Now that the holidays are behind us, ‘tis the season for gym memberships, “damp January” and other self-improvement plans. This year, why not resolve to increase your company’s returns on Blue Yonder software, improve your supply chain results, and find a like-minded community of peers by joining a Blue Yonder User Group?

User Groups are a fantastic way for Blue Yonder users to network with one another to share best practices, tips and tricks, information and ideas. In addition to customers, User Groups also include Blue Yonder product management and product development team members who are experts in product features, functionality and applications. In addition to business-to-business networking, User Groups provide a direct channel for Blue Yonder solution feedback. In fact, User Group members actively influence our future product direction and enhancements.

With 25 User Groups that span the Blue Yonder solutions family, there’s most likely one that’s perfect for your interests. With ICON 2025 right around the corner, now is a great time to join. This premier supply chain conference is the main meeting venue for Blue Yonder User Groups. Each year, members welcome the chance to reconnect in person, learn about the newest product enhancements, share advice and offer feedback.

Recently I sat down for a chat with Denise Sabo, User Group President. Not only is Denise the current President of our User Groups organization, but she’s a long-time member. Her involvement spans 30 years, dating back to her early use of Arthur Planning, a Blue Yonder predecessor solution. No one is more qualified than Denise to discuss the unique benefits of joining a Blue Yonder User Group.

Wayland Fox (WF): Tell me about your own experience as a User Group member. What makes it so impactful that you’ve chosen to be involved for so many years?

Denise Sabo (DS): I remember sitting on my first User Group call as a young retail buyer and planner. I was looking for tips on using the software better, but I didn’t want to sound stupid. I was literally afraid to talk! But I quickly realized that, even though everyone in the group had a different company and a different title, we were all there for the same reason: To learn and to help each other. Our shared goal was using advanced software to get the right merchandise to the right place at the right time. There was no judgment, and no such thing as a dumb question. It was a completely safe place. For a young person and a new employee, that was incredible. Being in a User Group didn’t just help me become a better planning professional and a more proficient software user. It helped me grow personally as well.

WF: Can you talk about that personal journey little bit more?

DS: I’m happy to, because I don’t think that’s something I expected. Being in a User Group really helped me find my voice and develop my leadership capabilities. It helped me find my footing in the world of retail planning. One minute I was a new member, and the next minute I was answering questions and sharing my own experiences, both during in-person meetings and by posting in online forums. I was able to influence new product features and get a preview of future development plans, which was very exciting. I wasn’t scared to talk — and I haven’t been since! In every role, I’ve continued to be a very active participant in Blue Yonder’s User Group for retail planning.   

WF: That’s great to hear, and you’re right — people probably don’t realize that personal aspect. Most often, potential members wonder about the practical benefits for their everyday work.

DS: The great news is that User Groups also help you accomplish that daily work better, faster and more efficiently. They increase the results your organization realizes from the software. In the retail planning group, we’re all doing the same basic job — so we constantly share our own experiences, perspectives, best practices and shortcuts. We also discuss emerging topics like artificial intelligence (AI), data science and ChatGPT. How are those going to show up in the software? How can they help us accomplish our work better? Of course, Blue Yonder experts are right there to join in the conversation. And it’s not just technical issues, we also talk a lot about cultural topics. In retail planning, as in many fields, there’s a constant struggle to get people to transition away from Excel spreadsheets and manual analysis. We share our challenges and successes with that. There’s really no topic that’s off limits, because in the end we’re a community of retail planners.

WF: What’s it like being part of that community during ICON?

DS: Not only does the User Group experience exponentially improve my use of Blue Yonder software, but it also makes the annual ICON conference so much more valuable. First, I get to see all my friends and reconnect on a personal level, which is so great! Second, I get immediately up to speed on what’s going on with the software. AI, machine learning, data science and other developments are bringing about rapid and dramatic innovations in Blue Yonder software. The User Group meeting at ICON gives me a front-row seat to hear about that.

WF: The most common concern we hear about joining a User Group is, “I just don’t have time for the commitment. I’m too busy.” As someone who’s devoted years to User Groups, what’s your response?

DS: I get that, I really do, because we’re all busy. But the commitment isn’t that big at all. There’s the annual in-person meeting at ICON, as well as one-hour quarterly meetings. You can participate in online forums at your own pace, on your own time, if you choose. After 30 years, I can confidently say that the rewards of User Group membership far outweigh the minimal amount of time you need to invest. There’s also the real risk of falling behind in today’s fast-moving tech landscape if you don’t make those connections to Blue Yonder and your peers.

For anyone who’s reading this and thinking of some concern or objection, I’d say, just give User Group membership a try. What have you got to lose? It’s a new year, a clean slate. Embark on something new that could positively impact your professional life and your personal growth. You might be very surprised by the outcome!

Ready to kickoff 2025 by joining a Blue Yonder User Group? Start your journey here.