The extended value chain alignment is focused on collaboration with trading partners including both customer and supplier groups.  THe primary focus is in building a shared understanding and trust as foundational building blocks for supply chain innovation collaboration initiatives.  The learning models will enable the internal and external participants to explore a series of considerations such as:

• Rules of engagement
• Aligning metrics and goals
• Sharing collaboration benefits
• Managing joint project teams
• building trust between groups
• Aligning management team expectations
• Building a common experience with innovation tools and techniques

The optimal approach would contain both interactive planning, confidence building steps, cross-enterprise communications and one or more demonstration pilot learning opportunities to improve cross-enterprise processes.