If you can't comply with today's strict delivery windows mandated by many retailers, consider expedited shipments, says Tom Goosmann, sales director of Panther Expedited Services. The cost will be much cheaper than the chargebacks and penalties a merchant will assess.

The third-party logistics services sector in the U.S. is set to expand by more than 13 percent this year, says Evan Armstrong, president of Armstrong Associates Inc. But the future will see more even more dynamic growth in such places as China and India.

Some shippers have treated their transportation providers like commodities, says Vincent Gulisano, chief customer officer of Greatwide Logistics Services, and that's not good. You can always find somebody to do a transaction, but partnering is what's key to your success.

The squeeze on capacity is continuing, and responsible supply chain managers have already ensured that their companies' transportation needs for the next year are under contract, says Vincent Chiodo, senior vice president of Transplace.

Linking supply chain and finance is vitally important at MeadWestvaco, says Brian McClure, the company's director of global procurement and supply chain. It helps boost operational excellence, which drives productivity.

Choosing the right supply chain is key to being a good steward of the environment, says Darrell Zavitz, vice president, supply chain, at the Dow Chemical Company. Moreover, there's always good business value in waste reduction and energy conservation.

SERVICES is an acronym that stands for the menu of offerings that sets C.H. Robinson Worldwide apart from its competitors, says Jim Butts, senior vice president. But in the final analysis, a 3PL has to go beyond slogans and really partner with a customer if it is to realize its expectations.

Price is always important, says Jim Jones, vice president of business development and relationship management at DB Schenker. But the emphasis should be on obtaining the best overall solution. That pays huge dividends in the long run.

Business is moving toward a model of empathy for a partner's organization and its goals, both commercial and fiscal, says Michael J. Stolarczyk, president of Kontane Logistics. A long-term, solid relationship built on that kind of collaboration ultimately pays off for all concerned.