we all know that there is one thing we cannot avoid: it is that business change is taking place, and often at a rapid pace. such change can be confusing and overwhelming and affects many business partners. we know that we cannot be like the ostrich and bury our head in the sand. we know that, no matter how comfortable it mat feel to continue doing things the way we like doing them, we often have to face up to the discomfort of discarding comfortable conditions, move out of our comfort zone and venture into new, unknown, uncharted circumstances. as competition increases, often on a global or international basis rather than just on a national stage, and certainly at a supply chain level as opposed to a functional level, so the pressures will increase.