The Chocolate Way:

A firm manufactures a specific brand of chocolate, a popular one with all age groups. Now, in order to make the product responsive and hold fast into the competitive market the firm maintains a close link with suppliers who provide the milk.

For firms' money, the best coca powder for the flavour, an efficient product manager with an equally trained staff who shall design and manufacture what the market requires an effective marketing system and above all the vendor who shall carry it and distribute it to consumers. This is firms' supply chain and managing this to maintain a high quality at all times is called the supply chain management.

It is a linkage, so designed, that one may not function without the other and all have to function in close unison and you, as the entrepreneur has to ensure this. This involves a well conceived strategic planning and long-term tactical orientation, and there is a world of difference among practicing and preaching.