We’ve all experienced it – those unpredictable surges in demand that come out of nowhere and throw us totally off our game. On this episode of Inventory Nation, Host Nicole Clausen walks us through this unsettling scenario. More importantly, she’s giving us a methodical approach to figuring out why these spikes happen and how (with a little planning) we can stay ahead of the curve. Given how hard we work to keep our systems running smoothly and everything readily available for our teams – whenever and in whatever quantity they need – it can be very frustrating when a totally unforeseen, seemingly random run occurs. Suddenly a certain medication or critical supply has been completely depleted. The cupboard is bare. Talk about a stressful situation – one we all want to avoid! You’ll learn on this episode about three key questions to ask when navigating those big spikes and how to get buy-in from your team to help keep things on track. With just a little bit of detective work, some good communication and a flexible plan, your practice can adapt quickly and ride out the inevitable fluctuations in demand that can stress even the most organized and on-top-of-it inventory management systems. And remember: Grace is an important component of even the most “perfect” of office protocols and procedures. You can’t plan for everything, but you can at least learn some great strategies to help anticipate and manage through the storm!   It’s here! Inventory Manager Appreciation Day is on June 7th, so take a moment to celebrate you and all you do for the community! Please also visit this link to find out lots more about nominations (including self-nominations, which are encouraged) for our Inventory Manager of the Year Award. There will be not only well-deserved recognition but also great gifts courtesy our sponsors, Epicur Pharma and VetCove, and unlimited access to all of Nicole’s classes!   Have a funny story about a random demand surge that caught you off guard? Please share your experiences and top tips with Vet Care Logistics @Instagram, @Facebook or via our email.   Would you like to learn more about Inventory 911 Toolkit, our step-by-step blueprint to help inventory managers optimize knowledge, strategy and confidence? Click here!   You can also join the Inventory Strategy Network – our free virtual neighborhood for inventory managers and other veterinary professionals – by visiting this link. FOLLOW OR CONTACT US: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram