798},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":2800,"content":2801},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[2802],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":2803},[2804],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2806,"content":2807},{"textAlign":21},[2808],{"text":528,"type":25},"5","Demand forecasting for summer: why retailers shouldn’t overcommit on inventory when planning for warmer-than-usual temperatures.",{"id":533,"alt":534,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":535,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":2812,"is_external_url":43},{"alt":534,"size":537,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31},"2026-04-29 00:00","how-to-forecast-demand-for-summer-seasonal-products","blog\u002Fhow-to-forecast-demand-for-summer-seasonal-products",-20,[],"2068981e-a8fe-4817-85ad-b47ab8f56f11","2026-04-29T11:58:00.000Z",[],{"name":2822,"created_at":2823,"published_at":2824,"updated_at":2825,"id":2826,"uuid":2827,"content":2828,"slug":3136,"full_slug":3137,"sort_by_date":21,"position":3138,"tag_list":3139,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":3140,"first_published_at":3141,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":3142,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"How to predict your next best product","2026-02-25T14:25:30.382Z","2026-09-02T09:12:48.296Z","2026-09-02T09:12:48.312Z",148848354866556,"38f0b9ba-c4d8-4189-b6d6-dcaa48e41782",{"SEO":2829,"_uid":382,"image":2830,"title":2822,"author":388,"content":2834,"category":360,"component":529,"read_time":2809,"description":31,"author_image":3133,"published_at":3135},[],{"id":2831,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":2832,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":2833,"is_external_url":43},148851333418611,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002Ff46f000e6f\u002F09-10-25-pt1.png",{},{"type":16,"attrs":2835,"content":2836},{"backgroundColor":21},[2837,2844,2849,2884,2886,2891,2899,2906,2917,2952,2954,2961,2966,2975,2984,2993,2995,3002,3007,3012,3028,3030,3037,3042,3077,3079,3087,3094,3099,3104,3111,3116,3121,3123,3129],{"type":429,"attrs":2838,"content":2839},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[2840],{"text":2841,"type":25,"marks":2842},"Why instinct isn’t enough",[2843],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2845,"content":2846},{"textAlign":21},[2847],{"text":2848,"type":25},"Plenty of brands have launched new SKUs that flopped. Why?",{"type":925,"content":2850},[2851,2862,2873],{"type":928,"content":2852},[2853],{"type":19,"attrs":2854,"content":2855},{"textAlign":21},[2856,2860],{"text":2857,"type":25,"marks":2858},"Ignoring seasonality: ",[2859],{"type":406},{"text":2861,"type":25},"Launching heavy knitwear in spring won’t take off, no matter how stylish it looks.",{"type":928,"content":2863},[2864],{"type":19,"attrs":2865,"content":2866},{"textAlign":21},[2867,2871],{"text":2868,"type":25,"marks":2869},"Overestimating popularity:",[2870],{"type":406},{"text":2872,"type":25}," A product that feels “hot” on socials might not convert with your actual customer base.",{"type":928,"content":2874},[2875],{"type":19,"attrs":2876,"content":2877},{"textAlign":21},[2878,2882],{"text":2879,"type":25,"marks":2880},"Chasing competitors: ",[2881],{"type":406},{"text":2883,"type":25},"What works for one brand doesn’t always translate to another audience.",{"type":19,"attrs":2885},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":2887,"content":2888},{"textAlign":21},[2889],{"text":2890,"type":25},"Relying on gut feel alone makes new product development risky. Data lowers that risk.",{"type":19,"attrs":2892,"content":2893},{"textAlign":21},[2894],{"type":456,"attrs":2895},{"id":2896,"alt":31,"src":2897,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":2898},148851220287083,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002Fa8442e4c0a\u002F09-10-25-pt2.png",{},{"type":429,"attrs":2900,"content":2901},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[2902],{"text":2903,"type":25,"marks":2904},"The foundations: what sales analysis can reveal",[2905],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2907,"content":2908},{"textAlign":21},[2909,2911,2915],{"text":2910,"type":25},"Your current sales tell you more than what’s selling — they tell you ",{"text":2912,"type":25,"marks":2913},"why",[2914],{"type":1849},{"text":2916,"type":25},". The right metrics help uncover patterns and opportunities:",{"type":925,"content":2918},[2919,2930,2941],{"type":928,"content":2920},[2921],{"type":19,"attrs":2922,"content":2923},{"textAlign":21},[2924,2928],{"text":2925,"type":25,"marks":2926},"Units vs. revenue vs. margin",[2927],{"type":406},{"text":2929,"type":25},": Top-selling items by units might not deliver the best profit contribution.",{"type":928,"content":2931},[2932],{"type":19,"attrs":2933,"content":2934},{"textAlign":21},[2935,2939],{"text":2936,"type":25,"marks":2937},"Repeat purchase rates",[2938],{"type":406},{"text":2940,"type":25},": Which products are sticky, driving customer loyalty, versus one-time experiments?",{"type":928,"content":2942},[2943],{"type":19,"attrs":2944,"content":2945},{"textAlign":21},[2946,2950],{"text":2947,"type":25,"marks":2948},"Channel differences",[2949],{"type":406},{"text":2951,"type":25},": Some SKUs thrive on DTC but underperform in wholesale or marketplaces. That context matters when picking your next launch.",{"type":19,"attrs":2953},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":2955,"content":2956},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[2957],{"text":2958,"type":25,"marks":2959},"Spotting emerging trends in your range",[2960],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":2962,"content":2963},{"textAlign":21},[2964],{"text":2965,"type":25},"Look beyond raw sales totals. Instead, track growth rates over 3, 6, and 12 months to see which SKUs are consistently climbing.",{"type":19,"attrs":2967,"content":2968},{"textAlign":21},[2969,2973],{"text":2970,"type":25,"marks":2971},"Outperformers ",[2972],{"type":406},{"text":2974,"type":25},"show where demand is naturally expanding.",{"type":19,"attrs":2976,"content":2977},{"textAlign":21},[2978,2982],{"text":2979,"type":25,"marks":2980},"Underperformers ",[2981],{"type":406},{"text":2983,"type":25},"can point to gaps — maybe customers wanted the complementary product you don’t yet stock.",{"type":19,"attrs":2985,"content":2986},{"textAlign":21},[2987,2991],{"text":2988,"type":25,"marks":2989},"Cross-SKU analysis",[2990],{"type":406},{"text":2992,"type":25}," reveals patterns (e.g., “customers who buy Product A almost always add Product B”). That’s a clue for bundles or logical next releases.",{"type":19,"attrs":2994},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":2996,"content":2997},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[2998],{"text":2999,"type":25,"marks":3000},"Using seasonality and product lifecycles",[3001],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3003,"content":3004},{"textAlign":21},[3005],{"text":3006,"type":25},"Every product has a natural rhythm. Some categories peak around holidays; others are evergreen. Overlaying sales data with calendar seasonality helps you plan launches that align with demand cycles.",{"type":19,"attrs":3008,"content":3009},{"textAlign":21},[3010],{"text":3011,"type":25},"Also consider lifecycle stages:",{"type":925,"content":3013},[3014],{"type":928,"content":3015},[3016,3023],{"type":19,"attrs":3017,"content":3018},{"textAlign":21},[3019],{"text":3020,"type":25,"marks":3021},"Introduction → Growth → Maturity → Decline.",[3022],{"type":1849},{"type":19,"attrs":3024,"content":3025},{"textAlign":21},[3026],{"text":3027,"type":25},"If one of your core products is approaching maturity, the next best product should step in to sustain growth momentum.",{"type":19,"attrs":3029},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3031,"content":3032},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3033],{"text":3034,"type":25,"marks":3035},"Segmenting your customers for clues",[3036],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3038,"content":3039},{"textAlign":21},[3040],{"text":3041,"type":25},"Different customers buy differently. Segmenting sales analysis reveals:",{"type":925,"content":3043},[3044,3055,3066],{"type":928,"content":3045},[3046],{"type":19,"attrs":3047,"content":3048},{"textAlign":21},[3049,3053],{"text":3050,"type":25,"marks":3051},"High-value customers",[3052],{"type":406},{"text":3054,"type":25},": What are their favourite SKUs? Launching variants here deepens loyalty.",{"type":928,"content":3056},[3057],{"type":19,"attrs":3058,"content":3059},{"textAlign":21},[3060,3064],{"text":3061,"type":25,"marks":3062},"First-purchase items",[3063],{"type":406},{"text":3065,"type":25},": Gateway products that bring new customers in — expanding this range can accelerate acquisition.",{"type":928,"content":3067},[3068],{"type":19,"attrs":3069,"content":3070},{"textAlign":21},[3071,3075],{"text":3072,"type":25,"marks":3073},"Upsell drivers",[3074],{"type":406},{"text":3076,"type":25},": SKUs that consistently appear in larger baskets suggest where bundles or complementary launches make sense.",{"type":19,"attrs":3078},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":3080,"content":3081},{"textAlign":21},[3082],{"type":456,"attrs":3083},{"id":3084,"alt":31,"src":3085,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":3086},148851220307564,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002F6a10b84a37\u002F09-10-25-pt3.png",{},{"type":429,"attrs":3088,"content":3089},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3090],{"text":3091,"type":25,"marks":3092},"How Kaleidoscope helps",[3093],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3095,"content":3096},{"textAlign":21},[3097],{"text":3098,"type":25},"Kaleidoscope connects your sales, product and stock data in one place. That means you can see growth trends clearly, delve into product metrics and forecast demand for potential new products — without juggling endless spreadsheets.",{"type":19,"attrs":3100,"content":3101},{"textAlign":21},[3102],{"text":3103,"type":25},"Instead of guessing what’s next, you can back decisions with data and plan with confidence.",{"type":19,"attrs":3105,"content":3106},{"textAlign":21},[3107],{"text":3108,"type":25,"marks":3109},"Conclusion",[3110],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3112,"content":3113},{"textAlign":21},[3114],{"text":3115,"type":25},"Your next best product isn’t hiding on TikTok or in your competitor’s store — it’s already hinted at in your own sales data. By analysing trends, seasonality, and customer behavior, you can cut the guesswork out of product expansion.",{"type":19,"attrs":3117,"content":3118},{"textAlign":21},[3119],{"text":3120,"type":25},"The result: smarter launches, stronger growth, and fewer costly mistakes.",{"type":19,"attrs":3122},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3124,"content":3125},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[3126],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":3127},[3128],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3130,"content":3131},{"textAlign":21},[3132],{"text":528,"type":25},{"id":533,"alt":534,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":535,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":3134,"is_external_url":43},{"alt":534,"size":537,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31},"2026-02-25 00:00","how-to-predict-your-next-best-product","blog\u002Fhow-to-predict-your-next-best-product",10,[],"6162da32-9008-41d1-aebf-76fb9cdd9487","2026-02-25T14:38:15.556Z",[],{"name":3144,"created_at":3145,"published_at":3146,"updated_at":3147,"id":3148,"uuid":3149,"content":3150,"slug":3658,"full_slug":3659,"sort_by_date":21,"position":3660,"tag_list":3661,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":3662,"first_published_at":3663,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":3664,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"It's National Re-forecasting Day","2026-08-26T14:32:16.479Z","2026-08-28T07:54:04.956Z","2026-08-28T07:54:04.977Z",213258799057837,"05a533bc-c831-4013-b313-f204ab6d9a0c",{"SEO":3151,"_uid":3158,"image":3159,"title":3164,"author":3174,"content":3175,"category":360,"component":529,"read_time":3653,"description":3654,"author_image":3655,"published_at":3657},[3152],{"_uid":3153,"noindex":43,"og_image":3154,"og_title":31,"component":379,"seo_title":3156,"og_image_alt":31,"og_description":31,"seo_description":3157},"27076b5e-a8fa-4ff4-9d4c-bf62eee04596",{"id":21,"alt":21,"name":31,"focus":21,"title":21,"source":21,"filename":31,"copyright":21,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":3155},{},"National Re-forecasting Day - 17 January 2026","National Re-forecasting Day: why mid-January is the real start of the financial year. Here's why. ","78b87ea7-5a7a-47db-820d-5bec8029005f",{"id":3160,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":3161,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":3162,"is_external_url":43},213259068698049,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002F822607b30e\u002Fnational-reforecasting-day.png",{"size":3163},"2048x1152",{"type":16,"attrs":3165,"content":3166},{"backgroundColor":21},[3167],{"type":429,"attrs":3168,"content":3169},{"level":989,"textAlign":21},[3170],{"text":3171,"type":25,"marks":3172},"It's National Re-forecasting Day ",[3173],{"type":406},"David",{"type":16,"attrs":3176,"content":3177},{"backgroundColor":21},[3178,3183,3188,3199,3201,3208,3213,3218,3223,3231,3238,3245,3250,3255,3262,3267,3272,3279,3284,3289,3296,3301,3306,3311,3313,3320,3325,3330,3335,3346,3376,3381,3392,3394,3402,3409,3414,3419,3424,3461,3466,3468,3475,3480,3485,3492,3497,3504,3509,3516,3521,3528,3533,3540,3545,3547,3554,3559,3564,3569,3599,3604,3606,3613,3618,3623,3625,3632,3637,3639,3645,3649,3651],{"type":19,"attrs":3179,"content":3180},{"textAlign":21},[3181],{"text":3182,"type":25},"Every January, thousands of businesses head into Q1 with confidence. Budgets are signed off, forecasts are approved, plans are in motion. And yet — for most businesses — those forecasts are already wrong.",{"type":19,"attrs":3184,"content":3185},{"textAlign":21},[3186],{"text":3187,"type":25},"At Kaleidoscope, we believe there’s one specific day every year when businesses should stop trusting their original Q1 numbers and take a fresh look.",{"type":19,"attrs":3189,"content":3190},{"textAlign":21},[3191,3193,3197],{"text":3192,"type":25},"We’re calling it ",{"text":3194,"type":25,"marks":3195},"National Re-forecasting Day, which takes place on 17th January",[3196],{"type":406},{"text":3198,"type":25},". ",{"type":19,"attrs":3200},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3202,"content":3203},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[3204],{"text":3205,"type":25,"marks":3206},"The problem with Q1 forecasts",[3207],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3209,"content":3210},{"textAlign":21},[3211],{"text":3212,"type":25},"Most businesses lock in their annual or Q1 forecast in late November or early December. On paper, this makes sense: the year is wrapping up, teams want clarity, and leadership needs numbers to plan against.",{"type":19,"attrs":3214,"content":3215},{"textAlign":21},[3216],{"text":3217,"type":25},"The problem is that December behaves nothing like the rest of the year.",{"type":19,"attrs":3219,"content":3220},{"textAlign":21},[3221],{"text":3222,"type":25},"It’s an anomaly — operationally, financially, and commercially. And when you build a Q1 forecast on top of December data, you inherit all of that distortion.",{"type":19,"attrs":3224,"content":3225},{"textAlign":21},[3226],{"type":456,"attrs":3227},{"id":3228,"alt":31,"src":3229,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":3230},213259299470813,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002Fb53e962b30\u002Fthe-problem-with-q1-forecasts.png",{},{"type":429,"attrs":3232,"content":3233},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[3234],{"text":3235,"type":25,"marks":3236},"Why December skews your numbers",[3237],{"type":406},{"type":429,"attrs":3239,"content":3240},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3241],{"text":3242,"type":25,"marks":3243},"1. Holiday sales distort demand",[3244],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3246,"content":3247},{"textAlign":21},[3248],{"text":3249,"type":25},"For many businesses, December demand is artificially inflated by holiday promotions, gifting behaviour, or year-end buying cycles. For others, sales dip as customers pause spending.",{"type":19,"attrs":3251,"content":3252},{"textAlign":21},[3253],{"text":3254,"type":25},"Either way, December demand patterns rarely reflect how customers behave in January, February, or March.",{"type":429,"attrs":3256,"content":3257},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3258],{"text":3259,"type":25,"marks":3260},"2. Returns and cancellations hit in January",[3261],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3263,"content":3264},{"textAlign":21},[3265],{"text":3266,"type":25},"Revenue booked in December often doesn’t stick.",{"type":19,"attrs":3268,"content":3269},{"textAlign":21},[3270],{"text":3271,"type":25},"Product returns, subscription cancellations, failed payments, and refunds typically peak in early January — meaning your December performance looks stronger than the reality you’ll be dealing with in Q1.",{"type":429,"attrs":3273,"content":3274},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3275],{"text":3276,"type":25,"marks":3277},"3. Cashflow reality lags behind revenue",[3278],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3280,"content":3281},{"textAlign":21},[3282],{"text":3283,"type":25},"December invoices don’t usually clear until early or mid-January. Late payments, supplier invoices, and payroll adjustments all land after the year has technically closed.",{"type":19,"attrs":3285,"content":3286},{"textAlign":21},[3287],{"text":3288,"type":25},"Until those clear, you don’t have a true picture of your cash position or burn rate.",{"type":429,"attrs":3290,"content":3291},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3292],{"text":3293,"type":25,"marks":3294},"4. Consumer behaviour resets after the first week",[3295],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3297,"content":3298},{"textAlign":21},[3299],{"text":3300,"type":25},"By the second week of January, customer behaviour changes again.",{"type":19,"attrs":3302,"content":3303},{"textAlign":21},[3304],{"text":3305,"type":25},"Returns are processed. Budgets tighten. “No-spend January” kicks in. Marketing performance shifts as CPCs and CPAs rebalance post-holidays.",{"type":19,"attrs":3307,"content":3308},{"textAlign":21},[3309],{"text":3310,"type":25},"In other words: the market finally starts behaving normally again.",{"type":19,"attrs":3312},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3314,"content":3315},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[3316],{"text":3317,"type":25,"marks":3318},"Why mid-January is the moment to re-forecast",[3319],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3321,"content":3322},{"textAlign":21},[3323],{"text":3324,"type":25},"Mid-January should be treated as the real start of the financial year for planning purposes. ",{"type":19,"attrs":3326,"content":3327},{"textAlign":21},[3328],{"text":3329,"type":25},"We see the same pattern every year. Businesses go into January with numbers that feel solid, but they’re built on a December that behaves nothing like the rest of the year. ",{"type":19,"attrs":3331,"content":3332},{"textAlign":21},[3333],{"text":3334,"type":25},"By mid-January, you finally have enough real data to see how Q1 will actually perform. That’s the moment to update your revenue, cashflow and workforce plans.",{"type":19,"attrs":3336,"content":3337},{"textAlign":21},[3338,3340,3344],{"text":3339,"type":25},"By around ",{"text":3341,"type":25,"marks":3342},"15 January",[3343],{"type":406},{"text":3345,"type":25},", several critical things have happened:",{"type":925,"content":3347},[3348,3355,3362,3369],{"type":928,"content":3349},[3350],{"type":19,"attrs":3351,"content":3352},{"textAlign":21},[3353],{"text":3354,"type":25},"Holiday sales data has settled",{"type":928,"content":3356},[3357],{"type":19,"attrs":3358,"content":3359},{"textAlign":21},[3360],{"text":3361,"type":25},"Returns and cancellations are visible",{"type":928,"content":3363},[3364],{"type":19,"attrs":3365,"content":3366},{"textAlign":21},[3367],{"text":3368,"type":25},"December invoices and late payments have cleared",{"type":928,"content":3370},[3371],{"type":19,"attrs":3372,"content":3373},{"textAlign":21},[3374],{"text":3375,"type":25},"January consumer behaviour has stabilised",{"type":19,"attrs":3377,"content":3378},{"textAlign":21},[3379],{"text":3380,"type":25},"This is the point where forecasts stop being theoretical — and start reflecting reality.",{"type":19,"attrs":3382,"content":3383},{"textAlign":21},[3384,3386,3390],{"text":3385,"type":25},"That’s why we believe ",{"text":3387,"type":25,"marks":3388},"National Re-forecasting Day belongs in mid-January",[3389],{"type":406},{"text":3391,"type":25},".",{"type":19,"attrs":3393},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":3395,"content":3396},{"textAlign":21},[3397],{"type":456,"attrs":3398},{"id":3399,"alt":31,"src":3400,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":3401},213259483721220,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002Fe6d7f96860\u002Fthe-rolling-forecast-gap-in-financial-modelling.png",{"size":3163},{"type":429,"attrs":3403,"content":3404},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[3405],{"text":3406,"type":25,"marks":3407},"The rolling forecast gap",[3408],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3410,"content":3411},{"textAlign":21},[3412],{"text":3413,"type":25},"Most finance leaders already know this in theory. Rolling forecasting is widely recommended as best practice. It’s associated with better decision-making, greater agility, and fewer surprises. And yet, in practice, very few organisations do it consistently.",{"type":19,"attrs":3415,"content":3416},{"textAlign":21},[3417],{"text":3418,"type":25},"Why? Because most forecasting processes are still built on spreadsheets.",{"type":19,"attrs":3420,"content":3421},{"textAlign":21},[3422],{"text":3423,"type":25},"That creates a familiar set of problems:",{"type":925,"content":3425},[3426,3433,3440,3447,3454],{"type":928,"content":3427},[3428],{"type":19,"attrs":3429,"content":3430},{"textAlign":21},[3431],{"text":3432,"type":25},"Forecasts take days (or weeks) to update",{"type":928,"content":3434},[3435],{"type":19,"attrs":3436,"content":3437},{"textAlign":21},[3438],{"text":3439,"type":25},"Version control becomes chaotic",{"type":928,"content":3441},[3442],{"type":19,"attrs":3443,"content":3444},{"textAlign":21},[3445],{"text":3446,"type":25},"Departments work in silos",{"type":928,"content":3448},[3449],{"type":19,"attrs":3450,"content":3451},{"textAlign":21},[3452],{"text":3453,"type":25},"Data is static by the time it’s reviewed",{"type":928,"content":3455},[3456],{"type":19,"attrs":3457,"content":3458},{"textAlign":21},[3459],{"text":3460,"type":25},"Leaders default back to annual budgets because they’re easier to manage",{"type":19,"attrs":3462,"content":3463},{"textAlign":21},[3464],{"text":3465,"type":25},"The problem isn’t that leaders don’t believe in rolling forecasting. Most of them do. The problem is that their spreadsheet-based process makes it slow, manual, and painful. You can’t update a forecast weekly if doing it once a month already takes three days.",{"type":19,"attrs":3467},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3469,"content":3470},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[3471],{"text":3472,"type":25,"marks":3473},"What to check on National Re-forecasting Day",[3474],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3476,"content":3477},{"textAlign":21},[3478],{"text":3479,"type":25},"Re-forecasting doesn’t have to mean rebuilding everything from scratch.",{"type":19,"attrs":3481,"content":3482},{"textAlign":21},[3483],{"text":3484,"type":25},"On National Re-forecasting Day, we recommend focusing on five key data points that most often change after December.",{"type":429,"attrs":3486,"content":3487},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3488],{"text":3489,"type":25,"marks":3490},"1. Return rates",[3491],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3493,"content":3494},{"textAlign":21},[3495],{"text":3496,"type":25},"Post-holiday returns can materially change your January revenue picture. Make sure your forecast reflects what actually sticks.",{"type":429,"attrs":3498,"content":3499},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3500],{"text":3501,"type":25,"marks":3502},"2. Inventory levels",[3503],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3505,"content":3506},{"textAlign":21},[3507],{"text":3508,"type":25},"Are you overstocked after the holiday rush? Excess inventory can tie up cash and force discounting earlier than planned.",{"type":429,"attrs":3510,"content":3511},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3512],{"text":3513,"type":25,"marks":3514},"3. Marketing performance resets",[3515],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3517,"content":3518},{"textAlign":21},[3519],{"text":3520,"type":25},"January acquisition costs often shift significantly compared to December. Update your assumptions around CPCs, CPAs, and conversion rates.",{"type":429,"attrs":3522,"content":3523},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3524],{"text":3525,"type":25,"marks":3526},"4. Cashflow position",[3527],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3529,"content":3530},{"textAlign":21},[3531],{"text":3532,"type":25},"Once December invoices and late payments have cleared, reassess your true cash position and burn rate.",{"type":429,"attrs":3534,"content":3535},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3536],{"text":3537,"type":25,"marks":3538},"5. Headcount costs",[3539],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3541,"content":3542},{"textAlign":21},[3543],{"text":3544,"type":25},"January payroll often includes changes to pensions, national insurance, benefits, or new hires. These adjustments can meaningfully affect your runway.",{"type":19,"attrs":3546},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3548,"content":3549},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[3550],{"text":3551,"type":25,"marks":3552},"Re-forecasting shouldn’t be a quarterly panic",[3553],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3555,"content":3556},{"textAlign":21},[3557],{"text":3558,"type":25},"The goal of National Re-forecasting Day isn’t to create another one-off finance ritual.",{"type":19,"attrs":3560,"content":3561},{"textAlign":21},[3562],{"text":3563,"type":25},"It’s to highlight a bigger shift: forecasting should be frequent, lightweight, and habitual.",{"type":19,"attrs":3565,"content":3566},{"textAlign":21},[3567],{"text":3568,"type":25},"When forecasts are updated regularly:",{"type":925,"content":3570},[3571,3578,3585,3592],{"type":928,"content":3572},[3573],{"type":19,"attrs":3574,"content":3575},{"textAlign":21},[3576],{"text":3577,"type":25},"They become easier to maintain",{"type":928,"content":3579},[3580],{"type":19,"attrs":3581,"content":3582},{"textAlign":21},[3583],{"text":3584,"type":25},"Accuracy improves over time",{"type":928,"content":3586},[3587],{"type":19,"attrs":3588,"content":3589},{"textAlign":21},[3590],{"text":3591,"type":25},"Teams can focus in detail on the next 30–60 days",{"type":928,"content":3593},[3594],{"type":19,"attrs":3595,"content":3596},{"textAlign":21},[3597],{"text":3598,"type":25},"Uncertainty is pushed further into the future, where it belongs",{"type":19,"attrs":3600,"content":3601},{"textAlign":21},[3602],{"text":3603,"type":25},"Or, as we like to put it: Rolling forecasting shouldn’t be a quarterly panic — it should be more like brushing your teeth.",{"type":19,"attrs":3605},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3607,"content":3608},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[3609],{"text":3610,"type":25,"marks":3611},"How Kaleidoscope supports this shift",[3612],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3614,"content":3615},{"textAlign":21},[3616],{"text":3617,"type":25},"Kaleidoscope is built to make rolling forecasting practical, not theoretical. Instead of rebuilding spreadsheets, leaders can pull in the latest sales data, adjust assumptions, and re-run financial models in minutes — not days. That makes mid-January re-forecasting faster. And it makes weekly or monthly re-forecasting possible the rest of the year.",{"type":19,"attrs":3619,"content":3620},{"textAlign":21},[3621],{"text":3622,"type":25},"Because the more often you forecast, the easier — and more accurate — it becomes.",{"type":19,"attrs":3624},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3626,"content":3627},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[3628],{"text":3629,"type":25,"marks":3630},"National Re-forecasting Day is our reminder that good planning starts with reality, not tradition.",[3631],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3633,"content":3634},{"textAlign":21},[3635],{"text":3636,"type":25},"If your Q1 forecast hasn’t been revisited since December, mid-January is the day to fix it.",{"type":19,"attrs":3638},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3640,"content":3641},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[3642],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":3643},[3644],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3646,"content":3647},{"textAlign":21},[3648],{"text":528,"type":25},{"type":19,"attrs":3650},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":3652},{"textAlign":21},"6","Every January, thousands of businesses head into Q1 with approved budgets and plans already in motion. And yet — they are already out of date.",{"id":2020,"alt":2021,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":2022,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":3656,"is_external_url":43},{"alt":2021,"size":2024,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31},"2026-01-15 00:00","national-re-forecasting-day","blog\u002Fnational-re-forecasting-day",-260,[],"450abbbb-101e-47da-a37a-8a9b941bdd56","2026-08-26T14:35:40.876Z",[],{"name":3666,"created_at":3667,"published_at":3668,"updated_at":3669,"id":3670,"uuid":3671,"content":3672,"slug":3876,"full_slug":3877,"sort_by_date":21,"position":3138,"tag_list":3878,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":3879,"first_published_at":3880,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":3881,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"Step aside, Excel — we’re coming through","2026-02-25T14:01:17.237Z","2026-08-28T08:24:22.607Z","2026-08-28T08:24:22.623Z",148842402790927,"e6b8c820-6ed6-4261-bce3-d1089d12c804",{"SEO":3673,"_uid":382,"image":3679,"title":3666,"author":3683,"content":3684,"category":362,"component":529,"read_time":1799,"description":3678,"author_image":3871,"published_at":3875},[3674],{"_uid":3675,"noindex":43,"og_image":3676,"og_title":31,"component":379,"seo_title":3666,"og_image_alt":31,"og_description":31,"seo_description":3678},"2518057d-c540-447a-b16c-24620020b746",{"id":21,"alt":21,"name":31,"focus":21,"title":21,"source":21,"filename":31,"copyright":21,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":3677},{},"Excel turned 40 this year. For four decades, business planning has been built on spreadsheets. But the world has changed, it's time for something new.",{"id":3680,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":3681,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":3682,"is_external_url":43},211426672014326,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F1280x720\u002F4044ebf883\u002Fexcel-40-in-2025.webp",{},"Michael",{"type":16,"attrs":3685,"content":3686},{"backgroundColor":21},[3687,3692,3703,3708,3710,3717,3722,3727,3735,3742,3747,3752,3757,3780,3785,3793,3800,3805,3810,3815,3820,3825,3827,3834,3845,3850,3857,3859,3861,3867],{"type":19,"attrs":3688,"content":3689},{"textAlign":21},[3690],{"text":3691,"type":25},"This year marks a major milestone: Excel turns 40.",{"type":19,"attrs":3693,"content":3694},{"textAlign":21},[3695,3697,3701],{"text":3696,"type":25},"For four decades, business planning has been built on spreadsheets. It’s hard to overstate their influence: flexible, familiar, and powerful for their time, spreadsheets became the foundation of modern business planning. But the world has changed. Teams move faster. Data flows in real time. Decisions can’t wait for ",{"text":3698,"type":25,"marks":3699},"version 12",[3700],{"type":1849},{"text":3702,"type":25}," of a file to be emailed around.",{"type":19,"attrs":3704,"content":3705},{"textAlign":21},[3706],{"text":3707,"type":25},"After more than forty years in this space, we at Kaleidoscope understand the problem well enough to have designed — and built — a platform that can truly replace Excel for business planning. We’ve lived that pain firsthand. Every what-if model, version conflict, and broken formula has reminded us that planning deserves better.",{"type":19,"attrs":3709},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3711,"content":3712},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[3713],{"text":3714,"type":25,"marks":3715},"Planning has outgrown spreadsheets",[3716],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3718,"content":3719},{"textAlign":21},[3720],{"text":3721,"type":25},"Spreadsheets were revolutionary in the 1980s. But now in 2025, they’re struggling to keep up with how businesses actually work. Teams are distributed, data comes from everywhere, the pace of change has never been higher. Yet too many plans still live in fragile files, built on formulas no one wants to touch — tools designed for a world that no longer exists. Not to mention the growing risks around security and governance.",{"type":19,"attrs":3723,"content":3724},{"textAlign":21},[3725],{"text":3726,"type":25},"It’s time for something new.",{"type":19,"attrs":3728,"content":3729},{"textAlign":21},[3730],{"type":456,"attrs":3731},{"id":3732,"alt":31,"src":3733,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":3734},213257000357161,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002F02f3bb7609\u002Fplanning-that-has-outgrown-spreadsheets.png",{"size":3163},{"type":429,"attrs":3736,"content":3737},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[3738],{"text":3739,"type":25,"marks":3740},"Building the next generation of business planning",[3741],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3743,"content":3744},{"textAlign":21},[3745],{"text":3746,"type":25},"Over the past few years, we’ve been quietly building the Kaleidoscope Modelling Platform — a smarter, faster, more collaborative foundation for business planning. It delivers the structure, version control, and collaboration that spreadsheets never had because they were never designed for it.",{"type":19,"attrs":3748,"content":3749},{"textAlign":21},[3750],{"text":3751,"type":25},"Kaleidoscope gives you the flexibility you love in spreadsheets, but connects your data seamlessly into a natural living model of your business, that evolves as quickly as your business does.",{"type":19,"attrs":3753,"content":3754},{"textAlign":21},[3755],{"text":3756,"type":25},"It’s where planning becomes continuous, not static.",{"type":925,"content":3758},[3759,3766,3773],{"type":928,"content":3760},[3761],{"type":19,"attrs":3762,"content":3763},{"textAlign":21},[3764],{"text":3765,"type":25},"Model, adapt, and explore “what-if” scenarios together.",{"type":928,"content":3767},[3768],{"type":19,"attrs":3769,"content":3770},{"textAlign":21},[3771],{"text":3772,"type":25},"See the downstream impact of every change instantly.",{"type":928,"content":3774},[3775],{"type":19,"attrs":3776,"content":3777},{"textAlign":21},[3778],{"text":3779,"type":25},"Trust that every number, across every plan, stays consistent and connected.",{"type":19,"attrs":3781,"content":3782},{"textAlign":21},[3783],{"text":3784,"type":25},"Your data lives in Lists, Blocks, and Relationships, so you can build plans from shared, reliable data, not isolated sheets. Every calculation stays live and traceable, helping your team move faster.",{"type":19,"attrs":3786,"content":3787},{"textAlign":21},[3788],{"type":456,"attrs":3789},{"id":3790,"alt":31,"src":3791,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":3792},213257000353064,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002F1d7286561d\u002Fbuilding-the-next-generation-of-business-planning.png",{"size":3163},{"type":429,"attrs":3794,"content":3795},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3796],{"text":3797,"type":25,"marks":3798},"From validation to vision",[3799],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3801,"content":3802},{"textAlign":21},[3803],{"text":3804,"type":25},"We started by developing the core calculation engine, the technology that makes everything else possible.",{"type":19,"attrs":3806,"content":3807},{"textAlign":21},[3808],{"text":3809,"type":25},"Over the last two years, we’ve built and validated two full applications — one for sales planning and another for stock planning — to prove what the platform could do. Each delivered the ease and focus of a point solution, but ran on an underlying system capable of modelling any part of a business.",{"type":19,"attrs":3811,"content":3812},{"textAlign":21},[3813],{"text":3814,"type":25},"Now, we’re ready to open it up.",{"type":19,"attrs":3816,"content":3817},{"textAlign":21},[3818],{"text":3819,"type":25},"At its core, the Kaleidoscope Modelling Platform creates a single source of planning truth that connects across the business. When every number is linked, and every team plans from the same foundation, decisions become faster, smarter, and better aligned. Because businesses deserve the same flexibility Excel gave them but with automation, accuracy, and visibility built in.",{"type":19,"attrs":3821,"content":3822},{"textAlign":21},[3823],{"text":3824,"type":25},"Not another point tool. Not another spreadsheet. A new foundation for the next 40 years of planning.",{"type":19,"attrs":3826},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3828,"content":3829},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[3830],{"text":3831,"type":25,"marks":3832},"The future of planning starts here",[3833],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3835,"content":3836},{"textAlign":21},[3837,3839,3843],{"text":3838,"type":25},"If you’ve ever hit ",{"text":3840,"type":25,"marks":3841},"Ctrl + C",[3842],{"type":875},{"text":3844,"type":25}," one too many times in your forecast, or built a formula longer than your arm, you’ll want to see what’s coming next.",{"type":19,"attrs":3846,"content":3847},{"textAlign":21},[3848],{"text":3849,"type":25},"We’re reimagining planning for a world that’s faster, more connected, and more ambitious than ever.",{"type":19,"attrs":3851,"content":3852},{"textAlign":21},[3853],{"text":3854,"type":25,"marks":3855},"Thanks Excel, it's been a great 40 years. It's time for something new.",[3856],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3858},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":3860},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3862,"content":3863},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[3864],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":3865},[3866],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3868,"content":3869},{"textAlign":21},[3870],{"text":528,"type":25},{"id":3872,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":3873,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":3874,"is_external_url":43},170425154677053,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F360x360\u002F7280b2718d\u002Fmichael-headshot.webp",{},"2025-11-19 00:00","step-aside-excel-were-coming-through","blog\u002Fstep-aside-excel-were-coming-through",[],"6b9f491e-ba8f-4cb4-8e23-6e34002f85b3","2026-02-25T14:01:28.516Z",[],{"name":3883,"created_at":3884,"published_at":3885,"updated_at":3886,"id":3887,"uuid":3888,"content":3889,"slug":4718,"full_slug":4719,"sort_by_date":21,"position":352,"tag_list":4720,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":4721,"first_published_at":4722,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":4723,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"What is planning? Expert insights from the Kaleidoscope Team","2026-04-29T11:00:34.293Z","2026-08-28T07:58:59.902Z","2026-08-28T07:58:59.926Z",171093337303972,"1c06aecb-688c-47f4-b4d4-e7a797d9cedc",{"SEO":3890,"_uid":3897,"image":3898,"title":3883,"author":3902,"content":3903,"category":364,"component":529,"read_time":4711,"description":4712,"author_image":4713,"published_at":4717},[3891],{"_uid":3892,"noindex":43,"og_image":3893,"og_title":3895,"component":379,"seo_title":3895,"og_image_alt":31,"og_description":31,"seo_description":3896},"6e39aeac-bf4e-4970-9664-a01331b1a50a",{"id":21,"alt":21,"name":31,"focus":21,"title":21,"source":21,"filename":31,"copyright":21,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":3894},{},"What is planning? | Expert insights from Kaleidoscope’s planning team","Planning isn’t just forecasting or project management — it’s decision-making under uncertainty. Learn what planning really means from industry experts.","3e7c8813-b799-4a14-9c85-ba4228941c26",{"id":3899,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":3900,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":3901,"is_external_url":43},213260358147625,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002F085a648b22\u002Fwhat-is-planning-really-kaleidoscope-opinion.png",{"size":3163},"Greg",{"type":16,"attrs":3904,"content":3905},{"backgroundColor":21},[3906,3913,3924,3929,3934,3939,3944,3946,3953,3958,3971,3982,4007,4016,4027,4032,4034,4041,4050,4055,4078,4088,4095,4100,4108,4115,4124,4132,4139,4144,4149,4157,4164,4173,4180,4203,4210,4233,4240,4263,4272,4279,4284,4286,4293,4298,4305,4310,4315,4383,4392,4399,4401,4408,4546,4551,4553,4560,4565,4576,4581,4586,4588,4595,4600,4605,4640,4648,4655,4660,4662,4669,4674,4679,4690,4695,4697,4699,4701,4707],{"type":429,"attrs":3907,"content":3908},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3909],{"text":3910,"type":25,"marks":3911},"Rethinking “planning” in modern business",[3912],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3914,"content":3915},{"textAlign":21},[3916,3918,3922],{"text":3917,"type":25},"What does ",{"text":3919,"type":25,"marks":3920},"planning",[3921],{"type":1849},{"text":3923,"type":25}," really mean?",{"type":19,"attrs":3925,"content":3926},{"textAlign":21},[3927],{"text":3928,"type":25},"It’s one of the most overused words in business — and one of the least understood.",{"type":19,"attrs":3930,"content":3931},{"textAlign":21},[3932],{"text":3933,"type":25},"At Kaleidoscope, we sat down with six of our in-house planning experts to explore this question. Between them, they bring more than 150 years of experience shaping some of the world’s most trusted planning tools and helping thousands of businesses navigate uncertainty.",{"type":19,"attrs":3935,"content":3936},{"textAlign":21},[3937],{"text":3938,"type":25},"What we found is that planning isn’t about making lists or ticking boxes. It’s a cognitive process — a way of thinking — that helps businesses anticipate change, make better decisions, and act with confidence.",{"type":19,"attrs":3940,"content":3941},{"textAlign":21},[3942],{"text":3943,"type":25},"In this article, we’ll share what our experts revealed about how planning really works, why it’s so difficult, and how the right tools can transform it from a chore into a strategic advantage.",{"type":19,"attrs":3945},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":3947,"content":3948},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[3949],{"text":3950,"type":25,"marks":3951},"Meet the experts behind Kaleidoscope",[3952],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":3954,"content":3955},{"textAlign":21},[3956],{"text":3957,"type":25},"At Kaleidoscope, we spoke with the people who know planning best — the minds shaping how it’s done.",{"type":19,"attrs":3959,"content":3960},{"textAlign":21},[3961,3964,3966,3969],{"text":3683,"type":25,"marks":3962},[3963],{"type":406},{"text":3965,"type":25},", our CEO and founder (and previously the founder of ",{"text":842,"type":25,"marks":3967},[3968],{"type":406},{"text":3970,"type":25},"), has spent decades building planning software that helps businesses make better decisions.",{"type":19,"attrs":3972,"content":3973},{"textAlign":21},[3974,3976,3980],{"text":3975,"type":25},"He’s joined by ",{"text":3977,"type":25,"marks":3978},"Kat",[3979],{"type":406},{"text":3981,"type":25},", who leads product strategy. A former accountant turned product leader (and ex-Anaplan), she bridges financial logic with modern product design.",{"type":19,"attrs":3983,"content":3984},{"textAlign":21},[3985,3988,3990,3994,3996,4000,4002,4005],{"text":3174,"type":25,"marks":3986},[3987],{"type":406},{"text":3989,"type":25}," and ",{"text":3991,"type":25,"marks":3992},"Dorian",[3993],{"type":406},{"text":3995,"type":25},", both ex-Anaplan and ex-accountants, bring deep expertise in how planning actually happens. ",{"text":3997,"type":25,"marks":3998},"David ",[3999],{"type":406},{"text":4001,"type":25},"architects solutions that turn complex business logic into clear, actionable models, while ",{"text":3991,"type":25,"marks":4003},[4004],{"type":406},{"text":4006,"type":25}," applies his decades of experience to how users think and experience the product.",{"type":19,"attrs":4008,"content":4009},{"textAlign":21},[4010,4014],{"text":4011,"type":25,"marks":4012},"Dafinka",[4013],{"type":406},{"text":4015,"type":25},", our product lead (also ex-Anaplan), brings operational depth and a focus on turning planning theory into practice.",{"type":19,"attrs":4017,"content":4018},{"textAlign":21},[4019,4021,4025],{"text":4020,"type":25},"And ",{"text":4022,"type":25,"marks":4023},"Gayathri",[4024],{"type":406},{"text":4026,"type":25}," leads user research, keeping us close to how teams plan and make decisions in the real world.",{"type":19,"attrs":4028,"content":4029},{"textAlign":21},[4030],{"text":4031,"type":25},"From shaping some of the world’s leading planning tools — to now, reimagining what planning can be — we've got an expert team powering us. ",{"type":19,"attrs":4033},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":4035,"content":4036},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[4037],{"text":4038,"type":25,"marks":4039},"Planning is decision-making under uncertainty",[4040],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4042,"content":4043},{"textAlign":21},[4044,4046],{"text":4045,"type":25},"Every expert we spoke to agreed: planning is fundamentally about ",{"text":4047,"type":25,"marks":4048},"making informed decisions when the future is uncertain.",[4049],{"type":1849},{"type":19,"attrs":4051,"content":4052},{"textAlign":21},[4053],{"text":4054,"type":25},"It’s not just about setting targets or allocating budgets — it’s about asking the right questions:",{"type":925,"content":4056},[4057,4064,4071],{"type":928,"content":4058},[4059],{"type":19,"attrs":4060,"content":4061},{"textAlign":21},[4062],{"text":4063,"type":25},"What are we trying to achieve?",{"type":928,"content":4065},[4066],{"type":19,"attrs":4067,"content":4068},{"textAlign":21},[4069],{"text":4070,"type":25},"What resources and constraints do we have?",{"type":928,"content":4072},[4073],{"type":19,"attrs":4074,"content":4075},{"textAlign":21},[4076],{"text":4077,"type":25},"What scenarios could unfold next?",{"type":19,"attrs":4079,"content":4080},{"textAlign":21},[4081,4083,4086],{"text":4082,"type":25},"As ",{"text":3991,"type":25,"marks":4084},[4085],{"type":406},{"text":4087,"type":25}," put it:",{"type":1839,"content":4089},[4090],{"type":19,"attrs":4091,"content":4092},{"textAlign":21},[4093],{"text":4094,"type":25},"“Between evaluation and execution, there’s a form of planning.”",{"type":19,"attrs":4096,"content":4097},{"textAlign":21},[4098],{"text":4099,"type":25},"Good planning happens in that in-between space — where insight meets action.",{"type":19,"attrs":4101,"content":4102},{"textAlign":21},[4103],{"type":456,"attrs":4104},{"id":4105,"alt":31,"src":4106,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":4107},213260222049825,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002Fb9bfbe3e90\u002Fmichael-gould-planning-is-iterative-not-static.png",{"size":3163},{"type":429,"attrs":4109,"content":4110},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[4111],{"text":4112,"type":25,"marks":4113},"Planning is iterative, not static",[4114],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4116,"content":4117},{"textAlign":21},[4118,4120],{"text":4119,"type":25},"Traditional plans are often static: made once, then quickly forgotten. But real-world planning is a ",{"text":4121,"type":25,"marks":4122},"living process.",[4123],{"type":1849},{"type":19,"attrs":4125,"content":4126},{"textAlign":21},[4127,4130],{"text":3683,"type":25,"marks":4128},[4129],{"type":406},{"text":4131,"type":25}," describes it as:",{"type":1839,"content":4133},[4134],{"type":19,"attrs":4135,"content":4136},{"textAlign":21},[4137],{"text":4138,"type":25},"“A loop, not a line — you’re constantly revisiting assumptions as the world changes.”",{"type":19,"attrs":4140,"content":4141},{"textAlign":21},[4142],{"text":4143,"type":25},"Our experts talked about planning as a continuous cycle of modelling, testing, and adapting — one that evolves as new data, risks, and opportunities emerge. That means businesses need tools that support iteration, not just documentation.",{"type":19,"attrs":4145,"content":4146},{"textAlign":21},[4147],{"text":4148,"type":25},"Effective planning environments allow people to explore what-ifs, update assumptions, and align around new insights — all in real time.",{"type":19,"attrs":4150,"content":4151},{"textAlign":21},[4152],{"type":456,"attrs":4153},{"id":4154,"alt":31,"src":4155,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":4156},213260300881446,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002F8b7c681fd9\u002Fthe-core-components-of-good-planning.png",{"size":3163},{"type":429,"attrs":4158,"content":4159},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[4160],{"text":4161,"type":25,"marks":4162},"The core components of good planning",[4163],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4165,"content":4166},{"textAlign":21},[4167,4169],{"text":4168,"type":25},"Across every conversation, a simple but powerful framework emerged: ",{"text":4170,"type":25,"marks":4171},"inputs, activities, outputs.",[4172],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4174,"content":4175},{"textAlign":21},[4176],{"text":4177,"type":25,"marks":4178},"Inputs",[4179],{"type":406},{"type":925,"content":4181},[4182,4189,4196],{"type":928,"content":4183},[4184],{"type":19,"attrs":4185,"content":4186},{"textAlign":21},[4187],{"text":4188,"type":25},"Reliable data (sales history, market trends, benchmarks)",{"type":928,"content":4190},[4191],{"type":19,"attrs":4192,"content":4193},{"textAlign":21},[4194],{"text":4195,"type":25},"Clear assumptions (growth rates, constraints, resources)",{"type":928,"content":4197},[4198],{"type":19,"attrs":4199,"content":4200},{"textAlign":21},[4201],{"text":4202,"type":25},"Collaboration from multiple teams (finance, marketing, operations)",{"type":19,"attrs":4204,"content":4205},{"textAlign":21},[4206],{"text":4207,"type":25,"marks":4208},"Activities",[4209],{"type":406},{"type":925,"content":4211},[4212,4219,4226],{"type":928,"content":4213},[4214],{"type":19,"attrs":4215,"content":4216},{"textAlign":21},[4217],{"text":4218,"type":25},"Scenario modelling and what-if analysis",{"type":928,"content":4220},[4221],{"type":19,"attrs":4222,"content":4223},{"textAlign":21},[4224],{"text":4225,"type":25},"Alignment on key assumptions",{"type":928,"content":4227},[4228],{"type":19,"attrs":4229,"content":4230},{"textAlign":21},[4231],{"text":4232,"type":25},"Documentation of decisions and rationales",{"type":19,"attrs":4234,"content":4235},{"textAlign":21},[4236],{"text":4237,"type":25,"marks":4238},"Outputs",[4239],{"type":406},{"type":925,"content":4241},[4242,4249,4256],{"type":928,"content":4243},[4244],{"type":19,"attrs":4245,"content":4246},{"textAlign":21},[4247],{"text":4248,"type":25},"Actionable, feasible plans",{"type":928,"content":4250},[4251],{"type":19,"attrs":4252,"content":4253},{"textAlign":21},[4254],{"text":4255,"type":25},"Clear visibility of progress and variance",{"type":928,"content":4257},[4258],{"type":19,"attrs":4259,"content":4260},{"textAlign":21},[4261],{"text":4262,"type":25},"Shared understanding of roles and objectives",{"type":19,"attrs":4264,"content":4265},{"textAlign":21},[4266,4267,4270],{"text":4082,"type":25},{"text":3174,"type":25,"marks":4268},[4269],{"type":406},{"text":4271,"type":25}," summed it up:",{"type":1839,"content":4273},[4274],{"type":19,"attrs":4275,"content":4276},{"textAlign":21},[4277],{"text":4278,"type":25},"“Planning should turn data into decisions, not dashboards.”",{"type":19,"attrs":4280,"content":4281},{"textAlign":21},[4282],{"text":4283,"type":25},"Planning isn’t an isolated task — it’s a shared process of sense-making.",{"type":19,"attrs":4285},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":4287,"content":4288},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[4289],{"text":4290,"type":25,"marks":4291},"What people expect from modern planning tools",[4292],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4294,"content":4295},{"textAlign":21},[4296],{"text":4297,"type":25},"When we asked what makes a great planning platform, one theme stood out:",{"type":1839,"content":4299},[4300],{"type":19,"attrs":4301,"content":4302},{"textAlign":21},[4303],{"text":4304,"type":25},"“It should help me think — not replace me.”",{"type":19,"attrs":4306,"content":4307},{"textAlign":21},[4308],{"text":4309,"type":25},"Planning software should enhance human judgment, not automate it away.",{"type":19,"attrs":4311,"content":4312},{"textAlign":21},[4313],{"text":4314,"type":25},"The team highlighted that modern tools should be:",{"type":925,"content":4316},[4317,4328,4339,4350,4361,4372],{"type":928,"content":4318},[4319],{"type":19,"attrs":4320,"content":4321},{"textAlign":21},[4322,4326],{"text":4323,"type":25,"marks":4324},"Visual and intuitive",[4325],{"type":406},{"text":4327,"type":25}," — not buried in dense spreadsheets",{"type":928,"content":4329},[4330],{"type":19,"attrs":4331,"content":4332},{"textAlign":21},[4333,4337],{"text":4334,"type":25,"marks":4335},"Scenario-driven ",[4336],{"type":406},{"text":4338,"type":25},"— enabling what-if exploration",{"type":928,"content":4340},[4341],{"type":19,"attrs":4342,"content":4343},{"textAlign":21},[4344,4348],{"text":4345,"type":25,"marks":4346},"Connected",[4347],{"type":406},{"text":4349,"type":25}," — integrating live data from across the business",{"type":928,"content":4351},[4352],{"type":19,"attrs":4353,"content":4354},{"textAlign":21},[4355,4359],{"text":4356,"type":25,"marks":4357},"Collaborative ",[4358],{"type":406},{"text":4360,"type":25},"— supporting comments, discussion, and shared decisions",{"type":928,"content":4362},[4363],{"type":19,"attrs":4364,"content":4365},{"textAlign":21},[4366,4370],{"text":4367,"type":25,"marks":4368},"Reliable and fast",[4369],{"type":406},{"text":4371,"type":25}," — building trust through performance",{"type":928,"content":4373},[4374],{"type":19,"attrs":4375,"content":4376},{"textAlign":21},[4377,4381],{"text":4378,"type":25,"marks":4379},"Smart",[4380],{"type":406},{"text":4382,"type":25}," — guiding users through AI-powered prompts and insights",{"type":19,"attrs":4384,"content":4385},{"textAlign":21},[4386,4387,4390],{"text":4082,"type":25},{"text":3683,"type":25,"marks":4388},[4389],{"type":406},{"text":4391,"type":25}," noted:",{"type":1839,"content":4393},[4394],{"type":19,"attrs":4395,"content":4396},{"textAlign":21},[4397],{"text":4398,"type":25},"“A great planning platform should act like a thinking partner, not a black box.”",{"type":19,"attrs":4400},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":4402,"content":4403},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[4404],{"text":4405,"type":25,"marks":4406},"The tensions shaping the future of planning",[4407],{"type":406},{"type":981,"content":4409},[4410,4442,4468,4494,4520],{"type":984,"content":4411},[4412,4422,4432],{"type":987,"attrs":4413,"content":4414},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21},[4415],{"type":19,"attrs":4416,"content":4417},{"textAlign":21},[4418],{"text":4419,"type":25,"marks":4420},"Tension",[4421],{"type":406},{"type":987,"attrs":4423,"content":4424},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21},[4425],{"type":19,"attrs":4426,"content":4427},{"textAlign":21},[4428],{"text":4429,"type":25,"marks":4430},"What it means",[4431],{"type":406},{"type":987,"attrs":4433,"content":4434},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21},[4435],{"type":19,"attrs":4436,"content":4437},{"textAlign":21},[4438],{"text":4439,"type":25,"marks":4440},"What businesses need",[4441],{"type":406},{"type":984,"content":4443},[4444,4452,4460],{"type":1026,"attrs":4445,"content":4446},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[4447],{"type":19,"attrs":4448,"content":4449},{"textAlign":21},[4450],{"text":4451,"type":25},"Flexibility vs. structure",{"type":1026,"attrs":4453,"content":4454},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[4455],{"type":19,"attrs":4456,"content":4457},{"textAlign":21},[4458],{"text":4459,"type":25},"Freedom to model ideas, but with guardrails for coherence",{"type":1026,"attrs":4461,"content":4462},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[4463],{"type":19,"attrs":4464,"content":4465},{"textAlign":21},[4466],{"text":4467,"type":25},"Structured templates with room for creativity",{"type":984,"content":4469},[4470,4478,4486],{"type":1026,"attrs":4471,"content":4472},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[4473],{"type":19,"attrs":4474,"content":4475},{"textAlign":21},[4476],{"text":4477,"type":25},"Spreadsheet familiarity vs. modern UX",{"type":1026,"attrs":4479,"content":4480},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[4481],{"type":19,"attrs":4482,"content":4483},{"textAlign":21},[4484],{"text":4485,"type":25},"Comfort vs. capability",{"type":1026,"attrs":4487,"content":4488},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[4489],{"type":19,"attrs":4490,"content":4491},{"textAlign":21},[4492],{"text":4493,"type":25},"Blend spreadsheet logic with visual workflows",{"type":984,"content":4495},[4496,4504,4512],{"type":1026,"attrs":4497,"content":4498},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[4499],{"type":19,"attrs":4500,"content":4501},{"textAlign":21},[4502],{"text":4503,"type":25},"Human judgment vs. AI guidance",{"type":1026,"attrs":4505,"content":4506},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[4507],{"type":19,"attrs":4508,"content":4509},{"textAlign":21},[4510],{"text":4511,"type":25},"Insight vs. automation",{"type":1026,"attrs":4513,"content":4514},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[4515],{"type":19,"attrs":4516,"content":4517},{"textAlign":21},[4518],{"text":4519,"type":25},"AI as a co-pilot, not an autopilot",{"type":984,"content":4521},[4522,4530,4538],{"type":1026,"attrs":4523,"content":4524},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[4525],{"type":19,"attrs":4526,"content":4527},{"textAlign":21},[4528],{"text":4529,"type":25},"Short-term agility vs. long-term strategy",{"type":1026,"attrs":4531,"content":4532},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[4533],{"type":19,"attrs":4534,"content":4535},{"textAlign":21},[4536],{"text":4537,"type":25},"Tactical action vs. strategic direction",{"type":1026,"attrs":4539,"content":4540},{"colspan":989,"rowspan":989,"colwidth":21,"backgroundColor":21},[4541],{"type":19,"attrs":4542,"content":4543},{"textAlign":21},[4544],{"text":4545,"type":25},"Tools that span both horizons",{"type":19,"attrs":4547,"content":4548},{"textAlign":21},[4549],{"text":4550,"type":25},"These tensions reveal why so many planning tools fall short — and why a new approach is needed.",{"type":19,"attrs":4552},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":4554,"content":4555},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[4556],{"text":4557,"type":25,"marks":4558},"Planning is about thinking, not just doing",[4559],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4561,"content":4562},{"textAlign":21},[4563],{"text":4564,"type":25},"If there’s one message that came through in every conversation, it’s this:",{"type":1839,"content":4566},[4567],{"type":19,"attrs":4568,"content":4569},{"textAlign":21},[4570,4572,4575],{"text":4571,"type":25},"“Planning is not a single activity — it’s a cognitive process of foresight,” says ",{"text":3991,"type":25,"marks":4573},[4574],{"type":406},{"text":3391,"type":25},{"type":19,"attrs":4577,"content":4578},{"textAlign":21},[4579],{"text":4580,"type":25},"That means successful planning isn’t about completing tasks. It’s about making assumptions visible, linking decisions to outcomes, and building shared understanding across a business.",{"type":19,"attrs":4582,"content":4583},{"textAlign":21},[4584],{"text":4585,"type":25},"A well-designed planning platform bridges human intuition with computational clarity — helping people see, test, and trust their decisions.",{"type":19,"attrs":4587},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":4589,"content":4590},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[4591],{"text":4592,"type":25,"marks":4593},"The future of planning technology",[4594],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4596,"content":4597},{"textAlign":21},[4598],{"text":4599,"type":25},"Our experts see a clear opportunity: to build tools that support how people actually think.",{"type":19,"attrs":4601,"content":4602},{"textAlign":21},[4603],{"text":4604,"type":25},"That means:",{"type":925,"content":4606},[4607,4618,4629],{"type":928,"content":4608},[4609],{"type":19,"attrs":4610,"content":4611},{"textAlign":21},[4612,4616],{"text":4613,"type":25,"marks":4614},"Flexibility without chaos ",[4615],{"type":406},{"text":4617,"type":25},"— adaptable models that still hold together",{"type":928,"content":4619},[4620],{"type":19,"attrs":4621,"content":4622},{"textAlign":21},[4623,4627],{"text":4624,"type":25,"marks":4625},"Rigor without rigidity",[4626],{"type":406},{"text":4628,"type":25}," — accurate, structured insights without friction",{"type":928,"content":4630},[4631],{"type":19,"attrs":4632,"content":4633},{"textAlign":21},[4634,4638],{"text":4635,"type":25,"marks":4636},"Collaboration without confusion ",[4637],{"type":406},{"text":4639,"type":25},"— shared context that keeps everyone aligned",{"type":19,"attrs":4641,"content":4642},{"textAlign":21},[4643,4644,4647],{"text":4082,"type":25},{"text":3174,"type":25,"marks":4645},[4646],{"type":406},{"text":4087,"type":25},{"type":1839,"content":4649},[4650],{"type":19,"attrs":4651,"content":4652},{"textAlign":21},[4653],{"text":4654,"type":25},"“The best planning systems don’t just give you answers — they help you ask better questions.”",{"type":19,"attrs":4656,"content":4657},{"textAlign":21},[4658],{"text":4659,"type":25},"At Kaleidoscope, this philosophy drives our vision for the next generation of planning tech — one that connects a business into a single source of clarity. Because when planning works, it doesn’t just predict the future — it helps shape it.",{"type":19,"attrs":4661},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":4663,"content":4664},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[4665],{"text":4666,"type":25,"marks":4667},"Conclusion: Planning as a competitive advantage",[4668],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4670,"content":4671},{"textAlign":21},[4672],{"text":4673,"type":25},"Planning is more than spreadsheets and strategy documents. It’s how businesses think, decide, and adapt.",{"type":19,"attrs":4675,"content":4676},{"textAlign":21},[4677],{"text":4678,"type":25},"The stronger your planning process, the faster you can respond to change — and the more confident your decisions become.",{"type":19,"attrs":4680,"content":4681},{"textAlign":21},[4682,4684,4688],{"text":4683,"type":25},"At Kaleidoscope, we believe the future of planning lies in ",{"text":4685,"type":25,"marks":4686},"connected, collaborative, and intelligent platforms",[4687],{"type":1849},{"text":4689,"type":25}," that make foresight accessible to everyone.",{"type":19,"attrs":4691,"content":4692},{"textAlign":21},[4693],{"text":4694,"type":25},"If you’re ready to rethink how your business plans, explore what we’re building at Kaleidoscope.",{"type":19,"attrs":4696},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":4698},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":4700},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":4702,"content":4703},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[4704],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":4705},[4706],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4708,"content":4709},{"textAlign":21},[4710],{"text":528,"type":25},"7","What does planning really mean? It’s one of the most overused words in business — and one of the least understood. Hear from our in-house planning experts.",{"id":4714,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":4715,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":4716,"is_external_url":43},170425154726206,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F392x410\u002Fd3e8740ebb\u002Fgreg.webp",{},"2025-10-31 00:00","what-is-planning-expert-insights-from-the-kaleidoscope-team","blog\u002Fwhat-is-planning-expert-insights-from-the-kaleidoscope-team",[],"d78a34b3-96d1-4c50-a474-8314390bc083","2026-04-29T11:00:46.575Z",[],{"name":4725,"created_at":4726,"published_at":4727,"updated_at":4728,"id":4729,"uuid":4730,"content":4731,"slug":5040,"full_slug":5041,"sort_by_date":21,"position":5042,"tag_list":5043,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":5044,"first_published_at":5045,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":5046,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"Scenario planning for peak season: Guide for Shopify & eCommerce retailers","2026-04-29T11:00:58.412Z","2026-08-28T08:00:02.948Z","2026-08-28T08:00:02.968Z",171093436115882,"b9cb3afd-46f8-4bd3-9db0-3eb40def1420",{"SEO":4732,"_uid":4738,"image":4739,"title":4725,"author":388,"content":4743,"category":364,"component":529,"read_time":2809,"description":5036,"author_image":5037,"published_at":5039},[4733],{"_uid":4734,"noindex":43,"og_image":4735,"og_title":31,"component":379,"seo_title":4725,"og_image_alt":31,"og_description":31,"seo_description":4737},"4cc0e759-19c7-42a0-9f4c-1ba86c5e8f0e",{"id":21,"alt":21,"name":31,"focus":21,"title":21,"source":21,"filename":31,"copyright":21,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":4736},{},"For e-commerce retailers, peak season isn’t just about having the right products, it’s about being prepared for every possible twist and turn. The unpredictability of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas can make or break your year.","5f1fe3c2-3f70-4686-9c41-c0bae4fecb74",{"id":4740,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":4741,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":4742,"is_external_url":43},213261479444076,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F4096x2304\u002Fe66ebaa094\u002Fcomparing-scenarios-for-black-friday-commerce.png",{},{"type":16,"attrs":4744,"content":4745},{"backgroundColor":21},[4746,4751,4756,4758,4765,4770,4790,4798,4805,4810,4815,4822,4827,4846,4851,4874,4879,4886,4891,4896,4901,4924,4931,4936,4941,4965,4970,4972,4979,4984,4989,5012,5017,5022,5024,5026,5032],{"type":19,"attrs":4747,"content":4748},{"textAlign":21},[4749],{"text":4750,"type":25},"For e-commerce retailers, peak season isn’t just about having the right products, it’s about being prepared for every possible twist and turn. Whether you’re running a Shopify store or a large-scale online operation, the unpredictability of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas can make or break your year.",{"type":19,"attrs":4752,"content":4753},{"textAlign":21},[4754],{"text":4755,"type":25},"That’s where scenario planning comes in. Instead of guessing how demand will play out, scenario planning helps you prepare for multiple possibilities, so you’re not left scrambling when sales surge, supply chains falter, or customer expectations shift overnight.",{"type":19,"attrs":4757},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":4759,"content":4760},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[4761],{"text":4762,"type":25,"marks":4763},"Why scenario planning matters for peak season",[4764],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4766,"content":4767},{"textAlign":21},[4768],{"text":4769,"type":25},"Peak season demand is inherently volatile. A TikTok video can make a product go viral in hours. A competitor’s flash sale can shift buying behaviour dramatically. A delayed shipment or carrier bottleneck can derail even the best-planned campaign.",{"type":19,"attrs":4771,"content":4772},{"textAlign":21},[4773,4775,4779,4781,4788],{"text":4774,"type":25},"Without scenario planning, retailers are forced into reactive decisions, panic-ordering stock, slashing margins to move inventory, or losing sales when items sell out too soon. Research shows that ",{"text":4776,"type":25,"marks":4777},"46% of UK retailers have reported lost revenue during peak trading due to stockouts",[4778],{"type":406},{"text":4780,"type":25}," (",{"text":4782,"type":25,"marks":4783},"Prime AI",[4784,4787],{"type":638,"attrs":4785},{"href":4786,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.prime-ai.com\u002Fen\u002Fmedia\u002Freduce-lost-sales-due-to-stockouts-csf-a\u002F?utm_source=chatgpt.com",{"type":643},{"text":4789,"type":25},"), while overstocks tie up working capital and lead to costly January markdowns. The financial risk is enormous, but the solution starts with a single, crucial step.",{"type":19,"attrs":4791,"content":4792},{"textAlign":21},[4793],{"type":456,"attrs":4794},{"id":4795,"alt":31,"src":4796,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":4797},213261967089311,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F4096x2304\u002F0bd5b50255\u002Fidentify-your-critical-products.png",{},{"type":429,"attrs":4799,"content":4800},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[4801],{"text":4802,"type":25,"marks":4803},"Step 1: identify your critical products",[4804],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4806,"content":4807},{"textAlign":21},[4808],{"text":4809,"type":25},"The first stage of scenario planning isn’t about spreadsheets, forecasting models, or marketing calendars—it’s about focus. Not every SKU needs the same level of attention, and spreading your planning resources too thin can be just as dangerous as not planning at all.",{"type":19,"attrs":4811,"content":4812},{"textAlign":21},[4813],{"text":4814,"type":25},"Instead, retailers should identify their critical products: the lines that will make or break peak season performance. These typically fall into three categories:",{"type":429,"attrs":4816,"content":4817},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[4818],{"text":4819,"type":25,"marks":4820},"1. Hero products",[4821],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4823,"content":4824},{"textAlign":21},[4825],{"text":4826,"type":25},"These are your bestsellers—the products customers actively seek out and that generate a disproportionate share of your sales. During peak season, hero products often become the “gateway” items that draw shoppers to your store.",{"type":19,"attrs":4828,"content":4829},{"textAlign":21},[4830,4832,4836,4837,4844],{"text":4831,"type":25},"If a hero product sells out during a promotion, conversion rates can collapse. Studies show that even minor stockouts can wipe out around ",{"text":4833,"type":25,"marks":4834},"4% of total retail sales",[4835],{"type":406},{"text":4780,"type":25},{"text":4838,"type":25,"marks":4839},"HBR",[4840,4843],{"type":638,"attrs":4841},{"href":4842,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fhbr.org\u002F2004\u002F05\u002Fstock-outs-cause-walkouts?utm_source=chatgpt.com",{"type":643},{"text":4845,"type":25},"). Losing availability on a hero product can double or triple that impact.",{"type":19,"attrs":4847,"content":4848},{"textAlign":21},[4849],{"text":4850,"type":25},"Ask yourself:",{"type":925,"content":4852},[4853,4860,4867],{"type":928,"content":4854},[4855],{"type":19,"attrs":4856,"content":4857},{"textAlign":21},[4858],{"text":4859,"type":25},"Which 5–10 products generated the most revenue in Q4 last year?",{"type":928,"content":4861},[4862],{"type":19,"attrs":4863,"content":4864},{"textAlign":21},[4865],{"text":4866,"type":25},"Which products are driving the highest traffic to your Shopify store today?",{"type":928,"content":4868},[4869],{"type":19,"attrs":4870,"content":4871},{"textAlign":21},[4872],{"text":4873,"type":25},"Which products are most frequently added to wishlists or abandoned carts?",{"type":19,"attrs":4875,"content":4876},{"textAlign":21},[4877],{"text":4878,"type":25},"These are your frontline SKUs, and they demand a tailored scenario plan.",{"type":429,"attrs":4880,"content":4881},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[4882],{"text":4883,"type":25,"marks":4884},"2. High-margin products",[4885],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4887,"content":4888},{"textAlign":21},[4889],{"text":4890,"type":25},"Bestsellers aren’t always the most profitable items. High-margin products are equally important, especially when deep discounts dominate peak season. These products can absorb promotional cuts while still protecting profitability.",{"type":19,"attrs":4892,"content":4893},{"textAlign":21},[4894],{"text":4895,"type":25},"For Shopify merchants, margins can be quietly eroded by transaction fees, fulfilment costs, and returns. That’s why factoring high-margin items into your critical product list is vital. A hero product may drive traffic, but a high-margin product ensures peak season actually boosts your bottom line.",{"type":19,"attrs":4897,"content":4898},{"textAlign":21},[4899],{"text":4900,"type":25},"Questions to consider:",{"type":925,"content":4902},[4903,4910,4917],{"type":928,"content":4904},[4905],{"type":19,"attrs":4906,"content":4907},{"textAlign":21},[4908],{"text":4909,"type":25},"Which SKUs offer the highest profit contribution per unit?",{"type":928,"content":4911},[4912],{"type":19,"attrs":4913,"content":4914},{"textAlign":21},[4915],{"text":4916,"type":25},"Are there bundles or upsells that can increase average order value without heavy discounting?",{"type":928,"content":4918},[4919],{"type":19,"attrs":4920,"content":4921},{"textAlign":21},[4922],{"text":4923,"type":25},"How resilient are these products to markdowns if demand underperforms?",{"type":429,"attrs":4925,"content":4926},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[4927],{"text":4928,"type":25,"marks":4929},"3. Seasonal products",[4930],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4932,"content":4933},{"textAlign":21},[4934],{"text":4935,"type":25},"Every peak season has its stars: gift sets, limited editions, or trend-driven items that sell almost exclusively in Q4. For some retailers, these can be the single biggest drivers of seasonal revenue.",{"type":19,"attrs":4937,"content":4938},{"textAlign":21},[4939],{"text":4940,"type":25},"The risk, however, is twofold:",{"type":925,"content":4942},[4943,4954],{"type":928,"content":4944},[4945],{"type":19,"attrs":4946,"content":4947},{"textAlign":21},[4948,4952],{"text":4949,"type":25,"marks":4950},"Overstock",[4951],{"type":406},{"text":4953,"type":25},", if demand fades quickly after Christmas, leaving excess inventory.",{"type":928,"content":4955},[4956],{"type":19,"attrs":4957,"content":4958},{"textAlign":21},[4959,4963],{"text":4960,"type":25,"marks":4961},"Understock",[4962],{"type":406},{"text":4964,"type":25},", if a trend takes off faster than expected and replenishment windows close.",{"type":19,"attrs":4966,"content":4967},{"textAlign":21},[4968],{"text":4969,"type":25},"Monitoring social trends, pre-orders, and Shopify analytics can help validate which seasonal SKUs should be prioritised. But the real key is acknowledging that seasonal products require shorter, more aggressive scenario windows, you may only have six to eight weeks to sell through before demand collapses.",{"type":19,"attrs":4971},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":4973,"content":4974},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[4975],{"text":4976,"type":25,"marks":4977},"Why prioritisation is the foundation of planning",[4978],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":4980,"content":4981},{"textAlign":21},[4982],{"text":4983,"type":25},"By clearly identifying critical products, you create a manageable focus for the rest of your scenario planning. Instead of spreading forecasting, logistics, and marketing resources across hundreds of SKUs, you double down on the 20% of products that could drive 80% of your peak season success.",{"type":19,"attrs":4985,"content":4986},{"textAlign":21},[4987],{"text":4988,"type":25},"This prioritisation also builds resilience:",{"type":925,"content":4990},[4991,4998,5005],{"type":928,"content":4992},[4993],{"type":19,"attrs":4994,"content":4995},{"textAlign":21},[4996],{"text":4997,"type":25},"If hero products go viral, you have the capacity to fulfil demand.",{"type":928,"content":4999},[5000],{"type":19,"attrs":5001,"content":5002},{"textAlign":21},[5003],{"text":5004,"type":25},"If margins are squeezed, you know which products can keep profitability afloat.",{"type":928,"content":5006},[5007],{"type":19,"attrs":5008,"content":5009},{"textAlign":21},[5010],{"text":5011,"type":25},"If seasonal trends shift, you have clear exit strategies for excess stock.",{"type":19,"attrs":5013,"content":5014},{"textAlign":21},[5015],{"text":5016,"type":25},"Scenario planning can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. By starting with your critical products, you give your team a clear roadmap for where to focus time, stock, and capital.",{"type":19,"attrs":5018,"content":5019},{"textAlign":21},[5020],{"text":5021,"type":25},"Peak season success isn’t about luck — it’s about preparation. ",{"type":19,"attrs":5023},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":5025},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":5027,"content":5028},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[5029],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":5030},[5031],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5033,"content":5034},{"textAlign":21},[5035],{"text":528,"type":25},"For e-commerce retailers, peak season isn’t just about having the right products, it’s about being prepared for every possible twist and turn. Read our guide. ",{"id":533,"alt":534,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":535,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":5038,"is_external_url":43},{"alt":534,"size":537,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31},"2025-09-15 00:00","scenario-planning-for-peak-season-guide-for-shopify-ecommerce-retailers","blog\u002Fscenario-planning-for-peak-season-guide-for-shopify-ecommerce-retailers",-60,[],"a6939990-ed48-41ed-bc9a-6a0fc6628927","2026-04-29T11:01:08.758Z",[],{"name":5048,"created_at":5049,"published_at":5050,"updated_at":5051,"id":5052,"uuid":5053,"content":5054,"slug":5323,"full_slug":5324,"sort_by_date":21,"position":5325,"tag_list":5326,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":5327,"first_published_at":5328,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":5329,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"Why it's critical to start planning now ahead of Black Friday","2026-04-29T11:01:24.664Z","2026-08-28T08:07:14.371Z","2026-08-28T08:07:14.389Z",171093543627704,"7d784ae0-3944-4f9d-bcd0-e78c674f7f55",{"SEO":5055,"_uid":5062,"image":5063,"title":5048,"author":5067,"content":5068,"category":364,"component":529,"read_time":1799,"description":5316,"author_image":5317,"published_at":5322},[5056],{"_uid":5057,"noindex":43,"og_image":5058,"og_title":31,"component":379,"seo_title":5060,"og_image_alt":31,"og_description":31,"seo_description":5061},"58457003-6064-41d8-a823-83bf507412ad",{"id":21,"alt":21,"name":31,"focus":21,"title":21,"source":21,"filename":31,"copyright":21,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":5059},{},"Why it's critical to start planning now ahead of Black Friday | Kaleidoscope","Black Friday has become the biggest sales opportunity of the year for UK retailers – but it’s also the most unforgiving. Here's why you should start preparing now!","a5644bc6-3c7e-4012-84b0-08f2f9898597",{"id":5064,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":5065,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":5066,"is_external_url":43},213870741333959,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F4096x2304\u002F13d80b2c66\u002Finventory-and-sales-planning-for-black-friday-sales.png",{},"Jess",{"type":16,"attrs":5069,"content":5070},{"backgroundColor":21},[5071,5078,5089,5137,5170,5175,5187,5192,5199,5204,5211,5216,5223,5228,5236,5243,5248,5284,5286,5293,5304,5306,5312],{"type":429,"attrs":5072,"content":5073},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[5074],{"text":5075,"type":25,"marks":5076},"How to protect Black Friday revenue",[5077],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5079,"content":5080},{"textAlign":21},[5081,5083,5087],{"text":5082,"type":25},"Black Friday has become the biggest sales opportunity of the year for UK retailers, but it’s also the most unforgiving. In 2024, UK shoppers were expected to spend around ",{"text":5084,"type":25,"marks":5085},"£3.8 billion",[5086],{"type":406},{"text":5088,"type":25}," across Black Friday and Cyber Monday, a 27% increase on the previous year. Yet despite this surge in demand, many retailers still lost out because they weren’t ready.",{"type":19,"attrs":5090,"content":5091},{"textAlign":21},[5092,5094,5098,5100,5105,5107,5111,5113,5120,5122,5126,5128,5135],{"text":5093,"type":25},"Research shows that ",{"text":5095,"type":25,"marks":5096},"46% of UK retailers",[5097],{"type":406},{"text":5099,"type":25}," have experienced stockouts that directly resulted in lost revenue, with luxury brands hit hardest (",{"text":4782,"type":25,"marks":5101},[5102,5104],{"type":638,"attrs":5103},{"href":4786,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},{"type":643},{"text":5106,"type":25},"). For shoppers, the frustration is clear: ",{"text":5108,"type":25,"marks":5109},"82% of UK supermarket customers",[5110],{"type":406},{"text":5112,"type":25}," say they encountered out-of-stock items in the past year (",{"text":5114,"type":25,"marks":5115},"Supply Chain Brain",[5116,5119],{"type":638,"attrs":5117},{"href":5118,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.supplychainbrain.com\u002Farticles\u002F37956-over-80-of-in-store-shoppers-have-had-out-of-stock-experiences-in-2023?utm_source=chatgpt.com",{"type":643},{"text":5121,"type":25},"), and ",{"text":5123,"type":25,"marks":5124},"57% of in-store shoppers",[5125],{"type":406},{"text":5127,"type":25}," reported abandoning purchases altogether when items weren’t available (",{"text":5129,"type":25,"marks":5130},"BIRA",[5131,5134],{"type":638,"attrs":5132},{"href":5133,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fbira.co.uk\u002Fresources\u002Fthe-common-causes-of-stockouts-and-how-to-avoid-them\u002F?utm_source=chatgpt.com",{"type":643},{"text":5136,"type":25},").",{"type":19,"attrs":5138,"content":5139},{"textAlign":21},[5140,5142,5146,5148,5155,5157,5161,5163,5169],{"text":5141,"type":25},"Even more worrying for retailers, ",{"text":5143,"type":25,"marks":5144},"41% of UK consumers",[5145],{"type":406},{"text":5147,"type":25}," say they would stop shopping with a brand altogether if they faced repeated stockouts (",{"text":5149,"type":25,"marks":5150},"Stok.ly",[5151,5154],{"type":638,"attrs":5152},{"href":5153,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stok.ly\u002Fecommerce\u002Fare-stockouts-crippling-your-ecommerce-sales-heres-how-to-stop-them\u002F?utm_source=chatgpt.com",{"type":643},{"text":5156,"type":25},"). Stockouts are now estimated to cost UK retailers a staggering ",{"text":5158,"type":25,"marks":5159},"£15 billion every year",[5160],{"type":406},{"text":5162,"type":25}," (",{"text":5164,"type":25,"marks":5165},"IHL Group via Stok.ly",[5166,5168],{"type":638,"attrs":5167},{"href":5153,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},{"type":643},{"text":5136,"type":25},{"type":19,"attrs":5171,"content":5172},{"textAlign":21},[5173],{"text":5174,"type":25},"In short: when stock planning goes wrong, the cost is not just lost sales, it’s long-term customer loyalty.",{"type":429,"attrs":5176,"content":5177},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[5178,5183],{"type":456,"attrs":5179},{"id":5180,"alt":31,"src":5181,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":5182},213870741284806,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F4096x2304\u002Fbce8e500cb\u002Fblog-image-1.png",{"size":387},{"text":5184,"type":25,"marks":5185},"The stock planning mistakes retailers make",[5186],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5188,"content":5189},{"textAlign":21},[5190],{"text":5191,"type":25},"Even when retailers prepare early, common mistakes can still wipe out millions:",{"type":19,"attrs":5193,"content":5194},{"textAlign":21},[5195],{"text":5196,"type":25,"marks":5197},"Over-reliance on last year’s data",[5198],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5200,"content":5201},{"textAlign":21},[5202],{"text":5203,"type":25},"Forecasting Black Friday stock based only on 2024 sales is risky. Consumer tastes shift quickly, and what worked last year may flop this year. A smarter approach layers historical data with current trends, traffic insights, and promotional plans.",{"type":19,"attrs":5205,"content":5206},{"textAlign":21},[5207],{"text":5208,"type":25,"marks":5209},"Failing to model multiple scenarios",[5210],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5212,"content":5213},{"textAlign":21},[5214],{"text":5215,"type":25},"Black Friday is unpredictable. Viral products, influencer campaigns, or competitor promotions can spike demand overnight. Brands that fail to build “what if” scenarios are forced into reactive decisions that either oversell or overspend.",{"type":19,"attrs":5217,"content":5218},{"textAlign":21},[5219],{"text":5220,"type":25,"marks":5221},"Not aligning stock with cash flow",[5222],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5224,"content":5225},{"textAlign":21},[5226],{"text":5227,"type":25},"Overstocking ties up working capital and risks January markdowns. Understocking costs sales. Smart planning balances inventory with cash flow and logistics capacity, ensuring agility without financial strain.",{"type":19,"attrs":5229,"content":5230},{"textAlign":21},[5231],{"type":456,"attrs":5232},{"id":5233,"alt":31,"src":5234,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":5235},213870741247941,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F4096x2304\u002F913fa207d0\u002Fblog-image.png",{"size":387},{"type":429,"attrs":5237,"content":5238},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[5239],{"text":5240,"type":25,"marks":5241},"Smarter moves to secure peak season success",[5242],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5244,"content":5245},{"textAlign":21},[5246],{"text":5247,"type":25},"Retailers who want to turn Black Friday into a success story should:",{"type":1542,"attrs":5249,"content":5250},{"order":989},[5251,5262,5273],{"type":928,"content":5252},[5253],{"type":19,"attrs":5254,"content":5255},{"textAlign":21},[5256,5260],{"text":5257,"type":25,"marks":5258},"Use real-time demand signals ",[5259],{"type":406},{"text":5261,"type":25},"Analyse traffic, wishlists, and pre-order interest to identify likely bestsellers. This allows stock commitments to match demand more accurately, reducing both overstock and stockout risk.",{"type":928,"content":5263},[5264],{"type":19,"attrs":5265,"content":5266},{"textAlign":21},[5267,5271],{"text":5268,"type":25,"marks":5269},"Build multiple demand scenarios ",[5270],{"type":406},{"text":5272,"type":25},"Create best-case, expected, and worst-case models for peak season. For example, model what happens if your top product doubles in demand, or a late shipment impacts a promotion. Scenario planning in advance leaves time to secure stock or adjust campaigns.",{"type":928,"content":5274},[5275],{"type":19,"attrs":5276,"content":5277},{"textAlign":21},[5278,5282],{"text":5279,"type":25,"marks":5280},"Align stock with cash flow and logistics ",[5281],{"type":406},{"text":5283,"type":25},"Plan replenishment waves that align with working capital and warehouse capacity. Staggered orders can reduce the risk of overstocks while keeping enough flexibility to meet demand.",{"type":19,"attrs":5285},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":5287,"content":5288},{"level":599,"textAlign":21},[5289],{"text":5290,"type":25,"marks":5291},"The payoff of smarter planning",[5292],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5294,"content":5295},{"textAlign":21},[5296,5298,5302],{"text":5297,"type":25},"Black Friday is a high-stakes event. Billions are on the table, but only for retailers who can deliver the right products at the right time. With nearly ",{"text":5299,"type":25,"marks":5300},"half of UK retailers already losing sales to stockouts",[5301],{"type":406},{"text":5303,"type":25}," and shoppers ready to abandon brands after repeated disappointment, the message is clear: smarter, earlier planning is not just a competitive advantage, it’s essential to survival.",{"type":19,"attrs":5305},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":5307,"content":5308},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[5309],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":5310},[5311],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5313,"content":5314},{"textAlign":21},[5315],{"text":528,"type":25},"Black Friday is one of the biggest sales opportunities of the year – but it’s also the most unforgiving. Here's why you should start preparing in now!",{"id":5318,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":5319,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":5320,"is_external_url":43},205134218776337,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F350x350\u002F16fecc1bf1\u002Fcharacter-looking.webp",{"size":5321},"350x350","2025-09-04 00:00","why-it-s-critical-to-start-planning-now-ahead-of-black-friday","blog\u002Fwhy-it-s-critical-to-start-planning-now-ahead-of-black-friday",-80,[],"04a070e7-682f-4ea4-9f97-04f312a60f3a","2026-04-29T11:01:34.237Z",[],{"name":5331,"created_at":5332,"published_at":5333,"updated_at":5334,"id":5335,"uuid":5336,"content":5337,"slug":5637,"full_slug":5638,"sort_by_date":21,"position":5639,"tag_list":5640,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":5641,"first_published_at":5642,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":5643,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"Common sales analysis mistakes and how to avoid them","2026-04-29T11:01:47.504Z","2026-08-28T08:17:16.814Z","2026-08-28T08:17:16.831Z",171093637176255,"726c4f1c-6a75-418f-9b52-aa50455e67f0",{"SEO":5338,"_uid":5344,"image":5345,"title":5331,"author":388,"content":5349,"category":364,"component":529,"read_time":5632,"description":5633,"author_image":5634,"published_at":5636},[5339],{"_uid":5340,"noindex":43,"og_image":5341,"og_title":31,"component":379,"seo_title":5331,"og_image_alt":31,"og_description":31,"seo_description":5343},"01e4e7ec-8d66-4ab3-a389-51c60733d729",{"id":21,"alt":21,"name":31,"focus":21,"title":21,"source":21,"filename":31,"copyright":21,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":5342},{},"Avoid costly sales analysis mistakes with our expert tips. Learn how SMEs can turn sales data into smart decisions using tools like Kaleidoscope.","9987607a-3d5b-4c61-aff0-19d975704374",{"id":5346,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":5347,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":5348,"is_external_url":43},213874092804242,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F4096x2304\u002Fe1d96900d2\u002Fcommon-sales-analysis-mistakes.png",{},{"type":16,"attrs":5350,"content":5351},{"backgroundColor":21},[5352,5357,5362,5364,5369,5374,5379,5381,5386,5393,5398,5405,5410,5417,5422,5429,5434,5441,5446,5454,5459,5470,5475,5521,5523,5528,5600,5605,5618,5620,5626,5630],{"type":19,"attrs":5353,"content":5354},{"textAlign":21},[5355],{"text":5356,"type":25},"Analysing sales data is crucial for making informed decisions that grow your business. Yet many small businesses struggle with common sales analysis mistakes that lead to inaccurate insights and missed opportunities.",{"type":19,"attrs":5358,"content":5359},{"textAlign":21},[5360],{"text":5361,"type":25},"In this post, we’ll highlight the top sales analysis mistakes micro and small businesses make and share practical tips on how to avoid them—so you can turn your data into actionable business intelligence.",{"type":19,"attrs":5363},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":5365,"content":5366},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[5367],{"text":5368,"type":25},"Why proper sales analysis matters",{"type":19,"attrs":5370,"content":5371},{"textAlign":21},[5372],{"text":5373,"type":25},"Sales analysis helps you understand which products are performing well, identify trends, and spot areas for improvement. Done right, it empowers smarter buying, pricing, and marketing decisions.",{"type":19,"attrs":5375,"content":5376},{"textAlign":21},[5377],{"text":5378,"type":25},"But flawed analysis can mislead you, causing you to overstock underperforming products or miss fast-growing opportunities.",{"type":19,"attrs":5380},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":5382,"content":5383},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[5384],{"text":5385,"type":25},"Top 5 sales analysis mistakes to avoid",{"type":19,"attrs":5387,"content":5388},{"textAlign":21},[5389],{"text":5390,"type":25,"marks":5391},"1. Relying on raw data without context",[5392],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5394,"content":5395},{"textAlign":21},[5396],{"text":5397,"type":25},"Looking at sales numbers alone isn’t enough. You need to consider factors like seasonality, promotions, and market changes. For example, a spike in sales during a holiday period doesn’t always mean long-term demand.",{"type":19,"attrs":5399,"content":5400},{"textAlign":21},[5401],{"text":5402,"type":25,"marks":5403},"2. Ignoring product segmentation",[5404],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5406,"content":5407},{"textAlign":21},[5408],{"text":5409,"type":25},"Not all products are equal. Failing to segment by product category, margin, or sales velocity can mask important trends. Segment your data to understand different product groups and tailor your strategies accordingly. ",{"type":19,"attrs":5411,"content":5412},{"textAlign":21},[5413],{"text":5414,"type":25,"marks":5415},"3. Overlooking return and refund data",[5416],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5418,"content":5419},{"textAlign":21},[5420],{"text":5421,"type":25},"Sales figures don’t tell the whole story if you ignore returns or refunds. High return rates can erode profits and indicate quality or satisfaction issues.",{"type":19,"attrs":5423,"content":5424},{"textAlign":21},[5425],{"text":5426,"type":25,"marks":5427},"4. Using outdated or inconsistent data",[5428],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5430,"content":5431},{"textAlign":21},[5432],{"text":5433,"type":25},"Data quality is critical. Ensure your sales data is up-to-date, consistent, and consolidated across channels. Manual data entry errors or outdated spreadsheets can lead to false conclusions.",{"type":19,"attrs":5435,"content":5436},{"textAlign":21},[5437],{"text":5438,"type":25,"marks":5439},"5. Not linking sales data to inventory planning",[5440],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5442,"content":5443},{"textAlign":21},[5444],{"text":5445,"type":25},"Sales analysis and inventory planning must work hand in hand. Analyzing sales without considering stock availability or delivery times can lead to stockouts or excess inventory.",{"type":19,"attrs":5447,"content":5448},{"textAlign":21},[5449],{"type":456,"attrs":5450},{"id":5451,"alt":31,"src":5452,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":5453},213874092759185,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F4096x2304\u002Facbb4570ab\u002Fhow-to-use-shopify-for-connected-sales-analysis.png",{"size":387},{"type":429,"attrs":5455,"content":5456},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[5457],{"text":5458,"type":25},"For Shopify users: how to get more from your sales data",{"type":19,"attrs":5460,"content":5461},{"textAlign":21},[5462,5464,5468],{"text":5463,"type":25},"If you run your store on Shopify, you already have access to a goldmine of data—but making sense of it is another story. Many Shopify brands struggle to move beyond basic reports and truly ",{"text":5465,"type":25,"marks":5466},"connect the dots",[5467],{"type":1849},{"text":5469,"type":25}," between sales performance and inventory decisions.",{"type":19,"attrs":5471,"content":5472},{"textAlign":21},[5473],{"text":5474,"type":25},"Here are a few Shopify-specific tips to avoid common pitfalls:",{"type":925,"content":5476},[5477,5488,5499,5510],{"type":928,"content":5478},[5479],{"type":19,"attrs":5480,"content":5481},{"textAlign":21},[5482,5486],{"text":5483,"type":25,"marks":5484},"Don’t rely solely on Shopify’s native reports:",[5485],{"type":406},{"text":5487,"type":25}," These reports give a snapshot, but they don’t provide deeper insights like product segmentation, forecasted demand, or sell-through rates over time.",{"type":928,"content":5489},[5490],{"type":19,"attrs":5491,"content":5492},{"textAlign":21},[5493,5497],{"text":5494,"type":25,"marks":5495},"Segment by product type and tags:",[5496],{"type":406},{"text":5498,"type":25}," Use Shopify’s product categories and tags to group items by seasonality, margin, or collection. This will help you spot patterns across similar items.",{"type":928,"content":5500},[5501],{"type":19,"attrs":5502,"content":5503},{"textAlign":21},[5504,5508],{"text":5505,"type":25,"marks":5506},"Sync your sales and stock data:",[5507],{"type":406},{"text":5509,"type":25}," Use an app or integration (like Kaleidoscope) that pulls in both sales and inventory data. This makes it easier to avoid over-ordering slow sellers or running out of bestsellers.",{"type":928,"content":5511},[5512],{"type":19,"attrs":5513,"content":5514},{"textAlign":21},[5515,5519],{"text":5516,"type":25,"marks":5517},"Use historical sales trends for forecasting:",[5518],{"type":406},{"text":5520,"type":25}," Shopify gives you order history, but Kaleidoscope can help you turn that history into forecasts and plan ahead with confidence.",{"type":19,"attrs":5522},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":5524,"content":5525},{"level":431,"textAlign":21},[5526],{"text":5527,"type":25},"How to analyse sales data effectively",{"type":925,"content":5529},[5530,5544,5558,5572,5586],{"type":928,"content":5531},[5532,5539],{"type":19,"attrs":5533,"content":5534},{"textAlign":21},[5535],{"text":5536,"type":25,"marks":5537},"Use automated tools:",[5538],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5540,"content":5541},{"textAlign":21},[5542],{"text":5543,"type":25},"Automate sales data collection and reporting with tools like Kaleidoscope to reduce errors and save time.",{"type":928,"content":5545},[5546,5553],{"type":19,"attrs":5547,"content":5548},{"textAlign":21},[5549],{"text":5550,"type":25,"marks":5551},"Segment your sales:",[5552],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5554,"content":5555},{"textAlign":21},[5556],{"text":5557,"type":25},"Break down your sales by product, region, channel, and customer segments.",{"type":928,"content":5559},[5560,5567],{"type":19,"attrs":5561,"content":5562},{"textAlign":21},[5563],{"text":5564,"type":25,"marks":5565},"Track key metrics:",[5566],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5568,"content":5569},{"textAlign":21},[5570],{"text":5571,"type":25},"Monitor sales growth, average order value, conversion rates, and return rates.",{"type":928,"content":5573},[5574,5581],{"type":19,"attrs":5575,"content":5576},{"textAlign":21},[5577],{"text":5578,"type":25,"marks":5579},"Visualize data:",[5580],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5582,"content":5583},{"textAlign":21},[5584],{"text":5585,"type":25},"Use charts and dashboards to identify patterns and anomalies quickly.",{"type":928,"content":5587},[5588,5595],{"type":19,"attrs":5589,"content":5590},{"textAlign":21},[5591],{"text":5592,"type":25,"marks":5593},"Review regularly:",[5594],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5596,"content":5597},{"textAlign":21},[5598],{"text":5599,"type":25},"Set a schedule to review sales data weekly or monthly to react quickly to changes.",{"type":19,"attrs":5601,"content":5602},{"textAlign":21},[5603],{"text":5604,"type":25},"Avoiding common sales analysis mistakes is essential for turning your sales data into a competitive advantage. By adding context, segmenting your data, ensuring accuracy, and linking analysis to inventory planning, you’ll gain clearer insights that help your business grow.",{"type":19,"attrs":5606,"content":5607},{"textAlign":21},[5608,5610,5616],{"text":5609,"type":25},"Ready to improve your sales analysis and inventory planning? ",{"text":5611,"type":25,"marks":5612},"Join our waitlist.",[5613],{"type":638,"attrs":5614},{"href":5615,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":21,"linktype":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kaleidoscope.com\u002Fwaitlist",{"text":5617,"type":25}," ",{"type":19,"attrs":5619},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":5621,"content":5622},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[5623],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":5624},[5625],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5627,"content":5628},{"textAlign":21},[5629],{"text":528,"type":25},{"type":19,"attrs":5631},{"textAlign":21},"12","Analyzing sales data is crucial for making informed decisions that grow your business. Yet many small businesses struggle and miss opportunities.",{"id":533,"alt":534,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":535,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":5635,"is_external_url":43},{"alt":534,"size":537,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31},"2025-08-26 00:00","common-sales-analysis-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them","blog\u002Fcommon-sales-analysis-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them",-100,[],"14803761-eb6e-4767-86c2-c643afbc1241","2026-04-29T11:02:04.253Z",[],{"name":5645,"created_at":5646,"published_at":5647,"updated_at":5648,"id":5649,"uuid":5650,"content":5651,"slug":5771,"full_slug":5772,"sort_by_date":21,"position":5773,"tag_list":5774,"is_startpage":43,"parent_id":543,"meta_data":21,"group_id":5775,"first_published_at":5776,"release_id":21,"lang":356,"path":21,"alternates":5777,"default_full_slug":21,"translated_slugs":21},"Meet Michael Gould: The visionary behind Kaleidoscope","2026-07-27T09:12:14.680Z","2026-09-02T09:11:09.654Z","2026-09-02T09:11:09.669Z",202563316492392,"2d8d5a80-e924-4d26-bea4-9994d80322ca",{"SEO":5652,"_uid":5658,"image":5659,"title":5645,"author":388,"content":5663,"category":362,"component":529,"read_time":2809,"description":5657,"author_image":5768,"published_at":5770},[5653],{"_uid":5654,"noindex":43,"og_image":5655,"og_title":31,"component":379,"seo_title":5645,"og_image_alt":31,"og_description":31,"seo_description":5657},"1bcf1c1f-e531-47ed-9483-721ce754542d",{"id":21,"alt":21,"name":31,"focus":21,"title":21,"source":21,"filename":31,"copyright":21,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":5656},{},"Get to know Michael Gould, founder of Anaplan and now Kaleidoscope. Discover his journey, his philosophy on planning, and why he’s building something new.","b30ceaed-b365-423d-bbae-a9b1843d5665",{"id":5660,"alt":31,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":5661,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":5662,"is_external_url":43},170438938094855,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F2048x1152\u002F4c31db1c63\u002Fblog_cover_image_-_meet_michael_gould.webp",{},{"type":16,"attrs":5664,"content":5665},{"backgroundColor":21},[5666,5671,5678,5690,5695,5704,5711,5716,5723,5725,5730,5737,5742,5747,5754,5756,5758,5764],{"type":19,"attrs":5667,"content":5668},{"textAlign":21},[5669],{"text":5670,"type":25},"At Kaleidoscope, we’re on a mission to empower small and growing businesses with the clarity and confidence they need to plan smarter, move faster, and grow stronger. Behind this mission is Michael Gould — a seasoned tech entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience building powerful software solutions that help businesses thrive.",{"type":429,"attrs":5672,"content":5673},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[5674],{"text":5675,"type":25,"marks":5676},"From Oxford mathematician to tech pioneer",[5677],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5679,"content":5680},{"textAlign":21},[5681,5683,5688],{"text":5682,"type":25},"Michael’s journey started with a strong foundation in mathematics and computation, earning both a degree and a Master’s from Oxford University. Over the past four decades, he’s combined his deep technical expertise with a passion for solving real-world business challenges — most recently as founder and CTO of ",{"text":842,"type":25,"marks":5684},[5685,5687],{"type":638,"attrs":5686},{"href":846,"uuid":21,"anchor":21,"target":641,"linktype":180},{"type":643},{"text":5689,"type":25},", a global leader in connected planning.",{"type":19,"attrs":5691,"content":5692},{"textAlign":21},[5693],{"text":5694,"type":25},"Now based in North Yorkshire with his wife, their large family, and a remarkable story of fostering young refugees for seven years, Michael’s commitment to making a positive impact both professionally and personally.",{"type":19,"attrs":5696,"content":5697},{"textAlign":21},[5698],{"type":456,"attrs":5699},{"id":5700,"alt":31,"src":5701,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31,"meta_data":5702},213874982639836,"https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F290492147191527\u002F1920x1280\u002F17c8f50727\u002Fmichael-gould-working-from-york.jpg",{"size":5703},"1920x1280",{"type":429,"attrs":5705,"content":5706},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[5707],{"text":5708,"type":25,"marks":5709},"The spark behind kaleidoscope",[5710],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5712,"content":5713},{"textAlign":21},[5714],{"text":5715,"type":25},"After selling Anaplan, Michael only took two weeks off before diving headfirst into his next venture: Kaleidoscope. Why? Because he saw a problem that still wasn’t solved.",{"type":1839,"content":5717},[5718],{"type":19,"attrs":5719,"content":5720},{"textAlign":21},[5721],{"text":5722,"type":25},"“Businesses are complex and ever-changing,” Michael explains. “With Anaplan, we made progress connecting logical data models with real-world business operations, but often companies had to fit their processes into rigid tools, which didn’t always suit them. That’s frustrating and inefficient.”",{"type":19,"attrs":5724},{"textAlign":21},{"type":19,"attrs":5726,"content":5727},{"textAlign":21},[5728],{"text":5729,"type":25},"Kaleidoscope is Michael’s answer to that challenge — a fresh approach to business planning that’s designed from the ground up to be natural, flexible, and easy to use.",{"type":429,"attrs":5731,"content":5732},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[5733],{"text":5734,"type":25,"marks":5735},"Planning made simple — for small and growing businesses",[5736],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5738,"content":5739},{"textAlign":21},[5740],{"text":5741,"type":25},"Many small and mid-sized companies don’t have the budget for expensive enterprise software or costly consultants. That’s why Kaleidoscope focuses on delivering powerful, affordable planning tools tailored specifically for these businesses.",{"type":19,"attrs":5743,"content":5744},{"textAlign":21},[5745],{"text":5746,"type":25},"From deciding what products to sell, planning stock levels, to understanding costs and managing cash flow — Kaleidoscope gives planning teams the clarity they need to make confident, informed choices. It’s about cutting through complexity so you can focus on what really matters: growing your business.",{"type":1839,"content":5748},[5749],{"type":19,"attrs":5750,"content":5751},{"textAlign":21},[5752],{"text":5753,"type":25},"As Michael says, “We’re building a system that fits naturally with how businesses actually operate. It’s simpler to get started and more adaptable to the unique challenges small companies face.”",{"type":19,"attrs":5755},{"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":5757},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},{"type":429,"attrs":5759,"content":5760},{"level":518,"textAlign":21},[5761],{"text":521,"type":25,"marks":5762},[5763],{"type":406},{"type":19,"attrs":5765,"content":5766},{"textAlign":21},[5767],{"text":528,"type":25},{"id":533,"alt":534,"name":31,"focus":31,"title":31,"source":31,"filename":535,"copyright":31,"fieldtype":345,"meta_data":5769,"is_external_url":43},{"alt":534,"size":537,"title":31,"source":31,"copyright":31},"2025-07-16 00:00","michael-gould-founder-kaleidoscope","blog\u002Fmichael-gould-founder-kaleidoscope",-160,[],"22fe8e06-dfa5-49e9-a250-24e81d801e34","2026-07-27T09:13:20.892Z",[],1788445486773]