In fact, only fifteen percent of executives surveyed by consultant Bain & Company (www.bain.com) say they have full information about the performance of their company's supply chains. Just seven percent track the performance of their suppliers' and customers' activities. And only three percent have the numbers for their entire supply chain. Nevertheless, 86 percent of executives say supply chain efficiency is a priority. The survey was of 162 senior executives charged with supply chain management.

"Too many executives know they have a supply chain problem," says Miles Cook, Bain director and author of the survey. "What they don't know is that the supply chain leaders in their respective industries are pulling farther away. Most companies are leaving lots of money on the table in their supply chains," he adds.