The term "supply chain" doesn't say it all, according to Reclipse Group president Susan Rosin and CEO Nigel Johnson. They offer a new term which encompasses all of the business processes that are ripe for collaboration, both inside and outside the organization.

Lean strategies can be of great value in aligning supply with demand in uncertain times, but only if they are implemented in the correct way, says Chris Cookson, vice president of supply chain and operations with Verical.