No Way To Treat A Lady

Those who don't follow such things might think that there's some collective relationship that links Lady Antebellum and Lady Gaga.  Big mistake.  Don't even get me started on Cee Lo.

Likewise, some might be inclined to think that there's some bond involving relationships and business relationships.  Bigger mistake.  Don't even get me started on golf and Maker's Mark as relationship ingredients.

Admittedly, there are qualities of connection, intimacy, personal qualities and authenticity that are important in both.  But, "relationships" are often about emotions, and more often, about ebbing and flowing connections (even in business settings).

Business relationships, in contrast, are - or should be - constructed around sound principles, and with focus on planned outcomes.  They are about facts, and truth, and reality.  Yes, there's intimacy, but it's business intimacy.  Yes, authentic personality is an important element, but it has a purpose beyond good feelings - and it needs to be a constant.

These are vital understandings in the complex world of supply chain partners, in which the breakdown of a hastily and/or partially constructed businesss relationship can bring down the entire chain.  Think no candy in the stores for Hallowe'en, or no toys delivered in time for Christmas, or the new season's line still bobbing somewhere in Pacific waters after the catalog has dropped.