SupplyChainBrain recently published a piece by APQC that outlined 10 Steps to designing an effective supplier relationship management program. It had some good tips, and was dead-on when it said that successful programs have four major components — methodology, collaboration and supply chain synchronization, technology processes, and measurement and rewards — but it overlooked the fact that not all components are created equal.

Methodology, Technology, and Measurement are all necessary conditions, but without collaboration, none will be sufficient. But collaboration is not an instant cure. As the article states, strategic relationships require time, trust, mutual understanding, regular and consistent communications, and mutual commitment to establish a long-term relationship. Collaboration will make the difference between good results and great results, but the great results won’t happen over night. They will only happen after the relationship has had time to simmer. Collaboration is the secret sauce, but it’s not a sauce that can be brought to a rapid boil and served.