Local rec center; youth basketball league.  An opposing player launched a wobbly satellite, missing backboard, rim, net, other players, innocent passers-by, the works.  Our five-year old grandson immediately began the chant: "Hairball!  Hairball!"  Close, but . . .

I've been struck by how often those who honestly think they're managing supply chain relationships use words that sound almost right, but that miss the mark when execution is closely examined.  Business relationships, collaboration, open books, strategic alignment - all those seem to be the right stuff.  But, when what they turn out to really mean are "Kiss me quick, I'm off to the next key account dinner," it's time to ask hard questions about the depth and quality of commitment to differentiated and sustainable mutual efforts.

Close, but not quite on the mark, isn't nearly as amusing, or harmless, in supply chain business relationships as it might be with earnest kindergarteners.