Making the Connection: JDA FocusConnect Shines a Spotlight on Seamless Customer Service

JDA Software Group, Inc., has announced its keynote speakers for FocusConnect 2015, scheduled for November 3-5 at the Hotel Arts Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain.

This annual European conference brings together more than 500 retail and supply chain professionals to share best practices in supply chain, manufacturing and retail planning, store operations and category management. Sponsors of FocusConnect 2015 include Accenture, Ágora, Amber Road, Capgemini, Centiro, Honeywell, IBM, MetaPack, Microsoft, Renovotec, REPL Group, Tata Consultancy Services, and Zebra.

The theme of the conference, "Delivering a Seamless Customer Journey," highlights the need for companies to create a consistent, personalized shopping experience no matter where in the world customers are — and no matter how they are purchasing. JDA FocusConnect will also highlight ways to improve customers' business process planning, how to drive cost efficiencies and maximize ROI and also sheds insight into how businesses are using their supply chains to achieve competitive advantage.

"In today's environment of 'me commerce,' long-term financial success depends on satisfying customers by recognizing them as they follow diverse paths to purchase — and creating a seamless, customized journey each time they reach out to your organization," noted Andrew Kirkwood, regional vice president, EMEA, JDA Software. "Customers should not only receive excellent and efficient service, but they should feel an emotional connection to your brand that drives long-term loyalty. FocusConnect 2015 will shine a spotlight on both superior execution and the intangible power of emotion."

The keynote speakers for FocusConnect 2015 represent the blend of business results and emotion at the heart of this theme. They include:

• Kevin O'Marah, Chief Content Officer, SCM World. O'Marah directs SCM World's practitioner-driven supply chain content and research, leveraging the combined experience and insight of more than 19,000 practitioners within SCM World's membership. His presentation, "The Future of Supply Chain," will paint a picture of a future supply chain that is more aware, responsive and agile than what we know today. This keynote will feature findings from SCM World's fifth annual CSCO study, focusing on digital enablement, customer centricity, global risk and developing tomorrow's supply chain workforce.
• Emmanuel "Manny" Ohonme, Founder & President, Samaritan's Feet International. Few speakers understand the power of emotional connection more than Ohonme, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria. At the age of nine, he received his first pair of shoes from a "Good Samaritan." Those shoes became a symbol of hope, spurring him to earn a college basketball scholarship and begin a career in the technology industry. In 2003, Ohonme and his wife founded Samaritan's Feet International, a 501(c)(3) organization that shares hope by donating shoes and encouraging kids to pursue their dreams. To date, more than 5.5 million pairs of shoes have been distributed to needy children in over 70 countries.
• Bal Dail, chairman of the Board and CEO, JDA Software. In his presentation, Bal will discuss the 'new' JDA and JDA's corporate strategy and vision for the seamless supply chain. Prior to leading JDA, he was an operating partner at New Mountain Capital, a private equity firm based in New York.
• Razat Gaurav, executive vice president and general manager and chief revenue officer, JDA Software. In his presentation, Razat will discuss the next generation of supply chain solutions – "supply chain 3.0" - and JDA's views on innovation for 2016. Razat leads JDA's global industry solutions, product management and global sales and alliances teams. He focuses on establishing product strategy, solution roadmaps, product portfolio investments, go-to-market plans, and sales execution activities that maximize JDA revenue and margin.

In addition, JDA customer METRO Cash & Carry will speak at FocusConnect 2015. The host of FocusConnect 2015 will be Mark Jeffries, trusted adviser and communications consultant to some of the world's largest and most successful organizations. A sought-after speaker, Jeffries is an entertaining and experienced event host and author of the book, The Art of Business Seduction, which offers practical soft-skill communication advice and effective presentation skills.

In addition to the keynote speakers who will present during general sessions, FocusConnect 2015 will feature industry-specific Special Interest Group meetings, workshops, JDA customer case studies and educational sessions. Confirmed speakers include representatives from Access Business Group, Amway, Delhaize Group, HEMA, Marks & Spencer, Mars, New York & Company, Pick n Pay, PVH Corp., SanDisk, Sears, Tesco, Tilly's, Tyco and Walgreens.