Companies with the most successful and competitive supply chains recognize that technical knowledge and training by themselves are insufficient . SCM PROFESSIONALS must be able to meet the rapid changes of a global economy that demands greater connectivity across companies and geographies and the use of rapidly evolving technologies . they must also have a greater breadth of knowledge in other functional areas and must possess enhanced leadership and communication skills and ensure competitive advantage into the future. The following case example illustrates how supply chain leader IBM is meeting this challenge.