For more information and to register, click here.

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12/7/04 2:50 PM – The Next Generation of Best Practices in Managing Supplier Relationships
Bill McBeath speaks at the Supply Chain and Logistics Summit in Scottsdale, AZ

Learn how the best performing companies in the world manage their suppliers and how they tackle the thorniest challenges:

• The rising cost of raw material and energy prices; innovative approaches to reducing the impact
• Managing supply risk (upside/downside flexibility, supply disruptions, etc.)
• Building compliance into the chain (RoHS, WEEE, Labor, Customer requirements, etc.)
• Designing and implementing multi-tier relationships to improve the overall efficiency of the chain
• Integrating conflicting requirements of sourcing, design, manufacturing, and service

Hear results of ChainLink's in-depth research into the next generation of best practices, the critical factors for success, and how to apply them to your company.

For more information and to register, click here.

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11/17/04 – Best Practices in Process Improvement and BPM for Supply Chain Conference at the Monte Carlo Hotel in Las Vegas
Bill McBeath moderates and speaks on "Developing an Inter-Enterprise Model for Improving Performance Utilizing BPM in the Supply Chain"

The Supply Chain is strategic, and it’s time that upper-management and the Supply Chain practitioners see eye-to-eye and start speaking each other’s language. The first step towards process improvement and BPM is corporate buy-in. This session will focus on an inter-enterprise framework for understanding the structure and evolution of Supply Chains, with a focus on the relationships and links between firms in the chain. Once the foundation for BPM is in place, the Supply Chain can thrive as a corporate asset. In this session delegates will learn how:

• To utilize Supply Chain capabilities to increase revenue and market share
• Supply Chains are structured and their impact on corporate optimization
• BPM can optimize the Supply Chain as a strategic tool
• Trading partner links evolve over time to improve performance of the entire chain
• Metrics can improve chain-wide performance

For more information and to register, click here.

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9/9/04 1:00 PM EDT — The Definitive RFID Webinar: Discovering what it is and how it can help your organization
A Live On-line course presented by Ann Grackin

RFID promises to fundamentally reshape the way companies make and supply products. In this webinar, Ann Grackin, the leading authority on RFID business transformation, will help you find answers to many questions: Will RFID really deliver major benefits to manufacturers, logistics providers and retailers? Will the technology really transform the supply chain? Is the cost of implementation too high and the integration too complex? Is there an ROI for RFID? Will the industry converge around one standard? Will there be a privacy backlash? What really is an RFID solution? Will RFID improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, increase security and boost profits for companies in a multitude of industries? Ann Grackin will discuss real-world examples in these major industry areas:

• Retail and Consumer Goods
• Military
• Service Applications
• Logistics and Transportation
• Pharma/FDA

These issues and more will be addressed in this high level program, as well as key business and technology considerations for you to get started with RFID. For more information and to register, click here.

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7/22/04 11:00 AM – Aligning Supply Chain Performance Measures to Overall Corporate Performance Measures
Ann Grackin speaks at the ASMI Supply Chain Performance Management Summit in Las Vegas

Supply chain performance measurements are not one size fits all. The overall corporate goals and value proposition of the company must be tied to the types of measures chosen. Your corporate goals, strategies, and emphasis will help determine what types of measures you choose. In this session you will learn how to...

• Align your corporate strategy with supply chain strategy
• Align your corporate measurement system with supply chain measurement system
• Tailor supply chain measures to particular corporate needs

For more information on the ASMI Supply Chain Performance Management Summit and to enroll, click here.

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5/19/04 — Integrating the Cold Chain into the Global Logistics Environment
A Presentation by Carla Reed, ChainLink's VP Global Logistics.
Cold Chain Distribution Conference — London

Managing the complexity of cold chain distribution across global boundaries and regulations

• Temperature control is critical – when product is in motion and at rest
• Accurate information related to product – specific cold chain requirements – who needs it and how should they access it?
• Maintaining the integrity of the product – what technology is available?
• Best practices in cold chain storage and transportation
• Putting it all together

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4/21/04:  Secrets to World Class Demand Management – ESCA Spring Symposium
Learn how industry leaders have achieved world-class demand management results, including the inside story from the former VP of supply chain for Dell, Stuart Smith. Bill McBeath will set the framework, showing results of ChainLink's research into the next generation of demand practices, including lifecycle management and risk management, and how they are being implemented. Then hear directly from Stuart Smith what he learned as VP of Supply Chain at Dell during the 90's when they were growing at over 50% per year. When Dell, recognized their balance sheet as the only affordable source of working capital and decided to lower inventories, some predicted service levels would plummet and expediting costs would skyrocket. Instead service levels improved by 60% and margins improved almost 5%! Dell went from 50 DSI (days sales of inventory) down to 10 DSI while running the company on spreadsheets and a 1970's vintage batch MRP and inventory systems. So it wasn't about the tools and systems. What was the secret to Dell's success? In order to both generate cash from inventory and compete with the industry leaders they had to develop world class demand management techniques. Hear how they did it.

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3/25/04 — Webinar: Supply Chain Management for the Demand Driven Economy
Webinar with Ann Grackin and Other Industry Experts.

There is a new paradigm in the global market: the Demand Driven Economy. And in this economy, the well informed, technology enabled, ever demanding CUSTOMER is center stage. Attracting and retaining this sophisticated and tech-savvy consumer has taken supply chain complexity to a mind-boggling level. Is your organization ready to anticipate and react to unique customer demands? Find out how the 'masters' are outpacing their competition by becoming more agile and more flexible.

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2/25/04 — Supply Chain Partner Integration: Creating a Collaborative Environment
A presentation by Carla Reed, Supply Chain Consultant, ChainLink Research.
Cold Chain Distribution for Pharmaceuticals Conference
Global manufacturing and distribution requires the participation of many participants, to include contract manufacturers, storage and transportation providers. Selecting the correct partners and integrating them into a seamless 'virtual' supply chain requires clear definition in terms of expectations for all parties.

This presentation explores how all participants are able to act collaboratively, based on a clear understanding of:

• Supply chain parameters
• Role of each of the players
• Communications media
• Performance metrics

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2/23/04 — Seamless Integration of the ‘Cold Chain’ into the Pharma Supply Chain
A workshop lead by Phil Schoepke, ChainLink's Director, Process Industries.
Cold Chain Distribution for Pharmaceuticals Conference — Philadelphia, PA

True global supply chain management requires visibility to the movement, storage and value added processing of raw materials, work in process and finished goods. The complexity of the pharmaceutical supply chain — in effect a networked ‘chain of chains’ — requires an understanding of the inter-dependency of related processes and product components. Specific product and item level characteristics need to be taken into account when developing logistics and distribution strategies. It is critical to ensure that the correct temperature controlled environment is maintained as active compounds and temperature sensitive finished product is moved from production to warehousing and distribution networks. In addition, cost and market pressures demand that the ‘cold chain’ be integrated into the traditional pharmaceutical supply chain. This workshop will explore some of the challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry related to the storage and distribution of temperature controlled products, with their specific ‘cold chain’ requirements. Participants will be engaged in interactive discussion related to material handling, information technology and exception alerting requirements specific to transportation, receiving processes and product storage strategies in the pharmaceutical ‘cold chain’. Discussion material will include ‘real world’ examples of how the combination of emerging technologies and supply chain best practices have enabled pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors to create a seamless flow of product from source to consumption.

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2/22/04–2/24/04 –Vendor Compliance Federation Conference
Fort Lauderdale in February anyone?

Sunday, February 22nd - Tuesday February 24th, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

This is where the action is if you're dealing with retailer compliance challenges. VCF always has great conferences, where retailers and suppliers meet to learn, discuss, and hash out the problems. In addition to the interactive retailer-supplier sessions, this one covers shipment vs. order accuracy, the new Federal trucking laws, challenges in global outsourcing, compliance manual comparison and review, and international logistics. ChainLink's Managing Director, Global Logistics and Distribution, Carla Reed, will lead the international breakout session to address a variety of topics such as shipping direct from contract manufacturers to retailers, where the supplier does not touch the goods but is still responsible for compliance. If you are a retailer or supplier to retail, this is one you won't want to miss.
For more info, click here

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2/18/04 11:00 AM EST - ChainLink Webinar on Next Generation Demand Management
 Webinar with Stuart Smith, Robert Bruce, Bill McBeath, and Ann Grackin.

This webinar was so popular when we ran it in January that it was oversubscribed, so we are running it again.

Abysmal forecasting accuracy, profit-draining markdowns, and customer- losing stockouts are the norm at too many companies. Yet Dell, Wal-Mart and other leaders sustain healthy growth by meeting demand–having the right product at the right time and place. Learn from the former VP of Supply Chain for Wal-Mart the secrets to successful CPFR and what's coming next. Hear from the former VP of Supply Chain for Dell the inside story of how he took them from 40 to 8 days of supply while growing the company from $5B to $20B. Learn the inside story from ChainLink's in-depth research study of Next Generation Demand Management Practices-how industry leaders consistently generate, predict and fulfill demand much better than their competitors. No vendor pitch in this webinar-nothing but the distilled experience and lessons of market leaders.

Those who already registered for the January event but were unable to attend, if you want to re-register for February, click here.
To register for the first time, click here.

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1/28/04 11:00 AM EST - ChainLink Webinar: Next Generation Demand Management
Webinar with Stuart Smith, Robert Bruce, Bill McBeath, and Ann Grackin.

Wednesday, January 28th, 11:00 AM EST / 8:00 AM PST (1 hour)

Abysmal forecasting accuracy, profit-draining markdowns, and customer-losing stockouts are the norm at too many companies. Yet Dell, Wal-Mart and other leaders sustain healthy growth by meeting demand–having the right product at the right time and place. Learn from the former VP of Supply Chain for Wal-Mart the secrets to successful CPFR and what's coming next. Hear from the former VP of Supply Chain for Dell the inside story of how he took them from 40 to 8 days of supply while growing the company from $5B to $20B. Learn the inside story from ChainLink's in-depth research study of Next Generation Demand Management Practices-how industry leaders consistently generate, predict and fulfill demand much better than their competitors. No vendor pitch in this webinar-nothing but the distilled experience and lessons of market leaders.
To Register click here.

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12/11/2003 2:00 PM EDT – "Warehouse Management System Selection - The Key To Success Is Accurate Systems Requirements Definition"
Webinar with Carla Reed, ChainLink Director Global Logistics and Distribution

If you are in the process of designing, improving, running, or selecting a warehouse management system, you can't afford to miss this webinar. Carla Reed, one of the world's top experts in logistics and warehouse management operations and technology will explain the interaction between People, Process and Technology when evaluating and implementing WMS to reduce the risk of failure and ensure a positive ROI. Ms. Reed lays out the keys to a successful WMS implementation; a clear understanding and definition of the functions required to support receiving, storing, picking, and shipping products. The WMS must facilitate the planning and scheduling of each of these tasks, allocating labor and equipment to the day's activities. This includes the management of work pending, work in the queue, work in process and work completed. The WMS should also be able to handle ad hoc 'customer collect' orders as well as emergency orders, altering the work schedule to accommodate unplanned orders. Additionally, the WMS should optimize storage locations, facilitate inventory control and stock rotation. This course will cover:

• Defining the requirements for the WMS technology
• Understanding the different warehouse management and control systems Options
• Effective implementation of a warehouse management system

For more information and/or to register, click here.

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12/9/2003 2:00 PM EDT – "Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) - It's Small, Smart, and Fast"
Webinar with Ann Grackin, ChainLink CEO

Less than one week after the DoD's RFID meetings, Ann Grackin delivers the inside story on RFID, the DoD, and Wal-Mart. This is a "must attend" event for anyone involved in RFID, with insights to help you shape your plans that you won't find anywhere else. For more information and/or to register, click here.

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Ann Grackin delivers Keynote Address at Vendor Compliance Federation Conference

A presentation by:
Ann Grackin, CEO, ChainLink Research, Inc.

Compliance yes! But these are just table stakes to get in the high rollers game in business today. As retailers get even more powerful with customer centric strategies, cross channel integration and private label brands, you have to be oh so much more to keep and grow your business. You have to apply some High Frequency Thinking! Ann Grackin will wrap up her Live and Unplugged season at the Vendor Compliance Federation Conference in Phoenix on November 17th. She will discuss such issues as:

• Compliance is getting tougher. What you must do now-RFID and beyond
• Grabbing more shelf space through supplier excellence
• Quit your whining–Supplier Self Determination
• Retailers! You can do win/win collaboration and make more money

For information on registering for the Vendor Compliance Federation Conference, click here.

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11/11/03 – Ann Grackin will deliver the keynote address at the Adexa Customer Summit, Las Vegas, Nevada

For information on registering for the 2003 Adexa Customer Summit click here.

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11/4/03 – Demanding Times are Here: "Next Generation of Demand Management Practices"
Bill McBeath, Partner, Founder of ChainLink Research speaks at the ESCA 7th Annual Winter Symposium

Abysmal forecasting accuracy has companies and their suppliers crying out for improvements. Hear the results of ChainLink's research into the next generation of Demand Management best practices. Learn from the leaders who have achieved results well above industry averages.

• Supplier self-sufficiency–how the best suppliers are not waiting for their customers to improve forecast accuracy, but learning how to read the signals and respond
• Network models for demand management–how n-tier network models are being effectively implemented
• Market Assumptions–Using assumptions about the market, gleaned from various sources, to reality-check and adjust forecasts
• Lifecycle Planning–Best practice in product ramps and EOL transitions
• Risk Management–Advanced new methods to evaluate and mitigate demand-supply risks, such as structured contracts and real options

Discover how to improve your forecasting capabilities and match demand and supply, based on the experiences of the industry leaders.

For information on registering for the ESCA Winter Symposium click here.

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10/25/03 – "Winning at Global Logistics Means Being SmallSmartFast"
Ann Grackin is the Keynote Speaker at the 2003 OIPMAC Conference – The Nuts and Bolts of Supply Management

A presentation by:
Ann Grackin, CEO, ChainLink Research, Inc.

Increasing Globalization has created new challenges, new opportunities–and some significant threats. Globalization means mastering global trade and logistics. The winners will be firms who are Smaller, Smarter and Faster. They will leverage global partners. And they will deploy smaller smarter and faster business process and technologies. What are the processes I must master? What are the SmallSmartFast technologies? How can my firm continue to grow–and at the same time be a force for good in the markets we serve?

For information on registering for the OIPMAC Conference, here.

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10/14/03 – "Effectively Managing the Outsourced Supply Chain"
Ann Grackin speaks at University of Texas at Dallas webinar for the Center for Intelligent Supply Networks. This webinar explores fundamental issues regarding the outsourcing strategy:

• What are the business objectives behind the decision? How are they measured?
• What are the trade-offs between an outsourced and a vertically-integrated operation?
• How do you ensure the same level of visibility as an in-house operation?
• How do you build closed-loop processes with your trading partners?
• What framework do you use to evaluate performance of the outsourced supply chain?

The objective of the first session is to set the stage by defining the core issues, such as visibility, integration and sourcing, as well as to provide a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of the outsourced supply chain. Subsequent sessions will focus on each of the collaborative relationships, such as original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-supplier and OEM-distributor, within the hi-tech value chain.

To view playback of this webinar, click here.

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9/22/03 – 9/24/03 – Global Logistics Track
ChainLink Leads Track at CLM 2003 Annual Conference

Ann Grackin leads the Global Logistics Track at CLM's 2003 conference at the McCormick Place-Lakeside Center in Chicago, 9/22-9/24/03. ChainLink also presents findings from our research.

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9/15/03 – Industry Best Practices and Supply Chain Management Trends
ChainLink leads panel at the National Defense Transportation Association Forum

ChainLink will lead a panel discussion on commercial best practice and techniques that have emerged as important forces in supply chain transformation at the DOD. What the defenese community can learn from the commercial sector, and just as importantly, what issues exist in the adoption of commercial approaches. NDTA 2003 Forum and Exposition, Kansas City, MO, 9/13/03–9/17/03. For more information or to register, visit the NDTA website

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9/11/03 – Future Technologies: How We Will Live, Work and Play
Ann Grackin at Massachusetts Women in Technology Speaker Series

Come and learn how future technologies will reshape our perception of what's possible (and permissible). Explore the social and ethical issues that will be raised as a result of emerging technologies. A panel of experts, including ChainLink's Ann Grackin, will share their thoughts on how technology will impact our professional and personal lives. Thursday, September 11th, 5:30 to 8:30 at Sun Microsystems, 1 Network Dr., Burlington, Mass. Click here for more information or to register.

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6/12/03 – "Retailer-Supplier Tug of War: Results from ChainLink Research's 2003 Retail Supply Chain Survey"
Retail Systems/VICS Collaborative Commerce 2003 Conference and Expo

A presentation by:
Ann Grackin, Partner, Cofounder, ChainLink Research, Inc.
Bill McBeath, Partner, Cofounder, ChainLink Research, Inc.

Learn what's happening on the battlefront between retailers and their suppliers. Gain Insights into the power game—winners and losers in the struggle for projects, profits, customers, and market share. Discover what trading partners can do to win a stronger power position in the supply chain. This talk describes findings from ChainLink Research and Chain Store Age's survey of 140 leading manufacturers and retailers, comparing and contrasting their perspectives on:

• Key performance measurements - rewards and penalties for suppliers
• Promotion management - problems, causes, technology adoption
• Merchandizing - evolution in replenishment and category management decision-making processes
• Inbound logistics - adoption of emerging technologies and practices
• VMI - Motivation and criteria
• e-Procurement - sea change vs. just another ripple

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4/30/03 – "Supply Chain Transformation: Translating Vision to Reality"
Transform Your Supply Chain Seminar

A presentation by:
Ann Grackin, Partner, Cofounder, ChainLink Research, Inc.

Over the last 10 years, companies have invested significant money and time to improve their supply-chains and have received limited return on that investment. Three challenges held these companies back: 1) enterprise systems were designed to manage processes within the four walls of an enterprise, not the multi-node supply chain network of the real world, 2) lengthy planning cycles resulted in a planning horizon that limited the responsiveness of supply chain networks, and 3) the sales and implementation model employed by vendors put the risk solely on customers' shoulders with high up-front costs and no accountability for the results. This presentation will provide a roadmap for realizing the vision of supply chain transformation through a supply chain network solution that integrates all partners in the network and synchronizes transactions across the network. Additionally, by engaging only vendors that employ a Pay-for-Performance model can companies mitigate their risk and ensure tangible results.

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4/8/03 – "VMI Revelations and Recommendations: Findings from the ESCA/ChainLink Research 2003 VMI Research Project"
Electronic Supply Chain Association's 2003 Spring Symposium

A presentation by:
Bill McBeath, Partner, Cofounder, ChainLink Research, Inc.

Lessons learned from an in-depth study of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) practices in the high tech industry:

• What contractual agreements, business processes, and technology are being adopted, by whom, and how?
• What metrics are being used to measure the success of VMI programs?
• When and where is VMI working well and when is it not working?
• What limitations and obstacles hinder the effectiveness of VMI?
• When does VMI actually lower the inventory in the whole supply chain vs. simply transferring inventory burdens to suppliers?

This talk explores dynamics of VMI in both up and down markets including the contentious issues of liability, freshness, and forecast accuracy. Differences in standard/commodity vs custom/sole-source parts. Recommendations are given on how to use VMI to reduce inventory across the supply chain, while improving flexibility and service levels.

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4/2/03 – "Managing the Links: Winning the Game in Global Supply Chain"
Presentation at Delivering the Goods – Breaking Down Boundaries in the Soft Goods Global Supply Chain, conference co-organized by ChainLink Research and [TC]2

A presentation by: Ann Grackin, Partner, Cofounder, ChainLink Research, Inc.

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1/24/03 – "Retailer-Supplier Tug-of-War: ChainLink Research’s 2003 Survey Preliminary Results"
University of Denver's Supply Chain Executive Forum

A presentation by:
Bill McBeath, Partner, Cofounder, ChainLink Research, Inc.

Preliminary results of our 2003 Retailer-Supplier survey. What’s happening on the “battlefront” between retailers and their suppliers? Are they thinking the same and working towards the same goals? Alignments and discontinuities in current strategies and priorities:

• Key performance measurements - rewards and penalties for suppliers
• Promotion management - problems, causes, technology adoption
• Merchandizing - evolution in replenishment and category management decision-making processes
• Inbound logistics - adoption of emerging technologies and practices
• VMI - Motivation and criteria

We also use ChainLink Research’s “Holding-the-Bag Quotient” (HBQ) to look at the distribution of inventory burdens—who is left holding the lion’s share of inventory—in the retail supply chain, and for comparison in High Tech.

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11/19/02– "Distribution of Inventory Burden Across the Supply Chain: Who's Left Holding the Bag?"
Electronic Supply Chain Association's 2002 Winter Symposium

A presentation by:
Bill McBeath, Partner, Cofounder, ChainLink Research, Inc.

In order to reduce inventory levels while improving service, companies have moved to just-in-time and build-to-order production models. However, the question arises whether the inventory burden is just being pushed further down the supply chain. In this session, ChainLink Research’s “Holding-the-Bag Quotient” (HBQ) is used to look at the distribution of inventory burdens—who is left holding the lion’s share of inventory—in selected High Tech and CPG/Retail supply chains. The affect of various business practices on inventory burdens, as well as the consequences of even or uneven inventory distribution are explored.

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8/14/02 -- "The Supply Chain Strategy Challenge Speaker Roundtable"
Panel at TOTALsupplychain.com Supply Chain Strategy Challenge webinar

Panel participation by: Bill McBeath, Partner, Cofounder, ChainLink Research, Inc."


ChainLink Research participated in a roundtable discussion on the common elements and unique differences between the three leading Supply Chain models used to drive supply chain strategies:
        •   The SCOR Model
        •   The ChainLink Inter-enterprise Model
        •   Enterprise Commerce Management Blueprint

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8/13/02 -- "The ChainLink Inter-enterprise Model"
Presentation at TOTALsupplychain.com Supply Chain Strategy Challenge webinar

A presentation by Bill McBeath on the ChainLink Inter-enterprise Model and it's framework for understanding how links between companies in a supply chain
evolve and what are the most important considerations in the design and configuration of inter-enterprise supply chain relationships. The audio and graphics of this presentation can be played back over the web by clicking here and
doing the following:
        1.   Scroll to bottom of page and enter email address (not reused or distributed)
        2.   Click the "Submit" button
        3.   Click the "View" button

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