Don't get all lathered up, it's only a song title.  I may be erratic, but I'm not delusional.

Respected veteran supply chain journalist Jean Murphy recently wrote that stronger supplier relationships are a "post-recession priority."  (Supply Chain Brain, May 2010; www.supplychainbrain.com)  She went on to outline the stresses that tough economic times put on outsourced and/or extended supply chains.  Now, businesses are struggling to get their supply chains up to speed, she continued.

Right Said Fred, invoking the name of a band from the era of Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Cocteau Twins.  Right Said Fred, btw, gave us the marvelous tune referenced above.  But, do I hear the strains of Carole King and It's Too Late in the background?

Where was all this concern when it really mattered, at the worst of the hard times?  Wasn't that the right time to go the extra mile to keep things together, to invest in maintaining the business relationships that would make the difference when recovery inevitably arrived?  Of course it was.

Those who did so are going to be way ahead of those who didn't (and are scrambling today).  And those who are turning to advanced technology to make up for lost time - and lost opportunity - are likely to be disappointed.  Remember that for the next downturn - or if this recession turns out to have a double dip in its course.

When the late night conversation turns to this particular topic, my friends sometimes accuse me of going all DJ and channeling Wolfman Jack on speed - oh, wait, that's redundant.

Don't get me wrong.  Technology is great, and can propel supplier relationships to higher levels of performance.  But it is no substitute for having built and tended to the human side of the equation - the "for better or worse" commitment of authentic human representatives of enterprises in advanced supply chains that can weather extreme challenges, rebound, and move forward.