The most successful global supply chains are those operated by companies that have managed to align them with larger business objectives. Bob Shecterle, vice president and group director of supply chain research with Aberdeen Group, shows how companies can turn their supply chains into competitive weapons. They need the right information-technology tools, of course, but they also must initiate business processes that support them. In addition, network-design efforts must drill deeper and be conducted on a more frequent basis. Shecterle discusses what it takes to be "best-in-class" when it comes to strategic alignment, and which industries are doing the best job of achieving this difficult goal. [Run Time (Min): 14:29]