There may be some subtle difference between harping and nagging; if there is, it escapes me.  I do know that harpers and naggers often try to take cover under the But-I-Was-Just-Reminding-You bushes.

So, why do I keep harping on the importance of well-conceived and executed business relationships in the world of supply chain management?

For openers, Chuck Poirier from CSC, Morgan Swink from Michigan State, and SCMR's Frank Quinn have recently published Diagnosing Greatness: Ten Traits of the Best Supply Chains.  Their ten common denominators  that lead to higher revenues and lower operating costs include "collaboration with selected partners" and "high customer integration and satisfaction."

When two of the ten components of greatness are directly related to core principles of business relationships (and contribute mightily to at least four of the others), I believe that little more needs to be said.

It's time to get off the win-lose bus and on to the win-win express of business relationship management in supply chains, don't you think?